CM Punk, the reigning WWE World Champion, recently shared insights about his new acting role in the upcoming film Night Patrol, where he portrays a corrupt vampire cop. During an interview with Josh Wilding, Punk reflected on the darker themes of the film, emphasizing its blend of action and sharp social commentary.
The movie combines supernatural elements with real-world issues like police corruption and racism, giving Punk a unique opportunity to engage with intense subject matter that goes beyond typical genre fare.
Exploring the Intersection of Horror and Social Issues
Josh Wilding highlighted the film’s dual approach, noting how Night Patrol merges thrilling vampire action with meaningful discussions on systemic problems. He asked Punk how exciting it was to embody a villain while addressing such heavy themes.
“It’s a great action movie with a very cool take on vampires on the one hand, but then on the other, it’s got a lot to say about police corruption and racism. So, as an actor, how exciting is it for you to play a villain like this, but also tackle some pretty heavy themes at the same time?”
Wilding asked.
CM Punk responded by revealing his long-standing love for horror as a platform for social commentary. He connected the film to classic works like George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, which used the horror genre to critique society.
“It’s really exciting. You know, I’m a big horror movie fan, and a lot of that is because of the subject matter. But horror movies, to me, have also been the genre that filmmakers use to speak on social issues. Way back when George Romero made Night of the Living Dead, that was social commentary. This movie is no different. And it’s fun to be able to do an action-horror movie because you like them, but it’s more meaningful when you’re actually saying something with the movie. So yeah, getting to play a bad guy in this kind of movie was tremendous. It meant a lot to me. I took it very seriously, you know, because there are a lot of underlying issues in this, and I think we did a masterful job of asking the question: who’s the real monster? Who’s the real gang?”
Punk said.
The Challenge of Portraying a Character Opposed to Personal Beliefs
Wilding then brought up Punk’s history of speaking out on social issues, especially racism, and asked about the difficulty of slipping into a role so contrary to his own values.
“Yeah. Yeah, absolutely agree. After watching the film—and I’ve always admired how you’ve used your platform to speak out against racism and support a lot of great causes—so to be an actor in a project like this, what’s the biggest challenge in terms of getting into the mindset of a character who stands against everything you do as a person?”
Wilding queried.
Contrary to what one might expect, Punk revealed the transition into playing the villain was surprisingly straightforward for him.
“You know, I wish I could say it was hard, but it’s not. It’s actually quite easy. I think everybody has had a less-than-desirable experience with a cop, whether it’s being pulled over or, you know, harassed on the street. I don’t know, but I know I’ve had multiple instances where it’s just like, man, I thought you were supposed to protect and serve. Why are you like this? And it was fun to be able to act that out. You get to be a little bit naughty, but it’s all for the art, so to speak. So yeah, it was easy to be able to be that rotten, nefarious, diabolical bad guy,”
Punk explained.
Expanding His Career Through Meaningful and Challenging Roles
With Night Patrol, CM Punk continues to broaden his professional horizons beyond wrestling, selecting roles that combine thrilling entertainment with urgent social themes. His portrayal of a morally compromised officer in a supernatural context aligns with his known commitment to authenticity, making the film a significant step in his evolving career.
This project illustrates how genre films can engage audiences by addressing pressing societal concerns, and Punk’s involvement underscores his willingness to tackle complex, uncomfortable issues through his work. The film’s release could spark further conversation about the realities it portrays, and Punk is well-positioned to use this momentum to take on more roles that challenge both himself and viewers.
