This apparent exclusion came in the wake of Brendan’s courageous decision to open up about his experiences of past abuse. In a candid interview with GQ in 2018, he revealed that he had been a victim of sexual abuse within the industry. The incident had a devastating impact on his career, causing it to “wither on a vine,” as he aptly described. Brendan candidly shared how this distressing situation left him feeling despondent, melancholic, and reclusive.
Recalling the incident, he expressed, “His left hand reaches around, grabs my cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around. I felt ill. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry… In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.”
Following his revelation, Brendan received a written apology, but he sensed a subsequent estrangement from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and the Golden Globes, leading him to believe that he had been sidelined.
In addition to these professional challenges, Brendan faced personal setbacks, including health issues, divorce, and the heartbreaking loss of his mother. However, “The Whale” served as a turning point in his life, affirming his return to the film industry.
