Joe Anders, the 22-year-old son of Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes, is earning critical acclaim for his role as Zach in Apple TV's gripping remake of Cape Fear. The series, a super-intense adaptation of the 1991 Martin Scorsese film and the 1962 classic, features Javier Bardem as the brutally charismatic ex-con Max Cady, who targets the family of the lawyer he believes betrayed him. Anders plays Zach, a troubled teen who becomes Cady's primary focus.
A Role That Pushed Boundaries
Anders admitted the character description initially thrilled him, but as he read further, he realized the extent of Zach's ordeal. 'They sent me the description of the character and what happens to him. I was so excited, but as I’m moving down the page my smile slowly fades and I just start shitting myself because he gets so manipulated and torn apart,' he told reporters. By episode one, Zach faces catfishing, drugging, and severed digits, reflecting contemporary fears around social media, con artists, and psychos.
Contemporary Themes and Tension
The series draws on modern anxieties, with Anders noting that Zach 'has retreated to this position of being influenced through his devices because all of his friends have gone away.' The terror lies in the possibility that everything might 'pop up again on a phone,' and much of the tension comes from misreading situations. Anders' performance is outstandingly good in a show not lacking in quality performances, alongside Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson.
Overcoming Family Legacy
Despite his family pedigree—his mother is Kate Winslet, who directed his first screenplay Goodbye June, and his father is director Sam Mendes—Anders initially resisted acting. 'I wanted to steer clear of it for a long time. I had always really loved it, just not allowed myself to enjoy it because of the family I was born into. I felt like it wasn’t an option,' he said. Eventually, he decided to 'give it my best shot and see how it works for me.'
Working with Javier Bardem
Anders praised working opposite Bardem, describing a moment when they sat across from each other. 'When he’s in character as Max, he just gives off this animalistic heat. It’s incredible. I didn’t even really need to get into character. I just had to look at him and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m there now’,' Anders recounted. He will next appear in Netflix's adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, further cementing his status as a rising talent.
