Julia Roberts sexual assault film After The Hunt divides opinion in Venice

Garfield is best known for Spider-Man and The Social Network, and has previously been Oscar-nominated for Hacksaw Ridge and Tick Tick Boom!

The British actor said there was something inherently human about the flawed nature of the characters, which is partly what attracted him to the project.

“I feel like, when our motivations are invisible, even to ourselves, all of us are unreliable narrators,” he said.

“Especially in a culture where a perception of survival is paramount. And as we all know, human beings will behave animalistically when we are put in a position where we believe it is life or death.

“And I found that really interesting about this world, these characters, and how their drives, wants and needs are invisible to themselves in certain ways and they are convincing themselves they are the hero of this story.”

Guadagnino, who is back on form after directing last year’s poorly received Queer, agreed: “I think it’s always interesting to see what we carry without knowing we carry it within ourselves.

“And to see that happening in the confrontation between characters, it’s fascinating. I think even the lies of people tell the truth.”