In the new science fiction thriller REPLICAS (now playing), a man that is trying to transfer human minds into androids does the unthinkable after suffering a personal tragedy.

The main antagonist in this story is played by the always solid Latino actor John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook). I recently had the pleasure of speaking with him about his character, “Jones,” working with Keanu Reeves, and more.

The film, directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Traitor), also stars Alice Eve, and Thomas Middleditch.

How do you approach a character like this? An extreme version of a capitalist?

Yes, that is a good start. I am not a businessman, by any means, so I get excited when I get the chance to play a character that is so different from me. It’s like going to school again, so I studied people from that sector. Then I gave him a backstory: I thought that it would be interesting if he came from the military, given where he works and his connections. Maybe, at some his priorities shifted and he became more interested in making money than in being of service.

How interesting was it to explore the big ideas that the story is toying with?

Very interesting! We shot the movie a year and a half ago, so I wanted to refresh my memory. I read some articles on the themes that the story explores, and it’s a very complex and polarizing topic. When it comes to science and technology, and the way that they influence us for better and worse… How do you adapt to developments that become the new norm? What are the consequences of those actions? What side do you take? Does it matter, if it will happen anyway?

Keanu Reeves seems to be the most unassuming, humble human being in history. Is that true, or just a facade?

[Laughs] He is great! I admire his career and I’ve wanted to work with him for a long time. I heard that about him, exactly what you just described, and for whatever reason I didn’t quite believe it. But after working with him, I can say that it is all true. It is very refreshing to work with an international star that behaves like a regular guy. Actually, “regular” isn’t the right word because he’s very special, a super smart, generous, and humble person. Ironically, that makes him pop on screen and becoming a magnetic presence.

REPLICAS is now playing in theaters.

A daring synthetic biologist who, after a car accident kills his family, will stop at nothing to bring them back, even if it means pitting himself against a government-controlled laboratory, a police task force and the physical laws of science.