Kermode & Mayo’s Take Can Claire Foy handle a “perfectly evolved psychopath” in H IS FOR HAWK?
Jan 22, 2026
Claire Foy, renowned for her role in The Crown, discusses her latest film H is for Hawk, where she portrays Helen, a woman training a challenging goshawk to cope with grief. She dives into the intense training with these 'perfectly evolved psychopaths' and how the character's isolation mirrors her own struggles. Claire emphasizes the film’s exploration of internalized grief, the spontaneity of working with live birds, and the authentic involvement of ornithologists, ensuring both accuracy and connection to the avian world.
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Claire Foy's Dad Helped Book The Interview
- Claire Foy laughs about her dad emailing the show to get her on and admits embarrassment at his enthusiasm.
- She recounts how her publicist told her the interview was already scheduled when she mentioned her father's action.
Grief Drives The Goshawk Choice
- Claire Foy explains H Is For Hawk adapts Helen MacDonald’s memoir about grief and training a goshawk after her father’s death.
- She describes the film’s non-linear exploration of mourning and the decision to train a notoriously difficult bird.
Goshawk As Mirror For Isolation
- Foy says goshawks are 'perfectly evolved psychopaths' and attract outsiders because of their solitary, uncompromising nature.
- She links Helen's attraction to the bird with a desire to be emotionally insulated after loss.
