No surprise, in this dark thriller, most of them — well, basically all of them — are playing bad people. Seriously, take your pick for who is the worst: the court-appointed legal guardian scamming her elderly wards, the Russian mobster with a sweet tooth or the doctor who is willing to sell out her patients for a big payday. Just reprehensible, which makes the casting of this film so important. How can you not feel some kind of way watching your favourite Lannister or one of Hollywood’s best Chrises being so bad? Though, maybe hiring the star of Gone Girl is a sign of the vibe the film is going for.
I Care A Lot is a biting look at the American Dream, distilled to its most cynical interpretation. Yet, the film, thanks to its performances, feels like the right kind of wrong. But, be warned, you might leave your viewing feeling a little dirty. Before you press play, meet the characters you’re absolutely going to love to hate — and, quite possibly, hate to love.
Rosamund Pike plays Marla Grayson
Who is Marla?
A court-appointed legal guardian for the elderly who uses the law to scam her wards out of their savings. It’s safe to say she cares, you guessed it, a lot, but it might not be for her aging clients.
Pike’s greatest hits: Gone Girl, 2019’s Radioactive, 2018’s A Private War Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Eiza González plays Fran
Who is Fran?
Marla’s partner in work and in love, who does a lot of her dirty work. Whatever you do, don’t call her Frankie.
González’ greatest hits: Baby Driver, Hobbs & Shaw, and the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong.
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Dianne Wiest plays Jennifer Peterson
Who is Jennifer?
Marla’s newest ward who used to work in finance but is now just a “regular old lady” enjoying her retirement. She’s a “cherry,” a wealthy retiree with no living heirs or family, which makes her the treat at the top of this extortion sundae.
Wiest’s greatest hits: The two-time Oscar-winning legend has been keeping busy with the CBS sitcom Life In Pieces, The Mule, and last year’s Let Them All Talk, but many of us might remember her best as the sweet mum in Edward Scissorhands.Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Peter Dinklage plays Rukov
Who is Rukov?
A mysterious figure who finds himself in a face off against Marla. What we do know is he loves French macarons and working out his arms.
Dinklage’s greatest hits: Yes, Game Of Thrones, but he’s also starred in My Dinner With Hervé and I Think We’re Alone Now alongside Elle Fanning.Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Chris Messina plays Dean Ericson
Who is Dean?
A shark of a lawyer who has been hired to help Jennifer get out of Marla’s clutches, but like everyone else, is intentions might not be all that pure.
Messina’s greatest hits: He’s become one of the internet’s favourite Hollywood Chrises starring in The Mindy Project, Sharp Objects and Birds Of Prey. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Nicholas Logan plays Alexi
Who is Alexi?
A henchman for Rukov, who first shows up disguised as a taxi driver. Safe to say, his position is a high anxiety one.
Where You’ve Seen Logan Before: 2018’s Instant Family, Hap and Leonard, HBO’s WatchmenPhoto: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images.
Macon Blair plays Feldstrom
Who is Feldstrom?
He’s the son of one of Marla’s (many) wards, who is fighting for the right to visit his dear ol’ mum.
Where You’ve Seen Blair Before: The Florida Project, Logan Lucky, The Hunt. Photo: Sarah Kerver/Getty Images.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. plays Judge Lomax
Who is Judge Lomax?
The overseer of Marla’s cases, who seems to genuinely believe she is in it for the right reasons.
Whitlock Jr.’s greatest hits: The Wire, BlacKkKlansman, Da 5 BloodsPhoto: Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Alicia Witt plays Dr. Karen Amos
Who Dr. Amos?
An associate of Marla’s who has been helping her find her wards. She is the one who connects Marla with Jennifer in exchange for few stock options. And no, they weren’t shares of GameStop.
Where You’ve Seen Witt Before: Orange Is The New Black, Nashville, Twin PeaksPhoto: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images.
Damian Young plays Sam Rice
Who is Sam Rice?
The manager of Berkshire Oaks, a nursing home facility, who is more than willing to do business with Marla for a piece of the action.
Where You’ve Seen Young Before: House of Cards, The Trial Of the Chicago 7, and Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete as bus driver Stu. Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
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