What’s Cillian Murphy’s Myers-Briggs® and Enneagram Kind?

Cillian Murphy isn’t your typical Hollywood actor. He’s recognized for his quiet depth and enigmatic presence each on and off the display. If you dive into his interviews and the roles he takes on, it’s clear that there’s much more beneath the floor. Via the lenses of the Myers-Briggs® and Enneagram methods, we are able to achieve a deeper understanding of what makes Murphy tick and the way he approaches his craft.

Undecided what your character sort is? You possibly can take our in-depth character questionnaire right here. Or, for those who’d choose, you possibly can go for the official MBTI® take a look at right here.

What’s Cillian Murphy’s Myers-Briggs® and Enneagram Kind?

Estimated studying time: 11 minutes

Introversion (I): Embracing Privateness

One of the crucial defining traits of Murphy’s character is his introversion (as you possibly can see within the YouTube video above). He’s famously reticent about his private life, actively avoiding the highlight when he’s not working. Not like many actors, Murphy doesn’t see himself as a celeb. In a single interview, he mentioned, “If you happen to behave like a celeb, then folks will deal with you want a celeb, and for those who don’t, they received’t.” He has little interest in airing his private life for all of the world to see. He’s protecting of his relationships, his emotions, his private views.

Introverts have a higher want for alone time to recharge after spending time with folks. Matt Damon famously mentioned that “Cillian Murphy didn’t be part of ‘Oppenheimer’ forged dinners as a result of ‘his mind was simply too full.’ In a 2016 look on Eire’s “The Late Late Present,” he shared his technique for getting out of undesirable conversations: “The extra boring you might be in actual life, the much less individuals are fascinated about you, so I inform folks I’ve an awfully boring life, nevertheless it’s really extremely thrilling,” he advised the host.

And a sure professor of psychology agrees with Murphy’s alignment with introversion. “Cillian speaking about fronting that he has a boring life whereas figuring out for himself that his life is kind of the alternative, that’s the introvert paradox in a nutshell,” acknowledged Laurie Helgoe, an affiliate professor of psychology at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and the creator of “Introvert Energy: Why Your Interior Life Is Your Hidden Power.”

Helgoe defined that introverts should lead this in-and-out type of life, “incubating and exhibiting after which pulling again to relaxation and collect our ‘provides’ once more.”

Murphy has spoken brazenly about how a lot he dislikes the promotional aspect of appearing. He’s significantly essential of the discuss present circuit: “I don’t perceive why I needs to be scintillating on a chat present. I don’t know why swiftly that’s anticipated of me.” For Murphy, fame and social interplay are by-products of his work, not the main target. He stays cautious, indifferent, explicit about what he’s going to disclose. He’s sensible and useful, however you get a way he desires to permit solely a specific amount of the private expertise into the general public realm. Each second interview you hear him described as a “personal particular person”.

Instinct (N): Deep Character Exploration

INTJs are recognized for his or her Introverted Instinct (Ni), which permits them to see past the current and grasp summary ideas and future prospects. That is evident in Murphy’s strategy to his roles. He typically immerses himself within the character’s psyche, digging deep into their motivations and inside conflicts. When making ready for roles, Murphy doesn’t simply be taught strains—he research the complete psychology of his characters.

Introverted Instinct, the type of Instinct that Murphy makes use of, is targeted on stepping into one other’s perspective to achieve insights and make predictions. “Because the Views Driver (Introverted Intuitive dominant) watches its personal thoughts kind patterns, it builds the ability of detaching from its personal perspective. On this indifferent area, it turns into straightforward to leap into the views of others” states Joel Mark-Witt and Antonia Dodge, the founders of the well-known character podcast Character Hacker.

Take his portrayal of Oppenheimer, for instance. Murphy didn’t simply concentrate on mimicking the bodily look of the well-known physicist; he wished to know the moral dilemmas Oppenheimer confronted. As Murphy mentioned, “He was dancing between the raindrops morally. He was advanced, contradictory, polymathic; extremely enticing intellectually and charismatic, however finally unknowable.” His fascination with advanced, morally ambiguous characters suits completely with the INTJ’s have to discover all angles of a scenario or particular person, significantly the much less apparent or much less explored sides.

“You could be as clear of a slate as you could be, as an actor. You must attempt to be open to each expertise” Murphy as soon as acknowledged, referring to how he can’t imbue his personal life expertise onto a personality’s story. He should be open to that character’s perspective and lifestyle. This similar means to perspective-shift reveals up in Cillian’s view in the direction of film villains. “Villains are good in the event that they’re properly written, but when it’s one be aware or a trope, then they’re uninteresting.” He likes a script to stretch daringly into all corners of the human situation, “all of the shades.”

Introverted Instinct additionally has a future focus reasonably than a previous focus. Reasonably than revisiting patterns and habits from the previous, introverted intuitives at all times wish to attain into uncharted, new territory. This propensity reveals up with Cillian’s want to tackle new challenges and do issues he’s by no means accomplished earlier than. “I strive to not assume retrospectively,” he acknowledged. “It’s essential, as an artist, to look ahead, at all times. I do attempt to take work that entails some problem. If you happen to strategy a bit of labor and also you’re going, “Yeah, yeah, I can do this,” then that’s type of a crimson flag.”

I thought-about ISTJ for Murphy for some time, however this quote from him made me lean extra in the direction of Instinct. An introverted sensing sort can be extra more likely to revisit the previous, imbue their very own private expertise into the character’s story, or comply with a repeatable sample. Introverted Intuitives, in distinction, have a powerful distaste for this. They abhor doing what’s been accomplished earlier than, feeling bored and stressed in the event that they’re not difficult new frontiers.

“My solely two constants are to problem myself and to strive to not repeat myself.” – Cillian Murphy

The quote above actually isn’t the quote of an ISTJ. That is much more apt to be the attitude of an Intuitive sort.

Considering (T): Indifferent Evaluation

Murphy’s Considering (T) desire reveals up in his interviews and interactions with others. He holds again his private emotions, preferring to maintain them personal. Whereas he doesn’t thoughts, and even enjoys, speaking in regards to the work, the craft, the method, he holds all his emotional insights again. He doesn’t reveal his private emotions or discuss his relationships; it’s at all times in regards to the work.

INTJs have a tendency to indicate the world their considering aspect; the aspect that analyzes concepts logically, focuses on effectiveness, objectivity, and targets. However they preserve their introverted feeling aspect personal. How they really feel is for them, not for others. The thought of sharing their emotions, particularly with folks they don’t know, is anathema to them.

“I’ve at all times felt that the much less the general public is aware of about you, the simpler you could be once you go to painting another person.” – Cillian Murphy

“It’s a humorous factor speaking to Murphy. He’s without delay garrulous (on the craft, or literature, or concepts) and reticent (just about anything). I sense in earlier interviews that he skates over points near his coronary heart – such because the expression of emotion in Eire and the necessity to train empathy in faculties. However when I attempt to drill in to those subjects, get to the basis, he clams shut, emitting power like a nuclear reactor.” – Charlotte Edwards, Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer

At one level I thought-about ISFP for Murphy, as a result of he has a transparent curiosity within the many shades of grey {that a} character experiences emotionally. He craves emotional depth and authenticity. However Introverted Feeling dominant varieties virtually can’t assist however communicate out their private emotions. It’s such part of who they’re to have robust convictions and passions that it’s tough for them to reign them in for extended intervals. This doesn’t imply they go round relaying all their emotions in actual time. ISFPs particularly are famously quiet and reserved. However having to do hours and hours of interviews day-after-day would definitely be a very long time for an Introverted Feeling dominant sort to withhold all their private emotions and discuss merely in regards to the craft, the method, and the technical parts of a film reasonably than extra private, value-laden info.

As an INTJ, Cillian Murphy does have an Introverted Feeling aspect. Introverted Feeling can be his tertiary perform, so one thing that he values and finds aid in. However it’s not what he reveals the world. As an INTJ he can be particularly protecting of his tertiary perform, as a result of it has an virtually childlike vulnerability to it. You’ll find out extra about the INTJ’s perform stack right here.

Judging (J): Self-discipline and Construction

Murphy’s roles require an immense quantity of self-discipline, and that is the place his Judging (J) perform shines. Whether or not it’s bodily reworking himself for a job or spending weeks researching a personality’s background, Murphy approaches every undertaking with a structured and methodical mindset. When taking part in Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, he adopted a strict exercise routine to embody the powerful, bodily imposing chief of the Shelby household. For Oppenheimer, he drastically slimmed down, even consuming as little as “one almond a day,” based on co-star Emily Blunt.

This degree of dedication is typical of INTJs, preferring order and management of their setting. They thrive on planning and executing duties in a structured method. As Murphy himself put it, “I don’t wish to put something out that I don’t assume is great.” This perfectionism is widespread amongst INTJs, who typically push themselves to fulfill impossibly excessive requirements.

Enneagram Kind: 5 – The Investigator

Cillian Murphy’s character additionally aligns properly with Enneagram Kind 5, the “Investigator.” Kind 5s are outlined by their thirst for data, independence, and want for privateness. They’re always looking for to know the world round them in a deep, significant method.

Primary Worry: Overwhelm and Incompetence

On the core of Kind 5 is the concern of being overwhelmed—whether or not by folks, obligations, or feelings. Murphy’s desire for privateness and his selective strategy to public appearances replicate this concern. He retains his private life out of the tabloids and shies away from the movie star way of life. When discussing his relationship with the media, Murphy mentioned, “I’ve at all times felt that the much less the general public is aware of about you, the simpler you could be once you go to painting another person.” This want for privateness is a trademark of Kind 5s, who preserve their power by withdrawing from social conditions and specializing in their inside world.

There’s additionally a relentless concern of incompetence with the sort 5. Despite the fact that they focus a lot on mastery, they fear that they’re by no means going to know “sufficient.” “I’m cussed and missing in confidence,” Murphy as soon as mentioned, “which is a horrible mixture. I don’t wish to put something out that I don’t assume is great.” This drive for excellence, competence, and mastery is a transparent signal of an Enneagram 5 sort.

Primary Need: Competence and Mastery

I do know we simply touched on this within the final phase, however Murphy’s drive for mastery is a transparent trait of Kind 5. He’s recognized for his intense preparation for roles, typically diving deep into analysis and coaching to make sure that he embodies his characters as authentically as potential. Whether or not it’s learning drag tradition for Breakfast on Pluto or studying the mannerisms of a theoretical physicist for Oppenheimer, Murphy’s dedication to competence is unwavering. As he mentioned, “If one thing’s not a problem, there’s no level doing it since you’re not going to be taught a lot.” This displays the Kind 5’s have to really feel succesful and self-sufficient of their endeavors.

Withholding Power: Centered Minimalism

Kind 5s are recognized for conserving their power and solely expending it on issues that really matter to them. Murphy exemplifies this trait in each his private {and professional} life. He as soon as remarked, “My life may be very easy. I learn loads of books. I watch loads of motion pictures. Take heed to loads of music. Stroll the canine. Prepare dinner. Be with my household.” Murphy’s concentrate on simplicity and avoiding the excesses of fame displays the minimalist way of life typically favored by Kind 5s. Reasonably than spreading himself skinny, he focuses his power on the issues that convey him essentially the most satisfaction—his household, his work, and his mental pursuits.

A Fixed Seek for Understanding

As a Kind 5, Murphy’s relentless curiosity is clear in his strategy to appearing. He typically seeks out roles that problem him intellectually and emotionally. “For me, drama is battle. I’m not fascinated about an excellent man’s life. I’m fascinated about contradiction. I’m fascinated about stress, I’m fascinated about duress,” Murphy as soon as mentioned. His fascination with characters who function beneath excessive stress displays the Kind 5’s want to discover and perceive the complexities of human nature.

Fives typically detach emotionally as a way to observe and analyze the world round them with readability. This detachment permits them to delve deeply into their work, as Murphy does along with his characters. He’s not afraid to deal with tough roles that require a deep understanding of the human situation, even when it means quickly disconnecting from his personal feelings to take action.

What Do You Assume?

Do you agree with my evaluation of Cillian Murphy’s character sort? I’d love to listen to your perspective! Tell us what you assume within the feedback! And for those who’d like to seek out out extra about INTJs, make sure to take a look at my e book: The INTJ: Understanding the Strategist.

Different INTJ Articles You May Take pleasure in:

27 Indicators That You’re an INTJ, the Strategist Character Kind

The Childhood Struggles of INTJs

10 Issues You Crave Each Day as an INTJ Character Kind

References:

Why Introverts Have Made Cillian Murphy Their Patron Meme Saint

Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer and Self-Doubt

Character Hacker: Harness the Energy of your character sort to rework your work, relationship, and life by Joel Mark Witt and Antonia Dodge (Ulysses Press, 2018)

The Knowledge of the Enneagram: The Full Information to Psychological and Religious Development for the 9 Character Sorts by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson (Bantam Books, 1999)