Colin Farrell on Grief, Fatherhood, and the Magical Journey of 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey'

Key facts

• Colin Farrell, 49, stars in 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' (in theaters Sept. 19) as David, a man traveling through magical doors with Sarah (Margot Robbie).
• Farrell's father, Eamon Farrell, an Irish footballer-turned-restaurateur, died in April at 83 after a long illness.
• Farrell has two sons: James, 22, who has Angelman syndrome, and Henry, 15.
• Margot Robbie, 35, welcomed a baby boy last fall with her husband, producer Tom Ackerley.
• The film's script by Seth Reiss explores family, loneliness, and loss with a light touch.
• Farrell recalls his father worrying over his children, saying he used to stand over their cots to ensure they were breathing.

A Father's Love, On Screen and Off

In his latest film, Colin Farrell channels the memory of his late father into a poignant scene that resonates deeply with his own life. 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,' set for release on September 19, follows David (Farrell) and a stranger named Sarah (Margot Robbie) as they step through mysterious doors into core memories. One such memory shows David's younger father, played by Hamish Linklater, pacing a hospital waiting room, anxious for news about his infant son born with a heart condition. Farrell's own father, Eamon Farrell, an Irish footballer who later ran a restaurant, died in April at age 83 after a long illness. The actor, 49, says the role helped him understand his father's hidden worries. 'My dad used to worry about the four of us a lot more than we would have realized,' Farrell explains. 'That worry and concern was an expression of his love, and also the inevitable helplessness you feel as a parent.' He recalls his father confessing that he would stand over their cots as babies, just to make sure they were still breathing. 'I remember that being a moment where I thought, 'Jesus, give the man credit,' because there was distance through the years,' Farrell adds. 'David's dad is a worrier and my dad was more of a worrier than he would have presented, for sure.'

A Personal Connection to the Script

Farrell, a father of two sons—James, 22, who has Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder, and Henry, 15—found the script by Seth Reiss particularly resonant. The film grapples with family, loneliness, and loss, but always with a light touch. In one scene, David and Sarah describe their happiest, most 'contented day,' a concept Farrell and Robbie embraced. For Farrell, a perfect day is simple: 'Getting up late and checking in with my boys, then going for a little run, catching a movie, going for a walk at night and then a nice bit of dinner. But that might even be at home via Postmates.' Robbie's dream is comparably attainable: 'My perfect day is cocktails by the pool with my girlfriends. I love it.' The film's magical realism allows both characters to confront their pasts while forging an unexpected bond. Farrell, an Oscar nominee for 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' says the project offered a chance to reflect on his own journey as a parent and son.

The Stakes of a Magical Adventure

In 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,' David and Sarah travel through mysterious doors that transport them to pivotal moments in their lives. The narrative explores how memory shapes identity and how confronting the past can lead to healing. Farrell's character, David, must reconcile with his father's anxiety and his own role as a parent. The film's release comes amid a busy period for Farrell, who recently received the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival and attended premieres for 'Ballad of a Small Player,' a Netflix drama about a gambler on the run. He also made headlines for a shirtless hike in Los Angeles and a late-night grocery run in pajamas, showing a relaxed side off-screen. Farrell's career spans blockbusters like 'Minority Report' (2001), where he famously annoyed Tom Cruise by partying the night before a scene, and indie hits like 'In Bruges.' His willingness to be vulnerable on screen has earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following.

A Legacy of Worry and Love

Farrell's reflections on his father highlight a universal theme: the quiet, often invisible sacrifices parents make. Eamon Farrell, who raised four children, including Colin, was a former footballer who later ran a restaurant. His death in April at 83 after a long illness prompted Colin to examine their relationship more deeply. 'There was distance through the years,' Farrell admits, but the film's hospital scene helped him see his father's worry as love. 'I remember my dad saying that he used to stand over the cot when we were babies and he'd watch us, just to make sure we were still breathing,' he says. That memory now informs his own parenting. Farrell's son James has Angelman syndrome, a condition that requires constant care. The actor has been open about the challenges and joys of raising James, and how it has shaped his perspective on life. 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' offers a fictional parallel to those real-world experiences.

What Comes Next for Farrell

With 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' poised to hit theaters, Farrell continues to balance high-profile projects with personal priorities. He recently appeared on 'The Graham Norton Show' alongside Robbie Williams, Julia Roberts, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Gloria Estefan, where Williams made Roberts blush with a baking shout-out. Farrell also has 'Ballad of a Small Player' premiering on Netflix, and he recently caught up with 'The New World' co-star Q'Orianka Kilcher, over 20 years after making that film. His schedule shows no signs of slowing, but he remains grounded by his role as a father. For Farrell, the film's message about cherishing small moments resonates deeply. 'A good day is getting up late and checking in with my boys,' he says. That sentiment, born from loss and love, may be the most enduring takeaway from his latest work.

The bottom line

• Colin Farrell's new film 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' draws on his personal grief over his father's death and his experiences as a parent.
• Farrell's father, Eamon, died in April at 83; the actor recalls his father's hidden worries as a parent.
• Farrell has two sons: James, 22, who has Angelman syndrome, and Henry, 15.
• The film, co-starring Margot Robbie, explores memory, family, and loss through a magical-realist lens.
• Farrell defines a perfect day as simple time with his sons, a run, a movie, and a quiet dinner.
• The actor remains active with upcoming projects including 'Ballad of a Small Player' on Netflix.