--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm playing a serial killer, I'm in…" description: "\"When I'm playing a serial killer, I'm in it. I'm not judging him. I'm not judging his environment. I'm just looking for the why. Why is he the way he i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/dylan-mcdermott-13907_actor_when-i-m-playing-a-serial-killer-i-m-in_2835107.jpg" --- # When I'm playing a serial killer, I'm in it. I'm not… ![“When I'm playing a serial killer, I'm in it. I'm not judging him. I'm not judging his environment. I'm just looking for the why. Why is he the way he is? But, there's no doubt that, if you're a good actor, you're going to take this stuff home with you.” quote by Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/dylan-mcdermott-13907_actor_when-i-m-playing-a-serial-killer-i-m-in_2835107.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/dylan-mcdermott-13907_actor_when-i-m-playing-a-serial-killer-i-m-in_2835107.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/dylan-mcdermott-13907_actor_when-i-m-playing-a-serial-killer-i-m-in_2835107.jpg) > “When I'm playing a serial killer, I'm in it. I'm not judging him. I'm not judging his environment. I'm just looking for the why. Why is he the way he is? But, there's no doubt that, if you're a good actor, you're going to take this stuff home with you.” [Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-mcdermott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An actor immerses fully in a role, seeking to understand the character’s motives without judgment, which can affect them personally. **In simple terms:** Understand a character deeply, but stay grounded. Key Takeaway Separate role from self. Themes empathy method acting psychology Mood introspective serious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - theatre performance - film set - personal therapy Key Concepts character study emotional boundaries Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain personal boundaries after a role? - Can empathy with a villain affect your worldview? A Different Perspective Intense immersion may blur personal identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-going-247565/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Good actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actor/) [Good actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actors/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judging/) [Killer Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killer-judging-3685763/) [Killers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killers/) [No doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-doubt/) [Not judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-judging/) [Serial killer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serial-killer/) [Serials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serials/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [When you work with a good actor, there is this natural rapport and chemistry that develops over time. 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