Shia LaBeouf praised for ‘truest depiction of mental illness’ while being in ‘deep pain’ during ‘The Rooster Prince’ filming

Filmmaker compared actor's emotional struggles with late brother's experience while reflecting on demanding journey

Shia LaBeouf's performance in the upcoming film The Rooster Prince is drawing fresh attention after writer and director Josh Penn Soskin described it as the "truest depiction of mental illness" he has ever seen on screen while reflecting on the actor's difficult state during production.

In an open letter published by Variety, Soskin detailed his experience working alongside LaBeouf on the film, which follows two brothers travelling across America while confronting the devastating effects of mental illness. The project is deeply personal for the filmmaker, as it is inspired by his relationship with his late brother David, a Harvard psychiatrist whose struggle with bipolar disorder ultimately ended in his death by suicide following a manic episode in 2017.

Soskin wrote that LaBeouf's commitment to portraying the character became extraordinary, recalling moments when the actor appeared completely consumed by the role. Describing one emotionally charged scene, the filmmaker said LaBeouf was "exploding" on set, screaming during filming while portraying a mental breakdown.

Watching the performance unfold, Soskin said he reached a painful realisation. He wrote that the pain visible in LaBeouf's eyes reminded him of the same anguish he had witnessed in his brother during his final years. According to the director, he believed the actor was carrying emotional suffering that extended beyond the demands of the performance itself.

The filmmaker explained that LaBeouf became deeply invested after reading the screenplay, adding that his dedication to the role bordered on obsession. Soskin recalled that it often appeared the actor barely slept throughout production, describing his devotion as almost religious.

The director also acknowledged that working together was far from straightforward. He admitted the pair experienced intense disagreements during filming before later reconciling through emotional conversations. Soskin described their relationship as one that shifted rapidly between conflict and compassion, saying it reminded him of the bond he had shared with his brother.

According to the filmmaker, one rehearsal became especially significant when LaBeouf improvised the line, "All I ask from you is that you treat me with... maximum empathy." Soskin later shared the moment with the cast and crew, explaining that both his late brother and the actor were asking for the same thing, empathy for those who had suffered and also for those who had caused pain.

The renewed discussion surrounding The Rooster Prince arrives only weeks after LaBeouf's latest legal case concluded. In June 2026, he was sentenced to two years' probation following his guilty plea to misdemeanour battery charges connected to an altercation in New Orleans. The court also ordered alcohol rehabilitation, anger management classes and sensitivity training.

The production itself wrapped before the New Orleans incident occurred. According to a source familiar with the film, principal photography began in late October 2025 and concluded in December 2025.

LaBeouf has also faced other highly publicised legal and personal challenges in recent years, including abuse allegations made by former partner FKA twigs. That civil lawsuit was later voluntarily dismissed in July 2025 before reaching trial.

Despite the controversies surrounding the actor, Soskin maintained that LaBeouf delivered an unforgettable performance. He argued that the film ultimately became far more than a traditional production, evolving into an intensely personal exploration of grief, trauma and healing that blurred the boundaries between fiction and reality. The Rooster Prince has not yet received an official release date.