--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's very difficult to play opposite…" description: "\"It's very difficult to play opposite nothing. I did it for, like, six years - I ran from an invisible smoke monster for most of my twenties.\" — Evangel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/evangeline-lilly-1168_did_it-s-very-difficult-to-play-opposite-not_2710174.png" --- # It's very difficult to play opposite nothing. I did it… ![“It's very difficult to play opposite nothing. I did it for, like, six years - I ran from an invisible smoke monster for most of my twenties.” quote by Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/evangeline-lilly-1168_did_it-s-very-difficult-to-play-opposite-not_2710174.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/evangeline-lilly-1168_did_it-s-very-difficult-to-play-opposite-not_2710174.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04e/evangeline-lilly-1168_did_it-s-very-difficult-to-play-opposite-not_2710174.png) > “It's very difficult to play opposite nothing. I did it for, like, six years - I ran from an invisible smoke monster for most of my twenties.” [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting without a clear antagonist feels empty, likened to chasing an unseen threat for years. **In simple terms:** Playing against nothing feels hollow. Key Takeaway Seek meaningful challenges. Themes art career identity loneliness Mood reflective thoughtful melancholic Type statement metaphor When to use this quote - acting - career planning - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts creative void role ambiguity Questions to Reflect On - What does “opposite nothing” mean to you? - How can you find purpose without a clear opponent? A Different Perspective The metaphor may not resonate with all audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/did/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-play-755742/) [Invisible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invisible/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Monster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monster/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Opposite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposite/) [Opposite Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposite-did-1874193/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Opposite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-opposite-1338272/) [Ran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ran/) [Six](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/six/) [Smoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoke/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) [Very](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [“If something you did causes failure, shouldn't the exact opposite of what you did bring success?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brody/if-something-you-did-causes-failure-shouldn-t-the-exact-opposite-of/) [Jessica Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brody/) > [I think it's fun when you've been working on a show for a while to play something that is opposite to the character you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-kreuk/i-think-it-s-fun-when-you-ve-been-working-on-a-show-for-a-while-to/) [Kristin Kreuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-kreuk/) > [You're just playing a role, whether it's a drama or a comedy. I find it really fun to sort of play opposite Uma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-wilson/you-re-just-playing-a-role-whether-it-s-a-drama-or-a-comedy-i-find-it/) [Luke Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-wilson/) > [When you're playing someone who has a strong ego about themselves, you can't play them when you have the opposite opinion of the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/when-you-re-playing-someone-who-has-a-strong-ego-about-themselves-you/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [There aren't a lot of movie star males around my age that I can play opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-palmer/there-aren-t-a-lot-of-movie-star-males-around-my-age-that-i-can-play/) [Teresa Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-palmer/) > [When you play someone, you want to do it so fully that then the next time you could play an opposite person and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-hechinger/when-you-play-someone-you-want-to-do-it-so-fully-that-then-the-next/) [Fred Hechinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-hechinger/) > [Normally we think of play as the opposite of work. Work is the thing you have to do, and then there's play, the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-bogost/normally-we-think-of-play-as-the-opposite-of-work-work-is-the-thing/) [Ian Bogost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-bogost/) > [I play opposite Beverly D'Angelo, and that was definitely a great time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilmer-valderrama/i-play-opposite-beverly-d-angelo-and-that-was-definitely-a-great-time/) [Wilmer Valderrama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilmer-valderrama/) > [I want to play whoever is opposite 'Iron Man.' I want to romance Robert Downey Jr.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taapsee-pannu/i-want-to-play-whoever-is-opposite-iron-man-i-want-to-romance-robert/) [Taapsee Pannu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taapsee-pannu/) > [People have this idea of me being some kind of monster, and that's the complete opposite of who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/people-have-this-idea-of-me-being-some-kind-of-monster-and-that-s-the/) [PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/) > [It is difficult to play with your back to goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/it-is-difficult-to-play-with-your-back-to-goal/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Derbies are always difficult to play because you have to handle the pressure. There's no advantage or disadvantage for either side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klopp/derbies-are-always-difficult-to-play-because-you-have-to-handle-the/) [Jurgen Klopp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klopp/) > [The provocation with Holmes is the fact that he's described by Doyle as a man without a heart - all brain... and that's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-brett/the-provocation-with-holmes-is-the-fact-that-he-s-described-by-doyle/) [Jeremy Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-brett/) > [There is no character in the comedy of human life more difficult to play well than that of an old bachelor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/there-is-no-character-in-the-comedy-of-human-life-more-difficult-to/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [Sometimes it is difficult to play against teams who just drop back and try to defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadio-mane/sometimes-it-is-difficult-to-play-against-teams-who-just-drop-back/) [Sadio Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadio-mane/) ## More by Evangeline Lilly > [You can't have a movie with a group of people that are significant players in the story, that push forward the plot, without introducing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/you-can-t-have-a-movie-with-a-group-of-people-that-are-significant/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I'm a very stubborn woman and I'm from a very stubborn family of headstrong women. I have sisters, so the women rule the coop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-m-a-very-stubborn-woman-and-i-m-from-a-very-stubborn-family-of/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [People initially think I'm a snob because I'm intensely private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/people-initially-think-i-m-a-snob-because-i-m-intensely-private/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I actually write as a passion, as something I actually am more passionate about than acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-actually-write-as-a-passion-as-something-i-actually-am-more/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I like to be around people who make me laugh. It's one of my favorite things on a set. I hate it when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-like-to-be-around-people-who-make-me-laugh-it-s-one-of-my-favorite/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I am kind of prudish and I have very strict standards about how I present myself. But one of the things that I've always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-am-kind-of-prudish-and-i-have-very-strict-standards-about-how-i/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Outside of acting, the person that I admire the most is my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/outside-of-acting-the-person-that-i-admire-the-most-is-my-mother/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Truthfully, I love being in the jungle. I love it when the make-up artists come to set, they come equipped with dirt and sweat.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/truthfully-i-love-being-in-the-jungle-i-love-it-when-the-make-up/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I was a massive Tolkien fan. 'The Hobbit' was... my favorite book as a little girl, and the Silvan Elves were my favorite characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-was-a-massive-tolkien-fan-the-hobbit-was-my-favorite-book-as-a/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I'm not stressed out about where my next paycheck is coming from, or what I am doing with the rest of my life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-m-not-stressed-out-about-where-my-next-paycheck-is-coming-from-or/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Hollywood is the Sodom and Gomorrah of today. It's a world I avoid because it's destroying our culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/hollywood-is-the-sodom-and-gomorrah-of-today-it-s-a-world-i-avoid/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I've been astounded to discover how good to their teams and crew that Marvel are. They're so collaborative, so smart with their stories. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-ve-been-astounded-to-discover-how-good-to-their-teams-and-crew-that/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I changed jobs like I changed shirts. It was something I just like to do - I like trying my hand at everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-changed-jobs-like-i-changed-shirts-it-was-something-i-just-like-to/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I always wear something slightly masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-always-wear-something-slightly-masculine/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) [Explore all 280 Evangeline Lilly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) ## More Did quotes > [Hats off to starting a franchise younger than we all did in 'Twilight' and keeping your cool. The 'Harry Potter' men and women had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellan-lutz/hats-off-to-starting-a-franchise-younger-than-we-all-did-in-twilight/) [Kellan Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellan-lutz/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [You have to talk about why things happened the way they did. You can't actually explain my political life except by a series of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/you-have-to-talk-about-why-things-happened-the-way-they-did-you-can-t/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [Here we are 17 years later. Those agencies never did come through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/here-we-are-17-years-later-those-agencies-never-did-come-through/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) > [I never did drama at school. I did it for one term, when it was compulsory, and I hated it. Tennis was the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-mitchell/i-never-did-drama-at-school-i-did-it-for-one-term-when-it-was/) [Luke Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-mitchell/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/) [Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) > [You didn't want to laugh, did you? It wasn't very funny, was it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-kennedy/you-didn-t-want-to-laugh-did-you-it-wasn-t-very-funny-was-it/) [Graham Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-kennedy/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [I met Tyler Perry and we did 'House of Payne' and a movie. We've done a couple other films since then, but it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-gross/i-met-tyler-perry-and-we-did-house-of-payne-and-a-movie-we-ve-done-a/) [Lance Gross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-gross/) > [The whole nuclear-arms-control and non-proliferation policy of the nuclear powers is a fraud: The Americans could not prevent the Soviets from replicating their weaponry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/the-whole-nuclear-arms-control-and-non-proliferation-policy-of-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [I am excited to partner with Aeropostale for my very own collection. It was a great experience to be able to work with them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-mota/i-am-excited-to-partner-with-aeropostale-for-my-very-own-collection/) [Bethany Mota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethany-mota/) > [When we built Roomba, we explicitly designed it to not have a face. We didn't want to think it was cute; we wanted people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/when-we-built-roomba-we-explicitly-designed-it-to-not-have-a-face-we/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I turned to my mom and said, 'I'm going to be a martial arts movie star.' She didn't believe me, and neither did my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adkins/i-turned-to-my-mom-and-said-i-m-going-to-be-a-martial-arts-movie-star/) [Scott Adkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adkins/) [Browse all 4,331 Did quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/did/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's very difficult to play opposite nothing. 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