Few comebacks have been so emotional, on every level, as Fraser’s in The Whale

When director Darren Aronofsky presented the idea of the film to you, were you daunted at all?

Yes. It was a risk, for sure. And in cinema and art, it’s important to go towards what’s dangerous, so you can grow and do something interesting.

What was the risk?

This is a story about a man who has been living alone, harming himself by over-eating, he has certain regrets for the choices he’s made in his life. And it all takes place inside a two-bedroom apartment somewhere in Idaho. Oh, and he weighs on paper around 600 pounds. So… that’s a lot to wrap your arms around…