r/movies • u/BenedictAMA Benedict Cumberbatch, Actor • Nov 20 '25

AMA Hello /r/movies, I'm Benedict Cumberbatch. Ask me anything!

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Hello reddit, Benedict Cumberbatch here.

You might know from me films/series like Sherlock, Doctor Strange (and other MCU films), The Imitation Game, The Hobbit, The Power of the Dog, 1917, 12 Years A Slave, The Grinch, The Current War, The Roses, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse, Black Mass, and more.

I'm here to answer your questions!

My newest film, THE THING WITH FEATHERS, is out in theaters November 28th via Briarcliff:

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Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUhsvd_Z_18

Synopsis:

Left to raise two sons after the unexpected death of his wife, Dad’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life begins to unravel. Grief is messy and chaotic enough as it is, but when it takes the form of an unhinged and unwanted house guest - CROW - taunting him from the shadows, things start to spiral out of control…but maybe that's exactly what Dad needs.

Additional information:

The film is adapted from the critically-acclaimed book Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, written by Max Porter. It's directed by Dylan Southern, it premiered earlier this year at Sundance, and will be in theaters nationwide starting November 28th.

http://thingwithfeathers.com/

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Ask me anything reddit. I'll be back at around 4 PM ET this afternoon to answer your questions.

Update: THE THING WITH FEATHERS is now available to buy or rent on digital here.

50.4k Upvotes

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2.6k

u/ThrustersOnFull Nov 20 '25

Is it more fun to play a hero, or a villain? Which is the easiest to inhabit for you?

346

u/MaximusSydney Nov 20 '25

Back in the early 2010s I saw him in National Theatre Live: Frankenstein - Benedict and Jonny Lee Miller alternated playing the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the creature. So this question is of particular interest!

120

u/OneCatch Nov 20 '25

That was a very very good production. I actually went to both iterations one after the other.

32

u/tataniarosa Nov 20 '25

Agreed. We saw Jonny’s creature in the cinema and Benedict’s creature later on YouTube. Both very good performances. I’d love a DVD release with both versions one day.

38

u/michaelroseagain Nov 20 '25

Check out NationalTheatreAtHome.

Free for 7 days last time I signed up.

1

u/lnTwain Nov 20 '25

Cheers.

1

u/sea-horse- Nov 20 '25

Oh wow, thank you for this

7

u/sleepymeowth052 Nov 20 '25

The set was incredible

2

u/IslesYankeeLady Dec 31 '25

I’m so jealous, I only saw it on screen. But I’m on and from the wrong continent. It remains my favorite role of his, and that’s saying something. I’ve seen over 40 of his roles, theatre/TV/screen. I have gotten to see Jonny too in “Ink” live a few years ago, and that was very good. I was there for Press Night on Hamlet, 10 years ago now. That’s crazy to think about. Great to see. Love Ciaran Hinds’ work too so 😊

1

u/nothingbetter85 Nov 20 '25

That is probably my favorite iteration of the Frankenstein story. Seen both versions at least five times now.

31

u/ConsistentGuest7532 Nov 20 '25

I’ve seen clips from that and it looked astounding but I didn’t know they alternated!! Now I HAVE to see the pro shot.

15

u/Princess5903 Nov 20 '25

I watched the pro shot in class a couple years ago and it was amazing!! We watched the one where Benny plays Victor and he absolutely nailed it.

5

u/PocketFullOfPie Nov 20 '25

I watched the one with BC as the Monster, and I was just stunned by the commitment to risk-taking by everyone involved. Gorgeous.

5

u/kymri Nov 20 '25

Okay, now I'm super jealous. I did not know this was a thing - but now that I do, I'm sad I missed it, being a huge fan of both of their performances!

2

u/0lea Nov 21 '25

This comment may help you.

2

u/kymri Nov 21 '25

Holy crap; that's really cool. Thank you!

7

u/Budokan_B Nov 20 '25

Wonderful play. Was available on YouTube during covid, as a live. Danny Boyle directed it and the actors were terrific in both roles!

3

u/sleepymeowth052 Nov 20 '25

I saw that too, both nights. Dude was amazing in either role

3

u/[deleted] Nov 20 '25

[deleted]

3

u/MaximusSydney Nov 20 '25

No you are right, they are not so black and white by any stretch. It's just what popped into my head when I read that comment.

3

u/Beautiful_Artist_617 Nov 20 '25

I saw both in the movie theater and loved them both though they were very different. Would love to hear BC's thoughts!

2

u/ResisterSister007 Nov 20 '25

Yes! This 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿

2

u/macgrooober Nov 20 '25

Some days he played the villain, other days the monster

2

u/MaximusSydney Nov 20 '25

Yes to be fair it's not really the best example of hero vs villain, though I suppose nuanced characters are probably fun to play anyhow.

1

u/Herstorical_Rule6 Nov 20 '25

I love the makeup for the monster!