Here’s a guide to the cast and characters featured in Guillermo del Toro’s 2021 movie Nightmare Alley. Since winning Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for The Shape of Water in 2017, del Toro has taken a well-deserved break from his Hollywood tentpole movies like Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim. Instead, del Toro has focused on his animated sci-fi Tales of Acradia television trilogy on Netflix. It appears that since The Shape of Water, del Toro has saved his film mastery to create a highly-anticipated dark psychological film noir with a cast that parallels the ensemble talent of Knives Out.
Nightmare Alley, based on the 1946 novel of the same name, follows Stan Carlisle, a carny known for his clever manipulation and deception. Stan becomes intertwined with psychiatrist Dr. Lilith Ritter, whose nature is even more dangerous and devious than his own. As Stan uses his gift for well-crafted wording and misdirection on the other traveling carnies and officials, his talents prove to be his own downfall.
While Nightmare Alley has already been adapted into a film in 1947, Guillermo del Toro has noted that his version will be a standalone adaptation of the original novel, not a remake of the movie. With an incredible cast lineup, enthralling premise, unique visual style, and December release date, Nightmare Alley is also apt to make del Toro another fierce Oscar contender. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting characters featured in Nightmare Alley and the actors who portray them.
Bradley Cooper As Stanton “Stan” Carlisle
Critically acclaimed actor-turned-director Bradley Cooper stars in the lead role of Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley. Cooper plays Stanton “Stan” Carlisle, an ambitious carny who is known as a con-man with a talent for deception and manipulation. While working his clever gifts on those associated with the traveling carnival, he becomes intertwined with Dr. Lilith Ritter and learns he may not be the most dangerous figure around. Cooper’s breakout role was in 2009 as Phil Wenneck in The Hangover, whereafter he notably starred in Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper, and voiced Rocket in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Cooper also made his directorial debut in the Academy Award-winning movie A Star is Born (2018), in which he also co-starred.
Cate Blanchett As Dr. Lilith Ritter
Veteran actress Cate Blanchett stars as the mysterious, highly manipulative, and dangerous psychiatrist Dr. Lilith Ritter. After seducing Stan, Lilith reveals her nature as an even more deceitful con artist than Stan himself while contributing to his eventual downfall. Blanchett is known for her Academy Award-winning roles as Katharine Hepburn in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator and rich socialite in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. She’s also starred in Elizabeth, The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Thor: Ragnarok, and Ocean’s 8.
Toni Collette as Zeena Krumbein
Toni Collette brings her talent to Nightmare Alley as Zeena Krumbein, an experienced astrologer and fake mind reader for the carnival. The Australian actress has held a high place in Hollywood since starring as Cole’s mother in M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense, whereafter she was featured in Emma, The Hours, About A Boy, and Little Miss Sunshine. Collette has also made waves in recent years for her critically acclaimed roles as Annie Graham in Hereditary and Joni Thrombey in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out.
Willem Dafoe As Clem Hoatley
Another Academy Award-nominee in the cast, the highly revered Willem Dafoe plays Clem Hoatley, the unethical carnival’s proprietor and “talker” who hypes up the show’s acts. Dafoe has starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, including Platoon, The English Patient, and The Lighthouse. The actor is also well-known for his frequent collaborations with director Wes Anderson and roles in blockbuster movies like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Aquaman, Finding Nemo, and John Wick.
Richard Jenkins As Ezra Grindle
Richard Jenkins plays Nightmare Alley’s ruthless and wealthy auto tycoon, Ezra Grindle, who is interested in the spiritual occult and becomes a con target of Stan. Jenkins is best known for his role as deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on HBO’s Six Feet Under series, as well as playing Walter in The Visitor, Robert in Step Brothers, and Ted in Burn After Reading. Nightmare Alley will be Jenkins’ second collaboration with Guillermo del Toro after portraying the Academy Award-nominated role of Giles in The Shape of Water.
Rooney Mara As Molly Cahill
Molly Cahill, the carnival’s kindhearted young woman who can apparently channel electricity as “Mamzelle Electra,” is portrayed by veteran actress Rooney Mara. Stan seduces Molly and she becomes his girlfriend, where she also takes on the role of his assistant in his fake mind reader act. Mara is most notable for playing Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, while having previously collaborated with the director on The Social Network. The actress has also been featured in Her, Lion, and A Ghost Story.
Ron Perlman As Bruno
Best known for his multiple collaborations with Nightmare Alley director Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman plays Bruno, the carnival’s strongman act. Bruno has served as Molly’s protector at the carnival, but can no longer help her once she falls under Stan’s spell. Perlman is well-known for his titular role in del Toro’s superhero Hellboy movies, as well as starring in the director’s films Cronos, Blade II, and Pacific Rim. Aside from del Toro’s features, Perlman is known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy as Clay, Drive, The City of Lost Children, and Alien Resurrection.
David Strathairn As Pete Krumbein
Pete Krumbein, the alcoholic husband of tarot-reader Zeena, is played by David Strathairn. Pete was once a gifted crystal reader in the carnival whose deceitful talents faded away as he fell deeper into alcoholism. He now focuses on assisting the con of Zeena’s act. Strathairn notably played Dave in the Best Picture-winning Nomadland, William Seward in Lincoln, and Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck. He also notably starred in the TV shows Billions, Alphas, and The Blacklist.
Nightmare Alley Supporting Cast & Characters
Holt McCallany as Anderson: A so-far undisclosed role. McCallany is most notable for playing FBI Agent Bill Tench in Netflix’s Mindhunters, while also having small roles in Alien 3, Fight Club, Three Kings, and The Ice Road.
Tim Blake Nelson as Carny Boss: One of the leaders among the eclectic group of carnies. Nelson is known for his roles in O Brother, Where Art Thou? as Delmar, Holes, The Incredible Hulk, and HBO’s Watchmen as Wade Tillman.
Mary Steenburgen as Mrs Kimball: Mary Steenburgen plays the wife of Peter MacNeill's Judge Kimball. Steenburgen is best-known for her roles in Elf, Step Brothers, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Proposal, and Melvin and Howard.
Jim Beaver as Sheriff Jedediah Judd: Likely the man who has to interfere with the plenty of cons and dubious characters in Nightmare Alley’s carnival. Beaver is best remembered for playing Bobby Singer in Supernatural, Whitney Elsworth in Deadwood, and Sheriff Parlow in Justified.
Mark Povinelli as The Major: A carny whose act is known as Major Mosquito, where he is shown as the tiniest human in the world. Povinelli is notable for his activism as he advocates for the rights of others with dwarfism. He’s also previously acted in Mirror Mirror, Water for Elephants, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
David Hewlett as Dr. Elrood: Likely the doctor that tends to some of Nightmare Alley’s notable carnies. Hewlett previously starred in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water.