Triple 9 marked a striking departure from Kate Winslet’s customary roles, intriguing audiences with her portrayal of a ruthless Russian mafia boss. The film presented a refreshing and compelling challenge for the actress, enticing her to take on the role due to its stark contrast from her usual characters.
Winslet candidly confessed that embodying the Russian mafia boss presented a rare challenge in connecting with a character. The role’s difficulty was amplified by the character’s unflattering wardrobe, which stood in stark contrast to her status as an Oscar-winning actress.
The Character Gave Her A Hard Reality Check
Beyond its uniqueness, Winslet emphasized that Triple 9 provided her with precisely the kind of character she sought after giving birth. The role seemed to fulfill a specific need or desire for her during that particular phase of her life, offering a refreshing and fitting opportunity post-pregnancy.
“Also, when I made this film I had just had a baby. And I have to be honest: just from an acting standpoint, I wanted a short, sharp jolt back into reality. I wanted to feel terrified, I wanted to feel out of my comfort zone and to work with a great group of people,” she said.
Ironically, immersing herself in the role of the vicious mafia villain, Irina, brought Kate Winslet face-to-face with a stark reality. The experience served as a profound awakening, leaving her yearning to return home to her children promptly. She expressed the desire to be the nurturing, good-hearted person she knew herself to be, eager to embrace the comfort of singing nursery rhymes and cherishing her role as a loving mother.
“It didn’t feel comfortable in any way shape or form,” she said. “But yeah, I’d love to!” Undeterred by her character’s brutality, Winslet remained undaunted in her willingness to take on sinister roles.
Kate Winslet Took On More Negative Roles
Prior to her role in Triple 9, Winslet had already dipped her toes into playing evil characters through her involvement in the Divergent franchise. Reflecting on the experience, she described it as a significant, thrilling, and invigorating challenge. Embracing the opportunity to portray a vile character brought excitement and enjoyment to her acting journey.
“She’s the nastiest, most irredeemable individual I have ever had the pleasure of portraying and, Yes, it’s something I’ve often toyed with. It’s not from a place of dying to be the villain for the sake of it – the whole ‘baddies have more fun.’ It was fascinating to get into the mindset of someone like Irina, why and how they become who they become,” she told Together.
However, Winslet viewed her role in Triple 9 as far more sinister and malevolent compared to her character in Divergent. Triple 9 can be rented on Apple TV.
Source: Cheatsheet
