Oyelowo Talks Filming 'Newborn' Twist: 'Tricky' to Avoid Giving It Away

The actor discusses the challenge of portraying a character who doesn't realize his brother is a figment of his imagination.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:08pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass reflecting a dim, moody light, conveying a sense of psychological fracture and distress.The shattering of Chris Newborn's mental state is reflected in the distorted, high-contrast textures of this conceptual illustration.NYC Today

In the new psychological thriller 'Newborn', David Oyelowo plays Chris Newborn, a man trying to readjust to life after serving seven years in solitary confinement. The film features a major third-act twist where Chris' younger brother Keith, who he saved from prison, is revealed to be a figment of his imagination. Oyelowo discussed the difficulty of performing the role without giving away the twist prematurely, and how he relied on director Nate Parker to help land the reveal.

Why it matters

The twist in 'Newborn' speaks to the intimate nature of the film and how those who've experienced trauma can carry emotional baggage that manifests in visceral ways. Oyelowo's thoughtful approach to the performance highlights the care and craft required to pull off an effective plot twist on screen.

The details

In the film, shortly after Chris is released from prison, he travels with his partner Tara and their son Jake to a remote resort. Chris' time there is difficult due to his memories of incarceration and the unexpected arrival of his younger brother Keith, a drug addict. Keith convinces Chris that Tara is conspiring against him, leading to a confrontation where Chris points a gun at Tara. It's then revealed that Keith has actually been dead all along, and was only a figment of Chris' imagination.

  • Chris Newborn is released from prison at the start of the film.
  • Keith, Chris' younger brother, unexpectedly arrives at the remote resort.
  • Chris confronts Tara, believing Keith's claims that she is conspiring against him.

The players

David Oyelowo

The actor who portrays the lead character Chris Newborn, a man trying to readjust to life after solitary confinement.

Nate Parker

The writer and director of 'Newborn', who worked closely with Oyelowo to ensure the major twist landed effectively.

Chris Newborn

The protagonist, a man released from seven years of solitary confinement who struggles with his mental state and the return of his supposedly dead brother.

Keith

Chris' younger brother, who is revealed to be a figment of Chris' imagination after Chris was led to believe he was alive.

Tara

Chris' partner, who is accused by the imaginary Keith of conspiring against Chris.

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What they’re saying

“I remember reading the script and being just completely blindsided by the reality of that. I thought it was genius that, you know, it was a way to demonstrate the psychic fracture of the character, in a sense.”

— David Oyelowo, Actor

“The very tricky thing when you're building in a twist like that, is making sure that your knowledge of the fact that a twist like that is coming doesn't now impact the build up to it in a way that either gives it away or you're trying so hard not to give it away that you're no longer telling the truth of the reality of the character, which is that they don't know that this is a figment of their imagination.”

— David Oyelowo, Actor

“I had to lean on Nate quite a bit for that — Nate Parker, who wrote and directed the script. Because, in many ways, it's his job, in terms of where the camera goes, how he's calibrating our performances to make sure that that reveal lands.”

— David Oyelowo, Actor

What’s next

Fans can see 'Newborn' in theaters now to experience the film's major twist for themselves and draw their own conclusions about the psychological themes it explores.

The takeaway

Oyelowo's thoughtful approach to portraying a character grappling with trauma and mental anguish highlights the nuance and care required to pull off an effective plot twist on screen. The 'Newborn' twist speaks to the intimate, character-driven nature of the film and the ways in which past trauma can haunt someone's psyche.