Andrew Garfield has never been one to shy away from vulnerability, but his latest confession takes honesty to a visceral level. The actor revealed on the podcast Dinner's on Me that he used to hide in school toilets to escape the trauma of primary school lunches, describing the experience as a form of psychological torture.
Speaking with hosts Nick and Angela, Garfield explained that his aversion to certain foods, particularly loose sweetcorn, stems from a childhood incident that left a lasting mark.
It's a pure, visceral association. I vomited on a teacher who force-fed me some of these things one day at school. I would hide in the toilet to not have to eat my primary school lunches. It was brutal.He went on to liken the experience to a version of waterboarding but with mashed potato and loose sweetcorn, a comparison that drew laughter from his hosts but underscored a deeper point about how childhood experiences shape us.
Why Garfield's vulnerability resonates with modern audiences
In an era where public figures are increasingly expected to be authentic, Garfield's willingness to share such an unflattering personal story feels refreshing. It's a reminder that even Hollywood stars carry the weight of their pasts, and that these formative moments can influence everything from our eating habits to our approach to complex roles.
The actor's appearance on the podcast comes during a pivotal moment in his career. He's currently generating significant awards buzz for his portrayal of OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman in Luca Guadagnino's black comedy Artificial, which premiered this week at the New York Film Festival.
Inside 'Artificial': Garfield's transformation into Sam Altman
Artificial dramatises the meteoric rise of OpenAI, including the dramatic events of November 2023 when Altman was briefly ousted as CEO before returning days later. Garfield spent months preparing for the role, dedicating two to three months to studying footage of Altman and listening to his public appearances.
Speaking to Variety, Garfield said:
I wish we could give it even more teeth in a way. We need to shine the light as bright as possible at the nooks and crannies of people we're giving all of our autonomy and power to.His comments reflect a growing public concern about the unchecked influence of tech leaders, a theme that resonates deeply in Aotearoa and beyond.
The film, written by Simon Rich, features a stellar cast including Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, and Mark Rylance as AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton. Music is by Damon Albarn. Early reviews have drawn comparisons to David Fincher's The Social Network, the 2010 film that gave Garfield one of his first major Hollywood roles as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
From Spider-Man to serious acclaim: Garfield's evolving career
Garfield's journey from indie darling to blockbuster star and now awards-season contender is a testament to his range. He's previously earned two Best Actor Oscar nominations, for his roles in Hacksaw Ridge and Tick, Tick... Boom!, and his performance in Artificial is already being singled out by critics as a career highlight.
Neon is campaigning for Garfield in the supporting actor category, while Yura Borisov, who plays OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, is positioned in the lead actor race. The film opens in selected US cinemas on Christmas Day before expanding wider in January.
What Garfield's choices tell us about the stories we need now
Garfield's career choices have consistently leaned toward projects that interrogate power, faith, and human frailty. From his early work in The Social Network to his recent turn as a tech titan, he seems drawn to stories that ask difficult questions about the systems we build and the people we elevate.
His candidness about his school lunch trauma, while humorous, fits this pattern. It's a small but telling example of how our earliest experiences can shape our relationship with the world, and how even the most successful among us are still navigating the echoes of childhood.
As Artificial heads into awards season, Garfield's star is rising again. But it's his willingness to be honest, whether about sweetcorn or Silicon Valley, that makes him a compelling figure in an industry often defined by carefully managed images.
Frequently asked questions about Andrew Garfield's new film
What is 'Artificial' about?
Artificial is a black comedy directed by Luca Guadagnino that dramatises the rise of OpenAI, including the November 2023 boardroom drama that briefly removed Sam Altman as CEO. Andrew Garfield stars as Altman.
When does 'Artificial' open in cinemas?
The film is scheduled to open in selected US cinemas on Christmas Day before expanding more widely in January. International release dates, including New Zealand, are yet to be announced.
What other films has Andrew Garfield been nominated for?
Garfield has received two Best Actor Oscar nominations: for Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021).