Ralph Ineson has had quite a year.
Known in the U.K. for his iconic role as Chris “Finchy” Finch in The Office, the 55-year-old actor has recently stepped into the global spotlight as Marvel supervillain Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The blockbuster has already stormed the box office with more than $230 million worldwide.
Just weeks later, Ineson has swapped Marvel’s cosmic spectacle for the indie stage. He appeared at the Edinburgh Film Festival for the world premiere of Two Neighbors, directed by Ondine Viñao. The dark comedy, inspired by Aesop’s fable Avaricious and Envious, stars Euphoria breakout Chloe Cherry, The Witcher’s Anya Chalotra, and Ineson himself as a devilish genie who manipulates greedy partygoers.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ineson joked that the role was a “hellish” one. He described his character as a dark entity who is supremely skilled at his work but ultimately bored of it – “like a once-great performer now doing low-rent gigs,” he explained.
Marvel vs. Indie: The Budget Whiplash
Ineson laughed about the “financial whiplash” of going from Marvel’s mega-budget set to an intimate indie shoot. Still, he insisted the work itself doesn’t change, saying budget only matters when safety is compromised or when a project becomes financially impossible. “Doing a Marvel film gives you the financial freedom to then take on smaller, riskier projects,” he said.
A Script That’s “Weird and Dirty”
What drew Ineson to Two Neighbors was Viñao’s screenplay, which he called “fascinating, weird, and dirty.” He admitted he didn’t fully understand it at first, but was struck by the filmmaker’s strong vision. Much of the genie character was developed through Zoom conversations with Viñao, building on his boredom and sense of futility in manipulating mortals.
Why Women Directors Stand Out
For Ineson, one of the most powerful aspects of Two Neighbors is its perspective. Watching the finished film, he said it was clear that it was written and directed by a woman, particularly in the way it explored beauty standards and double standards.
Beyond the screen, Ineson emphasized that working with women directors creates a different kind of set environment. “I really enjoy working with women directors,” he told THR. “I often find the sets are calmer, a nicer place to be, but also full of reflection. There’s less untamed aggression, as there sometimes can be with men directors.”
The observation adds another layer to Two Neighbors, a film that already blends morality fables with dark humor. For Ineson, it was not just a chance to play a “bored genie,” but also to highlight how diverse voices in filmmaking shape the stories – and the spaces – in meaningful ways.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
