Quotes from Melanie Lynskey

I know a lot of actors have all these expectations and believe that one thing should lead to another thing, and that's probably the right way to build a career. I don't know what's wrong with me - I just don't think like that!

I used to write stories and poetry, but for some reason I have it in my head that if I'm going to write, I have to write a script.

I was a kid who didn't have a lot of self-esteem.

If a movie is received badly, and I'm in only one scene of it, I still feel responsible. I feel like it was my fault at all times. If people were like, 'This movie sucks!' I'd be like, 'Well, that's because I'm terrible.'

I don't know, I love it when I see movies with people who are not super familiar to me or people who I've seen in smaller parts who are suddenly getting a chance to do something bigger. For me that's very exciting.

Everybody goes through challenges. There's stuff that happens personally that's challenging, stuff in work that's difficult, disappointments that happen.

I think that for me as a person, it's very easy for me to hear, 'It's too difficult.' Or, 'You're not easy to cast.' And, 'You're not beautiful,' and this and that.

I feel like any actor should always be thinking about how to serve the story. The thing to be cautious of is trying to make too much of your 'moment,' or whatever. The story is a lot bigger than you, and you're there to help it along.

I know my mother-in-law would drive two hours to go see a movie that I'm in.

I'm pretty active, so I wasn't really worried [about filming "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" ]. But there was a day when I was like, "God, I've been rowing for two hours."

I've had a lot of struggles with depression. It's very easy for me to go to a bleak place, or for me to doubt humanity, myself, the world, my choices.

I guess I have a strong constitution.

I don't think I've played a lot of crazy people.

Even when I'm reading a script where I'm supposed to be looking at the lead role, I'll find myself gravitating toward some small weirdo in a few scenes instead. I'm very instinctive like that and I love the challenge of not having a lot of time to create someone who feels real.

I feel weird when I go to the movies and everybody's faces are perfect.

I feel like I'm kind of faking something if I'm talking as myself and putting on an accent.

I was a very independent teenager.

I think filmmakers are always interested in getting the best actor that they can find, the person who's the most right for it.

I feel so grateful when I see a movie and there's a woman who looks somewhat like me. I'm like, 'Thank you, Samantha Morton!' You know, a woman who feels like a human being. That means so much to me.

I've definitely had times in my life where I've been depressed and not able to do anything at all.

Usually when I am in a movie that is about to come out, if people don't love it, that is fine - I can handle it.

I don't think I've played a lot of crazy people. If ever I had a choice between two movies, I'd try to do whatever was the opposite of what I did last time.

New Zealanders can be a little hostile.

To take a job just so I can go on a fancy vacation doesn't really seem worth it.