JG: Oh my god, Michael, first all, thank you for that question. A man after my own heart. Actually, on the first day of shooting Knock at the Cabin, I went down the elevator to the treadmill and listened to Merrily We Roll Along. I was in negotiations to do Merrily the entire time that we were filming in Philly, and that [contract] didn’t close until we were wrapped on Knock at the Cabin. There was one weekend, after we took Night’s wife’s Zumba class, where I was, like, driving to New York [from Philadelphia] to meet with Maria Friedman, the director. I was very passionate about doing Merrily.
It felt amazing. After being tied up to a chair for a month or so and giving you “movie” [forms a portrait around his face using his hands again], to then get to dance around and sing was great. I just wanted to put my pants back on at the end of every day and go back out on the stage and do it again.
And Ben, I know you filmed this very soon after wrapping Spoiler Alert. A bit earlier, you talked about the number of queer movies you’ve been able to do in recent years, and coincidentally, Spoiler Alert is also about a gay couple trying to reckon with the prospect of a premature death. How was it to go from that project to Knock at the Cabin?
BA: It’s been an intense two years of projects. They’ve all had really heavy central themes to them. Spoiler Alert was really transformational. I was very emotionally connected to it. And the same with this one. I really cared about both those films, and doubly so, I think, because of the gay characters at the heart of them. I could connect to them in a way that I don’t think I have necessarily before in the past.
But they were both such wonderful experiences because of the actors involved, as well. I feel so blessed by Jim [Parsons] and by Jonathan. It’s the first time, I suppose, that I’ve really experienced that level of connection with co-stars that believe in you, potentially more than you believe in yourself. Having thin skin, there’s something very exposing about playing something that feels very close to home. It requires an investment from you that feels personal.
You both admitted to being M. Night Shyamalan fans. What’s your favorite film by him?
JG: It’s the classic. I’ve been saying it’s the “basic” choice because it feels a little basic to me, or predictable, but Ben has informed me that it’s the classic choice. It’s The Sixth Sense.
A classic, undeniably!
BA: Right?! I think mine is The Village, which is… maybe slightly more controversial?
Definitely more of a left-field choice, but go on…
BA: I live for The Village. I love the setting. I love the twist of it. I love the actors in it. Oh my God, it’s got so many incredible American actors in it! I love everything about it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Knock at the Cabin is in theaters Friday February 3rd.
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