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Uma Thurman Rejects Good vs Evil Labels in Acting Roles

Uma Thurman prefers to understand the essential motivations of her characters rather than categorizing them as simply good or evil. She is drawn to complex roles, such as in her new film 'Pretty Lethal', which combines ballet with violent action. Director Vicky Jewson praised Thurman's unique ability to play villains with both wicked humor and empathy. Despite her iconic action roles, Thurman herself states she does not particularly like violence but can appreciate it as an artful performance.

Key Points: Uma Thurman on Playing Characters Beyond Good and Evil

  • Rejects binary character labels
  • Explores human motivation
  • Praised for villainous roles
  • Attracted to feminine-brutal mix
  • Doesn't particularly like violence
2 min read

Uma Thurman does not regard characters as goodies or villains

Actress Uma Thurman discusses her approach to roles, rejecting simple "good" or "bad" labels and exploring human motivation in films like 'Pretty Lethal'.

"I like to figure out some sort of essential motivation of any character through understanding someone. They're neither good nor bad very often. - Uma Thurman"

Los Angeles, March 30

Pretty Lethal actress Uma Thurman prefers to explore human motivations when it comes to playing good or bad characters in movies.

The 55-year-old actress likes to understand what motivates them as real people.

Thurman told people.com: "I like to figure out some sort of essential motivation of any character through understanding someone. They're neither good nor bad very often."

In the action-thriller film Pretty Lethal, the star plays retired ballet star Devora Kasimer, who owns a suspicious roadside inn that five ballerinas, Bones, Princess, Grace, Chloe and Zoe, seek shelter in after their bus breaks down en route to a competition.

The movie's director, Vicky Jewson, lauded Thurman's performance, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Jewson said: "Uma is obviously an icon, and she can play a villain like nobody else can. She has a wicked sense of humour, and she also brings empathy to the character that allows you to stay with the character when the most absurd stuff happens."

Thurman is no stranger to playing villainous characters, as she played the likes of assassin Beatrix Kiddo/The Bride in the action-thriller franchise, Kill Bill, as well as Dr Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy in 1997's Batman + Robin.

The Hollywood star does not "particularly like violence"

Earlier this month, Thurman told InStyle: "I actually don't particularly like violence. Some people really like it; I don't like it. When I see artful movement, I can enjoy violence and action because I'm blown away by it the way I would be if I saw an extraordinary dance performance."

In Pretty Lethal, Thurman's alter ego seeks revenge and mixes ballet-style movements with violent action.

The combination of feminine and brutal elements attracted the actress to the role of Devora.

Thurman said: "Not your everyday streaming Amazon premiere movie. I looked at it, and I was like, How are they going to market this? It's girly, and then it's wild. It's gruesome, funny, and powerful. It's so over the top, it's above the top."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting interview. But honestly, I feel the article is a bit repetitive? It keeps saying she doesn't see characters as good or bad, then gives examples, then says it again. Could have been more concise. Still, Uma Thurman is a legend! ✨
A
Aman W
The part about enjoying violence only when it's "artful movement" like dance really resonates. Our classical dance forms like Kathak or Kalaripayattu also have a fierce, powerful beauty. Maybe that's the connection she's tapping into for this role.
S
Sarah B
"Girly, and then it's wild" – that sounds like a fun combo! It's refreshing to see a female-led action film that doesn't shy away from either femininity or brutality. Hope it releases on Prime here in India soon.
V
Vikram M
True artistry lies in portraying complexity. Our own cinema is also moving beyond black-and-white villains (think of some of the newer web series characters). An actor's job is to humanize, not judge. Good on her for sticking to that philosophy.
K
Kavya N
Kill Bill is iconic! 🗡️ It's great to hear her thoughts behind such roles. The description of this new movie with ballet and violence is so unique. Makes me wonder if we'll see more such genre-blending stories from Hollywood.

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