The life-changing advice Cillian Murphy gave his son Aran before his big-screen debut
As he steps into showbiz, Aran Murphy says his dad, Cillian Murphy, had advice — and you’ll want to know what he told him.
On the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival, Aran Murphy said the most helpful thing his dad shared before he stepped onto a movie set for the first time wasn’t about technique or career strategy. It was about how to carry himself as he makes his feature debut in Klara and the Sun, Taika Waititi ’s take on Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling novel.
“He kind of always just says trust your instincts. It's a pretty universal piece of advice, but yeah, trust your instincts and be kind to people.”
Murphy offered the comment to Deadline at the festival, a rare glimpse into a famously private family. His father, Cillian Murphy—known to U.S. audiences from Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer—has largely kept his two sons out of the spotlight.
The film he’s joining
Directed by Taika Waititi, Klara and the Sun centers on Klara, an “Artificial Friend” designed to combat loneliness. When she’s brought home by a girl named Josie, Klara becomes entwined with a family navigating grief and big decisions about the future. Aran plays Rick, Josie’s close friend.
- Jenna Ortega — Klara, an Artificial Friend
- Mia Tharia — Josie
- Aran Murphy — Rick, Josie’s close friend
- Amy Adams
- Steve Buscemi
- Natasha Lyonne
Based on Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, the movie looks at where artificial intelligence meets emotion and what “being human” really means. It’s set to open in theaters October 23, 2026 .