Darren Aronofsky Sounds Off on Method Acting: It’s ‘Just Something to Hide Behind, as Opposed to Doing the Work and Being Professional’

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Don’t expect Darren Aronofsky to step into the Actors Studio anytime soon.

The filmmaker expressed disdain for Method actors during a masterclass in Paris over the weekend. He referred to their always-in-character approach as merely a means of concealing one’s lack of effort and professionalism, stating that genuine acting should be about doing the work rather than hiding behind a character.

He emphasized that you should thoroughly research and put in a lot of effort when preparing for acting roles. However, he reminded us that acting is essentially pretend. If you’re working on an emotional scene, it’s okay to isolate yourself, concentrate, and stay focused between takes to preserve the emotion. He likened acting to a sport or game, explaining that just as a basketball player doesn’t need to be constantly dribbling to excel, an actor doesn’t have to live in character all the time. Instead, you should study your lines and prepare yourself, only ‘playing pretend’ during action scenes.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by directors who push their actors to deliver exceptional performances, like Darren Aronofsky, who’s known for immersing his cast deeply into their roles. In his upcoming film “Caught Stealing,” Austin Butler is one such actor who has demonstrated the ability to stay in character for extended periods. When asked about working with Method actors, Aronofsky acknowledged that this method could be beneficial, provided it doesn’t hinder the rest of the crew. With a touch of humor, he also shared that when directing such performers, he employs his own unique approach.

He expressed it’s alright if that’s their preference, but suggested they should take some time off to unwind.

At the career retrospective event organized by the French Cinematheque, Aronofsky linked his past works with “Caught Stealing”. Similar to his previous four films, he designed this latest one to emphasize a powerful and unique on-screen persona, referring to Butler as his ‘anchor’ and mentioning that we essentially constructed a world around him.

Director Darren Aronofsky described “Caught Stealing” as a “beautiful exploration” in the realm of genre filmmaking, similar to his work on “Black Swan.” He explained that it was essentially a crime caper they aimed to execute flawlessly, calling it an enjoyable challenge. He believes there’s nothing wrong with refining a classic genre and elevating it through skillful execution.

Interestingly, the filmmaker later explained that the level of darkness in his movies correlated with the overall positive mood in society. Aronofsky pointed out that when he directed “Requiem for a Dream” in 2000, Paris Hilton was widely recognized as a famous figure.

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The filmmaker later revealed an interesting connection between the darkness in his films and the general mood of society. Aronofsky highlighted the fact that when he produced “Requiem for a Dream” in 2000, Paris Hilton was well-known as a prominent figure.

Since Trump is globally recognized as a prominent figure, I must exert extra effort to maintain optimism,” he went on. “Given the hurdles we’re encountering, I focus on the aspects that unite us – and this is exactly what I aim to achieve through my current work.

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2025-04-09 16:17