Earthquake Bird

Behind the Scenes of Earthquake Bird: Alicia Vikander’s Japanese Challenge and Netflix’s Psychological Thriller

Netflix’s Earthquake Bird (2019) is a moody psychological thriller set in 1989 Tokyo, adapted from Susanna Jones’ 2001 debut novel. Directed by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice, Colette), the film stars Alicia Vikander as Lucy Fly, an English translator entangled in a love triangle and a police investigation after her friend Lily (Riley Keough) vanishes. The project promised a dark, atmospheric dive into obsession and cultural dislocation—but its journey from page to screen had its own share of drama, particularly around language, casting, latestnetflix.com contends, and the pressures of adapting a beloved book.

Alicia Vikander’s Japanese Gamble

One of the most talked-about aspects of Earthquake Bird was Vikander’s commitment to learning Japanese for the role. In interviews tied to the film’s release, the Oscar winner revealed she spent months studying the language, even working with a dialect coach to nail Lucy’s accent and fluency . "I wanted to honor the character’s immersion in Tokyo," Vikander said in a Netflix featurette, though she admitted the process was grueling. "It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done" .

The effort paid off in authenticity, but it also highlighted the challenges of balancing linguistic precision with emotional performance. Some critics noted that Vikander’s Japanese, while impressive, occasionally felt stilted—a tension that mirrored Lucy’s own alienation in Tokyo . Still, the decision to avoid dubbing or subtitles for key scenes was a bold choice, reinforcing the film’s themes of isolation and miscommunication.

From Novel to Screen: The Adaptation Struggle

Earthquake Bird marked Westmoreland’s first foray into adapting a novel, and the director was candid about the difficulties of condensing Jones’ intricate psychological thriller into a 107-minute film. In a BFI London Film Festival Q&A, Westmoreland and Vikander discussed the need to streamline the book’s nonlinear structure, which jumps between Lucy’s past and present . "The novel is very interior," Westmoreland said. "We had to find visual ways to externalize Lucy’s paranoia and guilt" .

The film’s most significant change was its ending, which diverged from the novel’s ambiguous conclusion. While Jones’ book leaves Lucy’s fate open to interpretation, the movie opts for a more definitive resolution—a choice that divided fans of the source material . Westmoreland defended the decision, arguing that the film needed a stronger emotional payoff for audiences . "We wanted to give Lucy a sense of closure, even if it’s bittersweet," he said in a Netflix behind-the-scenes feature .

Casting and Cultural Tensions

The film’s love triangle—Lucy, Lily, and their mutual love interest, Teiji (Naoki Kobayashi)—was a central focus of the marketing, with Netflix leaning heavily on the chemistry between Vikander and Keough. But the casting of Kobayashi, a Japanese actor, also sparked conversations about representation in Hollywood. In a promotional interview, Kobayashi addressed the pressure of playing a character who embodies both romantic idealism and toxic obsession . "Teiji is a dreamer, but he’s also dangerous," Kobayashi said. "I wanted to show both sides of him" .

Meanwhile, Vikander and Keough’s dynamic was a selling point, with the two actresses praising each other’s intensity on set. "Riley brings this raw, unpredictable energy to Lily," Vikander said in a 7 Questions interview . "It made my scenes with her feel electric." Keough, for her part, described the role as "a gift," though she admitted the film’s dark themes took an emotional toll .

Reception and Legacy: A Mixed Bag

Despite the hype, Earthquake Bird received lukewarm reviews upon its Netflix release. Critics praised Vikander’s performance and the film’s lush cinematography, but many found the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven . SensCritique users gave it a middling 5.9/10, with complaints about the adaptation’s deviations from the novel . "It’s a beautiful film to look at, but it loses some of the book’s psychological depth," one reviewer wrote .

Still, the movie has its defenders, particularly among fans of slow-burn thrillers. Westmoreland’s direction and the film’s 1980s Tokyo setting—captured in neon-lit, rain-soaked glory—have earned it a cult following. And for Vikander, the role remains a standout in her filmography. "It was one of the most challenging parts I’ve ever played," she said in a separate interview, "but I’m proud of what we created" .