Context:

Several actors have experienced severe trauma due to intense filming conditions in certain movies. Janet Leigh was so traumatized by the shower scene in Psycho that she avoided showers for years, while Tippi Hedren was attacked by live birds on the set of The Birds, leaving her in shock. Florence Pugh and her co-stars from Midsommar suffered from psychological impacts due to the film's disturbing nature, with Pugh admitting to self-abuse to enhance her performance. Gunnar Hansen and Marilyn Burns endured harsh conditions while filming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, particularly during the dinner scene. Isabelle Adjani and Alex Wolff both experienced severe mental distress and PTSD from their respective roles in Possession and Hereditary, with Adjani even attempting suicide after viewing the final cut of her film.

Dive Deeper:

• Janet Leigh developed a lifelong fear of showers after filming the infamous scene in Psycho, taking extensive measures to ensure her safety during showers due to her traumatic experience.

• Tippi Hedren faced real and terrifying attacks from live birds on the set of The Birds, which led to physical exhaustion and emotional breakdown, requiring a week of recovery.

• Florence Pugh admitted to self-inflicting emotional distress to authentically portray her character's trauma in Midsommar, while co-star Jack Reynor struggled with mental health due to the film's content.

• Gunnar Hansen and Marilyn Burns faced grueling conditions while filming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with the dinner scene being particularly intense and leaving lasting mental scars.

• Isabelle Adjani's traumatic experience on the set of Possession led to a suicide attempt, as she struggled to cope with the film's violent content and its effect on her psyche.

• Alex Wolff developed PTSD from his role in Hereditary, suffering from recurring disturbing memories and emotional distress long after filming ended.

• The Blair Witch Project's set was designed to induce genuine fear in its actors, with producers secretly creating unsettling disturbances to capture authentic reactions, leaving the cast deeply unnerved.