Christian Bale Reveals That He Was "Rocked" by This Grim Drama With 'Harry Potter' Star

Christian Bale is an actor with an impressive and diverse filmography, yet he doesn't consider himself a true cinephile.

In an interview, he admitted that he hasn't watched many Hollywood classics, such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Philadelphia Story.

However, there are certain artsy movies he mentions with particular trepidation.

Christian Bale Was Under Impression After Watching Mike Leigh's 'Naked'

Among his favorite films, Bale mentioned Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God, David Lynch's Blue Velvet, and Sam Peckinpah's Western The Wild Bunch, and he named Naked as a film that made an impression on him.

In an interview with Esquire, Bale said:

“I saw The Wild Bunch recently. I remember being rocked by Naked when that came out – and I hate the pretentiousness of that, referencing a Mike Leigh movie, but it really did fascinate me for some reason.”

What Is 'Naked' About?

The plot centers on Johnny (David Thewlis), a cynic and aggressive outcast who wanders the half-empty streets of London while listening to disturbing music.

After things didn't work out with his girlfriend in Manchester, Johnny fled to London, where he hoped to find a fulfilling career. However, the working life he romanticized turns out to be nothing like he imagined.

Every encounter he has with others devolves into conflict. He insults those around him, fights with them, or pesters them with philosophical tirades about the end of the world and the corruption of human nature.

'Naked' Is One of the Most Honest and Sincere Movies About Male Depression

Mike Leigh offers a unique portrayal of male depression. Instead of a silent, withdrawn protagonist, he presents a destructive, chaotic antagonist who refuses to hide from the attention of those around him.

In fact, Johnny dreams of infuriating everyone because he only feels alive through destruction. Empathizing with such a toxic and unpleasant character is difficult, but David Thewlis's brilliant performance makes Johnny endearing.

The main character of Naked is a walking red flag, and his rare tenderness is merely a manifestation of his remaining humanity.

Can someone who has lived by narcissistic principles their whole life change? Unlikely. Can a poor soul whose existence consists of humiliation be cured of anxiety? Probably only with a miracle.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Naked'?

• Naked has 88% from critics and 91% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Naked scored 4.0/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Naked'?

Naked is available to stream on the Criterion Channel.