--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm just attracted to playing people who…" description: "\"I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible unlikable. That's not to say that there's something in there that makes you care. It might be t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/steve-coogan-2910_attracted_i-m-just-attracted-to-playing-people-who_3166074.jpg" --- # I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible… ![“I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible unlikable. That's not to say that there's something in there that makes you care. It might be that you just find them so awful that you just can't stop watching, like a car crash.” quote by Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/steve-coogan-2910_attracted_i-m-just-attracted-to-playing-people-who_3166074.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/steve-coogan-2910_attracted_i-m-just-attracted-to-playing-people-who_3166074.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/steve-coogan-2910_attracted_i-m-just-attracted-to-playing-people-who_3166074.jpg) > “I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible unlikable. That's not to say that there's something in there that makes you care. It might be that you just find them so awful that you just can't stop watching, like a car crash.” [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He is fascinated by unlikable characters because their flaws create compelling drama, like a crash you can’t look away from. **In simple terms:** People love watching bad characters. Key Takeaway Explore why we are drawn to flawed personalities. Themes psychology media character study Mood analytical curious Type critical entertaining When to use this quote - TV shows - political commentary - social media Key Concepts morality spectatorship Questions to Reflect On - What makes a villain captivating? - Do we learn from watching bad behavior? A Different Perspective Obsessing on negative traits can distort empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attracted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attracted/) [Attracted Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attracted-playing-427420/) [Awful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awful/) [Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car/) [Car crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-crash/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crash/) [Find](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/find/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Ostensible Unlikable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ostensible-unlikable-5743377/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing/) [Playing People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-people/) [Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop/) [Stop Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-watching-402616/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Unlikable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlikable-282577/) [Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [I'm attracted to playing people who aren't necessarily straightforward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-m-attracted-to-playing-people-who-aren-t-necessarily-straightforward/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [I'm attracted to playing characters that have flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-shahi/i-m-attracted-to-playing-characters-that-have-flaws/) [Sarah Shahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-shahi/) > [I'm attracted to playing things that I find difficult, just because it's a journey that is much more interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beckinsale/i-m-attracted-to-playing-things-that-i-find-difficult-just-because-it/) [Kate Beckinsale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beckinsale/) > [The women I'm attracted to playing I hope will mean something to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-pugh/the-women-i-m-attracted-to-playing-i-hope-will-mean-something-to/) [Florence Pugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-pugh/) > [I think it's fair to say I'm attracted to playing characters who are rather intense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-think-it-s-fair-to-say-i-m-attracted-to-playing-characters-who-are/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [I don't think that because you are a perfectionist that that makes you necessarily automatically unlikable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-garner/i-don-t-think-that-because-you-are-a-perfectionist-that-that-makes/) [Jennifer Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-garner/) > [There are lots of unlikable characters in literature. It doesn't mean they're not fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-tillman/there-are-lots-of-unlikable-characters-in-literature-it-doesn-t-mean/) [Lynne Tillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-tillman/) > [I don't approach a role by saying I'll be unsavory or unlikable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rooker/i-don-t-approach-a-role-by-saying-i-ll-be-unsavory-or-unlikable/) [Michael Rooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rooker/) > [I don't approach a role by saying I'll be unsavory or unlikable. I think all the roles I've done have been very passionate people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rooker/i-don-t-approach-a-role-by-saying-i-ll-be-unsavory-or-unlikable-i/) [Michael Rooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rooker/) > [I always would be happy to make a character even more unlikable, but you know, there's a limit and if you go there, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-giamatti/i-always-would-be-happy-to-make-a-character-even-more-unlikable-but/) [Paul Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-giamatti/) > [“If you are a person who has always been liked, it is hard to understand why you have, without changing a thing about yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/if-you-are-a-person-who-has-always-been-liked-it-is-hard-to/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [I think one of my big skills is making unlikable characters likable or real in some way. No matter how hateful people are, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/i-think-one-of-my-big-skills-is-making-unlikable-characters-likable/) [Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/) > [I reserve the right to be a mess and completely unlikable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/i-reserve-the-right-to-be-a-mess-and-completely-unlikable/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [“What is so broken about me? So unlikable? Why does it still hurt?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-remender/what-is-so-broken-about-me-so-unlikable-why-does-it-still-hurt/) [Rick Remender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-remender/) > [“But of course Anton turned out to be brave and strong, and so he died while he was still unlikable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elise-blackwell/but-of-course-anton-turned-out-to-be-brave-and-strong-and-so-he-died/) [Elise Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elise-blackwell/) ## More by Steve Coogan > [As soon as I see period costume, I turn off. It's like hearing drama on Radio 4.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/as-soon-as-i-see-period-costume-i-turn-off-it-s-like-hearing-drama-on/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [A woman wearing a revealing dress will always be sexier than a naked woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/a-woman-wearing-a-revealing-dress-will-always-be-sexier-than-a-naked/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I like to do movies that provoke rather than reinforce conservative values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-like-to-do-movies-that-provoke-rather-than-reinforce-conservative/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I'm gonna hump ya. Like Deputy Dog... Would hump ya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-m-gonna-hump-ya-like-deputy-dog-would-hump-ya/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [What terrifies me is that I might somehow endorse that view so people think they don't have to read books anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/what-terrifies-me-is-that-i-might-somehow-endorse-that-view-so-people/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I am lucky to be in a profession that is not age dependent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-am-lucky-to-be-in-a-profession-that-is-not-age-dependent/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I think there's as much profundity and wisdom in Shakespeare, more so in fact, than those in the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-think-there-s-as-much-profundity-and-wisdom-in-shakespeare-more-so/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I don't apologize for my behavior anymore. Whatever I do or don't do shouldn't matter. Moral certainty is dangerous. Moral certainty is what makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-don-t-apologize-for-my-behavior-anymore-whatever-i-do-or-don-t-do/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [A womb with a view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/a-womb-with-a-view/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I'm really encouraged by Pope Francis, because I think his attitude is totally laudable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-m-really-encouraged-by-pope-francis-because-i-think-his-attitude-is/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [Knowing about comedy has helped me with the drama. To see people laugh, it's like there are moments of catharsis in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/knowing-about-comedy-has-helped-me-with-the-drama-to-see-people-laugh/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I happen to have a public profile. Ditto newspaper editors. It's a result of what I do, not an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-happen-to-have-a-public-profile-ditto-newspaper-editors-it-s-a/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [The fundamentalists are insistent that they know best. It's a dictatorial attitude towards personal morality, which is a modern creation that came about in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/the-fundamentalists-are-insistent-that-they-know-best-it-s-a/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I use improvisation as a writing tool to help produce material that goes into a script, but a well-crafted script shouldn't sound scripted, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-use-improvisation-as-a-writing-tool-to-help-produce-material-that/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [If the person who can effectively sanction ill-conceived wars can play the electric guitar, which is a symbol of rebellion, then that whole worldview…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/if-the-person-who-can-effectively-sanction-ill-conceived-wars-can/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) [Explore all 145 Steve Coogan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) ## More Attracted quotes > [I guess I'm attracted to things that are fun. I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [It’s hard to feel attracted to someone who has abandoned her sense of autonomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/it-s-hard-to-feel-attracted-to-someone-who-has-abandoned-her-sense-of/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) > [Men can be attracted but not forced to the faith. You may drive people to baptism, (but) you won't move them one step further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcuin/men-can-be-attracted-but-not-forced-to-the-faith-you-may-drive-people/) [Alcuin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcuin/) > [Had Elijah Muhammad tried to introduce an orthodox form of Arab-oriented Islam, I doubt if he would have attracted 500 people, but he introduced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henrik-clarke/had-elijah-muhammad-tried-to-introduce-an-orthodox-form-of-arab/) [John Henrik Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henrik-clarke/) > [“Talk about insanity. Being attracted to deVries was like a moth saying, "Hey, let's go check out that awesome bonfire".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherise-sinclair/talk-about-insanity-being-attracted-to-devries-was-like-a-moth-saying/) [cherise sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cherise-sinclair/) > [I still get attracted to people but having a relationship isn't fair on the other person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hegerty/i-still-get-attracted-to-people-but-having-a-relationship-isn-t-fair/) [Anne Hegerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hegerty/) > [I have always been attracted to gay guys so I always thought I am gay man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trisha-paytas/i-have-always-been-attracted-to-gay-guys-so-i-always-thought-i-am-gay/) [Trisha Paytas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trisha-paytas/) > [I'm attracted to playing characters that have flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-shahi/i-m-attracted-to-playing-characters-that-have-flaws/) [Sarah Shahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-shahi/) > [I think part of the reason I'm attracted to Foster is because he's such a mess. I mean, the people I have loved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-think-part-of-the-reason-i-m-attracted-to-foster-is-because-he-s/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“I would never get used to how gorgeous he was or the effect he had on me besides just intimidating the hell out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-kennedy/i-would-never-get-used-to-how-gorgeous-he-was-or-the-effect-he-had-on/) [Sloane Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-kennedy/) > [I can simply say that I feel spontaneously attracted by everything that is beautiful... It comes from the unconscious and not from my knowledge...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leni-riefenstahl/i-can-simply-say-that-i-feel-spontaneously-attracted-by-everything/) [Leni Riefenstahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leni-riefenstahl/) > [I'm attracted to the extreme light and the extreme dark. I'm interested in the human condition and what makes people tick. I'm interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-m-attracted-to-the-extreme-light-and-the-extreme-dark-i-m/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“Even though she would dream of love, respect, and unfettered romance... it was a cyclical dilemma in her life that she seemed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/even-though-she-would-dream-of-love-respect-and-unfettered-romance-it/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [It's not difficult to be attracted to Rupert Penry-Jones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genevieve-o-reilly/it-s-not-difficult-to-be-attracted-to-rupert-penry-jones/) [Genevieve O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genevieve-o-reilly/) > [I've always been attracted to characters that were interesting to me, and different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milla-jovovich/i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-characters-that-were-interesting-to-me/) [Milla Jovovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milla-jovovich/) [Browse all 901 Attracted quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attracted/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm just attracted to playing people who are ostensible unlikable. 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