Anthony Hopkins stars in The Father, and the supporting cast includes some big names from mainstream television and cinema, including Olivia Colman. Directed by Florian Zeller (and based on his 2014 play Le Père), the movie earned six Oscar nominations at the 2021 Academy Awards. The Father includes a series of dramatic vignettes over its brisk 97-minute runtime, with Hopkins leading the way as the title character.

The Father examines the mindset of an elderly man named Anthony. He initially believes that a watch was stolen from his flat, but then discovers that he's actually living with his daughter Anne and son-in-law Paul. Hopkins' character makes steady jokes and shows off his dancing skills, but struggles to identify the key people in his life. From Anthony's perspective, Anne appears as two different people, along with Paul. And when a caretaker named Laura arrives to provide assistance, Anthony claims that she looks like his daughter Lucy, unwilling to accept that his beloved child actually passed away. Written by Zeller and Christopher Hampton, The Father explores a man's inability to fully understand his own reality.

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The Father primarily showcases the talent of Hopkins and co-star Olivia Colman, who converse back as people who are undeniably close but still very distant. Zeller's screenplay references familial conflict through the Lucy subplot and uses the supporting character Paul to underline the current friction between Anthony and his loved ones. English actress Imogen Poots has a small but crucial role as a well-meaning caretaker, while Olivia Williams and Mark Gatiss portray characters who initially seem out of place, at least until the revelatory and heart-breaking final act. Here's a complete cast and character guide for The Father.

Anthony Hopkins As Anthony

Anthony Hopkins as Anthony in The Father

Anthony Hopkins stars as Anthony, an elderly man who suffers from dementia. He initially questions his daughter Anne about a missing watch and seems to believe that she'll be leaving for Paris. Anthony later encounters a mysterious man who looks like his son-in-law Paul, along with a mysterious woman who looks like Anne. He becomes even more confused by a caretaker, Laura, who looks just like his deceased daughter, Lucy.

Hopkins is best known for his Oscar-winning role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, and for reprising the role in Hannibal and Red DragonIn the '60s, he starred alongside Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole in Lion in Winter, and later headlined the early '70s War and Peace TV adaptation as Pierre Bezukhov. During the 21st century, Hopkins portrayed Old Ptolemy in Alexander and starred as Alfred Hitchcock in Hitchcock. He also portrays Odin in the MCU and appeared as Dr. Robert Ford in Westworld.

Olivia Colman As Anne

Olivia Colman as Anne in The Father

Olivia Colman co-stars as Anne, Anthony's daughter. She initially meets with her father and questions him about a missing watch. She plans to leave London for Paris and worries about Anthony's wellbeing, all the while trying to please her unnerved husband Paul, who believes that Anthony might be faking his condition. Midway through The Father, Anne visits a nursing home with Anthony, which is when the narrative becomes even more complex.

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Colman portrayed PC Doris Thatcher in Hot Fuzz and currently stars as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. She also appeared in Yorgos Lanthimos' 2015 film The Lobster as a hotel manager, and then earned an Oscar for starring as Queen Anne in Lanthimos' 2018 film The Favourite.

Rufus Sewell As Paul

Rufus Sewell as Paul in The Father

Rufus Sewell portrays Paul, Anne's husband of nearly 10 years. He takes a passive-aggressive approach when speaking with Anthony and seems to believe that his father-in-law could be lying about his dementia in order to spend more time with his daughter. Ultimately, Paul's poor behavior and acts of aggression lead to a family divide. Sewell portrayed Count Adhemar in A Knight's Tale and Crown Prince Leopold in The Illusionist. He recently appeared as Lord Melbourne in Victoria, Sid Luft in Judy, and John Smith in The Man in the High Castle.

Imogen Poots As Laura

Imogen Poots as Laura in The Father

Imogen Poots appears as Laura, a caretaker who is warned about Anthony's mental state. She's chastised by Anthony for speaking down to him, but remains cool and collected as the man struggles with his memories. Laura is aware that Anthony's daughter Lucy passed away but discovers that he hasn't fully accepted the truth. Poots portrayed Tammy in 28 Weeks Later and Kelly Ann in Roadies. In recent years, she starred as Gemma in Vivarium and Riley in Black Christmas. Poots also appeared as Joy Hanks in the 2020 TV show I Know This Much Is True.

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Olivia Williams As The Woman

Olivia Williams as The Woman in The Father

Olivia Williams portrays The Woman, an individual who Anthony believes is his daughter. In the final act, Anthony sees her as Laura, and she's ultimately revealed to be a nurse who takes care of Hopkins' character in a nursing home. Williams portrayed Rosemary Cross in Rushmore and Anna Crowe in The Sixth Sense. In the 2000s, she appeared as Miss Stubbs in An Education and Ruth Lang in The Ghost Writer. Most recently, Williams portrayed Liza Winter in Manhattan, Emily Burton Silk in Counterpart, and Lavinia Bidlow in The Nevers.

Mark Gatiss As The Man

Mark Gatiss as The Man in The Father

Mark Gatiss portrays The Man, someone who appears to be Paul from's Anthony's perspective. He tells Anthony that he's not actually living in his own flat, and then mostly disappears from the storyline until late in the film when he repeats one of Paul's lines. It's eventually revealed that Gatiss' character is a nurse who looks after Anthony. Gatiss starred as Sherlock Holmes' elder brother Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock and portrayed Tycho Nestoris in Game of Thrones. He also appeared as numerous characters in The League of Gentlemen and portrayed Lord Marlborough in The Favourite.

Ayesha Dharker As Dr. Sarai

Ayesha Dharker as Dr. Sarai in The Father

Ayesha Dharker portrays Dr. Sarai, a woman who meets with Anthony and Anne mid-way through The Father. She asks about Anthony's personal details, which sparks a conversation about whether or not Anne will move to Paris. Dharker portrayed Tara Mandal in Coronation Street and Nina Karnik in Holby City. She also appeared as Queen Jamillia in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and currently portrays Tanvi in Finding Alice.

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