Dacre Montgomery Embraces New Roles After Stranger Things Fame

Australian actor Dacre Montgomery is stepping back into the spotlight with a compelling new role in the film Went Up the Hill. Two years after his rise to fame in Stranger Things, Montgomery took a significant hiatus from acting, rejecting numerous offers as he sought to regain his sense of self and direction in his career.

At just 22, Montgomery found himself thrust into the limelight, becoming an overnight heartthrob. However, the sudden fame overwhelmed him. “I lost my anonymity overnight and it scared the shit out of me,” he recalls, now 30, during an interview in a Sydney bar. This retreat from public life lasted four years, with only a cameo in Stranger Things‘ fourth season and a small role in Baz Luhrmann‘s Elvis breaking his silence.

New Projects and Artistic Growth

Montgomery’s decision to step back was not merely about escaping the pressures of fame. He wanted to explore deeper and more challenging characters. After the commercial success of Stranger Things, he noted a lack of roles that resonated with his artistic aspirations. “I love commercial films,” he said, “but I grew up watching auteur films. I wanted characters that challenged me to the greatest extent.”

His wait appears to have paid off. Montgomery stars alongside Vicky Krieps in Went Up the Hill, directed by Samuel Van Grinsven. The film is a poignant drama set against the stunning backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, exploring themes of grief and inherited trauma. Montgomery plays Jack, a young queer man attending his estranged abusive mother’s funeral, where he meets her wife for the first time.

“I was instantly drawn to the acting challenge of a ‘three-hander told by two people,’” he explains. The film’s exploration of trauma resonates personally with Montgomery, who reflects on his own experiences, stating, “My mum had really bad postnatal depression when I was born. I think a lot of my anxieties come from that.”

A Return to Filmmaking and Future Projects

After the premiere of Went Up the Hill at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, Montgomery expressed relief and catharsis. “I just bawled my eyes out the whole film,” he shares, emphasizing how much of his personal journey is captured in the film.

Looking ahead, Montgomery is set to expand his creative horizons further. He plans to shoot his directorial feature debut, The Engagement Party, later this year in Western Australia. The film, co-written by Jory Anast, is a relationship drama that challenges its characters to confront a shared memory during a remote holiday.

Montgomery’s return to acting and directing marks a significant shift in his career trajectory. After a rocky period that included being dropped by his agent, he is now armed with a renewed sense of purpose. He acknowledges the intensity of his passion, joking, “I’m brimming with ideas, and a lot of the heads of department we have on board are like, ‘Woah, you’re intense. You’re a lot.’”

As Went Up the Hill hits cinemas in the United States and Australia, Montgomery’s journey reflects a commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity, distinguishing him in an industry often dominated by fleeting trends. With a mix of excitement and determination, he is ready to embrace the next chapter of his career, inviting audiences to join him on this evolving path.