Sydney Sweeney Calls Her Acting Style “Kind of Psychotic”

Sydney Sweeney might cry on cue like a pro, but don’t expect her to stay in character between takes — she’s not that kind of actor. The Echo Valley star stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 5, where she gave a somewhat hilarious peek into her whirlwind acting process.

When Jimmy asked if she likes to hide away in her trailer to prepare for emotional scenes, Sydney, 27, said that that is not the case. “I, like, jump in and out. It’s kind of psychotic,” she said.

Jimmy went on, “Like you’re happy and fun and then…”

“…And then they say ‘Action!’ and then I’m screaming and crying,” she finished. “And then they call ‘Cut!’ and I go, ‘What’s wrong?’” The crowd cracked up alongside Jimmy.

But make no mistake, Sydney might joke about it, but her performance in Echo Valley is anything but casual. The upcoming thriller pushed her into some serious emotional territory, especially in scenes with her legendary co-star Julianne Moore.

Sydney considers Julianne “the most incredible human being,” as she added that the actress is “kind and fun, and just amazing to work with. The only problem? Their characters don’t exactly get along.

In Echo Valley, Julianne plays Kate, a mother who’s desperately trying to connect with her troubled daughter Claire, played by Sydney. Their tense relationship takes a terrifying turn when Claire shows up one night, frantic and covered in blood. As Kate races to uncover the truth, she’s forced to face how far a mother will go to protect her child.

So what was it like going toe-to-toe with Julianne in those explosive arguments? “I felt so bad,” Sydney admitted. “‘Cause I am…I’m vicious. I’m really vicious.”

The film, which also stars Domhnall Gleeson, Kyle MacLachlan, Fiona Shaw, Edmund Donovan, and Albert Jones, is directed by BAFTA-winner Michael Pearce and written by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby.