At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Ryan Reynolds recounted an unexpected incident where his phone interrupted Denzel Washington’s intense and emotional scene in the 2012 action thriller Safe House. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, the film follows Reynolds as a rookie CIA agent on the run with a dangerous fugitive, played by Washington, after their safe house is attacked. This Denzel Washington emotional Safe House scene stood out as a pivotal moment in the film’s climax.
Safe House earned $208 million worldwide and received mixed critical responses. While it delivers gripping action, the film also embraces stirring moments, including the finale where Washington’s character, Tobin Frost, reveals deep truths to Reynolds’ character, Matt Weston, as he bleeds out.
Behind the Scenes: How a Phone Call Interrupted a Key Performance
During Reynolds’ recent appearance at TIFF, he shared how his phone unexpectedly rang during one of the most powerful Safe House scenes, disrupting Washington’s take. Reynolds humorously admitted to pretending the phone wasn’t his to avoid embarrassment. His detailed account described Washington’s meticulous preparation and emotional depth during shooting.
“I’m really, really scared, because he’s Denzel Washington, and I’m me! But the great thing is the character’s terrified. So it’s no problem. But the last scene of the movie, he’s dying on the floor and he’s like the guy’s method actor. He said two words to me, the whole movie, and he knocks on my trailer door and says, ‘Can we rehearse?’ I’m like, ‘Yes, do come in,’ and I bring my Denzel Washington posters down, sit down.
“Anyway, he rehearses the scene with me. It’s a very powerful scene. He’s got to cry in the scene. Big, big, big time with this guy with an emotional scene. You get it twice, you get it once, and then you get it twice that second time if you f*** up, that’s on you. That’s not going to be on him. And he’s leaving, so you better get it.
“So he does this emotional scene. It’s crazy. There’s all these stunt guys, these dead stunt guys around in the scene, and he’s been shot, wounded and dying. Oh, he admits all the stuff that he did wrong. Tears start rolling down his face. And suddenly you hear — and this is take two, by the way, because take one there was a technical problem — we hear [Frank Sinatra singing] ‘Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away,’
“I’m hearing the director go, who the f***’s phone is that? The first AD goes who’s phone is that. Finally, Denzel breaks character [and says], ‘Who the f***’s phone is that?’ I stand up and look at all the stuntmen around me, and I go, ‘Who the f***’s phone is that? Inexcusable!’
“He was like, ‘D, can you do another one?’ And [Washington] was like, ‘We’re going to have to, aren’t we?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, [because of] the stunt men!”
Reynolds emphasized how serious Washington was about the scene, describing the setup with stuntmen portraying the wounded around them, creating a tense atmosphere while Washington’s character shared a vulnerable confession. Just as the emotional intensity peaked, an unexpected ringtone filled the air, breaking the moment’s gravity.
Evaluating Safe House’s Reception and Washington’s Commitment
Though Reynolds’ anecdote might be partly exaggerated to add humor, it highlights Denzel Washington’s profound dedication to his craft. His method acting remains evident, underscoring why he has won two Oscars and earned multiple nominations along with frequent accolades from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Washington’s strong professionalism extends to genre films like Safe House, where he handled the role and the emotional scene with equal seriousness despite the film’s more commercial nature.
Safe House, produced on a budget of $85 million, faced challenges at the box office, grossing just $208 million worldwide—slightly below the estimated $212 million break-even threshold. Critics gave the film a lukewarm response, reflected in its 52% rating from reviewers and a moderate 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ PopcornMeter, indicating that despite the earnest performances of Washington and Reynolds, the movie didn’t fully captivate audiences.
The Lasting Impact of Reynolds and Washington’s Collaboration in Safe House
While Safe House is not regarded as a standout thriller from the 2010s, the compelling interaction between Reynolds and Washington remains one of its strongest points. Both actors brought significant presence and emotional weight, elevating the film’s appeal despite weaknesses in the story.
It is notable that Washington and Reynolds have not reunited on screen since Safe House. Washington continues to star in action-centered projects like the popular Equalizer series, while Reynolds has focused on blockbuster movies including Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and IF (2024). The disruptive phone incident clearly does not explain their lack of future collaborations, especially as Reynolds now looks back on the moment with good humor.
Should they work together again, Reynolds will almost certainly keep his phone on silent to avoid another interruption during an emotional take.
Main Cast of Safe House
- Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost
- Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston
- Vera Farmiga as Catherine Linklater
