In the film "Bird," Barry Keoghan embodies the character of Bug, a young father to a spirited 12-year-old daughter. The narrative trails Bailey (played by Nykiya Adams) as she navigates the turbulent waters of adolescence in Kent, England, a landscape riddled with violence and poverty.
Dubbed Bug, presumably due to his numerous bug tattoos adorning his skin, including an intricate, multi-legged creature inked on his face, Keoghan's character is a father brimming with affection, albeit often led astray by his desperate attempts to make ends meet. One such harebrained scheme involves irritating a frog to the point of producing psychedelic venom, which he hopes to sell for profit.
Sharing a personal connection with his role, Keoghan, a father himself, revealed to Yahoo Entertainment that he identifies with Bug's occasionally "selfish" disposition. "Becoming a father is a transformative milestone," he said. "It can make you feel isolated, as if your child prefers the warmth of their mother's embrace over your own." He recounted moments of feeling "unimportant" to his child, more like a companion than a guiding figure, devoid of the confidence that comes with responsibility and authority.
Keoghan attributed his journey into the depths of Bug's psyche to director Andrea Arnold, who facilitated an environment where he could confront his own feelings about fatherhood. "My son Brando is only two and hasn't yet mastered the art of backchat like Bailey, but he's certainly working on it," Keoghan chuckled. "Unlike Bug, I lack the experiential blueprint provided by my own parents. Instead, I was fortunate to have my grandmother play dual roles," he explained. "[Arnold] allowed me to inhabit that space and explore those feelings."
Tragically, Keoghan's mother passed away from a heroin overdose when he was just 12, and several family members struggled with addiction. After spending seven years in foster homes, he was eventually taken in by his grandmother. The seed of collaboration with Arnold was planted after he watched her 2009 film "Fish Tank," which chronicles the life of a teenage girl in U.K. public housing. When Arnold invited him to London for a casual fish and chips meeting to discuss the role, Keoghan eagerly agreed, script unseen.
"Since I was around 16 or 17, I've been chanting, 'Andrea Arnold! Andrea Arnold!' as if by sheer repetition, it would manifest," Keoghan recounted. His sentiments were echoed by his co-star Franz Rogowski, who portrays the enigmatic traveler Bird, who strikes up an unexpected friendship with Bailey.
"It was an effortless decision, devoid of a script's constraints, which spared me from reading lines I might dislike," he revealed to Yahoo Entertainment. "Instead, I embraced an invitation to embark on an adventure, a venture into the unknown, undefined territories. Here, I didn't need to mold myself into something; I simply had to bring my authentic self and surrender to the experience."
Even Adams, who secured the starring role by attending an open audition at her school as a clever pretext to ditch class, embarked on this cinematic odyssey with a boundless leap of faith. Though this marked her debut in the film industry, Keoghan showered her with accolades, declaring, "To bare one's emotions on camera during adolescence, a time when individuals are typically hesitant to disclose their feelings and speak freely, unburdened by the omnipresent pressure of booming microphones and lenses, is an extraordinary feat. To add those intricate layers of emotion and execute them with impeccable precision—I hold an immense amount of respect for her bravery and talent."
Keoghan is no stranger to breakthrough moments. In 2023, he garnered an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in 'The Banshees of Inisherin' and a Golden Globe nod in 2024 for his lead performance in 'Saltburn'. He even starred in his girlfriend Sabrina Carpenter's viral music video for "Please Please Please".
He acknowledged, "Recognition is indeed delightful," but strives not to become overly consumed by it. "If people recognize my work, it's fantastic! I'm deeply grateful for the platform that allows me to take audiences on a journey. And, selfishly, it lets me showcase my versatility, breathing life into these characters," he expressed.
As for his future endeavors, Keoghan emphasized, "Less is more." He elaborated, "I'm discovering the benefits of personal growth, focusing on well-being, and mental health for both myself and my craft. Currently, I'm experiencing a profound connection with my young son and choosing roles that ignite my passion. I'm in a truly delightful and fulfilling phase."
'Bird' is now playing in theaters.
