The film—based on the 2014 play Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith—sets a fictional scene in the final chapter of Highsmith’s life. Holed up in her brutalist home in the Swiss alps with her pet snails, she is approached by a handsome young publisher from New York (Alden Ehrenreich) with the impossible task of convincing her to write another book in her Ripley series.
Mirren was first introduced to Highsmith through her husband Taylor Hackford, becoming a fan of her books as well as their many film adaptations. For her own transformation into Highsmith, the costuming was of immense importance. Highsmith wore notably masculine clothing and had a short neck and a hunched posture, especially later in her life. “So I got the costume people to build the shoulder pads up,” Mirren explained, “and it gives her that sort of look that she’s about to pounce.”
When Mirren started her career, the roles available to women were much less nuanced. “They really sucked,” she lamented, “and they’re so much better now.” (If she were to give advice to that former self who was so demoralized by the work she was getting, she would tell her to “be as rude as you possibly can.”) The trio also spoke about some of Mirren’s recent red carpet looks, the signature “stripper” heels she purchased on Hollywood Boulevard, and making her own clothes.
