With over four decades in film, Willem Dafoe has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most fearless and versatile actors.
From arthouse classics like The Florida Project and The Lighthouse to major blockbusters including Spider-Man and Aquaman, Dafoe’s willingness to take creative risks has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following.
But even among his daring filmography, one project stands out as his most controversial: Antichrist.
“Antichrist” and its infamous reputation
Released in 2009 and directed by Danish auteur Lars von Trier, Antichrist is a deeply unsettling psychological horror film starring Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
The story follows a grieving couple who retreat to a remote cabin after the accidental death of their child, only to descend into a nightmarish spiral of guilt, grief, and violence.
Upon release, Antichrist polarized audiences and critics alike. Its disturbing imagery, explicit violence, and sexual content led to walkouts and even fainting at film festivals, as per The Guardian, while others praised its raw exploration of trauma and despair.
However, one scene in particular became the focus of enduring fascination, not because of the story itself, but because of what appeared to be a very revealing moment for Dafoe.
The truth behind the body double controversy
In the film, Dafoe appears nude in several graphic scenes.
But as von Trier later revealed, Dafoe’s genitals in those moments were not real.
A body double was used instead, and for an unusual reason.
According to the director, Dafoe’s own anatomy was deemed “too distracting” for the tone of the film.
Dafoe himself supported the decision, saying he wanted the audience’s attention to remain on the emotional core of the story rather than his physical appearance.
“It was a good decision,” he reportedly said (via Slash Film), “because if it was me, that’s all people would talk about.”
Von Trier, never one to avoid controversy, described the situation even more bluntly, joking that Dafoe’s size had forced the use of a stand-in.
The revelation has since become one of the most infamous bits of trivia in modern arthouse cinema.
Nudity on set: not Dafoe’s first experience
Interestingly, this wasn’t Dafoe’s first on-set challenge involving nudity.
In an interview with Mel Magazine, the actor recalled a humorous incident while filming The Last Temptation of Christ.
During a crucifixion scene, his exposed body accidentally revealed more than intended.
Director Martin Scorsese reportedly had to pause filming while a costume assistant discreetly adjusted the situation, according to Comic Basics.
Dafoe took the moment in stride, adding it to his long list of unusual movie experiences.
Whether in prestige dramas, indie thrillers, or surreal horror films, Willem Dafoe has never shied away from complex or uncomfortable roles.
Antichrist may remain one of the most divisive films of his career, but it also stands as a testament to Dafoe’s unflinching commitment to storytelling, no matter how extreme the material.