Rebecca Hall is one of those actors who can seemingly do it all. From indie darlings like Christine and Vicky Cristina Barcelona to blockbuster fare like Godzilla vs. Kong and Iron Man 3, her range is undeniable. She's also a talented director, with her debut Passing earning critical acclaim and award nominations.
Her latest project is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, a Netflix series that reimagines the infamous tale of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her parents with an axe. Hall plays Abby Borden, Lizzie's stepmother, with a deliciously wicked flair. She's cruel, campy, and utterly captivating, delivering sharp-tongued putdowns that are as hilarious as they are cutting.
In a recent interview, Hall shared some of her favorite moments from the show, including the wild dialogue and the unforgettable projectile vomiting scene. She also revealed the surprising inspiration behind her performance and hinted at what might come next for the Monster franchise.
Deliciously Unhinged Dialogue
Hall admitted that memorizing her lines was a challenge, but for a good reason. "The thing that I realized fairly quickly was that there needed to be this polar-opposite feeling between Charlie and me," she explained. "If he is someone who speaks very slowly with a stutter and finds it very difficult to find the right word for something, then I've got to be someone who always has the right word for everything and speaks incredibly fast."
Her favorite lines include the memorable "turgid little sausage fingers" and the wonderfully absurd "Flapdoodle — this is my personality." She described the dialogue as "some of the funniest erudite putdowns I think I've ever heard."
Inspiration from Classic Hollywood
To craft Abby's unique accent and demeanor, Hall looked to the mid-Atlantic accents of 1930s stars like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Director Max Winkler also suggested she study Vivian Pickles' performance in Harold and Maude, which helped Hall lean into the comedic aspects of the role.
While Abby fits the archetype of the evil stepmother, Hall also saw her as a wounded, tragic figure. "She's very aware of the injustice of her own narrative," Hall said. "She's the kind of character who feels like she wanted a lot more from life and hasn't had it, so now she's turned to alcohol and cruelty."
The Infamous Vomit Scene
One of the most talked-about moments in the series is a projectile vomiting scene that Hall described as "pretty dark." She revealed that it involved a lot of tomato soup, and filming it took an entire day. "You're not getting that when you watch it on your screen," she joked, adding that it was a messy and smelly experience.
What's Next for Monster?
When asked about the future of the Monster franchise, Hall was tight-lipped. "I have ideas, but I'm keeping them under lock and key," she said with a smile. Fans will have to wait to see what she has in store.
For more on the series, check out our interview with Ella Beatty about her portrayal of Lizzie Borden. And if you're curious about other historical dramas, our list of inaccurate but unforgettable movies might interest you.
