Before Bridge of Spies or The BFG made him a household name, Rylance took on a daring role in the 2001 film Intimacy. The movie, known for its raw depiction of human connection, featured real sexual acts between Rylance and actress Kerry Fox — a decision the actor now deeply regrets.

“It was the most difficult job I’ve ever had,” Rylance later admitted. “I thought it was a truthful story about loneliness and love in a big city. But the experience — and the backlash — were very, very painful. I wish I hadn’t made it.”

At the time, the then-41-year-old actor felt pressured to push boundaries. “I didn’t have the confidence to say no,” he recalled. “Now I realize many actors labeled as ‘difficult’ are simply protecting themselves.”

While Intimacy won awards for its boldness, it left lasting emotional scars on those involved. Even Kerry Fox’s partner confessed he struggled to accept the film’s realism.

For Rylance, the experience became a turning point — a reminder that some risks aren’t worth the cost. As he once put it, “Art should reveal truth — but not destroy the people creating it.”