The “Red Wine” of Acting: How Paul Mescal’s Praise Signals a Shift in Performance Value
The film industry is increasingly valuing actors who bring a raw, deeply felt authenticity to their roles – a quality Paul Mescal recently described as being like a “red wine” performance when speaking about his Hamnet co-star, Jessie Buckley. This isn’t just a charming anecdote from the London Film Festival; it’s a signal of a broader trend where audiences and filmmakers alike are prioritizing emotional depth and vulnerability over traditional notions of polished performance. This shift has significant implications for casting, acting training, and the types of stories that will resonate in the years to come.
Hamnet and the Rise of ‘Full-Bodied’ Performances
Mescal’s description of Buckley – “full-bodied, like raw, [and she] goes to the well every time the way that she works” – highlights a move away from technical perfection towards a more visceral, emotionally honest style. In Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Buckley portrays Agnes Shakespeare (Anne Hathaway), a role demanding immense emotional range. The film, arriving in the US this November and the UK in January 2026, is poised to be a key example of this emerging aesthetic. The cast, including Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Skirt, Noah Skirt, and Olivia Lynes, further suggests a commitment to nuanced character work.
Beyond Technique: The Value of Vulnerability
For decades, acting training often emphasized technique – voice projection, physicality, and precise emotional recall. While these skills remain important, there’s a growing recognition that true connection with an audience requires something more: a willingness to be vulnerable, to expose flaws, and to embrace the messiness of human emotion. This isn’t about simply *appearing* emotional; it’s about accessing and embodying genuine feeling. Actors like Buckley and Mescal, known for their intensely personal performances, are leading the charge. This trend is mirrored in the success of independent films and limited series that prioritize character-driven narratives.
The Data Behind the Demand: Audience Preferences and Streaming’s Impact
This preference for authenticity isn’t just anecdotal. Data from audience engagement metrics on streaming platforms reveals a clear correlation between emotionally resonant performances and higher completion rates and positive reviews. A recent study by Nielsen demonstrated that viewers are increasingly seeking content that evokes strong emotional responses, even if those responses are uncomfortable. Streaming services, driven by subscriber retention, are responding by greenlighting projects that prioritize complex characters and emotionally challenging storylines. This creates a virtuous cycle, further incentivizing actors to embrace vulnerability and depth.
How Casting Directors are Adapting
Casting directors are increasingly looking beyond traditional resumes and headshots, focusing instead on audition tapes that showcase an actor’s ability to connect with the material on a deeply personal level. Self-tapes, now a standard part of the audition process, allow actors to demonstrate their emotional range in a more intimate and authentic setting. There’s also a growing emphasis on “chemistry reads,” where actors are paired together to assess their ability to create a believable and compelling dynamic. The goal is to find performers who can bring a sense of lived experience to their roles, even if those roles are set in historical or fantastical contexts.
The Future of Acting: Implications for Training and Storytelling
The “red wine” actor – someone who delivers a performance that is complex, layered, and deeply felt – is likely to become the industry standard. This will necessitate a shift in acting training, with more emphasis on emotional exploration, personal storytelling, and the development of vulnerability. We can also expect to see more stories that prioritize character development and emotional truth over plot-driven spectacle. The success of films like Aftersun and series like Succession demonstrates the audience appetite for this type of nuanced and emotionally resonant storytelling. The demand for actors capable of delivering these performances will only continue to grow, shaping the landscape of the industry for years to come.
What kind of roles do you think will best showcase this new emphasis on authentic performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
