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With a tall stature and a brooding intensity, Alexander Skarsgård has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry by repeatedly taking on roles that explore the darker side of human minds. Whether he’s embodying the violent cop inWar on Everyone, or brutally abusing Nicole Kidman inBig Little Lies,Skarsgård seems to have an uncanny ability to turn evil into art.
Therefore, during a candid conversation withThe Guardian, the Swedish actor revealed why he often gravitates toward such complex and dark roles. Claiming that beneath the polished surface of civilization, everyone is hiding an animal, Alexander Skarsgård justified finding a way to let out that animal through his work.
Alexander Skarsgård Explained His Penchant for Dark and Abusive Roles
Playing the bad guy isn’t as easy as it seems, butAlexander Skarsgårdsomehow makes it look effortless when he comes onscreen to portray the most evil character of the show or film. Whether it’s being the abusive husband toNicole Kidman in HBO’sBig Little Lies,or playing a racist inPassingand a r*pist in theStraw Dogsremake, Skarsgård simply knows his way of deriving eye-rolls from audiences.
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After years of building his resume out of villain roles, Alexander Skarsgård sat for an interview withThe Guardianto discuss his love for playing evil characters and why he’s continually drawn to portray the darker sides of human nature. Implying that there are rarely any projects in his filmography where he played normal roles, the Swedish actor expressed his desire to descend into the gruesome horrors of human minds.
There’s a politeness to Canadians and Swedes. But it’s all just a f*cking facade. Deep down we’re animals. We’re just very good at concealing it. Brits too. It’s all down there, though. You can just open the tap and let it out.
Discussing how there’s a bit of evil in everyone that most people choose to keep locked away, Alexander Skarsgård explained his wish toexplore that very malevolent sideof himself through his work. With his interest in playing twisted and morally ambiguous roles going beneath the surface, the actor mentioned how the medium of films and shows allows him to tap into his inner animal and let it out through his performance.
Alexander Skarsgård Revealed His Process of Playing the Perfect Villain
Although Alexander Skarsgård has gained a reputation for playing controversial figures, he doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, the Swedish actor seems to thrive on it. Therefore, speaking withBustle, Skarsgård admitted enjoying the challenge of playing characters that derive eye-rolls from audiences, much like his performance inBig Little Liesas the abusive husband Perry Wright.
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While audiences were enraged by his abusive behavior towardsNicole Kidman‘s Celeste Wright, they were unable to look away from his tense performance in the show. Thereafter, the role quickly became a testament to Skarsgård’s ability to channel his inner darkness through his onscreen villainous characters. And how does he do it? Well, the actor revealed his secret.
It’s always more interesting if you make it uncomfortable for the audience, if you can find moments where they like the guy, and understand him.
Therefore, for Alexander Skarsgård, the key toplaying a believable villainis finding the humanity within them and making the audience connect with him. Considering how even the most evil characters have their vulnerabilities, fears, and desires, the actor mentioned using those aspects to create a sense of authenticity and bond, which in return makes those characters all the more chilling.
Big Little Liesis currently available to watch on Prime Video.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
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Alexander SkarsgårdNicole Kidman
