The following contains spoilers for The Rule Of Jenny Pen, now playing in theatersJohn Lithgow’s performance in the horror film The Rule of Jenny Pen is quietly a great showcase of the skills that the actor will bring to his upcoming role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV show. John Lithgow has been a consistent presence in Hollywood for decades, showcasing a deep versatility over the years. He has been able to bring an unᴀssuming and realistic edge to everything from sitcom aliens to dramatic serial killers, earning Lithgow the respect of his peers and the admiration of generations of film and television fans.
One of his biggest roles ever is set to be in the upcoming television adaptation of the Harry Potter series, where John Lithgow will play Dumbledore. Before he becomes the Headmaster of Hogwarts though, his latest horror film highlights the sheer versatility Lithgow has as a performer and his ability to infuse even seemingly kooky character beats with a secondary layer of complexity or darkness. Here are the impressive traits Lithgow shows off in the terrifying The Rule of Jenny Pen and how they bode well for his Harry Potter performance.
John Lithgow’s Rule Of Jenny Pen Performance Is Great
John Lithgow’s Dave Crealy Is Bizarrely Funny But Still Uniquely Horrifying
John Lithgow’s disturbingly compelling performance in The Rule of Jenny Pen is fantastic and highlights the versatility he can bring to Dumbledore in the upcoming live-action Harry Potter TV show. Lithgow appears in the film as Dave Crealy, one of the patients at a remote ᴀssisted living facility for the elderly. Crealy is also the quiet despot of the center, who uses his knowledge of the facility and comparatively good health to abuse the other patients into subservient respect. Crealy is a cruel character who convinces the staff that he’s a kooky old man who needs his baby doll.
In reality, Crealy uses the doll as part of his tortuous treatment of the other patients. He’s silly and threatening at the same time, quickly able to shift from bizarre to horrifying and back again with ease. It’s a testament to Lithgow’s skills as an actor that Crealy remains such a threatening presence even after audiences have watched him force everyone else off the dance floor or panic after realizing he’s left evidence on one of his victims. That natural versatility will serve him well as Dumbledore.
What Lithgow’s Jenny Pen Role Can Tease About His Dumbledore
An Ability To Change Tenor And Tone With Ease Is Key To Dumbledore
On paper, Crealy and Dumbledore couldn’t be two more distinct characters. The former is a monstrous bully who targets others for the thrill of it, while the latter is a noble if flawed hero who becomes a vital mentor for generations of witches and wizards. However, John Lithgow’s performance as Crealy highlights some of the skills he’ll likely be called upon for the upcoming Harry Potter show. Lithgow’s accent work in The Rule of Jenny Pen is impressive, highlighting his ability to mimic other speaking patterns and styles so as not to be distracting from the likely British-heavy production.
There’s a commitment and sincerity to [John Lithgow’s] in-universe performance that will be exciting to see fitted to Dumbledore’s flights of fancy.
Crealy can shift from creepy to kooky with ease, with Lithgow making that change feel like a natural character beat instead of a blunt plot shift. This is something that’s vital to Dumbledore, who would often present himself in the Harry Potter series as a strange old man despite being a steely and resilient figure under the surface. Even when Crealy is at his most bizarre, like when he does a little song and dance number to mock Stefan, there’s a commitment and sincerity to the in-universe performance that will be exciting to see fitted to Dumbledore’s flights of fancy.
Lithgow Could Be The Perfect Person To Bring A Little Darkness To Dumbledore
Lithgow’s Darker Side Could Make Dumbledore More Complex As A Character
One of the things that made Dumbledore an interesting character in the original Harry Potter books was the way he proved to be a subversion of the Merlin archetype. Despite being a wise wizard with good intentions, Dumbledore was also prone to moments of pride and selfishness that cost him and others dearly. He was an empathic character who shut off his own emotions, as steadily teased out in more detail in the prequel films. Dumbledore is most compelling when there’s some darkness to him, and Lithgow has the chops to play up both sides of the character.
Lithgow’s experience in comedy makes him a natural fit for the lighter elements of the character, but the darkness he brings to characters like Crealy in The Rule of Jenny Pen highlights the harsher layers that the actor will be able to bring to a character who at first glance appears to be non-threatening. While the characters and performances may end up being very different, Lithgow’s work in The Rule of Jenny Pen is a very reᴀssuring reminder that he has more than enough ability to bring a deceptively complex character like Dumbledore to life.
