In Episode 9 of Hulu's The Testaments, Becka (Mattea Conforti) crosses a line she never imagined. After discovering that her dentist father—a trusted figure in Gilead—has been harming young girls, including her best friend Agnes (Chase Infiniti), Becka takes matters into her own hands. The result is a shocking, blood-soaked scene that changes everything for her character.
Conforti sat down with Collider to discuss the emotional and physical demands of filming that pivotal moment, the weight of Becka's guilt, and how her love for Agnes drives every decision.
Living in Gilead: No Outside Reference
For Conforti, stepping into Becka's world meant embracing the character's complete lack of perspective. "These girls have no outside reference or material to really source from," she explains. "If you don't want to get married, if you don't want to have children, you don't have to. They don't have any outside reference to a world like that where women have those rights."
The costumes, she notes, were a crucial storytelling tool. "The costumes were very restrictive, which makes sense because our characters aren't allowed to express themselves verbally or physically. The costumes really worked in a way to help tell the story."
Becka's Love for Agnes: The Driving Force
Becka's decision to marry Garth (Brad Alexander) isn't about him—it's about Agnes. "When she hears Garth talking about her friends and doing what's best for her, she hears Agnes," Conforti says. "She hears a future with Agnes that she could still potentially have. That's what makes that decision easy for her."
But that future is shattered when Becka learns the truth about her father. The revelation that he has been assaulting girls—including Agnes—triggers a primal rage. "Becka doesn't question her environment because she doesn't know any different," Conforti adds. "But when it comes to protecting Agnes, all that conditioning falls away."
Filming the Bathtub Attack: Intense and Choreographed
The bathtub scene, where Becka attacks her father with a dental tool, was meticulously planned. "We rehearsed it many times to make sure it was safe but also emotionally truthful," Conforti reveals. "The blood-spattered white nightgown was a powerful visual—it represents the loss of innocence."
The scene with the Eyes, Gilead's secret police, was equally harrowing. "The costumes and choreography amplified the dystopian dread. You really feel the weight of the world closing in on Becka."
What's Next for Becka?
With her father dead and her future uncertain, Becka faces a dark path. "She feels guilt, but also a newfound strength," Conforti says. "She's done something unforgivable by Gilead's standards, but she did it for love. That conflict will define her arc going forward."
For fans wondering if Becka can come back from this, Conforti hints at resilience. "She's not the same girl who walked into that bathroom. She's had to grow up fast, and that growth comes with a cost."
For more on the world of The Testaments, check out our interview with Margo's Got Money Troubles EP Eva Anderson and our breakdown of Off Campus's shocking finale.
