Ralph Fiennes explains how he figured out the mindset and characterization of playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies. Fiennes first played Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when the Dark Lord regains his body and continued playing him throughout the rest of the series. Despite a relatively late introduction to the movies, Fiennes delivered one of the most memorable performances from the entire Harry Potter cast, further cementing Voldemort as an all-time great villain.
While speaking with People, Fiennes discussed how he was able to play a character like Voldemort who does not possess any empathy. He focused on the immense pleasure that Voldemort derives from being able to manipulate and bend others to his domineering will. Fiennes also explained how satisfied Voldemort is with knowing the depths of his formidable power and that he has what he needs to fully exert his evil. Check out Fiennes’ comments below:
When I play Voldemort, I’m trying to access something without empathy. It’s about power and control and the manipulating of people for power. It’s a real, almost erotic pleasure in how I can control you. I know I have the power to do it. You have no chance.
What This Means For Harry Potter
From Goblet Of Fire To Deathly Hallows, Ralph Fiennes’ Voldemort Performance Never Faltered
Fiennes’ portrayal of Voldemort was immediately effective because of his dramatic and terrifying introduction in Goblet of Fire‘s graveyard scene. The “almost erotic pleasure” that Fiennes describes is quickly evident as Voldemort revels in having his body again, tormenting Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), and in summoning the Death Eaters. The horror and impact of Voldemort’s return felt more real because of the way Fiennes played it and made the prospect of the remaining movies even more exciting.
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Harry Potter: Voldemort’s Sorcerer’s Stone Actor (& Why They Were Changed)
Ralph Fiennes is known for portraying Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film franchise, but he didn’t play the character in the first movie.
In the following sequels, Fiennes’ performance was just as strong in Goblet of Fire as Voldemort continued to take pleasure in becoming increasingly powerful and eventually being undone by the mistakes he could never learn from, leading to his defeat. While some characters feel distinct between the Harry Potter books and movies, it is nearly impossible to picture or think about Voldemort without seeing Fiennes and the chilling voice he gave to the villain. He understood that Voldemort completely lacked empathy and his performance embodied that perfectly.
He Made Voldemort A Compelling Villain To Watch
Between Schindler’s List, The Menu, and Conclave, Fiennes is a highly accomplished and acclaimed actor, but Voldemort will forever be one of his most defining roles. This is largely because of how he focused on Voldemort’s pleasure, not only when making Harry and his enemies suffer, but on making his own Death Eaters like Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) uncomfortable. Fiennes ensured that Voldemort was not only an evil and powerful antagonist, but one who enjoyed every moment of his cruelty and malice throughout the Harry Potter movies.
Source: People
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe
, Emma Watson
, Rupert Grint
, Tom Felton
, Alan Rickman
, Matthew Lewis
, Bonnie Wright
, Evanna Lynch
, Maggie Smith
, Michael Gambon
, Richard Harris
, Ralph Fiennes
, Helena Bonham Carter
, Alfred Enoch
, Harry Melling
, Gary Oldman
, Robert Pattinson
, Warwick Davis
, Oliver Phelps
, James Phelps
, David Bradley
, David Thewlis
, Katie Leung
, Jason Isaacs
, Imelda Staunton
, David Tennant
, Jamie Campbell Bower
, Timothy Spall
, Robbie Coltrane
, Eddie Redmayne
, Jude Law
, Katherine Waterston
, Ezra Miller
, Dan Fogler
, Alison Sudol
, Johnny Depp
, Mads Mikkelsen