Edward Norton on the Haunting 'Primal Fear' Twist

Edward Norton explains to Jess and Julia what made 'Primal Fear' work so well and how he approached his famous character.
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[@itjustmightwork]

Edward Norton not remembering who Aaron is: The reason why he was perfect for that movie. After all these years, and he is still in character!

[@gwildordipkin6504]

That host chick never even see the movie. Was pretending, she couldn't pay attention that long.

[@maximillianosaben]

It's like remembering a small aspect of a job you worked many years ago. It's coincidentally perfect, but you're looking too much into it.

[@ButcheryTapes]

He lost time again.

[@ICxrsedII]

lmaoooo

[@mikecantreed]

He’s been in a gazillion movies in the 20 years since Primal fear. How would he remember specific character names?

[@gibbies8629]

I felt so betrayed at the end of the movie, a slap in the face

[@SHIZZLE71]

Gibbies Aaron betrayed us

[@matthiascerebri3315]

Yeah me too. If only Roy wwould have said he took over Aaron

[@Carfalog]

The movie would’ve felt thematically flat without it ending like that.

[@SHIZZLE71]

Bay is Bae Yh that’s how I could tell something was gonna happen. It was to anticlimactic

[@KBrianO]

Thats what makes the movie good. If there's no plot twist at the end, the movie wouldn't have made its impact.

[@nox5870]

Primal Fear is one of the best films of the 90s. Period.

[@offspringfan1288]

Super underrated and doesn’t get enough credit. Felt like a John Grisham movie. Also, Laura Linney gave a great performance in that movie.

[@WesleyWyndam-Pryce]

Outside of Edward Norton I can't say I'm a major fan of the film. His scenes and that ending though.... great stuff. I miss seeing him in movies but this one put him on the radar.

[@AarOnCoasters]

let's not forget 1999 Fight Club

[@davidgraham8299]

@@offspringfan1288 Better than anything Grisham did.

[@MrJames-tw3so]

Thats 3 periods.

[@jessebrucepinkman9834]

The ending of Primal fear broke my heart, I felt so betrayed

[@crashpal]

Felt the same 1960 Psycho film where the ending was a huge unexpected twist

[@adamstanheightkinnie]

me too lol i loved aaron so much, i was like omg such a sweet guy and then boom

[@jedsteelwell2354]

I loved it but I cheer for the bad guys alot of the time

[@DR-mq1vn]

Ed Norton deserved an Oscar for Primal Fear. He was robbed.

[@nickixxxx6221]

Agreed he’s such an amazing and underrated actor

[@LumpyAdams]

William H Macy deserved it that year but Norton would have been runner up. Cuba Gooding winning was a joke.

[@lizclegg7556]

He deserves an Oscar for pretty much everything.

[@kjkja99]

True words. He should be given one belatedly 😏

[@waynemonaghan8587]

I think I read that was his first big film...he was absolutely brilliant

[@KevinCantWait08]

Edward Norton’s role in “Primal Fear” gave us a perfect look into the mind of a sociopath… and he absolutely nailed it, especially for a film debut. That’s the craziest part.

[@rustecohle591]

I get the feeling that clapping scene in the cell inspired the clap for Heath Ledger’s joker clap in his cell

[@ghostofdeath663]

Heath took inspirations from plenty things his make up was from Brandon Lee's the crow and he was also immiating the zodiac killer from dirty harry so yeah I could agree on the clap scene

[@rustecohle591]

ghost of death Agreed. There’s one line where he says “let’s put a smile on that face” with a knife in hand...I remember in Batman beyond where one of the jokers says that line...whether it was a coincidence he said that line or he put it in the film after doing his homework it was impressive af

[@ghostofdeath663]

@@rustecohle591 he was fine for that version but mark's joker is better written

[@pnut3844able]

​@@ghostofdeath663his makeup was NOT from the crow, wtf are you talking about?

[@D4RKV3NOM]

@@pnut3844able inspired by, how is that a stretch to believe?

[@heidicross7255]

Edward Norton is a brilliant actor who isn't given the credit he deserves.

[@djc728]

Ed Norton has done many great films but Primal Fear for me ranks up there as his #1. Fabulously done and so in character -- one of his very best.

[@JayCity10]

It was great, but his work in American History X was better.

[@arimax888]

Such an amazing actor

[@calypso13100]

That. That ending. Is something I will never forget. It was so shocking. I never saw it coming I don't think anybody did.

[@seamusburke639]

I remember watching Primal Fear with a friend who used to have a stutter, and whole movie he's like "That's not what a stutter sounds like." It kind of made the reveal at the end better, because then it all clicked why the stutter sounded off (i.e. he's faking it).

[@lkf8799]

That's crazy! I just watched a reactor called James vs. Cinema and he did the same thing!!! He said he had a stutter as a kid and that something was off. He even guessed that Edward Norton's character was a sociopath and not experiencing disassociative identity disorder 🤯 He just posted his reaction this week. He is also doing reactions to Fargo the series. Amazing show if you haven't seen it.

[@Ivy94F]

@@lkf8799 I watched a reactor say something similar, and I thought it worked perfectly for the film!

[@bslomof-1901]

No one stutter is the same because no one person is the same.

[@scrapplepig]

I had a stutter and if I had a hard time with a word I went silent, I was never like BBBBBBBBill. Everyone is different and now it's 99% gone, it lasted 5-6 years.

[@LightworkBeacon]

Hands down a phenomenally crafted performance by Edward Norton, in Primal Fear.

[@annageorge1992]

I had seen many movies of Norton, but I couldn't see thr person, Edward Norton in a single movie. He was so deep in the character that even his body language changed for every other character. I never felt he was acting, it was so convincing that it was a different person. Then I saw Primal Fear this year, and I was shocked to know that those people from Birdman, Illusionist, Painted Veil, Hulk and Fight Club were all actually the same guy. So good that all his performances are distinct.

[@manuelmateo3392]

More or less.

[@calilove5758]

American history X was amazing

[@joemckim1183]

@@calilove5758 Fight Club also

[@lizclegg7556]

Yes, his acting has an almost invisible quality about it. He's very real.

[@AC-iz7eh]

And Kingdom of Heaven too, he wore a mask the whole time, I remember thinking "who is this actor he's really good"

[@GoldenGateNum9]

*Amazing actor, Edward Norton is very scary when he gets angry in his films, especially in American History X, and Fight Club, especially in the scene when he destroys Jared Leto's Angel Face!*

[@maattthhhh]

Like what his character said in Incredible Hulk: "You don't like me when I'm hungry."

[@noelia1967]

I love him so much. His voice is so iconic

[@venick483]

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who noticed how good and exquisite his voice sounds.

[@GoldenGateNum9]

*"...Weeeeell goodfor yooooou Marty..."*

[@d00ks]

*Points*

[@jlobiafra]

"It's like we were dancing!"

[@kimmyfreak200]

love hurts what can i say

[@bettina4374]

Still one of my favorite movies. Outstanding work by Norton. His performance doesn’t get old even after 20 +years Amazing

[@CityThatCannotBeCaptured]

Primal Fear is one of the most magnificent movies of all time and the twist at the end is freaking AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!! Fabulous, fabulous movie.

[@SN2903]

One of the best performances of all time.

[@AC-iz7eh]

The thing I love about Primal Fear was the first watch the ending plot twist was a shock and then you re-watch the movie knowing the truth and you start to see that subtly Aaron and Roy was fake. Really great performance

[@goyaguardian6937]

He is outstandin and so underrated actor at all times . so talented !

[@MontagZoso]

"Ppplease tell Miss Venable I hope her neck is okay?" The BAM moment! I loved this movie so much.

[@aditbiju3717]

The ending of Primal Fear was the most interesting because Edward Norton’s character in film tricked Richard Genre’s character - How I understand it is that the young man is pretty much fooling his own lawyer, so he would win the case. That is an brilliant film that has only one plot twist and the ending is the best.

[@lizclegg7556]

The Richard Gere character is so arrogant: he thought that he had used and manipulated the Laura Linley character, but it turned out that his own client was using and manipulating him all the time.

[@sohamgurav7713]

What if Edward Norton really has Multiple Personality Disorder ...a great plot twist

[@shiqinglu606]

Forget about Oscar. that scene was my nightmare for ten years, and we all remember it so vividly. that says how great Norton is.

[@wolfhaven9312]

Norton and Christopher Walken are the unsung heroes of hollywood. Fantastic actors who don't crave fame and attention. Walken in King of New York blew my mind! But as much as I adore Walken, I've always had a major crush on Edward Norton.

[@xxxbaldwin]

we have the same taste, I love baldwin portrayal of Norton, can't get baldwin out of my head a single moment and yeah walken in the "basterd" movie was elite

[@ryancommisso7883]

I recently watched this movie and Mr. Norton is absolutely right I felt gutted at the end of that movie and was like we all just got played my family and I.

[@dustybarton6385]

He was brilliant in that movie

[@Sturmgeist702]

Edward Norton is the best. A+

[@cheeseisdelicious111]

His performance in this film was perfection

[@icervoid]

I said about that character "Now this is intelligence !" and Norton comes saying "OK hold my beer" TRULY UNEXPECTED MOVIE END

[@shredd5705]

I usually dislike Richard Gere because he always seems like someone who loves himself a bit too much. But it fits this movie so perfectly because of the ending, perfect casting

[@conniemcmurry9589]

Great ending for this movie...brilliant...GOTCHA!!!!!

[@janetseitz8055]

primal fear is one of the best films and edward norton to go up against one of the all time best actors of this generation takes some acting chops; i just watched primal fear a few days ago; it is an outstanding film, all actors work well together. but no doubt about it primal fear made edward norton an important actor; and the ending is one of the best ever; love this movie;

[@andrewbloom7637]

My oh my. Edward Norton never seems to age, does he?

[@frewgirl8182]

He was fabulous in this movie

[@pulsare.m.6719]

man the ending devestated me

[@Dragonblaster1]

Best plot twist ever. I had so invested in Aaron that I was stunned. Great acting by all the principals, but this was Edward's first ever film. I'd love to think that the slow hand clap was improvised, as it's so effective.

[@gswithen]

I worked on the film and was there for all the courtroom scenes but I was still shocked by the ending when I saw it. Awesome movie and great performance.

[@editionzerafin4077]

My favorite actor ❤ I remember watching that film. And I knew: a star is born. He is a genius in his craft. He deserved an Oscar right away for that role. And yes I had a crush on him for years. Even went to the cinema to watch fight club because of him and not because of Brad Pitt 😂

[@ironkcoony]

I was just as shocked in fight club, that twist really got me thinking for a few days.

[@keith7392]

I watched this movie with my mom back when it came out and to this day its one of the most shocked ive ever been at the end of a movie

[@kamelammiali6755]

Edward, you are a great actor and comedian in so many movies I watched and especially in Primal Fear.

[@LeatherCladVegan]

Yeah he was really hysterical in Primal Fear.

[@christiana.lindsey4833]

I love the whispered, "Ooooh."

[@Bull1908]

That film put him on the map. How does he not know Primal Fear or remember it lol?!

[@lizclegg7556]

Do you really think he doesn't remember?

[@ck515]

Edward Norton is a Excellent actor he should have won a Oscar by now that academy has their favorites so unfair

[@DansChan995]

Actually this makes a lot of sense. Casting an unknown in that role left audiences vulnerable to trusting his innocence so much more.

[@petercieslar2955]

I saw this movie as a slap in the face to the legal profession who are so easily manipulated by evil people

[@yiannischristophi9887]

best norton performance

[@nameerwahsh]

We was dancing counselor.

[@bingobrownable]

A masterclass in acting from the genius Ed Norton

[@cass2303]

Edward Norton genius

[@kayprivate2720]

I imagine how people felt watching Roy/Aaron twist, was how watching Psycho in the 60's with the twist after feeling so bad for Norman with his stuttering and innocent charm, probably felt. They probably so betrayed realizing Norma was the murderer all along and they felt sorry for the killer the entire time.

[@maryannazurin2322]

First movie i ever saw Edward norton in was rounders and i hated him in that movie. Then i watched primal fear not knowing it was the same actor - loved him in it! Only years later did i find out he played both characters! The weird thing about it is i love Aaron and i think of him as that character and not roy. I want to believe he's Aaron, he played that innocent character so well ❤ I watched for Richard Gere but fell in love with Edward Norton!

[@joshjohnson3204]

Great Actor

[@r324104]

He is so cute

[@potterj09]

It was a similar style to his role pretending to be a janitor with a disability in The Score. Another awesome film.

[@sanazj3232]

I have watched this movie like 50 times!

[@tallullahdana31]

Its because of Janet's neck.....WOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

[@DMRJ53]

?

[@heidivert830]

He was awesome😊

[@kaseykat1]

He got screwed at the Oscars. He deserved to win.

[@billmartins5545]

Loved this movie!

[@G4MBIT]

Brilliant movie.

[@RColon-rc9ob]

🥊🥊🥊One can make the case that he did have a multiple personality disorder, by making Roy his main personality; and Aaron his secondary personality…People automatically assume that the person with the disorder is a good person first and a bad person second…

[@MyAccountForCommenting]

It's funny how his first reaction was not remembering the details of the movie. Fans remember every nuance of their favorite films but the actors perform it and move on.

[@lizclegg7556]

Or he did remember and he was pretending not to - just like Aaron (who is really Roy).

[@xoxotous4814]

I knew something was off w Aaron 20 mins into the movie.

[@travisdom9391]

I just watched it... i thought i saw a spoiler... i didn't! The ending haunted me on my sleep😢😂😂😂

[@JacquelineRoseSchlegel]

I love Edward

[@jslute]

Chilled me to the bone.

[@babbisp1]

1:03 what did he say?

[@misterbobby8913]

Empaths watching the ending be like: 👁️👄👁️

[@hadrienplat3mace]

a ridiculously good movie

[@ytuser_3122]

Funny how he had Primal Fear and The People VS Larry Flynt come out the same year and he looked like a child in Primal Fear and like a real adult in The People VS Larry Flynt

[@imbaked9592]

edward norton is stuttering in this interview and he forgot which one was norton.... i am scared

[@jonightshade2252]

Good. For. You. Marty!

[@maryashioti718]

Excellent film

[@vitorpartelli]

I deserved to be a criminal attorney like Vail for 2 hours. Until I watched the end of the movie. That really caught me off guard.

[@norcalpinoy9618]

When you are aging or getting older our lips get thinner and we develop wrinkles around it. It's interesting to see how Edward Norton looks like nowadays than in 1996 when he starred on american history x.

[@londonfalls2509]

He purposely was bad at the fake stutter. Genius.

[@MikeB12800]

Real stutterers found his stuttering off, adds to the realistic performance, but still

[@npcimknot958]

cause it was all an act. there was no aaron

[@Erik78Johansson]

-"I don't even remember who Aaron is"? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Best reply ever :D Best replay ever :D

[@A.Edwardson]

He should play Matt Perry in a biopic.

[@bryananofa7165]

so hulk is roy?

[@yoyo50515]

I don’t remember aaron but he can recall the whole movie thats what c list actors doo😂😂😂😂

[@MrMooremelody]

as if he doesn't remember which character Aaron was. One of his greatest ever movies and he pretends he doesn't know which one Aaron was.

[@amnaki]

Hey, Mr Veil? Will you t-tell Miss Venable I'm sorry about her neck?

[@Fingerfretter]

There never was an Aaron, counselor... 😉

[@rocoe9019]

He looks like a bobs burgers character!

[@therealjake3288]

Why aren't you playing data on star trek

[@d00ks]

Good to know he doesn’t give 2 shits about his roles lol

[@savingangels]

Pppriceless

[@Jamiabba100]

I don't like how actors always pretend they don't watch their own films. I don't even remember who Aaron is 🙄. He watches that movie every week on his couch eating Ben and Jerry's.

[@doeatwhales]

if i were an actor i wouldn’t touch my movies with a ten feet pole. what makes you think he’s watching the movies ?

[@ChavonJWright]

The real twist was that Richard Gere sat at the bar with a whole bottle then tossed down two dollars 😭😭😭

[@jgfunk]

There never was an Aaron....

[@benrosn8154]

amazing movie Edward Norton is such a genius

[@misterbobby8913]

Based

[@professordogwood8985]

Hey wait a minute! Professor Quirrell did a terrible copy of what Edward Norton did!

[@angiefrancis8633]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought about that

[@kimmyfreak200]

There never was an Aaron

[@arkham5940]

This were actual real movies