RJ Mitte. Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard.
RJ Mitte (“Breaking Bad”) chatted about starring in the new film “Westhampton,” which had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.
Helen Keller once said: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” An individual and actor that embodies hope and optimism is RJ Mitte.
Mitte sat down and chatted with this journalist at Burgerology Midtown over breakfast.
“Westhampton” was written and directed by Christian Nilsson.
Mitte on ‘Westhampton’
On being a part of “Westhampton,” Mitte exclaimed, “It feels amazing to be in New York. I am very excited about this project. I have a couple of days to enjoy New York for once, so that’s nice.”
The synopsis is: Years after leaving his Long Island hometown to chase his dream as a filmmaker, Tom Bell (Finn Wittrock) is down on his luck as a director.
Unable to replicate the success of his breakout film, Tom remains haunted by guilt from the high school accident that inspired it.
As the black and white 16 mm of Tom’s film creates a dreamlike, heightened connection to the past, his return to Westhampton forces him to confront buried secrets, broken relationships, and the past he tried to rewrite.
Mitte on what drew him to ‘Westhampton’
Mitte was drawn to this project simply by his love for making movies. “I love acting and making movies. I love finding projects that I really care about, and projects that have meaningful moments in them.”
“This film definitely has a lot of moments that push who people are while still being relevant,” Mitte said. “The team for this movie is so good, and an excellent group of actors.”
“We have so many different walks of life on this film, and they were all professional. They helped grow these characters. I enjoy taking a character and evolving with that character in those moments,” he elaborated.
Mitte on portraying Fitz in ‘Westhampton’
Mitte enjoyed his character in “Westhampton” especially since he was unlike any other character he has ever played.
“This character was more like me,” Mitte admitted. “He is a bartender at this place in a town that he never left. My character is always so happy. Normally in movies and projects, I am crying because I normally do dramas.”
“I would say this is the happiest character I’ve ever played,” he acknowledged.
Working with Finn Wittrock in ‘Westhampton’
Mitte opened up about working with Finn Wittrock, who took on the roles of lead actor (as Tom Bell) and as executive producer.
On working with Finn Wittrock, he said, “Finn was great. I loved working with him. Finn is such an easy actor to bounce off of, and he is very giving.”
“Most of my scenes were with Finn and Amy Forsyth,” Mitte admitted.
“We also had some local talent that live in Westhampton be a part of the film. It was a really community-based film, and I really love those. This location wasn’t just a set; it feels like you were in it and you were there, and it became alive,” Mitte elaborated.
Favorite mottos and quotes
Regarding his favorite mottos and quotes, he shared, “One of my favorite quotes is remember the past, preserve the future.”
Aside from being an actor, Mitte is also a producer, model, filmmaker, and activist with cerebral palsy. He has advocated for cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
He is also on the Board of Directors of The Mitte Foundation, whose mission is to identify, engage, and support educational and community organizations that have the potential to manifest the Foundation’s vision.
The digital age
On being an actor and performer in the digital age, Mitte remarked, “I’ve been a big believer in this year, 2025. There are a lot of technologies that are going to become big.”
“I’m not a huge fan of social media but it’s a tool, especially if it’s used the right way,” he noted. “I like connecting with the fans and the accessibility aspect of it. We are no longer limited by distance or location. We live in a world where there is global connectivity.”
“I am very excited for these next five years as far as technologies, communications and growth,” he admitted.
“We’ve had our adolescence of social media in all of these different things. It has taught us to become more accountable on things. I am very excited for the future,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Mitte revealed, “Moving Forward”
Mitte continued, “This year, specifically, a lot of projects were in gridlock (due to time restrictions and things that haven’t been in my control). I am very excited for this year because I have a lot of projects moving forward and coming out such as ‘Westhampton’ at Tribeca Film Festival, and ‘Love Me Dead’ with Dove Cameron.”
“I am very excited about that movie too. There are a lot of good things moving forward, and I can’t wait,” he added.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, he said, “Success means trying harder… just keep pushing forward.”
“Success is a great tool to grow, and it’s hard to maintain. Just keep enjoying it, loving it, and understanding it. We can always be better,” he acknowledged.
Closing thoughts
For fans and viewers, Mitte remarked about the movie, “First and foremost, I hope people enjoy the film. Also, I hope it gives them insight on actions… and how they can rectify their mistakes and actions.”
“They can expect a journey of following us from the past to the future, and having to face that past, and that’s something unique about the film. I think the cast and crew did a really great way of capturing that, and I hope people enjoy it,” Mitte concluded.
To learn more about actor and producer RJ Mitte, follow him on Instagram.
Read More: “Westhampton” review
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