Colin Farrell has made a striking and deeply personal confession about what fascinates him most about the human condition.
While speaking with Jessie Buckley for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, the Irish actor admitted that the darker sides of life have long intrigued him, both personally and professionally.
The revelation comes as Farrell stars as an addict in his latest film, Ballad of a Small Player.
Expanding on his perspective, Farrell explained that while his life is filled with happiness, pain remains the most universal human experience.
“I have mad moments of joy in my life and joy in work and joy with my kids,” he shared.
“But I’ve always felt that the common denominator in regard to experience as humans is pain.”
The Oscar-nominated actor went on to clarify that he sees fear and uncertainty as extensions of that same emotional core.
“The one thing we’ve all felt, really, is pain. I put fear and uncertainty under that banner,” he said.
Farrell also reflected on the imbalance of human experience, noting that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience joy.
“Not everyone, sadly, has felt joy,” he added and stated, “And that’s a great tragedy.”
Concluding his candid thoughts, Farrell explained that “I’m fascinated with pain,” because “every single act of aggression or violence has its root in pain that has become personalized.”
