In M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film, Knock at the Cabin, a father must make a life-or-death decision: save his family or save humanity. The film is based on the book The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay and stars Ben Aldridge as the father. Aldridge, who also stars in Spoiler Alert, based on Michael Ausiello’s memoir of the same name, plays gay characters in both films, a departure from his earlier work.
Aldridge spoke about working with Shyamalan, saying that he was already a fan of the director, known for his work on Signs and The Sixth Sense. He described the script as “horrific to read” but found the experience exciting and daunting. He also spoke about his experience of coming out and how he felt that people had a different on-screen perception of him from reality. Posting about his sexuality on social media “revolutionized” his life and allowed him to be more open about who he is.
Despite his newfound openness, Aldridge is still focused on his work as an actor. He said that acting hasn’t become about escaping who he is, but about confronting and exploring his identity. He is open to playing all different types of roles, including the kind of comedic role he took on in the 2016 series Fleabag, where he played the character known simply as “Arsehole Guy.”
Both Spoiler Alert and Knock at the Cabin are currently showing in cinemas across the country. For Aldridge, these films represent an opportunity to take on new challenges and expand his range as an actor. He is excited to see where his career will take him next and is looking forward to continuing to play all different types of roles.