Stepping into the shoes of a menacing villain is often considered intimidating, even for the most seasoned actors—and Ralph Fiennes did it twice. Terrifying audiences with his ice-cold portrayal of SS officer Amon Göth, and later channeling similar darkness through his role as Lord Voldemort, Fiennes successfully convinced people of his onscreen sadism.
However, while his iconic villain roles catapulted his position in the entertainment industry and cemented him among A-listers, Ralph Fiennes had to pay a price for the preparation. According to Fiennes, he immersed himself in the Nazi material to such an extent that he ended up relating to the character. So much so, that his psychology was tampered and he was left with a lingering effect from the role, which perhaps, later appeared in the Harry Potter films.
Ralph Fiennes Found Himself Relating to Amon Göth in Schindler’s List
When it comes to preparing for roles, Hollywood has witnessed some of the most extreme measures taken by stars to immerse themselves in their onscreen characters—that’s how method acting got popular. But where and how does one begin to prepare for the role of a Nazi concentration work camp leader? Ask Ralph Fiennes, for he had to discover new ways to deliver cinema’s most chilling performance as SS officer Amon Göth in Schindler’s List.
According to SlashFilm, while Ralph Fiennes understood the assignment awaiting him in Steven Spielberg’s World War II drama, the actor went so deep into preparation that he began to find himself relating to the Nazi leader on a disturbing level. Thereafter, although Fiennes was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of SS officer Amon Göth, the role took a massive toll on his career and psyche.
I think there was a price to pay for this one. When you’re investigating behavior that is that negative so intensely for three months, then you feel sort of peculiar because you might have at moments enjoyed it and at the same time you feel slightly soiled by it. It just throws up all kinds of question marks, about acting, about human behavior, about how all of that is probably a lot closer to the surface than we like to think.
While Ralph Fiennes captured the sadism and coldness of Amon Göth and delivered a harrowing performance in Schindler’s List, his extensive research and preparation for the role eventually left him grappling with feelings of empathy for a character rooted in evil. Ultimately, the emotional weight lingered long after filming ended and the darker aspect of his Nazi role can be seen in his other villain roles.
Ralph Fiennes Later Channeled His Inner Darkness as Lord Voldemort
After decades since the release of Schindler’s List, as Ralph Fiennes took on another iconic villain, Lord Voldemort, in the Harry Potter films, the same sort of sadism was once again seen in his performance. Although he portrayed a different kind of malevolence—this time steeped in fantasy—Fiennes’s performance turned out to be equally terrifying as his role in Steven Spielberg’s World War 2 drama.
Lord Voldemort’s desire for power and immortality, coupled with his complete disregard for life, allowed Ralph Fiennes to explore themes of fear and control, much like he did while portraying the role of Amon Göth. Perhaps, his earlier experience with the Nazi character had influenced his approach to Voldemort. But overall, his transformation into the Dark Lord was as meticulous as it was haunting.
With the help of makeup and visual effects, Ralph Fiennes became the embodiment of the Dark Lord, yet it was his voice and physicality that truly brought the character to life. The chilling calmness with which he delivered his lines in the Harry Potter films, echoed the sinister persona he had once perfected in Schindler’s List. It seems that the emotional remnants from portraying Amon Göth added layers to Voldemort.
Schindler’s List is currently available to watch on Prime Video.
Harry Potter films are currently available to watch on Max.
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