BRANDON SKLENAR WANTS TO THROW HIS PHONE OUT THE WINDOW. THE AMERICAN ACTOR, WHO FIRST GAINED WIDE RECOGNITION WITH HIS APPEARANCE IN LAST YEAR’S IT ENDS WITH US (A FILM THAT STAYS IN THE HEADLINES UNTIL TODAY), SAYS THAT HE FEELS WARY OF THE CONSTANT ACCESSIBILITY THAT THE DEVICE PROVIDES TO HIM AND CHOOSES TO PRIORITISE LIVING IRL. WORRYING ABOUT THE DESTRUCTIVE POWERS OF AN IPHONE MIGHT BE A RESULT OF HIS LATEST ROLE IN DROP – A THRILLER IN WHICH HIS CO-STAR MEGHANN FAHY PORTRAYS A WIDOWED MOTHER WHO’S BEING HARASSED BY THREATENING MESSAGES THAT ARE FORCING HER TO MURDER HER DATE (PLAYED BY SKLENAR) IN ORDER TO SAVE HER SON’S LIFE. FOR BTB, THE ACTOR CATCHES UP WITH US ABOUT THE FILM’S PREMIERE IN AUSTIN DURING SXSW, PUTTING BACK ON HIS COWBOY BOOTS FOR THE RETURN OF THE WESTERN SERIES 1923, AND HIS LOVE FOR CALAMARI.

Left Shirt **Brunello Cucinelli**, denim and belt **Celine Homme**, bracelets **Peyote Bird**
Right Jacket **Stan**

You have just premiered your new film Drop at SXSW to rave reviews. What can you tell me about your experience there and how the film has been received by the festival’s audience?

I love Austin. I shot season two of 1923 there. The audiences at SXSW are very kind and full blooded film lovers. That was the most vocal audience I had ever seen – they were shouting and cheering. It took me by surprise. I hadn’t heard an audience that vocal since I saw Rocky Horror at a midnight showing in New Jersey years ago.

Jacket **Frame**, tank top **Calvin Klein**, denim **Levi’s**, belt **Artemas Quibbl**e, jewellery **David Yurman**

The film depicts an avalanche of things that go very wrong on a first date. What’s your worst first-date experience? Does thinking about it still give you anxiety?

It’s been many years, so I honestly couldn’t tell you…

Left Shirt **Todd Snyder**, tank top **CDLP**, jewellery **David Yurman**, sunglasses **Moscot**
Right Vest **Dior Men**, tank top **Calvin Klein**, belt **Artemas Quibble**, denim **Levi’s**, jewellery **Peyote Bird**

Your scene partner in the movie is Meghann Fahy. What did you enjoy the most about getting to work with her on this film?

Meghann is a great friend, an absolute ace of a human being, and the best scene partner any actor could dream of having.

Which of the scenes in the film have been the most fun acting experiences for you?

Probably the scene where I order calamari. I love calamari.

Shirt **Brunello Cucinelli**, denim and belt **Celine Homme**, bracelets **Peyote Bird**

I read that during the premiere, you were asked about your relationship with your phone following this project and answered that it’s getting worse by the day. What is an app that you’re addicted to? Do you want to break this addiction?

It’s not so much a specific app, it’s the phone in general. Accessibility annoys me at times – how accessible we all are. Work is 24/7 because you can always be reached. Emails, texts, Zoom meetings, etc.. I try to make a conscious effort to literally separate my body from my phone. My screen time meter hits a certain point, and I wanna throw this thing out of a moving vehicle (I’m doing this interview on it right now).

Left Shirt **Todd Snyder**, tank top **CDLP**, jewellery **David Yurman**, sunglasses **Moscot**
Right Shirt **Brunello Cucinelli**, denim and belt **Celine Homme**, bracelets **Peyote Bird**

You’re also back with the second season of 1923. What do you find fascinating about your character, Spencer Dutton? What can we expect from his arc this time around?

Spencer is a very interesting and noble human being. He’s a WWI hero, he’s a prolific big game hunter, he's a cowboy, he’s a man of principles which are guided by his love for his family and wife. Fans can expect him to not “ go quietly into that dark night.”

Left Vest **Dior Men**, tank top **Calvin Klein**, belt **Artemas Quibble**, denim **Levi’s**, jewellery **Peyote Bird**
Right Jacket **Stan**

What do you find most helpful when it comes to tapping into the period in which the series takes place?

I love doing period pieces. It’s not very difficult once you’ve got the clothes on and see the set design and production design. It all just makes it very easy to play pretend when you’re immersed in the environment.

Shirt **Lucchese**, denim **Levi’s**, belt **Artemas Quibble**, jewellery **Peyote Bird**

Were you a fan of Westerns growing up? If so, which ones were your favourites?

Both of my grandfathers loved Westerns. I grew up on them. Once Upon a Time in the West is up there. The Man with No Name series from Sergio Leone. That’s a clear topper. Searchers. High Plains Drifter. Can’t really argue with Clint’s impact on the genre and what he embodied in those films.

Jacket **Frame**, tank top **Calvin Klein**, denim **Levi’s**, belt **Artemas Quibbl**e, jewellery **David Yurman**, shoes **Lucchese x Nick Fouquet**

Your film It Ends with Us has been a hot topic ever since it came out last year. What do you hope fans take away from watching it?

A staggering number of women I know have experienced some form of abuse from a man. Whether it be emotional or physical. That film is for all of those women. It’s meant for those who watch it to feel heard, seen and validated, and in that validation, give them courage, strength and hope.

Shirt **John Varvatos**, denim **Brunello Cucinelli**, belt **Artemas Quibble**, bracelets **Peyote Bird**, sunglasses **Moscot**

Up next, you will be starring in Paul Feig’s new movie, The Housemaid. Why did you want to work with him? What about the way that he approaches humour speaks to you, both as an actor and an audience member?

Paul is a wonderful human, and I have genuinely loved the films he’s made over the years. He’s responsible for some of the most iconic films and TV shows in the last 20 years. The Housemaid, however, is not a comedy. It would be a pretty dark one if it were… I’m really excited for people to see it.

Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Shane McCauley

Fashion by Seppe Tirabassi

Grooming by Kristen Shaw

EIC Michael Marson

Casting by Imagemachine CS