*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*In the gripping LA drama “Die Like a Man,” Cory Hardrict takes on one of the most complex roles of his career, portraying “Solo,” a veteran Los Angeles gang leader whose influence over a vulnerable teenager challenges viewers to look deeper at the intersections of fatherhood, trauma, and masculinity.
In an exclusive conversation, Hardrict opened up about what drew him to the role, the challenges of capturing its emotional weight, and how the film resonates with real-life experiences in communities like West L.A.
A Story Rooted in Truth
Hardrict credits director and writer Eric Nazarian for anchoring “Die Like a Man” in authenticity. “First off, I got to shout out to my director, Eric Nazarian, because this was his story. He grew up in the world that he knew, and he grew up in West L.A. in that same section. So he wrote the script truly on his life,” Hardrict said.
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Although he’s a Chicago native, Hardrict saw parallels between his hometown and the neighborhoods of L.A.
“L.A. is similar, like the inner cities are very similar,” he noted. “And just knowing these characters exist in this world… man, if I can pull this off, maybe I can touch people’s lives for something that resonates close and near and dear to them.”
Channeling the Streets Through Stillness
To prepare for Solo, Hardrict took a self-directed approach, watching iconic films and real-life interviews to get into the mindset of the character.
“I watched some L.A. movies. I watched Boys in the Hood. I watched South Central. I had to get in that zone, like that 90s vibe… I watched a lot of YouTube clips as well of reformed gang leaders fresh out of prison, and how they navigated the L.A. street life. And then I just put my spin on it.”
Rather than rely on theatrics, Hardrict found power in restraint.
“A lot of it was just sitting in stillness, not saying things… and that gives a lot of power as well into a character.” He emphasized Solo’s unresolved trauma, noting, “He’s dealing with a lot of pain… trauma that he ain’t healed from. And he’s putting it off into Freddie’s character.”
The Humanity Behind the Hardness
Despite Solo’s intimidating presence, Hardrict was determined to bring nuance and vulnerability to the role.
“Just to humanize the character is always my starting point for a role. Eric gave me the freedom to do that… make him more personal… this manipulative figure who’s powerful, who’s menacing. But at the same time, he’s misguiding his team… teaching them how to become a man out here.”
Hardrict drew inspiration from the real people who inhabit these spaces. “There’s a lot of characters… that exist in this world. I try to go from the place of art imitating life… how can I bring art and life together?”
A Love Letter to Los Angeles
Hardrict believes the film captures the tension and transformation of West L.A. with rare authenticity.
“It captures it well… it looks so authentic and beautiful,” he said of he film’s aesthetic. “And it’s not just like a gang film. It’s a story that follows this young man’s journey who’s navigating this world.”
He praised the visual direction of the film, saying, “The cinematography was beautiful. The way Eric captures characters and bringing them to life is just something else… I think it does L.A. culture justice as well.”
Leaving It All on the Screen
When asked where Solo ranks among his many roles, Hardrict didn’t hesitate. “I would rank Solo up there… you’ve got to give so much gravity to these roles… sometimes they don’t leave you right away. Like when you’re done with these characters, it’s just like, jeez,… I need some therapy myself!”
But for Hardrict, the effort is worth it. “When I do a character like Solo, I got to make sure I exhaust everything that I have for this character and give it, you know, share that with the world.”
An Unforgettable Ride
With “Die Like a Man” now available on Apple TV and recently wrapping its limited theatrical run, Hardrict hopes audiences walk away with something deeper than just entertainment.
“Just taking them on that journey of just like this L.A., you know, grit and grime story… taking them on some truth, some honesty… so when they finish the movie, it’s memorable. It doesn’t leave them.”
And if viewers walk away wanting to watch it again?
“That means we did our job,” he said.
Watch our full interview with Cory Hardrict via the clip below.
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