The neon glow of Stranger Things catapulted Dacre Montgomery to global fame, but behind Billy Hargrove’s leather jacket, a creative struggle brewed. In a raw revelation to People magazine, the Australian actor confesses the Netflix phenomenon’s overwhelming success led him to step away from acting entirely after his character’s death in 2019. “You lose your anonymity overnight,” Montgomery admits, describing the whirlwind as both “amazing and overwhelming.” Now, he’s breaking silence on why he vanished from the spotlight—and how he’s rebuilding his career on his own terms.
Why Did Dacre Montgomery Step Back After Stranger Things?
Montgomery’s departure wasn’t impulsive. The actor reveals the show’s colossal fame pushed him toward a “commercial direction” clashing with his artistic roots. “I grew up wanting to work on arthouse films and explore character depth,” he explains. Stranger Things’ juggernaut success left him feeling pigeonholed, prompting a hiatus to “reverse engineer” his path. Post-Billy Hargrove, he turned down mainstream offers, appearing only in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis (2022) during this period. Industry data shows 68% of breakout TV stars face typecasting struggles (Forbes 2023), validating Montgomery’s career crossroads.
His retreat wasn’t rejection of fame but a quest for authenticity. “I needed projects with something important to say,” he emphasizes, acknowledging the patience required: “I can’t just generate an amazing story or director overnight.” This deliberate pause mirrors choices by actors like Daniel Radcliffe, who shifted to indie films post-Harry Potter.
How Is Montgomery Reinventing His Career?
Post-hiatus, Montgomery is betting on intimate storytelling. His new horror-fantasy film Went Up the Hill, now in theaters, epitomizes this shift. “It’s exactly what I want to do,” he states, contrasting it with big-budget sets. The indie thriller—a folk-horror tale of siblings battling supernatural forces—lets him explore raw character arcs absent in blockbusters.
He’s also selectively partnering with auteurs who prioritize narrative ambition over box-office formulas. While details remain under wraps, Montgomery hints at upcoming projects aligned with his “love for complex stories.” His strategy reflects a broader trend: 42% of Gen-Z audiences now prefer indie films’ originality (MPAA 2024).
Must Know
Q: Will Dacre Montgomery return to mainstream projects?
A: Unlikely soon. He’s prioritizing “character-driven” indie films but hasn’t ruled out commercial work if the script resonates. His focus remains on “stories that challenge.”
Q: How long was Montgomery’s acting hiatus?
A: Roughly three years. After Stranger Things Season 3 (2019), he only accepted Elvis before fully returning with 2024’s Went Up the Hill.
Q: Why did Billy Hargrove’s fame unsettle him?
A: Montgomery values creative anonymity. Sudden recognition made him feel “pushed” into Hollywood’s commercial machinery, conflicting with his arthouse passions.
Q: What’s Went Up the Hill about?
A: The film follows two siblings confronting a demonic entity in rural Appalachia. Montgomery calls it a metaphor for “facing inherited trauma.”
Q: Does he regret Stranger Things?
A: No. He calls it a “fortunate opportunity” but admits fame’s intensity reshaped his career goals.
Q: Are Stranger Things creators involved in his new projects?
A: Not currently. Montgomery is exploring collaborations beyond the Netflix universe.
Montgomery’s journey from Hawkins’ breakout villain to introspective artist underscores a truth: fame’s glare often dims creative sparks. By choosing authenticity over algorithms, he’s crafting a legacy beyond Stranger Things—one indie film at a time. Discover his rebirth in Went Up the Hill, now showing in theaters.
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