Is The Guilty Inspired by a True Story? Discovering the Reality Behind Joe Baylor

In observing Jake Gyllenhaal’s The Guilty, viewers may find it reminiscent of real-life events, entwined with the haunting atmosphere of the California wildfires and elements of police brutality. This dark thriller serves as a remake of the 2018 Danish film Den Skyldige, prompting audiences to explore the origins of its gripping narrative. While The Guilty introduces a subplot concerning police misconduct that is absent from its Danish predecessor, both films center on a call center operator entangled in a kidnapping case.

The original Danish thriller Den Skyldige is rooted in actual crime stories, though not directly depicting true events. Instead, it draws inspiration from real crime documentaries and podcasts. While The Guilty adapts elements of Den Skyldige, it shifts its focus to broader themes like systemic police abuse and the complexities of guilt, crafting a narrative that echoes real-life issues.

The Guilty Was Inspired By Real Crime Footage

Inspiration from a 911 Call & the Podcast Serial

A montage of Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor in The Guilty.

So, is The Guilty based on a true story? According to director and co-writer Gustav Möller, the original film was inspired by actual 911 calls and the investigative podcast Serial. Although the plot and its characters are fictitious, the foundations of both films lie in real crime elements. The story unfolds as Joe Baylor, portrayed by Gyllenhaal, investigates the kidnapping of Emily, played by Riley Keough.

Within her kidnapper’s vehicle, Emily attempts to communicate her perilous situation to Joe while feigning a conversation with her young daughter, Abby. This intense plot point harks back to a real, 20-minute 911 call that Möller listened to on YouTube, where the caller employed coded language to convey urgency. Moreover, The Guilty establishes its connection to reality by placing the kidnapping narrative in the context of the devastating California wildfires.

In a revealing interview, director Antoine Fuqua described the fires as a nod to Dante’s Inferno, symbolizing Joe’s state of purgatory throughout the film. Möller also noted the significant influence of Serial, expressing how the podcast altered his perceptions of the individuals and settings involved. He stated:

“What I felt listening to Serial was for every episode of that show my images of these people and locations will change, because I’ll get new information about the suspect and the victim.”

This narrative technique is evident in The Guilty, which remains confined to one location and relies on phone calls for unfolding the story. As Joe engages in conversations with Emily, her husband Henry, and their daughter Abby, fresh revelations transform the characters, culminating in a dramatic twist that leaves viewers grateful that reality doesn’t mirror the film’s events.

Was Joe Baylor A Real Person?

All Characters in the Film Are Fictionalized

Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor wearing a headset on the emergency call in The Guilty

Despite Gyllenhaal’s compelling portrayal of Joe Baylor, it’s important to understand that Joe is a fictional character, not based on any real individual. Even the Danish film lacks a directly corresponding character. Each figure within The Guilty and its original adaptation are fictional, inspired solely by real-life crimes that captivated Möller from podcasts. The advantage of using a fictitious character enables the narrative to explore various crimes while maintaining respect for the actual victims.

Introducing a real-life counterpart would detract from the creative license necessary to weave together these diverse narratives. By crafting Joe as a conduit for the audience, the film fosters empathy while avoiding potentially misleading portrayals of true events.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Chose To Play Joe Baylor

Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor in the call center in The Guilty.

Though The Guilty is not a true story, Gyllenhaal had compelling motivations for portraying Joe Baylor. Known for engaging with poignant roles, Gyllenhaal attended the 2018 Sundance Film Festival where he first experienced Den Skyldige. The film left a lasting impression, leading him to pursue its adaptation into an American context.

In an interview with W Magazine, Gyllenhaal expressed interest in reframing the story through an American lens, noting his eagerness to obtain the rights. He recognized The Guilty as a platform for sparking important conversations about systemic failures, a relevant topic in contemporary discourse within the United States.

The Differences Between The Two Versions Of The Guilty

American Adaptation Prioritizes Production Changes

The 2021 version of The Guilty stays largely true to its Danish counterpart, exhibiting similarities in script and cinematography. However, certain adjustments affect the films’ overall tone and narrative dynamics. The original Danish film embraces a minimalist approach, concentrating on the officer’s experience on the call, while the American version displays large visuals of the California fires, diverting focus from Joe’s character arc.

Such shifts can detract from the central journey of Joe, a pivotal aspect of the storyline as it culminates in a critical moment of action. Additionally, Gyllenhaal brings a vibrant intensity to the character that alters perceptions; whereas the original portrayal was notably more subdued. This transformation resonates with the expectations surrounding American thrillers.

Moreover, the two adaptations differ in their resolutions. The Danish version allows for nuance regarding Joe’s fate post-rescue, whereas the American version tends to explicitly clarify outcomes through news anchors, leading to a less subtle denouement.

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