Jaeden Martell And Asa Butterfield Talk “Loneliness” And “Empathy” Behind ‘Our Hero, Balthazar’

The critically acclaimed feature Our Hero, Balthazar features Jaeden Martell as the titular character, a rich New York City teenager who tries to gain attention from posting tear-filled reaction videos online. Balthazar’s actions, however, are not genuine, and he embarks on a misguided mission to Texas in an attempt to stop an individual named Solomon (Asa Butterfield) whom he believes has a propensity for violence. Directed and co-written by Oscar Boyson, this film definitely packs a punch with its tightly wound narrative. Martell and Butterfield talked to Deepest Dream about Our Hero, Balthazar, which is now playing in New York.

Although Balthazar and Solomon may seem to have very little in common on the surface, they might not be that different from one another. “We got a bunch of loneliness which comes from lack of parents that are opinionated,” said Jaeden Martell. “A lack of father figures, and sort of a total misunderstanding. When you think once you’re misunderstood, it’s easy to bury yourself in that and then just keep going deeper and deeper and trying to look for a way to be accepted. (Balthazar and Solomon) are very similar.”

“I describe Solomon as someone who every time he tries to do something and fix something, it blows up in his
face even when it’s not his fault,” added Asa Butterfield. “He’s a real victim of circumstance. (Solomon) is a victim of America and this sort of massive divide that is there right now.”

Full interview with Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield:

Check out my Our Hero, Balthazar review on CinemAddicts:

Co-starring Jennifer Ehle and Noah Centineo, Our Hero, Balthazar is now playing in New York and it hits Los Angeles April 3.