Close-Up: Money in the Bank: David Costabile on Billions

Friday, June 1, 2018

Split Screens Festival: David Costabile has proven his ability to play hard-edged, intelligent eccentrics in a variety of settings. From his breakthrough role as Detective Rick Messer on Damages through his hilarious and haunting turn as meth chef Gale Boetticher (the would-be Salieri to Walter White’s Mozart) on Breaking Bad, he’s the sort of actor who draws the eye no matter where he is in the frame. He’s an electrifying listener and watcher, creating old fashioned movie star tension by making you wonder what his characters will say or do next.

He’s at the peak of his power inhabiting high finance enforcer Mike “Wags” Wagner on Showtime’s drama Billions, a character whose knife-flick menace is wreathed in elegance and dry wit. Join us as we discuss a great character actor’s bottomless repertoire of disappearing acts.

In attendance: Actor David Costabile

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.