ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD

Hollywood’s hunkiest Skarsgård talks wearing nothing but a dog lead

- Jack Shepherd

Alexander Skarsgård is excited. His latest movie Infinity Pool is about to play at the Berlin Film Festival. “We will have a little break tonight,” he says. “And then the premiere tomorrow night. And then we’re gonna tear it up.”

Having become a mainstay of Hollywood blockbusters like Battleship, The Legend Of Tarzan and Godzilla Vs Kong, Skarsgård’s more recent projects have been more diverse. He led Vikings into battle in The Northman, danced in just leopard print pants in Atlanta, and was a comedic foil in Documentary Now!. His latest role, playing multiple versions of the gullible James in Infinity Pool, the body horror from Possessor’s Brandon Cronenberg, might just be his wildest yet.

Infinity Pool is a unique proposition. There’s one scene where you’re naked and on a lead. Is it tricky giving yourself over to a character like that?

I find it quite cathartic. It’s really fun. Sometimes, but not too often, I run around naked with a leather collar and a leash on, so it’s just a great opportunity to do a bit more of that! And also to explore some darker sides of my personality. It was a very pleasant experience.

There are wild scenes throughout. Was there anything that was particularly tricky to accomplish?