Unmasking the Dark Secrets: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Delves into the Enigmatic Role of Her Indiana Jones 5 Character

Phoebe Waller-Bridge delves into the complex moral ambiguity of her character in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, despite her loose connection to the main protagonist. Harrison Ford leads the talented ensemble cast in the thrilling conclusion to the beloved action-adventure franchise. The adventure follows Indy and his goddaughter, Helena, as they race against a group of ex-Nazis, led by Mads Mikkelsen's Jürgen Voller, to secure the mystical Dial of Destiny and prevent the unraveling of time itself.

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Phoebe Waller-Bridge reveals intriguing new insights into her character in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The Emmy-winning actress hints that her character possesses a level of moral ambiguity that may catch audiences off guard. This ambiguity is a result of being a survivor and experiencing betrayal from those closest to her.

How Waller-Bridge Continues An Indiana Jones Franchise Tradition

The script took care of much of that for me as the character was exceptionally unique on the page. I admired how intricately layered she was, especially in terms of her moral ambiguity. It was incredibly captivating. There was someone who undeniably possessed a compassionate heart and an intense desire for friendship, companionship, and family, but that aspect was buried deep beneath her confident demeanor and her apparent obsession with money. In her mind, at the beginning, there was a genuine love story between Helena and cash. I found her to be truly fascinating, as she was also a product of her time, rooted in the late '60s. She was incredibly independent, a survivor of a childhood without parents and even abandoned by her godfather. Thus, I believed that being able to navigate between these two extremes with a character grappling with both something good and pure, and an undeniable urge for the dark side, was an exhilarating journey to be a part of.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, where she brings a unique moral ambiguity to her character. Following the tradition of strong women joining Indy on his adventures, Waller-Bridge follows in the footsteps of Karen Allen's Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indy unwittingly involves Marion in his search for the Ark of the Covenant, inadvertently exposing her to the threat of Nazis who recognize her significance in finding it.

The tradition of strong female characters in the Indiana Jones franchise was briefly disrupted by Kate Capshaw's portrayal of Willie Scott in the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Willie Scott, known for her shrill nature, remains unpopular among fans. However, the tradition was revived in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with the introduction of Alison Doody's character, Elsa. Initially portrayed as a love interest for Indy and an Austrian professor, Elsa is later revealed to be working with the Nazis.

It is worth noting that Karen Allen reprised her role as Marion in both Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Director James Mangold has even expressed that Marion was a major influence in casting Phoebe Waller-Bridge's character, along with Waller-Bridge's performance in Fleabag. While the movie has received mixed reviews, it will be interesting to see if Helena's character garners the same level of adoration as Marion and Elsa in Indiana Jones' ultimate adventure.