Lakeith Stanfield Experienced “Crippling Anxiety” While Filming ‘The Harder They Fall’

In a recent candid Instagram post, Lakeith Stanfield opened up about being in a “pretty bad space mentally” while filming Netflix’s new western The Harder They Fall.

“Everyday on set I was experiencing crippling anxiety and suffering silently inside. I would drink every night after work and try to laugh off my pain.” He captioned the post. The 30-year-old also added that he is in a better place now, “Here’s to fighting through the trauma to get to myself. Here’s to almost 6 months sober.” See the full post below.

The actor plays Cherokee Bill, who in real life was a brutal outlaw. In the movie, Stanfield’s character is a member of Rufus Buck’s gang that robs, kills, and sets out to take over a town named Redwood.

The movie features an all-Black ensemble cast including Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, and Deon Cole.

The official logline reads:

When outlaw Nat Love (Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Elba) is being released from prison, he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Beetz), his right and left-hand men—hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Gathegi), and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (King) and Cherokee Bill (Stanfield).

The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.