At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Ethan Hawke and director Richard Linklater appeared on Entertainment Weekly’s studio to discuss their upcoming film, Blue Moon. The event presented Hawke with the opportunity to revisit his early days in Hollywood and the challenges faced by his late friend, River Phoenix. The conversation naturally shifted to the theme of artistic collaboration and the pressures actors endure, especially within Hollywood’s complex environment.
River Phoenix’s Early Success and the Challenges Behind It
Hawke recalled how Phoenix achieved fame at a young age through his role in Rob Reiner’s Stand by Me, a breakthrough that thrust him into the spotlight well before Hawke himself had similar recognition. This early success proved to be a double-edged sword. According to Hawke, Phoenix was deeply unsettled by the inauthenticity surrounding his rising celebrity status, caught between receiving praise and lacking control over his own creative journey.
He was met with success much earlier than I was,
Hawke said. He added,
vibrating off of how phony that was, whenever you’re getting a lot of accolades and you’re not even in control of your own art.
Hawke emphasized the dangers of this experience, noting that
people are trying to make money off you [and] if you’re self-aware at all, you understand how dangerous that is.
This tension colored much of Phoenix’s Hollywood experience and shaped his approach to his artistry.
My Own Private Idaho: River Phoenix’s Defining Role
Despite the struggles imposed by early fame, Phoenix found moments of remarkable creative freedom, particularly through his collaboration with director Gus Van Sant. This led to his role in My Own Private Idaho, where Phoenix portrayed a gay hustler—a stark departure from the teen idol roles he might have been expected to pursue. Hawke described this part as “punk rock,” highlighting the risk Phoenix took in accepting it.
He was punk rock as an actor when he took that job,
Hawke said.
That was a really dangerous job for him to take — a gay hustler for a teen idol — and he was brilliant in that.
Phoenix’s performance earned him widespread critical acclaim, including the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival, the Best Actor award at the Independent Spirit Awards, and recognition from the National Society of Film Critics. This role is often cited as the high point of Phoenix’s career, underscoring his talent and willingness to challenge Hollywood norms.
Early Days with Explorers and Childhood Friendship
Hawke also reminisced about their first encounter on the set of Explorers, Joe Dante’s 1985 science-fiction fantasy film. Though the movie struggled at the box office, it later became a cult favorite. The story follows three boys who build a spaceship in their backyard and travel to a distant star where they meet aliens. Phoenix played an atypical role for him as a dorky kid, diverging from the charismatic image he later embodied.
Alongside Hawke and Phoenix, the film included performances by Jason Presson, James Cromwell, Dick Smith, Dana Ivey, Mary Kay Place, and Robert Picardo, who portrayed multiple characters. While Explorers did not earn critical or commercial praise at the time, it remains a nostalgic milestone for both actors.
The Lasting Impact of River Phoenix’s Career and Legacy
River Phoenix’s journey through Hollywood was marked by an early collision with fame’s illusions and the struggle to maintain artistic control. His work with directors like Gus Van Sant and his fearlessness in taking unconventional roles revealed the depth of his abilities despite a career cut tragically short at age 23. Ethan Hawke’s reflections shed light on the challenges Phoenix faced, and the influence he continues to hold in film history.
As audiences revisit Phoenix’s filmography, from Explorers to My Own Private Idaho, there is renewed appreciation for his unique presence and the risks he embraced amid the pressures of Hollywood. Hawke’s tribute at the Toronto International Film Festival serves not only to honor their friendship but also to remind viewers of the complexities behind a young star’s brief but impactful life in the spotlight.
