Skip to main content

Home Culture Culture Film & TV

‘Kill Your Darlings’ director reveals intimate details about Daniel Radcliffe’s anatomy

By Will Stroude

The director of Kill Your Darlings has revealed exactly what went into the film’s now-infamous sex scene.

The 2013 historical drama stars Daniel Radcliffe as 20th century poet Allen Ginsberg, who in one notable scene loses his virginity to a stranger he meets at a bar.

Speaking to Vulture, director John Krokidas revealed that Daniel – who has previously joked that he can’t get enough of acting roles that require nudity – was more than forthcoming when it came to ensuring the scene was as authentic as possible.

“[He had] no issue doing the scene whatsoever,” Krokidas said. “His only question was, ‘Just so I know, how naked do you want me to be — movie-naked or Equus-naked?’ I said, ‘I hate when people block sex scenes in order to play hide-the-genitalia — that feels so forced. So let’s just block it, and if it falls into frame, we’ll shoot it’.”

Of course, having penis in-shot produces its own set of risks. But luckily, Dan didn’t need to make any modifications to ensure he captured the poet in all his glory.

“I remember going, ‘Oh shit: You’re British, and Allen Ginsberg is one of the most famous Jews of the 20th century,’” Krokidas recalled. “And Dan said, ‘John, my mother’s Jewish and I’m circumcised. Play the scene any way you want.’

“God bless Daniel Radcliffe, he commits to all of his actions.”

A method actor, through and through.

Check out some of Daniel’s hottest moments here.

More stories:
Single & Fabulous? | The single man’s guide to surviving Christmas
Interview | Wentworth Miller talks mental health, Hollywood and homophobia