How ‘The Studio,’ ‘Yellowjackets,’ ‘Monsters’ and ‘White Lotus’ Make Bad Behavior Appealing

by

Examining Shauna’s actions on “Yellowjackets,” which range from everyday acts of betrayal, such as sleeping with her best friend’s boyfriend in the initial episode, to more severe offenses, it’s clear that she is undeniably a wretched individual who arguably deserves a prolonged prison sentence.

However, that’s not applicable to Melanie Lynskey, the actress who has portrayed the character in the Showtime series throughout the last three seasons.

Or more informally:

But Melanie Lynskey, the actress from the Showtime series, doesn’t fall under this category – she’s been playing the character for the past three seasons.

When faced with the suggestion that Shauna might be a terrible person,” Lynskey responds, “I feel quite the opposite. It’s incredibly natural for me to recognize and appreciate her humanness.

Discovering the human side of even morally questionable characters is a crucial part of an actor’s role, and Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), who debuted in “The Sopranos” in 1999, has made this task progressively harder for actors and viewers alike as they grapple with a surge of emotionally volatile and potentially dangerous anti-heroes, such as Walter White from “Breaking Bad” and almost every character in “Succession.” The same challenge applies to comedy. It’s no simple feat to create a character that makes audiences shout at the screen one moment and cheer for them the next. However, “The Studio” manages to do exactly this with Seth Rogen’s Matt Remick, who, after receiving a significant promotion, appears to make every poor decision possible. Despite his seemingly disastrous choices, it’s hard not to hope he finds a way to triumph.

Frequently, actors develop a strong attachment to their on-screen characters. Actress Lynskey has expressed confusion over fans who have hurled harsh comments at Shauna this season, yet seem to overlook Jeff’s transgressions (played by Warren Cole) and the reprehensible actions of Misty (portrayed by Christina Ricci).

It’s proposed to Lynskey that the unique aspect might be that Misty’s brand appears quirky, whereas Shauna serves as a sort of visual and auditory bridge for the audience.

Indeed, there’s a noticeable distinction,” acknowledges Lynskey, the actress portraying Shauna as an adult character, contrasted with Sophie Nélisse playing her teenage version. “I believe the emotional upheaval and sense of betrayal from viewers stems from the fact that [Shauna] embodies the audience’s stand-in, someone we all connect with. She resembles mothers I know, even my own mother, and she appears to think like me. However, it’s a shocking revelation that this seemingly ordinary woman is capable of such extreme and ruthless actions.

In the shoes of Nicholas Alexander Chavez, as portrayed in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” I find myself embodying that overconfident, pampered rich kid we’ve all encountered – that is, until the chilling moment when my brother Erik (Cooper Koch) and I take the lives of our parents, Jose and Kitty (Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny). Yet, if you were to strip away the heinous act of cold-blooded murder, I’m afraid I would still be – in essence – a privileged jerk. Isn’t that so?

Chavez strongly disagrees with the idea of referring to him that way. He believes that it’s hard for him to pass judgment on this individual, as he perceives him more as a hurt boy who may not have fully matured emotionally and psychologically beyond the age of 8 or 9 or 10. According to Chavez, this person was likely compelled to emulate his father’s role, but if you asked any 10-year-old to behave like a 40-year-old record label executive, they would undoubtedly feel frustrated and inadequate because they lack the abilities required for that job.

In Season 3 of “The White Lotus” on HBO Max, Michelle Monaghan delved into the complexities of a character not unlike herself – Jaclyn, a renowned actress who is more than just a murder suspect; instead, she deceives and double-crosses her longtime friends (Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon) during their vacation at an extravagant resort in Thailand. This role presented a challenge for Monaghan that she describes as “confrontational.

Actors like Monaghan often find a significant part of their self-esteem comes from external approval. Since Jaclyn seems to base her worth and value on this external validation, when she doesn’t receive the needed affirmation or stimulation, she searches for it in unsuitable places. Ultimately, I believe the audience will see a character who appears to yearn for genuine relationships. I don’t think she’s intentionally harmful; rather, I view her as mischievous.

Monaghan posits that rather than repelling viewers, a character’s unsavory actions might actually captivate them.

Or:

According to Monaghan, it’s not about pushing viewers away, but rather attracting them with a character who exhibits questionable behavior.

She explains, ‘This character’s perspective might offer viewers an unusual vantage point, as the moral compass could be slightly skewed, reflecting their own at times. I enjoy creating scenarios where the audience is taken on a journey that feels somewhat uncomfortable yet engaging, stirring their emotions.’

At certain moments, finding himself in Menendez’s mind proved to be an unpleasant ordeal for Chavez, especially during the scene where he was required to act as if confined in a wardrobe, exposed and smeared with artificial filth.

In their own words, Chavez explains that when they’re immersed in a role, it subtly impacts them as well. Over the span of several months while filming, they may notice small shifts in their personality, gravitating towards specific behavior patterns. They do this without conscious thought, given the demanding schedule of five days a week for up to 14 hours each day. However, they clarify that this doesn’t mean they confuse their personal identity with the character they play, like introducing themselves as Lyle after filming. Instead, they feel they fully let go of their character around late January of the current year.

However, just like many times, it’s beneficial for an actor to play a villainous role. Lynskey highlights her intense fight scene in Season 3 of “Yellowjackets”, where she bites off a piece of Melissa’s (Hillary Swank) arm and makes her eat it, as particularly captivating.

I absolutely relish the thrill when the situation is tense and there’s an undeniable sense of danger,” I find myself saying as a movie enthusiast. “It’s exciting to portray characters with unpredictable traits. Truth be told, I never know what the scripts will bring next.

Read More

2025-06-02 21:18