Martin Lawrence gives us a grizzled detective in Mauro Borrelli’s Mindcage. Detective Jake Doyle (Lawrence) and Mary Kelly (Melissa Roxburgh) seek the help of an incarcerated serial killer referred to as “The Artist” (John Malkovich) when a copycat killer strikes. While Mary attempts to uncover clues in The Artist’s twisted psyche, she and Jake are lured into a diabolical game, racing against time to stay one step ahead of The Artist and his copycat. Lawrence dropped by to chat a bit about the thriller, a total departure from his previous roles and the artistry of those crime scene set pieces.
This is definitely a shift for you in terms of a departure from comedic roles to doing this complete 180 into a dramatic thriller and playing it totally straight. What was it about the role of Jake that most appealed to you?
I had been looking to do something different for some time, and I have always been open to doing the right kind of drama or thriller for me. Jake is most definitely different from any of the other cop roles I have played. He’s subdued and mysterious, and there is depth there because of his struggles.
Is there a moment in the script that really made you say, “I have to do this”?
I liked the idea of going for something that could be challenging for me, and this script offered that. I worked with a coach to prepare for this, and I think when the cast came together, it was a no-brainer.
This is a very visually striking movie, was there any particular moment that you walked onto the set and were sort of just blown away?
Yes, many times. Without giving anything away, the bodies were made up very artistically, really glorified details. The day we shot the train scene, I was blown away by what the visual arts team had done. Everything that was so disturbing was also made to look so beautiful, and I liked that juxtaposition.
What was the most challenging and the most enjoyable part of this experience for you?
The most enjoyable part of making this movie was working with great talent. No question that working alongside John Malkovich was a treat. You don’t get much better than that, and I really enjoyed working with Melissa. She’s got great appeal and was a joy to work with, so by far, the cast was really enjoyable. The most challenging was shooting this in remote parts of Arkansas during Covid. But the experience overall with the film was gratifying and got me out of my comfort zone.
Does this make you want to venture further into thriller and horror territory?
Oh, most definitely. I think I am always open to any good and interesting opportunities.
What are some of your all-time favorites or some horror titles you really enjoyed this year?
I am not a huge horror fan, but there are some horror films and thrillers I like. I did enjoy Texas Chainsaw Massacre, US, Get Out, and The Purge.
Anything else you’d like to share with fans or tell the audience going into this?
You will be very surprised by the way it ends.
Mindcage is now in select theaters and available on VOD. Check out our interview with director Mauro Borrelli right here.
