A Singular Vision for the Mara Sisters
Werner Herzog returns to fiction filmmaking with his latest project, Bucking Fastard, which premiered at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. The film features Kate and Rooney Mara playing sisters who act in total synchronicity. They mirror one another in speech, movement, and mannerisms throughout the story. Herzog claims this specific approach to performance is unprecedented in film history. The project was inspired by the real-life Chaplin twins, Freda and Greta, whom the director knew years ago. He observed their unique ability to exist as a single consciousness long before bringing this story to the screen.
The script took Herzog only five days to complete, a rapid pace that reflects his distinct working style. While funding challenges initially stalled production, WNBA Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai provided the necessary capital to move forward. The shoot itself moved with surprising speed. Herzog opted for a short rehearsal period, choosing instead to capture the raw energy of his leads on set. He operates the clapboard himself, a choice that allows him to gauge the emotional temperature of the actors in real time. The goal was to find a specific rhythm that transcends traditional acting techniques.
Challenging the Conventions of Performance
Orlando Bloom plays the sisters’ love interest, a limo driver caught in their orbit. Bloom, known for his work in major studio blockbusters, faced a steep learning curve with Herzog’s methods. He reportedly expressed frustration after being limited to a single take for a key scene. Herzog justified this by comparing the filming process to open heart surgery. The director prioritizes the immediate, authentic reaction over repeated takes that might lose the emotional thread. For the actors involved, the experience shifted their understanding of character development.
Rooney Mara described the process as daunting but rewarding. She noted that her shared history with her sister Kate created an unspoken connection that reduced the amount of mechanical preparation required. Domhnall Gleeson, who plays their caretaker, described the experience of acting opposite them as looking between two eyes from the same head. This synchronicity is the film’s primary engine. It forces the audience to rethink how individuality is portrayed on screen. The production eschewed extensive rehearsal, relying instead on the performers to inhabit the characters' shared life from the first day.
Wildlife and Wider Themes in Herzog’s World
Bucking Fastard includes elements that surprise those familiar with Herzog’s previous films, particularly regarding his depiction of animals. His filmography is well-known for an indifferent view of nature. In previous works, he often portrayed the animal kingdom as pitiless or indifferent to human suffering. However, this film features a subplot involving the rescue of a wild fox. Herzog stated he avoided using animal dealers to procure a cub, preferring to find a natural narrative path rather than one forced by production demands. The film also features an unscripted appearance by a wild stag in an Irish cave.
This moment with the stag highlights the director’s reliance on spontaneity. Neither the director nor the actors knew how the animal would react during the scene. The result is a sequence that captures genuine mystery rather than a manufactured spectacle. The film is dedicated to David Lynch, reflecting a shared artistic understanding between the two filmmakers. As the film moves into wider release, it stands as a testament to Herzog’s desire to reach for the core of the human experience. He continues to pursue stories that feel essential, even when they break from his own established patterns. The legacy of this project lies in its willingness to risk confusion for the sake of a singular, captured moment.