# Rhys Ifans on the ‘Frightening’ Task of Portraying Parkinson’s in ‘Onwards and Sideways’ and Learning to Wear ‘Costume’ of Disease: ‘I Really Did My Homework’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/rhys-ifans-on-the-frightening-task-of-portraying-parkinsons-in-onwards-and-sideways-and-learning-to-wear-costume-of-disease-i-r/
- Published: 2026-11-05T15:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T15:28:06+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/rhys-ifans-parkinsons-disease-film-onwards-sideways-1236939228/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Health, Medicine

## Key points

- Rhys Ifans researched Parkinson’s to prepare for his role.
- *Onwards and Sideways* follows two people diagnosed with the condition.
- The film combines humour with the challenges of a progressive disease.

## Summary

Welsh actor Rhys Ifans says he worked extensively to portray Parkinson’s disease accurately in the new film *Onwards and Sideways*. The film aims to show the realities of living with a progressive, incurable condition while balancing difficult moments with humour.

Ifans plays Tony, a caring primary school teacher who is told he has “five good years” before Parkinson’s significantly affects his life; Laura Linney plays Emma, a musician given the same diagnosis. To prepare, the actors studied people’s experiences and worked with neurophysiotherapists from Neuro Heroes for several weeks. Ifans also listened to a podcast featuring people with Parkinson’s and attended a dance class with sufferers.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.