Uma Thurman reveals what drives her role choices, says characters are ‘neither good nor bad’

Uma Thurman knows how to choose the characters she wants to portray. In fact, she’s intentional about picking her movies. But what motivates Uma to pick up certain roles? The 55-year-old has revealed what's essential for her and whether she prefers to play a villain or a good person.

Uma Thurman likes to understand a character’s core motivations

At the premiere of her new film project, Pretty Lethal, at the SXSW Film & TV Festival, Uma Thurman told People, "I like to figure out some sort of essential motivation of any character through understanding someone. They're neither good nor bad very often.”

More about Uma Thurman’s upcoming film ‘Pretty Lethal’

In ‘Pretty Lethal,’ the ‘Kill Bill’ alum plays a reclusive former ballet prodigy named Devora Kasimer. A young ballet troupe checks into an unsettling inn after their bus breaks down on their way to a competition. The movie is directed by Vicky Jewson and also stars Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, Avantika, Millicent Simmonds and Iris Apatow.

Director Vicky Jewson, 40, also talked about what Thurman brought to her character. “Uma is obviously an icon, and she can play a villain like nobody else can,” the director said. “She has a wicked sense of humor, and she also brings empathy to the character that allows you to stay with the character when the most absurd stuff happens.”

Uma Thurman doesn’t like violence

While Thurman is partly known for her villainous roles, including Dr. Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin’ and Discord in 2025's ‘The Old Guard 2.’ The actress revealed to InStyle that she doesn’t "particularly like violence.”

Her iconic character Beatrix Kiddo/The Bride in the 'Kill Bill' franchise was an assassin driven by vengeance.

'Pretty Lethal' is out now on Amazon Prime Video.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”