What Brad Pitt Hated Most About Filming ‘Interview with the Vampire’—And How It Nearly Broke Him

Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Louis de Pointe du Lac in Interview with the Vampire (1994), directed by Neil Jordan and based on Anne Rice’s bestselling novel, is remembered as one of his most iconic performances. However, behind the scenes, the filming process was anything but glamorous. In several retrospective interviews, Pitt has opened up about the immense challenges he faced during production, shedding light on the difficulties that made the experience particularly taxing for him.

Context of the Film and Pitt’s Role

Interview with the Vampire tells the story of Louis, a vampire recounting his long and tortured life to a reporter, played by Christian Slater. Pitt’s character, Louis, is defined by a sense of melancholy and moral conflict, contrasting sharply with Tom Cruise’s more flamboyant and charismatic portrayal of Lestat, Louis’ vampire companion. The film also featured Kirsten Dunst as Claudia, a vampire child, and was praised for its gothic atmosphere and performances. It was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $223 million worldwide, but Pitt’s experience on set was fraught with challenges that would mark the production as a deeply difficult one for him.

Pitt’s Own Account: The 2011 Entertainment Weekly Interview

In a revealing 2011 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pitt candidly discussed the struggles he faced during the shoot. He was asked about his visibly miserable performance in the film, to which he responded, “I am miserable. Six months in the f—ing dark. Contact lenses, make-up, I’m playing the bitch role.” This statement highlights multiple aspects of the difficulties Pitt encountered while filming:

Shooting Conditions: The film was shot primarily at night to capture the desired gothic atmosphere, a decision that contributed to the film’s haunting visual style. Pitt spent six months in the dark at Pinewood Studios in London, during the winter, with no natural daylight. The windowless environment compounded the sense of isolation and made the overall atmosphere “dreary” and depressing. Pitt later shared that one particularly tough day broke him: “I called David Geffen, who was a producer… I said, ‘David, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t do it. How much will it take to get me out?’ And he goes, very calmly, ‘Forty million dollars.’” Feeling financially strapped, Pitt admitted, “I had nothing, man. I didn’t have a house.” These conditions were mentally and physically exhausting for the actor, leading to his desperation during filming.

Physical Demands: The physical discomfort of wearing contact lenses and heavy makeup for his vampire appearance was another challenge. The prolonged use of contact lenses, which often required constant adjustments, and the layers of makeup added to the long hours on set, further contributing to Pitt’s physical and emotional discomfort.

Role’s Passivity: Perhaps the most significant frustration for Pitt was his role itself. He described Louis as a “bitch role,” reflecting his dissatisfaction with the character’s passivity. Unlike Cruise’s energetic portrayal of Lestat, Louis’ character was introspective, melancholy, and largely reactive, rather than active. Pitt explained, “I had nothing to do — you just sit and watch.” This lack of dynamism left Pitt feeling disconnected from the role, contrasting sharply with his preference for more active, engaging characters.

Director’s Perspective: Neil Jordan’s Insights

In a 2024 interview with Variety, director Neil Jordan reflected on Pitt’s challenging experience, offering a perspective on why the actor might have struggled. He suggested that the very nature of Louis as a character contributed to Pitt’s dissatisfaction: “I think the problem that he suffered from was the fact that the role suffers.” Jordan’s comment underscores the emotional weight of Louis’ character, who is steeped in suffering and introspection throughout the film. The inherent sadness of the role likely mirrored Pitt’s own emotional strain during the production, making it even more taxing for the actor.

Additional Reports and Fan Discussions

Pitt’s struggles during filming were not limited to his own accounts. A 2022 SlashFilm article revisited Pitt’s miserable experience on the set of Interview with the Vampire, referencing his earlier interview with Entertainment Weekly to highlight the physical and mental toll the production took on him. Similarly, a 2011 article from NOLA.com focused on the personal difficulties Pitt faced while filming in New Orleans, further adding context to his reflections. Additionally, a Tumblr post raised questions about the filming process, mentioning Pitt’s grievances over the grueling night shoots, which may have triggered symptoms akin to seasonal affective disorder, and the delayed access to the script, which added to the stress of the project.

Conclusion

Brad Pitt’s experience filming Interview with the Vampire was undeniably challenging, shaped by harsh shooting conditions, physical discomfort, and a role that left him feeling disconnected from the material. While the film went on to become a cult classic, Pitt’s reflections offer an important glimpse into the emotional and physical difficulties faced by actors working on demanding productions. Despite these challenges, the film’s success and Pitt’s enduring legacy in the role of Louis de Pointe du Lac stand as a testament to his dedication and resilience, both as an actor and as a person.