Uma Thurman is less interested in labelling her roles as heroes or villains, choosing instead to explore the emotional and psychological layers that drive her characters.
Speaking about her approach to acting, Thurman explained that she looks beyond moral binaries. “I like to figure out some sort of essential motivation of any character through understanding someone. They're neither good nor bad very often,” she said to People, emphasising her preference for grounded, human portrayals.
This philosophy extends to her latest film Pretty Lethal, where she plays Devora Kasimer, a former ballet star turned mysterious inn owner. The story follows five young ballerinas, Bones, Princess, Grace, Chloe and Zoe, who take refuge at her roadside inn after their bus breaks down en route to a competition, only to discover something far more sinister beneath the surface.
Thurman was particularly drawn to the film’s unusual tone, describing it as a mix of contrasting elements. “Not your everyday streaming Amazon premiere movie… It’s girly, and then it’s wild. It’s gruesome, funny, and powerful. It’s so over the top, it’s above the top,” she said.
Despite her long association with action-heavy roles, the actor admitted she is not naturally inclined toward violence. In an earlier conversation, she shared, “I actually don't particularly like violence. Some people really like it; I don't like it.” However, she added that stylised action—especially when it resembles choreography—can still appeal to her. “When I see artful movement, I can enjoy violence and action… the way I would be if I saw an extraordinary dance performance.”
In Pretty Lethal, that sensibility plays out through Devora’s character, which blends balletic grace with brutal action, including a revenge-driven arc. Over the years, Thurman has portrayed several memorable roles that straddle the line between heroism and darkness, including Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill and Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin.
