Dacre Montgomery Opens Up About Using His New Movie to Confront Personal Grief: A ‘Form of Therapy’ (Exclusive)

Dacre Montgomery delves into ‘His Personal Grief’ in his New Film ‘Went Up the Hill’

Dacre Montgomery, the talented actor known for his role in ‘Stranger Things,’ recently opened up about his emotional journey while working on his new film ‘Went Up the Hill.’ The 30-year-old star revealed that he used the project as a form of therapy to explore his own grief, drawing parallels between his character Jack and his own life experiences.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Montgomery shared that filming in New Zealand, where he spent part of his childhood, allowed him to tap into his past history and trauma. He described the role of Jack as a deeply personal one, enabling him to connect with the story on a profound level.

The film follows Jack as he returns to New Zealand after the death of his estranged mother, Elizabeth. There, he encounters his mother’s widow, Jill, played by Vicky Krieps, and together they navigate their shared grief while grappling with the spirit of their deceased loved one.

Montgomery admitted that the role required him to confront not a loss of someone, but a loss of innocence and the complex childhood trauma depicted in the film. He expressed that using his own accent for the first time in a film made him feel more vulnerable, as it stripped away the mask he often wears when portraying characters with different accents.

The actor revealed that the intense emotional journey he embarked on during filming had a profound impact on his life. Through exploring themes of grief and trauma, he found himself more emotionally exposed on set, a vulnerability that ultimately enhanced his performance and brought authenticity to his portrayal of Jack.

Montgomery, who extensively rehearsed the film with director Samuel Van Grinsven before shooting, described the filmmaking process as intense and isolating, mirroring the intense and isolated setting of the story. He credited the demanding environment with contributing to the raw and powerful performances delivered by the cast and crew.

The actor expressed gratitude for the challenging yet rewarding experience, emphasizing how it allowed him to delve deep into his emotions and connect with the material on a personal level. As ‘Went Up the Hill’ prepares to hit theaters on August 15, Montgomery’s candid reflections offer a glimpse into the profound impact of using art as a means of self-exploration and healing.

In conclusion, Dacre Montgomery’s heartfelt portrayal in ‘Went Up the Hill’ not only showcases his talent as an actor but also highlights the transformative power of storytelling in confronting personal struggles. As audiences prepare to witness his emotional journey on the big screen, Montgomery’s openness about his own process serves as a testament to the cathartic nature of art and its ability to transcend boundaries between fiction and reality.