Films can influence our feelings and moods like no other medium. They can make us laugh and cry, but they can also scare us or leave us deeply disturbed, as if we have just experienced a nightmare ourselves. How do people feel in front of the camera?
There are actually several actors who went so far mentally and physically for certain roles that they subsequently had to seek medical help. Because while the audience can focus on other things once the credits roll, the actors have to deal with their roles every day – which in some cases also means the dark sides of human existence. These five stars were so affected by their choice of film that they had to go to therapy afterwards:
Alex Wolff
‘Hereditary’ is considered by many to be one of the most disturbing horror films of recent years – and its lead actor, Alex Wolff, has put a lot of effort into it. Not only does he play a deeply traumatized character, but he also had to hit his head on a table several times for one scene. In an interview with The actor revealed that the role took its toll psychologically – including suffering from severe insomnia.
“You don’t want to sound arrogant or take it too seriously, because in many ways we have a nice job,” says Wolff, who qualifies his statement, but at the same time makes it clear: “Emotionally it was still a difficult period. function. I don’t think you can go through something like that without developing post-traumatic stress disorder afterwards.”
Michael B. Jordan
It doesn’t always have to be blatant horror material that haunts an actor after filming. In the case of Michael B. Jordan, it was his role as Marvel villain Erik Killmonger in the megahit “Black Panther” that forced him to delve into the depths of his own psyche.
“I think that’s kind of a mental state […] “It kind of messed me up,” the “Creed” star said in an interview Oprah Winfrey. “I got a little depressed.” Jordan internalized the role to such an extent that even after his work on “Black Panther,” he had trouble admitting love and closeness, which quickly led to a nagging sense of isolation. Therapy eventually helped him put this phase behind him.
Isabelle Adjani
‘Possession’ (1981) is a real gem that you will certainly not forget once you have seen it. Isabelle Adjani stars in a double role that demands a lot from her: she has sex with an octopus-like monster, twists her body in bizarre ways and screams like crazy. In fact, it is difficult to imagine that this acting tour de force does not leave a mark.
“I call it the most extreme film I have ever made,” she confirmed in a 2000 documentary that “Possession” director Andrzej Zulawski himself published (via ) – which shows that Adjani even tried to commit suicide. The actress continues: “He asked us to do things that I couldn’t do right now. I think I narrowly escaped the film without any lasting damage to my mental health.”
Val Kilmer
In 1991, Val Kilmer appeared on camera as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s biopic “The Doors”. The intensive research of the singer, who struggled with severe depression and was found dead in his bathtub at the age of 27, had major side effects.
Kilmer identified strongly with Morrison, following a strict diet, memorizing more than fifty of the band’s songs, conducting countless interviews with people close to the musician – and rumor has it he even wanted to become ‘Jim’ on set named. After that he hardly got out of the role, so he had to rely on psychological help.
Dakota Johnson
After her debacle with Madame Web, Dakota Johnson has announced that she never wants to star in another superhero movie. But will she work again with director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”)?
In his new interpretation of the Italian horror classic ‘Suspiria’, Johnson plays the role of ballerina Susie, who discovers that all is not well at a renowned ballet academy in Berlin. During the press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Johnson admitted that she sought psychological support during filming (via ): “When you work with such dark themes, it can stick with you,” said the “Fifty Shades Of Grey” star. “Talking about it with someone who is very nice is a really nice way to move forward with the project.”