Sean Ellis Talks “Dark And Twisted” Journey Of Orlando Bloom Headlined ‘The Cut’

Filmmaker Sean Ellis (Metro Manila, Anthropoid, The Cursed) brings a unique vision to whichever genre he tackles. With The Cut, he follows the journey of a former boxer (Orlando Bloom) who will return to the ring only if he makes the weight. If the pugilist doesn’t make “the cut” (Bloom’s character needs to lose 30 pounds in six days), then the match won’t take place. It’s a nice twist to a boxing movie, and Ellis talked to Deepest Dream about his latest project and also reflects on his directing journey.

“This is a film about a guy who thinks he is getting something that is going to fix his life, what (he) realizes is that it’s not what he wants, but what he needs. It’s this sort of weird journey of discovery that basically opens him to realizing that he’s a very damaged individual.”

The movie co-stars Caitríona Balfe as his life partner and trainer. She is understandably concerned over the boxer’s obsessed determination to make the weight, and she believes he is going down a very negative path.

“We all have dark and twisted journeys in our lives at some point or another,” added Ellis. “We are all looking for the light and we’re looking to get above the thing that’s dragging us down, which is often ourselves.”

John Turturro is the closest thing to an antagonist in The Cut, as he plays a questionable figure who doesn’t mind risking the boxer’s life in this weight losing process. If you are into boxing films, The Cut is a first rate drama that’s powered by fine performances from Orlando Bloom, Balfe and Turturro. Check out my review on this week’s CinemAddicts:

Sean Ellis also talks about turning down directing John Wick as well as his preference for shooting on film during the interview. Check it out on YouTube or on my Find Your Film podcast:

Catch The Cut in the theaters and share your thoughts on the film in the comments!