15 Films and TV Series That Pushed Actors to Their Limits

Jimmy Henton
Jul 12, 2023
Jul 12, 2023

In the realm of cinema, there exists a special breed of actors who go above and beyond to deliver truly extraordinary performances. These are the fearless souls who willingly push themselves to their absolute limits, immersing themselves completely in the characters they portray. Their commitment is unwavering, as they dive headfirst into challenging roles that demand nothing short of their very best.

Today, we unveil a list of 15 films and TV series that have become hallowed grounds for such remarkable displays of talent and dedication. From heart-wrenching dramas to mind-bending psychological thrillers, these productions have pushed actors to the brink, extracting performances that will forever be etched in our memories. Join us as we journey through unforgettable cinematic moments where actors shed their skin and embraced the transformative power of their craft. These are the stories of actors who fearlessly went where others dared not tread, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Let's scroll down and check them out!

#1. The Banshees of Inisherin

Source: © The Banshees of Inisherin / Blueprint Pictures

Colin Farrell interacted with different animals on the set of the movie, but their relationships weren’t so great. A donkey kicked him in the knee, a dog bit him, and a horse nearly made him go for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

#2. Wednesday

Source: © Wednesday / MGM Television

Because Tim Burton is so demanding, choosing a hairstyle for Jenna Ortega's character was more challenging than the audience could have imagined. He spent three hours selecting the ideal braids. Even Burton himself used a comb to style the actress's fringes in the manner he desired. Jenna also studied German, learned how to play the cello, and practiced archery in preparation for her role on Wednesday.

#3. Noah

Source: © The English / Amazon Studios

The director prohibited drinking water from plastic bottles on set because the movie's message is to protect the environment. Emma Watson experienced a bad incident as a result: she drank from a mug of water that had been in her trailer for about three months and immediately felt quite sick. The director forbade her from taking a break and advised her to incorporate how she was feeling into her acting.

#4. The English

Source: © The English / Amazon Studios

As part of the costume, Emily Blunt wore a corset that she described as a "oven for her organs." Since the shooting took place in Spain in the sweltering summer, the actress claims that it was terrible.

#5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2

Source: © The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 / Lionsgate

The actors had a very difficult time during the three weeks of filming for the sewer scenes. Jennifer Lawrence remembered Liam Hemsworth's struggle to maintain a straight posture in those tunnels with particular empathy.

#6. Nomadland

Source: © Nomadland / Highwayman Films

Frances McDormand made the decision to spend the night in a van in order to play the role of the wandering woman. The actress was deprived of many comforts in such a situation. She had spicy chicken wings for dinner, which made the situation even more difficult. McDormand had to do her business in a bucket.

#7. Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens

Source: © Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens / Lucasfilm Ltd

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega practiced on treadmills for their desert chase scene. The difficulty of running on sand, however, did not prepare them for the filming. It was challenging on the legs, Ridley revealed.

#8. The Suicide Squad

Source: © The Suicide Squad / Warner Bros.

John Cena's character can be seen eating an empanada in one of the scenes. This moment couldn't have been perfectly captured right away. The actor consumed an entire empanada during each of the 31 takes. He admitted that he waddled like a penguin after the shoot.

#9. Ammonite

Source: © Ammonite / BBC Films

Actress Kate Winslet also made the decision to spend some time alone in order to fully embody her role as paleontologist Mary Anning, and she did so in a shack on the beach rather than a plush hotel. It was chilly and chaotic. Waves crashed against the cabin windows during the storms, and the electricity frequently cut out.

#10. In the Heart of the Sea

Source: © In the Heart of the Sea / Warner Bros.

During the set, the actors needed to lose a ton of weight and must work out and watch their physique. Chris Hemsworth and other actors are allowed to consume only 500 calories per day.

#11. Bridgerton

Phoebe Dynevor, an actress, was anxious about the dance scenes. She spent six weeks working with a choreographer, but filming was still challenging. The actors frequently had to talk while dancing, which is harder than it seems. Those were the scenes, according to Dynevor, that were both tense and satisfying.

#12. The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Jessica Chastain tries to take good care of her skin but worries that being a part of this movie might have changed how she looks. Her skin was stretched by the heavy makeup she had to wear for the part. She jokingly said that after filming, she appeared older.

#13. House of Gucci

Salma Hayek had to take a mud bath for the movie, which she found to be the most relaxing experience. She struggled for a very long time, just unable to fully submerge herself in the mud. It was the most challenging scene in her life, according to Hayek.

#14. Elysium

In Mexico City's landfill, a movie about a future in which the entire planet is a slum was shot. As one might expect given the filth, the smell was awful. Matt Damon had to breathe the "fresh" air, but the cast could escape it by donning masks.

#15. The Thing About Pam

Renée Zellweger used elaborate makeup and prosthetics to become her character. The makeup artists' glue was discovered to be an allergen for the actress. Zellweger turned to a lot of allergy medications to deal with this.

What other movies and television shows do you know that were challenging for actors to work on?

Share this article