Stephen Graham Plays a Psychopath in ‘Nocturno’

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Stephen Graham Plays a Psychopath in ‘Nocturno’.

Stephen Graham knows one role is not like the other: In ‘Adolescencia,’ he plays the father of a teenager, while in Apple’s new psychological thriller ‘Nocturno,’ he takes on the role of a psychopath. Liev Schreiber appears alongside him. The change of roles initially seems so abrupt that it raises a question: How does Graham manage to switch between such different characters?

His own answer is strikingly straightforward. He describes himself as an actor who is a chameleon — “but also a bit like a magpie.” In doing so, he is describing less a fixed identity than his willingness to bring out different sides of his characters.

From the Father in ‘Adolescencia’ to the Psychopath in ‘Nocturno’

The title of Graham’s comedy hit ‘Adolescencia’ and his new project are worlds apart. In ‘Adolescencia,’ he is the father of a boy, while in ‘Nocturno,’ he is a psychopath. Both roles can be seen on Apple TV and in ‘Nocturno,’ respectively, Apple TV’s new psychological thriller.

Graham and Schreiber play the lead roles. The contrast between the paternal character and the psychopath makes Graham a central figure: His ability to transform is intended not only to impress, but also to illustrate how differently the two roles are conceived.

Why Graham Seeks Out the Darker Sides of His Characters

Graham describes a recurring tendency in his characters. Many of them lean toward the darker side of humanity, as he says in his conversation with El País. He therefore does not treat his roles as interchangeable assignments: The morally uncomfortable facets of his characters apparently interest him in particular.

Many of my characters lean toward the darker side of humanity.

This also explains why he confidently describes his work as that of a chameleon. The word “magpie” adds a second emphasis: It suggests a degree of unpredictability. Graham does not merely switch between roles; he also seems to seek out characters in whom contradictions and abysses become visible.

What Graham’s Change of Roles Means for You

For you as a viewer, ‘Nocturno’ is primarily an opportunity to see Graham in a new setting. If you know him from ‘Adolescencia,’ you may initially expect to see a more fatherly actor. That is precisely where the appeal lies: His familiar role makes the psychopath in ‘Nocturno’ all the more striking.

In addition, Graham and Schreiber do not simply stand alongside one another; both are at the center of a psychological thriller. In doing so, Graham follows directly on from ‘Adolescencia’ — but not sentimentally, rather deliberately in sharp contrast.

An Actor Who Prefers to Look Deep into Human Abysses

Graham’s own self-image provides the clearest conclusion to his work in ‘Nocturno’: He describes himself as a chameleon and, at the same time, as a kind of magpie. One stands for his ability to adapt to new characters, while the other represents his willingness to test the unexpected and the uncomfortable.

His statement about the darker side of humanity also makes it clear that he does not understand his roles merely as acting assignments. Rather, he actively seeks out characters in which contradictions and ethical gray areas can be portrayed. ‘Nocturno’ does exactly that: Graham plays a psychopath, and his own view of his characters explains why this side of humanity fascinates him in particular.