Cillian Murphy’s not scared to run Red Lights

Irish actor Cillian Murphy takes the lead in psychological thriller ‘Red Lights’ a big ask when you consider that acting heavyweights Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro join him on the billing.

In the latest release from ‘Buried’ director Rodrigo Cortes, psychologist Dr Margaret Matheson (Weaver) and assistant Tom Buckley (Murphy) are debunkers of paranormal activity.

When Simon Silver (De Niro), a world-renowned psychic, resurfaces years after the mysterious death of his fiercest critic, the professional sceptics face their toughest challenge.

As Buckley tries to get into the mindset of his adversaries with the hope of deposing them, it’s no surprise that Murphy’s preparation included studying some of today’s greatest illusionists in action.

“I suppose in the movie, Robert De Niro’s character is kind of like an amalgam of David Copperfield, Chris Angel and he is also sort of like a televangelist and even a politician. I wanted to get as broad a spectrum of experience as I could so I went to Las Vegas to see this stuff,” he said in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.

“Copperfield is just a master at this stuff and it was fantastic and I loved it but it is just pure fun. I think the shadier aspect of it is when they start saying they can cure people or talk to dead relatives.”

Even though Murphy’s character drives the plot - as he becomes embroiled in a descent where he questions his own beliefs - the actor admits that working alongside acting legends, De Niro and Weaver saw him beset with self-consciousness.

“De Niro and Weaver are legends and before I even thought of becoming an actor they were heroes of mine from seeing their films as a kid,” he says.

“You have that awe without a doubt, but you must say, ‘Cill don’t drop the ball now, it’s going to be fine.’

It was helped by them being so generous and good to me. I will never forget it. To act with both of them in the same movie!” Since ‘Red Lights’ debuted at Sundance film festival earlier in the year, it has been getting mixed reviews - with critics taking odds with ‘ill-conceived’ plot turns.

Murphy is doing his best to shake off such criticism: “For me films that get strong reactions from people, I’m good with that. If some people walk out or some people are thinking about what they’ve seen for days I’m good with that too.”

‘Red Lights’ opens in the UAE today.