"He Challenged My Faith" - Matthew McConaughey On Playing Rustin Cohle

Jordan Peterson and Matthew McConaughey discuss the TV show True Detective and the experience of playing Rustin Cohle.
Greenlights By Matthew McConaughey: amzn.to/3TV8mKp
#jordanpeterson #matthewmcconaughey #truedetective
AV Mind Merch: avmind.myshopify.com/
@JordanBPeterson @MatthewMcConaughey
Full Interview: • Greenlights (and Darkn...
Consider giving a like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell to ensure you never miss out!
Follow On X🐦: / a_vmind
Follow On Instagram📸: / av_mind
Follow On Tik Tok🤳🏻: / av_mind
- Altior Veritas -

[@AVmind]

Give a like if you also LOVED Season One of True Detective. "The world needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door." - Rustin Cohle Thank you for watching.

[@marz9676]

All the men of TRUE Detective treated women like sht. And it was perfectly normal and ok. That's what I remember about it.

[@RedLeo-pf9yo]

What’s cool these days is, the people get interviewed don’t have to fly to the city to get interviewed anymore, seems like everybody can just put a camera in their bedroom like Matthew McConaughey , and interview real quick, and then go feed the kids or whatever.

[@BaronMorte]

Both Matthew and Woody went above and beyond when it came to True Detective; and Jordan is right, they both made those characters so real. Holy crap that 1st season is a masterpiece.

[@yaimavol]

Then every season after that totally sucked

[@chrisbirch4150]

I think season one was a brilliant character study with some interesting philosophy thrown in, but the main plotline didn't deliver in the end. Enjoyed it though

[@ES-os7ko]

@@chrisbirch4150 this is precisely how I experienced it as well

[@1993Redemption]

"The world needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door" I always loved that quote.

[@Tusk-ruk]

I bet you also loved the line in American Sniper about sheepdogs. I don't intend to be mean, but you're getting a little old for that macho BS. There are far better lines in TD S01 imho.

[@kdizzle901]

This place is like somebody’s memory of a town but the memory is fading….its like there’s never anything here but jungle I don’t sleep I just dream I thought I was mainlining the secret truth of the universe There’s so many

[@johnhaug153]

Stop saying odd shit.

[@moussetache1815]

Yes, excellent line. "I never sleep, I only dream" is also one I love.

[@kdizzle901]

@@moussetache1815 it’s “I don’t sleep….i just dream”

[@rustcohle2406]

crazy how he delivers those nihilistic dialogues like a true pessimist when he has faith irl , shows his great acting skills

[@dianasimms1810]

His best role ever!

[@lgs888]

10000%. easily his best.

[@joshwoodhouse9912]

Fine I’ll rewatch true detective again

[@lgs888]

ok im down.

[@nirmaldas2242]

One of the greatest character made in cinema.

[@brynleyjones3635]

As cinematic as True Detective season one is, TV is not cinema

[@ryansmith240992]

It was made for TV, not cinema

[@professorflop8557]

I’d pay to have the show shown in theaters

[@luc9766]

"Optimism is courage if it is not naive." That's very true and it's basically having hope and courage to carry on wherever the road takes you, no matter the circumstances.

[@Atlashon]

That show, man. That character. Jesus.

[@rockyhamilton1023]

“Play a man’s game, pay a man’s price” Such a great show.

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

What I loved about Matt's portrayal of Rustin is that shortly after starting the show I was immediately pulled in to stop seeing him as Matthew McConaughey and saw him as Rustin. That's acting, when you can take a well known famous actor who is not covered in makeup that can act so good you no longer see them as the actor but the character they are playing.

[@TpolTime]

Well said

[@themanwithnoname3636]

100%. A lot of the old school actors had this.

[@Paconennation]

Up to date, ik him as Rustin cohle ik that there's a guy out there who is Rust

[@tommyjohnson43]

Time is a flat circle.

[@fullmetalandtheflame438]

Absolutely loved the first season of True Detective. Matthew and Woody nailed those roles, and so did the rest of the cast.

[@moshko8362]

what I have seen up until now from Matthew, Nic Pizzolatto and Cary Fukunaga separately I think that first season of True Detective was a lot of genius influx coming together at the right time, at the right place, like an eclipse, never to be repeated again for let's say another 99 years. Everything they did after that, separately, at least for me, didn't even come close.

[@dianasimms1810]

Agreed! Moments of joy are so important if we’re going to die anyhow.

[@sebastianquilt]

Jordan saying Matthew's optimism isn't naive is a compliment few optimists can receive because naive optimism is ubiquitous in human subjects. Respect to McConaughey.

[@martasoltys9091]

I love True Detective. I wish they'd make more seasons.

[@ju5t1n26]

Rust Cohle was spittin facts

[@puremisery1649]

He was right about nearly everything he said, worldview wise

[@francesco5581]

no he is a nihilistic... and change at the end. Is the nihilistic attitude of insecure people. Teenagers like to be nihilistic for example-

[@puremisery1649]

@@francesco5581 lol what? There are many well-learned and well-spoken nihilistic philosophers who were mature adults going back thousands of years. It’s a perfectly rational point of view that has offered the best explanation for life that I’m yet to hear. Also Rust’s “redemption” at the end was probably the dumbest part of the whole show. It made no sense but was shoehorned in anyway because TV shows have to have a happy ending (unlike life). I’m guessing some studio exec made that call because I don’t see Nic writing something that stupid.

[@francesco5581]

@@puremisery1649 i think you are all into the character of "pure misery" and you like that... But nihilism is at core is a smug attitude, teenagerish i would say (and yes teenagerish people of any age...) because is at that age that we tend to appreciate nihilism to appear more "macho/cool". regarding philosophy all nihilism is about interpretations of Nietzsche and thats vary a lot ...lets add too that Nietzsche ended mad.

[@lemon-yi6yh]

@@francesco5581 you don't know what you're talking about, do you?

[@daniellefeathers4298]

Great questions and even better conversations!

[@lgs888]

easily his best performance for me. amazing season.

[@brynleyjones3635]

Rust has reached levels of legend in the 21st century as Clint Eastwood's the man with no name did in the 60's

[@moeperry3606]

This series has been very good but season one was Excellent. I've watched it all the way through twice. Matthew and Woody knocked this one outta the park!!

[@zicero7474]

I've watched it three times and i'm considering watching it a fourth time after this haha :D

[@tomevans4402]

Great show

[@jennag7650]

I watched the season for the first time just a couple of months ago and like everyone else I was blown away by both Matthew and Woody, with a new found respect for them as actors. What is really disturbing though is how true to life the story is… I’ve lived in Louisiana my whole life and there really is a dark, seedy underbelly with corrupt politicians who have family ties that influence those in power.

[@tabularasa7350]

amazing

[@lohi172]

The line about non naive optimism being courageous reminds me of Waymond from Everything Everywhere All At Once.

[@mildacha8050]

Oh yes, it's a fight FOR what you believe in, despite any evil, and its hard. ❤❤❤

[@cdane7]

Like everyone has, I’ve watched a lot of really great shows over the years. A lot of really great Characters. Characters like Tony Soprano, Walter White, Thomas Shelby, etc…But for me, Rust Cohle is the greatest character I’ve ever seen on a tv show. Mathew just disappeared into this nihilistic wreck of a person. It was really amazing. That scene where he tells the lady “prison is hard on people who hurt kids. If you get the opportunity you should kill yourself”. And him a cop! Jesus man! Just an endlessly intriguing character. I wish they’d find a way to bring him back someday.

[@natmanprime4295]

some people look back on a great life. why? because they were courageous. courage is the closest thing to getting something for nothing.

[@gdept88]

Fuck, Peterson liked True Detective.

[@FungoLingo]

You’ve got to respect the sense of humor of a man who makes his bed and uses it as his backdrop for a Zoom call with Jordan Peterson.

[@Oneaphelion]

lol

[@steviewolfeofficial]

True detective season one is both the darkest and most intriguing show i think ive ever watched in the longest time. It also covered some themes that never in a million years I would've thought anything in Hollywood had the balls to go no near.

[@TheKeithbh]

David Benatar is the South African "anti-natalist" philosophiser mentioned (4:15), who the New Yorker described as (he) "may be the world’s most pessimistic philosopher" (Nov. 2017).

[@Paconennation]

I love cohle

[@Tbone.357]

Classic performance that solidified my change of philosophy regarding religious beliefs that are illogical but believed anyway because it comforts people. I disagree when they say that having a belief system in something that is unprovable is better than not. I think it makes you appreciate the present much more when you realize that this is most likely all there is.

[@PiCheZvara]

Why was McConaughey so good as Cole? Simple, he simply started really making an effort to act, he picked good roles, put in some effort. He's an actor after all. Mud is his best role though, not True detective. Mud is just too good of a character.

[@JolieF]

🤔 That faith keeps one’s mind strong.

[@bensondewalt8200]

I read the script. He could have said he’s just an actor reading the lines of dialogue. This question should be for the writer of the series.

[@Death0Row]

Learn to love the darkness,so you can see yourself in the light.

[@litjellyfish]

Yeah many old C++ devs feels this way

[@derekhurst9]

For a trained psychologist, Jordan struggles with shutting the f up.

[@Thydeepestfear]

That’s literally the reason why he’s famous. It’s because people want to hear him speak. It’s not that hard to understand.

[@PiCheZvara]

That's because he's in it for attention, ego and fame and money too. Why do you think he is interviewing an actor about a TV show? As if that was some enormous mystery. Peterson is after fame, he is depressed, he wants money, he has a lot of things going on.

[@clos49er05]

You sound jealous lol

[@juliusjokela5025]

Jordan is a cringe self-indulged populist. No surprise he needs to bathe and pamper his ego left and right. Sadly, being a trained anything doesn't make you decent human being or a graceful soul.

[@somefuckstolemynick]

The man is also a professor. And this is a podcast, not a therapy session.

[@taylorbranson7790]

Idk all life is suffering and let it end is bs to me. The only time I feel that way is if I’m sick or hungover. Most of the time I enjoy life and accept it’s challenges nervous yet happy.

[@gregjarnigan3515]

He should've asked him about 'Tiptoes.'

[@jerrykirk1898]

Let him tell it Jordan please

[@bwiel]

I never saw Rust as a 'dark' character though. For all his pessimism or realism ;) , to me he was actually like a shining beacon of truth, intelligence & moral compass, in a very corrupt and grotty setting. He had integrity. So just because he suffered a lot and had bleak thoughts about people and life, didn't make him 'dark' to me.

[@nicholascrockettfilms]

Agreed. Rust isn't a nihilist. Pessimism is not nihilism. Rust used his career as a detective to actively reduce the amount of suffering in his proximity. That's a very potent purpose in life if you ask me.

[@chriz9959]

i would not pigeonhole myself as a “pessimist” after listening to Rust's nihilistic remarks. i think there are one or more levels of meta-perception that, when taken and the underlying layers understood, lead to such conclusions regardless of one's emotional stance. Anyways very nice acting by both true detectives. such roles only show how great these actors actually are

[@tomdalsin5175]

The notion that suffering or death is a negative is something I disagree with. Experiences are not positive or negative... choices are positive or negative. Choosing to face hardship for altruism or self-improvement is good. The hardship actually amplifies that goodness. Good and Bad are value metrics. Value is subjective... value is literally generated, fabricated, and assigned by subjective beings. A universe without subjective beings has no values, and is utterly and cosmically irrelevant in every way. Life is the highest value, because life is a sustained and continuous subjectivity... in other words, life generates value in a purely practical manner of speaking.

[@ENTERTAINtheDUDE]

Imagine Peterson doing Junkets haha. Asking deep physiological question on the latest Sleeping Beauty film...

[@jeferson2070]

I laughed SO HARD when he said we should stop reproducing then they cut to McConaughey and HE is laughing AF too 😂 I love this Guy

[@puremisery1649]

Interesting that so many conversations about the morality of creating children never even come close to addressing whether it’s good for the child, no thought for whether or not they even want to participate in this “grand adventure” of life, where the only way to learn lessons is through immense suffering.

[@FishOnJJ]

People often get anti nativism wrong. If you read the philosophy behind anti nativism, it’s a moral story. Turn it around, if you want to be moral person, should you have as many children as possible (within the means of what you can reasonably support)?

[@SOAD11111111]

​@@puremisery1649bra, we don't have a choice anyway

[@puremisery1649]

@@SOAD11111111 we don’t have a say in whether or not we are born, but we have to choice to create new life or not.

[@SOAD11111111]

@@puremisery1649 choice is an illusion

[@AmerigoGadsden]

I thought 'Rust' was referring to Baldwin for a second. I'll check out this show.

[@stendaalcartography3436]

It's great show. Story about a man overcoming nihilism. Wonderful stuff. Very poignant.

[@stephenschenider4007]

@@stendaalcartography3436 Fuck...Never thought about it in that context with Cole. Thanks.

[@AVmind]

You definitely should. Great show, with some of the best acting and story that HBO has ever put out. You should know, though, that True Detective is an anthology series. Rustin Cohle Story is only in season one.

[@garylake1676]

Rust found his meaning by being a detective, he was not that nihilistic, in fact his productivity astounded Marty I recall the scene in the marquee when Rust says words to the effect ‘if religion is the only thing keeping these people from committing heinous acts, then I want a piece of them’. Rust Cohle was his own religion, that is why he was so annoyed with himself when Marty’s wife got him to make love to her, as he had degenerated into the individual he so despised, I.e. the weak ones in need of something like religion. Even when he left the force, the light burned bright inside, he still hunted down the case that got away In summary, Rustin Cohle was not a nihilist, he had a mission, his life had meaning and purpose, he just struggled with forming relationships with people.

[@stendaalcartography3436]

​@@garylake1676 Hard disagree. When he says humanity should just stop reproducing and just die off, it doesn't get more nihilistic than that(this was episode 1 or 2). And the end, final scene, when he looks up at the night sky and says **spoiler alert** now he thinks there's more light in the world than darkness. That's him overcoming nihilism. edit: also definition of "religion" is to worship powerful being or some form of special superpower. So no, I don't think Rust was his own religion. I mean, what you saying? that he hated religion because only the weak participated in it yet he was his own whole religion himself? That's nonsense. You saw Rust and saw a man full of meaning? Being detective was his escapism. Nah broski, he was two doors away from offing himself. Closing the case was only thing that helped postpone that final act. And in that process, overcoming it. edit2: when Rust was being interviewed by two new detectives and they were going through crime scene photos of murdered individuals and he says something like, "Look at their faces, they all welcome death in the end" is also nihilistic AF statement.

[@RickLag8514]

McConaughey looks like he just got off the set of Tropic Thunder 😄

[@kinglear6150]

David Benatar.

[@rp-2f]

Back when stories were about character.

[@NormalizingAtheism]

Matthew played a fantastic atheist.

[@elijahchesterthomas5334]

What is sweet is only sweet because of the overwhelmingly bitter. Silver linings.

[@casualviewing1096]

Always ‘on’, never a genuine moment.

[@leonidas7281]

The seasons after the first were doomed. Nothing could measure up. The content in that show is really happening.

[@catherineobrien8696]

The south african you can't remember is David Benatar. He, and I, believe life should NEVER be strareted, too painful NOT wrth it EVER

[@Sizifus]

Rustin Cohle seems nihilistic with his spoken philosophy but he's anything but nihilistic. His actions point to someone who despite seeing the worst the world has to offer, still pushes through with his convictions to avenge and save the innocent. The nihilistic side of him is the part that emerged upon the loss of his daughter, the side that wants to prove Rust how meaningless and futile his actions are, despite that, even with some of the setbacks, Rust pushes through.

[@Musso88]

Good point. I think that when you really boil it down, nobody is truly nihilistic (maybe other than people with some kind of mental disorder or imbalance). We're not wired that way. Even the people who think themselves completely nihilistic and outside of thinking anything really matters, will always prove otherwise over one thing or another.

[@user-go1jm7ib6j]

Really dug the 1st season, up until the end when, hilariously, Rust is 'redeemed,' sees the light. They couldn't allow Rust to end the show as a degenerate atheist, which, as a degenerate atheist, I found highly amusing.

[@ericm3327]

He’s redeemed from his nihilism and desire to die as penance for his daughter

[@joshtuk]

Love for a child can change anyone. The ending was perfect.

[@user-go1jm7ib6j]

There's clearly a reason the Rust 'redemption' didn't occur until the end. The degenerate atheist Rust monologues, that's the reason it was a big hit. It wasn't just another routine cop procedural. The last episode cracked me up, cuz, of course, he had to be 'redeemed.' This is Hollywood. It's not allowed. He couldn't be a nihilistic, degenerate atheist right to the end, even though they exist.

[@katz7609]

​@@user-go1jm7ib6j I don't see it as a form of being "Redeemed" but that Rust had elevated himself from such a mindset. Atheist or not, Rust's viewpoint isn't healthy nor does it serve any purpose except for a self destructive behavior. Some characters don't grow and some do, Rust keeping to his viewpoint wouldn't be growth in character.

[@puremisery1649]

@@katz7609his viewpoint is right, whether it’s “healthy” or not, and he had conviction and logic in what he said and believed for many years. Then he goes through a near death experience and then suddenly decides life is worth it because he feels some kind of “spiritual” connection to his dead child. It was completely out of character and it’s that sappy bullshit that was absent from the other seven episodes that attracted people to the show in the first place.

[@marz9676]

A reminder to "Christians" that Jesus explained in Matt. 25: 31-46. that we are divided into two groups at the Judgment. The sheep and the goats. The sheep are those who are true believers and their actions prove it with bleeding heart compassion and charity to the poor, ill, homeless, foreigner, and imprisoned. Love to "the least of these. " Thats your proof!! The charitable sheep are welcomed into heaven. The goats are those who lack compassion and charity to the "least of these." They are damned to hell. How will most "Christians" be sorted. JESUS SAYS WHAT HE SAYS

[@chrisbirch4150]

The bleak philosophy of the unnamed south african is interesting. The human mind has become so complex that it experiences incaclulable levels of suffering in the modern world, regardless of circumstance. It could, from that perspective, be said that the continuation of humanity isnt 'worth it', so to speak. However, the viewpoint is hilariously defeatist. I think Neitsche's main thesis was how to combat this state of affairs and that was 150 years ago. There is an argument that there is too much suffering, but we need to explore a collective shift of outlook moving forward. We are not doomed.

[@FishOnJJ]

Think you’re missing the point of anti nativism.

[@chrisbirch4150]

@@FishOnJJ how so? I am not arguing. I only know what was said in this video

[@leekautz2926]

To comment on the whole hey let's b optimistic to improve our lives even though there's tragedy everywhere...cuz what else can u do right? Live in misery and make life more miserable? Well....YES. U see that optimism is well and good but u can't fool your mind. U feel how u feel. That optimism thing may work if you haven't had much tragedy in life or ANY tragedy in life...but what u gonna say to the guy who lost his wife and kids in a car crash? Hey...b optimistic...look at the bright side? Lol. No. His life ended there and then. Anyway...just wondering what jordan and Matt would say if these type things happened to them. It hasn't so it's easy to say...yo!! B happy!!! Get real. Nobody's good enough at "tricking" their brain into happiness after tragedy. It's impossible to replace things after tragedies happen. You're never the same again...and not for the better. So get real guys. It's fun to say but I call BS on it. Yay!! Parents dead! Family dead!! Struggling to get by!!! Things are just dandy!! Just gotta choose to b happy and lie to myself! No problem!! I feel so much better now that I'm a superhero having the power to block all loss out of my mind!! Yeah...I'm being stupid here...but hey...thats my humor😁 Just hammering the point home. Eventually u can't control that u have no optimism toward life....again...unless youre a superhero. So live in your misery as God intends till u die. Nothing wrong with that. The next life will b much better. I have faith in that.

[@katz7609]

The point is to keep moving and know there will be hardships. There are plenty of homeless people who have lost everything and everyone they've loved who still has a smile on their face. Perhaps it's to be happy for the ones you lost or perhaps it's because you know this life is difficult but why succumb to nilhisim? It's not an easy viewpoint to achieve but that's the point. It's easy to say "Life is worthless and I hate everyone." because it's easy to hate but not easy to Love. Rust was a man who succumbed to his darkness and eventually found the light because he nearly lost his life and defeated pure evil. Even Rust found meaning.

[@samardave1364]

It’s quite odd how someone who played Ruste Cohle, doesn’t quite understand Antinatalism.

[@n0body550]

Maybe because he’s a christian 🤷🏻‍♂️ just a thought

[@bilbob7624]

Tools.

[@solitarianihilista1454]

This conversation is just a flat circle.

[@penneyburgess5431]

If this African philosopher is such a proponent of ending humanity and their suffering in life, why is he still here? Seems like he is still clinging to his own life and that alone betrays his philosophy.

[@user-pc7kp9py3s]

Agreed .. well said

[@SP-ki5gn]

He's anti-natalist not pro-suicide.

[@solitarianihilista1454]

No it doesn't. It might arguably make him somewhat hypocritical but that in itself doesn't "betray" or invalidate his philosophy. To say it does is just a crude ad hominem arguement.

[@afit5341]

🙌 Matty is a believer of our Lord!! Amen brother. I just wish I could see the unbelievers face when he says it (not here, not JP’s face) I get a strange head turn with curiosity mixed with bitterness 😂

[@GeraKhan]

I don't even know what to say about that. Why crave that feeling and Laugh at it?

[@BaldBearded101]

No thanks, Jordan

[@marcrajotte5369]

WHY is Matt's hair always always ALWAYS dirty as shit

[@Jack-ot1zq]

Just lost all respect for Matt

[@Tusk-ruk]

You bet playing a peak-nietzschean character would make one make a U turn one's appraisal of the christian value system...

[@ryansmith240992]

Lost respect for Matthew for taking part in an interview with that guy!

[@AnthonyNelms]

Peterson isn't that bad man

[@martyngriffin2174]

Grow up.

[@milkbunnies]

Simp

[@JoeMarsonMusic]

I’m sure neither of lions are losing sleep over the opinions of sheep. Thanks for your share.