What happens when an act of compassion places you face-to-face with a man suspected of unspeakable crimes—and the truth is far more dangerous than anyone expects? That’s the question at the heart of Epic Pictures’ new mystery thriller The Huntsman. The official synopsis reads: When an ICU nurse volunteers to help a coma patient accused of murdering six women, he’s drawn into a chilling web of lies, obsession, and deadly secrets as a detective races to stop the killer. The Huntsman was directed by Kyle Kauwika Harris and features an ensemble cast of familiar faces including Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Jessy Schram (Mad Men), Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead), and Brent Bailey (The Idea of You). Bailey plays Reynolds, a man whose rigid sense of justice begins to take a dangerous turn. We spoke to Bailey about his work on the film and many other topics in the interview below. Check out an exclusive clip of the film also.
First off, how did you become involved with The Huntsman?
Another actor had originally been attached to the project but had to step away due to a scheduling conflict, and the opportunity came together very quickly. Thankfully, the producers and director responded strongly to my reel and felt I was the right fit for the role. It was one of those rare moments in this business where everything aligns fast, and I was excited to jump in and be part of the film.
Your character, Reynolds, believes he’s pursuing justice, even when his methods are questionable. At what point did you feel the character started justifying those choices to himself?
What fascinated me about Reynolds is that he never sees himself as crossing a line — he believes he is the line. At some point he stops trusting the system after watching too many criminals walk free, and that frustration slowly reshapes his sense of justice. From his perspective, he isn’t doing anything wrong — he’s doing what no one else is willing to do. That’s what makes characters like him so dangerous. The road to good intentions can get very dark when someone decides the rules no longer apply to them.
Did you ever find yourself sympathizing with Reynolds more than you expected, or was there a moment where you personally drew a line?
I had empathy for him, which honestly made the character more unsettling to play. Reynolds truly believes he’s doing the right thing, and that kind of certainty can be dangerous. For me personally, the line is when someone decides the rules no longer apply to them. Once you abandon accountability, it becomes very easy to justify anything. What makes Reynolds interesting — and tragic — is that he likely never sees the moment he becomes the villain of the story.
Horror and thrillers often rely on silence as much as dialogue. Were there moments where stillness or withholding emotion felt more powerful than playing a scene actively?
I’ve always believed some of the most powerful moments on screen happen in what isn’t said. Audiences are incredibly intuitive, and when you give them space to interpret a look or a pause, they become part of the storytelling. Silence creates tension — it lets a scene breathe. For an actor, the challenge is having the confidence to do less and trust that the camera will catch what you’re thinking. Often, a single glance can carry more weight than the most beautifully written line.
Coming onto the project last-minute, did that sense of urgency affect your performance in a way that ultimately benefited the character?
There are definitely pros and cons to stepping into a project at the last minute, but one of the benefits is that it forces you to rely on your instincts. The performance can become more immediate and spontaneous because there isn’t time to overthink it, and that pressure naturally raises the stakes in a good way. Truthfully, this industry moves fast, and I’ve learned not just to roll with that chaos but to embrace it. There’s an energy that comes with that kind of urgency, and for a character like Reynolds, it actually helped fuel the intensity.
How did the cast dynamic help ground such a dark story during long shooting days?
The cast and crew were incredible — and I don’t say that lightly. Long shooting days can be demanding, especially when you’re telling a darker story, so the people around you really shape the experience. This group showed up with genuine enthusiasm every day and created an environment that balanced the heaviness of the material with a lot of camaraderie and trust. We very quickly became like a small family, and even on our days off we chose to spend time together. That’s honestly one of my favorite parts of filmmaking — the relationships you build while creating something meaningful.
Was there an unexpected creative choice from a scene partner that changed how you approached a moment?
Always — that’s part of the magic of acting. If you’re truly listening to your scene partner instead of waiting for your turn to speak, your performance naturally evolves in the moment. Jessy and Shawn are both incredibly talented and love to explore, so they would often introduce subtle shifts from take to take that kept everything feeling alive. That kind of spontaneity pushes you to stay present and respond truthfully, and it often leads to discoveries you could never plan. It’s a gift to work with actors who keep you on your toes like that.
Were there moments where you intentionally played against the audience’s expectations of a “cop” character?
I try not to approach any character as a type — especially someone in law enforcement, where audiences often carry strong expectations. What interests me is the person behind the badge. If you focus on the humanity instead of the stereotype, the character becomes far more unpredictable and real. I brought pieces of myself into Reynolds so his emotional life felt grounded, even when his choices weren’t. For me, the challenge is always walking that fine line between personal truth and the reality of the character.
You’ve worked across horror, thrillers, and romantic comedy. How has bouncing between genres sharpened your instincts as an actor?
I feel really grateful to have the opportunity to play completely different roles across genres. It keeps the job exciting because I get to explore so many sides of storytelling and of myself as an actor. I really enjoy playing the villain because it’s so far from who I am, but I also love stepping into the romantic comedy world. Being able to do both has been such a gift, and I’m thankful that audiences are willing to go on that journey with me and believe me in those different spaces.
Has playing darker characters like Reynolds changed how you approach lighter roles — or vice versa?
Not particularly. Every role asks you to consider things like tone, genre, character, and writing style, so naturally your performance adjusts depending on the world you’re stepping into — whether that’s a horror film, a holiday rom-com, or even a commercial. Thankfully, after two decades in the business, shifting between those styles feels very natural to me.
Are there themes or character types you find yourself increasingly drawn to at this stage in your career?
It’s a tough business, so first and foremost I’m just grateful to be consistently working. My team sends opportunities my way and I love diving into all of them because I genuinely love what I do. At this stage in my career, I find myself most drawn to characters that feel grounded and human — roles I can really sink my teeth into. I feel very fortunate to stay busy, and at the end of the day, I just love making movies.
What’s next for you?
Later this year, I have a really fun role in a horror film called Dead of Night. It’s a slasher-style story centered around a string of murders in a small town, and it was an absolute blast to be part of. We don’t have a release date yet, but it’s going to be a fun ride. Beyond that, I’m putting a strong focus on television this year and would love to find a home on a great show. Getting to live in the world of Shondaland or Taylor Sheridan would definitely be a dream.
