‘He’s Going to Rule Hollywood Someday’

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Located on Little West 12th Street, beneath the High Line, you’ll find Hector’s – a Mexican-influenced diner that has stood its ground since 1949, one of the few remaining vestiges of the old Meatpacking District. This very spot was where the film “Taxi Driver” was shot, as shared excitedly by actor Fred Hechinger on a bright day. Today, Hector’s is situated opposite the Standard Hotel and a Tesla dealership. Lately, Hechinger, who resides in the vicinity, discovered that this beloved establishment might be closing at some undetermined point in time. “They appeared quite laid-back about the situation,” he noted, “but I don’t want it to disappear.

Previously, Hechinger, who you might imagine as the title of a headline that asks “What on earth is going on in Germany?”, became your favorite film critic’s preferred young character actor last year. Over just a couple of months, he appeared as June Squibb’s grandson in ‘Thelma’, a psychopathic Roman emperor in ‘Gladiator II’, and an employee at the central school in ‘Nickel Boys’.

When Hollywood gazes upon his toothy grin and cherubic countenance, it often perceives either a sinister villain or a lovable dork, which is the part Hechinger plays in this month’s ‘Hell of a Summer’, a comedy-of-coming-age disguised within a summer-camp slasher film. The movie was helmed by Finn Wolfhard and his friend Billy Bryk from ‘Stranger Things’, both of whom also acted in it. This marked Hechinger’s debut as the lead actor in a film, as well as his first collaboration with directors younger than himself. “Sometimes we were referencing a Carpenter movie, and sometimes we were referencing a Vine,” he stated.

Regarding his initial leading role, he recalled a comment made by Squibb during their “Thelma” press tour – a remark that capitalized on the fact that it was her debut as the main character. She had said something like, “I don’t consider scripts based on who’s carrying the movie. My mind doesn’t focus on that.” The key distinction between playing a supporting role and being the lead, he explained, is the accountability towards the rest of the cast. “When you’re listed first in the call sheet, people look to you for direction.

transitioning from minor roles in movies such as Eighth Grade was indeed a change for me, but I found it quite refreshing. “At first, it was genuinely delightful,” I said. “When you’re brought in for a day, it feels like your job is simply to be that character. There’s something enchanting about not having to worry about anything beyond that. However, I believe that spirit should be maintained in every role one takes on.

Hechinger exhibits the essential trait of a character actor – the capacity to metamorphose while maintaining an authentic core. This versatility manifests as an endearing innocence that can either be leveraged, as seen in “Hell of a Summer” where he portrays an elderly camp counselor who still embraces the enchantment of summer, contrasting with his colleagues who merely seek drinking and romance, or undermined. He’s content with being labeled a character actor, likening it to many of his favorite actors such as Allen Garfield from Altman’s films like “Nashville,” “Putney Swope,” and “The Conversation.” When asked if he aspired to be that type of actor, he humorously replied that when starting out, producers would ask him who he wanted to emulate, to which he jokingly answered Barbara Stanwyck. Although this was partially a jest, Hechinger genuinely admires her: “She was so strong and yet so fragile. I’ve never been able to catch her acting.

Hechinger shared that he strives to discover something endearing in every character he portrays, even characters like Emperor Caracalla in “Gladiator II”. His explanation was, “I found him genuinely funny. Even in his illness and raging syphilis, there were moments of great wit, those brief moments where he called a spade a spade.” He later clarified that perhaps the word ‘admire’ wasn’t quite right; instead, these characters often show qualities he had never been able to express before or simply intrigued him. This is evident in his role in “Nickel Boys” as a seemingly harmless gofer who reveals surprising violence. He described this character as someone who saw himself as an aggrieved worker, and there was an easy nihilism in that. He added, “We’re all responsible in our own ways for letting things slide, and walking away. Like people you think are your friends, and then suddenly they’re supporting actions you find abhorrent.

Born and raised in New York City, with Mount Sinai Hospital as his birthplace and the Upper West Side as his childhood home, Hechinger attended Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn. Expressing a fascination for other locations but eventually returning to New York, he began his career in entertainment at age 12, working as a child reporter for Scholastic. His experiences on the junket circuit exposed him to the competitive nature of adult journalists. “Even professionals dressed in suits were vying for their five minutes,” he noted, finding it strange yet flattering. In high school, Hechinger honed his comedic skills by taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade, where he would later collaborate with his future co-star Natasha Rothwell. His breakthrough role came in the first season of HBO’s series, playing a teen addicted to his phone who ultimately finds inner peace. Similar to his character, Hechinger fell under the spell of Hawaii and decided to extend his stay on the island for three months between filming and reshoots. Meredith Tucker, the casting director for both “White Lotus” and “Eighth Grade,” describes him as having “a bit of a young Joaquin Phoenix vibe – off-kilter, intriguing, and incredibly funny. He’s destined to conquer Hollywood someday.

Since Hechinger lacks familial backup, he works extensively. This situation, however, has led him to overcome his initial apprehensions on film sets. Earlier, he was terrified of botching everything up, but now, despite an underlying existential dread that it could all come crashing down, he’s learned to trust that with dedication and focus, his decisions will lead to something meaningful or at least worth sharing. He may not have a premeditated career strategy, but he aspires to star in a romantic comedy or a musical someday. To balance the intellectual aspects, he has been secretly honing his singing skills and enjoys improvising dance moves. This helps him find a pleasant contrast.

During our post-lunch break that sweltering summer day, Hechinger suggested we drop by a psychic he’d noticed nearby. Neither of us had ever been to one before, but the idea seemed intriguing. As we strolled over, he reminisced about his co-star, Matthew Finlan – an enthusiastic ghost hunter who runs a web series called “Ghosting“. During filming, Finlan had guided the cast through a Ouija board scene, cautioning them that if they were to partake, they should do it properly. “He warned us,” Hechinger said, “‘If we’re going to do this, you have to do it right. Just remember, you’re essentially opening up a gateway.’

In a humble shop on West 11th Street, the psychic didn’t appear to be an immediate gateway to the spiritual realm. Yet, Hechinger chose their suggested comprehensive service, which encompassed palm and chakra readings – dubbed “the full shmear”. We had hoped for a joint session, but it breached protocol. Instead, the psychics, who were a mother-daughter duo, separated us: Hechinger in the backroom, me in the front. A tune of Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park” filled the air, possibly to preserve the sanctity of this spiritual connection with the cosmic energy from being contaminated by overhearing.

The psychic predicted that I would live a long life, with a past existence as a talented artist marred by immense sorrow that led me to end my own life. Fast forward to 2029, she revealed that I’d encounter someone new, and after two years of friendship, this individual would become the one I’d commit to. This insight somewhat comforted me, knowing it was a genuine palm reading. When Hechinger came into play, we discovered the cost we believed covered both of us was actually per person, which we settled through Venmo. We departed feeling a bit cheated. “I suppose we could say we paid $60 to satisfy our curiosity, which is quite expensive,” he remarked. “Yet, we did receive something in return. We got some sort of response.

In the open air, we exchanged our findings. “I don’t seem to have a past life,” Hechinger stated. His psychic had disclosed his fortunate colors and numbers, which he chose not to reveal to me due to her insistence. However, he hinted, “I can possibly say this: She instructed me to purchase three yellow roses and have them bloom tonight.” If he followed through, his deepest desire (which, again, he couldn’t disclose) would be fulfilled. Moreover, she mentioned that his third eye was shut. “I believe it’s ideal to keep it open,” he added. “I inquired about how to do this, and I think she suggested it would need more funds. So, I might figure out a way to open it myself.

He chose to focus on the positive aspects. It sparked something within him. It was intriguing to pause for a moment in his day and wonder, “What is it that I truly desire?” He found himself recalling an old quote by Denis Johnson about saving certain peculiar moments when life seems to hint at its secrets. “I believe there are secrets out there, and they’re probably winking at us all the time,” he mused. “I think that’s what fuels some of our curiosity. Like, ‘Let me see where this leads.’ And sometimes you might say, ‘Meh, not much came of it.’ But who knows? Some things must be experienced before they can be understood.” He chuckled. “You know what’s amusing? I think I genuinely will purchase three yellow roses.

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2025-04-09 01:55