Pierce Brosnan and John Lee Talk James Bond and Hulu's 'False Positive' [The Fourth Wall #34]

With his latest film, “False Positive,” director John Lee takes the always thrilling genre of psychological horror and combines it with his signature dark comedy to construct a commentary on pregnancy, and a woman’s right to her own bodily autonomy. Written by Lee, Ilana Glazer, and Alissa Nutting, “False Positive” stars Glazer as Lucy, who - along with her husband Adrian (Justin Theroux) - has been trying and failing to get pregnant. It’s only after they find the fertility doctor of their dreams, Dr. Hindle, that the couple achieves success, learning that they are going to have a baby girl. However, Lucy detects something sinister about the doctor, and in investigating it, unravels the truth about him and her pregnancy.

The character of Dr. Hindle, with his effortless charm that turns into something dark and mysterious, requires an actor who can play both sides; the charismatic hero but also the disturbed villain. In steps Pierce Brosnan, James Bond himself, to weave the character and his arc back and forth across that line. Brosnan is of course most famous for Bond and other dashing heroic roles, but his resume is also filled with ambiguous or fully antagonistic turns as well ranging from his antihero hitman in “The Matador,” or corrupt bureaucrats in “The Tailor of Panama” and “The Foreigner.”

"False Positive's" straddling of tonal lines is also something that naturally fits into Lee’s sensibilities as a filmmaker. Having been a key creative voice behind shows such as “Wonder Showzen,” “Superjail!,” and “The Heart, She Holler,” Lee would often contrast pleasing aesthetics and upbeat tonalities with morbid, oftentimes grotesque, and controversial humor. Between that background and his conviction in not mincing words as a creator, it allows him to convincingly craft a horror vehicle with teeth, while also strengthening the confronting messaging inherent in a film like “False Positive.”

We spoke with Lee and Brosnan about "False Positive," particularly regarding its social and political relevance in a world where so much emphasis is put on women having children, but not providing them with a proper set of resources once they do get pregnant.

Of course, in between talking about “False Positive,” we had to sneak in at least one Bond question. It’s been nearly 20 years since Brosnan portrayed the iconic spy, and we were curious what differences there would be in his interpretation of the role today.

You can listen to the rest of our exciting conversation with Pierce Brosnan and John Lee below and check out A24's "False Positive" when it hits Hulu on June 25th.

Additional reporting by Brody Serravalli