daniel Day-Lewis, the famously selective three-time Oscar winner, has returned to the screen in Paul Schrader‘s Oh Mercy, marking a significant moment for cinema and a potential masterclass in acting. The film, currently in production, represents Day-Lewis’s first role since 2017’s Phantom Thread, and signals a possible shift away from his long-held retirement.
Day-Lewis’s decision to reappear captivates audiences and industry professionals alike, given his reputation for immersive preparation and infrequent performances. His previous roles-including Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (2012), Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1989), and Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York (2002)-have consistently demonstrated a commitment to method acting and a transformative ability to embody characters. Oh Mercy promises to be another compelling showcase of his talent.
Details surrounding the film remain largely under wraps, but it is indeed known to center on a hitman seeking redemption. A particularly memorable scene from a recent reading involved a lengthy monologue where the character, Ray, recounts a horrific act-describing to his brother how he, as an adult in RAF uniform, defecated on the face of a Catholic priest who had sexually abused him as an altar boy.
Actor Daniel Day-Lewis delivered the intensely disturbing dialog with a “sardon[ic] grinsen,” according to reports. The character concludes the story by questioning his brother’s belief in its veracity: “Glaubst du mir meine Geschichte?” (“Do you believe my story?”). However, the actor’s presence inherently lends weight to the narrative, suggesting that, as one observer noted, “Wenn Daniel Day-Lewis vor der Kamera steht, erschafft er immer noch seine eigenen Wahrheiten” (“When Daniel Day-Lewis stands in front of the camera, he still creates his own truths”).
