Javier Bardem shares how he embodied villain Max Cady in Apple TV's 'Cape Fear'

NPR | By Leila Fadel

Published July 30, 2026 at 4:41 AM EDT

Actor Javier Bardem has won praise for his cerebral take on the manipulative bad guy with vengeance on his mind in Apple TV's "Cape Fear." NPR's Leila Fadel asks Bardem about his process.

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a national correspondent for NPR based in Los Angeles, covering issues of culture, diversity, and race.

See stories by Leila Fadel

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

U.S. launches heavy strikes on Iran after attack on base in Jordan

Jane Arraf, Leila Fadel

The U.S. military says it launched a "heavy wave of strikes" on Iran after an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan.
Former U.S. ambassador on why Saudi Arabia is joining the war in the Gulf

Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin asks former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney why Saudi Arabia is entering the war in the Gulf.
Senate panel delays vote on Blanche's AG nomination as key Republicans voice concerns

Ryan Lucas

Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is up in the air after concerns from two Republicans on the committee that must advance his nomination.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal talks about Anthony Fauci's contentious Senate hearing

Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin asks U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., for his takeaways from Wednesday's confrontational Senate committee hearing with former top U.S. health official Dr. Anthony Fauci.
NPR News

Russian strikes across Ukraine kill at least 8 civilians and wound dozens

The Associated Press

The blitz expanded Russia's almost daily bombardment of Ukrainian cities as Moscow apparently looked to exploit Kyiv's critical shortage of Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile defenses.