Bohemian Rhapsody: Becoming Freddie Mercury – Rami Malek’s movement coach reveals all

Malek’s performance as the late musician has gone down a treat with viewers, and there’s even been a Golden Globe nomination – and speculation that an Oscar nod could follow. Despite the film’s lacklustre reviews, it has broken box office records and is the most successful musical biopic of all time. So how did Malek get it so right?

Speaking to Billboard, movement coach Polly Bennett opened up on the complex nature of Mercury’s physicality.

“[Freddie] was a long-distance runner at school and a boxer,” she said of his athleticism.

“This gives us a reason why Freddie ran across the stage and punched the air, and [allows me to explain to] Rami: ‘This is why that character moves the way that he does.’

“It’s interesting that Freddie only did solo sports, rather than football or rugby or any sort of team sport.

“In itself, that creates a physical attitude.”

Mercury was self-conscious about his teeth, which was reflected in his physicality.

“If you’ve got something that you’re self-conscious of, your body is going to respond,” Bennett said.

“It’s the same for Freddie’s large teeth. On stage, he holds his microphone incredibly close to his lips.

“He’s using the apparatus as both his power and his self-consciousness.”

Malek himself has spoken about how he wanted a movement coach rather than a choreographer to help capture Mercury’s unpredictability.

His performance was widely praised by not just the public, but by Queen icon Brian May.

Bohemian Rhapsody is out now.