"Insane," "crazy," "mentally unstable," call it what you want, but some actors have earned their greatest accomplishments by playing these types of characters. Why is that? It's because these characters are the most distinct. They either captivate you or make your skin crawl. Either way, they impact your interpretation of life. Every person who is labeled as "crazy" is usually stereotyped by the same characteristics. However, do they believe that they're crazy?They do not. Maybe they see things that the average person doesn't see. The craziness of these characters doesn't necessarily make them all bad. Maybe it's these characters, not the superheroes or underdogs, who teach us the greatest lessons of all.

8. Own who you are.

Hannibal Lecter, "Silence of the Lambs"

Hannibal Lecter is the most calm and collected out of all of the characters, which makes him all the more dangerous. Not once does he explode or fall into a mental breakdown. He never hesitates and he stands strong in his convictions. He is well aware of who he is and where he stands. In "Silence of the Lambs," he shows his intelligent, friendly side by befriending Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). You become so certain of who he is that you know that he would never harm Clarice. According to Ivana Chubbuck in "The Power of the Actor," "Anthony Hopkins didn't see his character of Hannibal Lecter as a bad man." He saw him "as someone injured by the previous circumstances of his life."

7. Have a backbone.

Carrie, "Carrie"

Carrie wasn't inherently crazy. People drove her crazy, her mother being the main source. She has a harsh, tragic story. People controlled her life, not to mention her mental stability, which ultimately crushed her. She eventually grows a backbone, but not in a good way. Having a backbone can be a bad combination when possessing the power of telekinesis.

6. Develop your boundaries.

The Narrator, "Fight Club"

With one of the most ground-breaking, mind-blowing plots, "Fight Club" fights its way into a position as a classic. Edward Norton does a beautiful job of showing a typical office worker who begins to lose his ground. The moment when he joins the fight club his boundaries begin to collapse, causing his other side to take over.

5. Take a break from work.

Jack Torrance, "The Shining"

Don't be like Jack. Take a break from work. Spend time with your family and friends. Otherwise, you might end up a little too much in your head.

4. Don't always plan everything out.

The Joker, "The Dark Knight"

The best part about the Joker is you never know what to expect from him. He keeps you tapping your foot. Heath Ledger played a perfect interpretation of a character who is completely carefree and spontaneous. If you want to have as much fun as the Joker, then do something spontaneous. Go on a road trip. Visit a museum. Just try not to blow anything up.

3. Stick to your own values.

Norman Bates, "Psycho"

Norman Bates, played by Anthony Perkins, shook the world by being one of the first truly psychotic characters. He marks the line of mentally unstable characters. Instead of letting people decide what your values are or what your personality is (like maybe your mother), form your own and become piously devoted to them.

Patrick Bateman is a rather original insane character. He has a great job, a high income, a great physique, and a luxurious, well-organized place. However, the materialism and stresses of society cause him to deeply reflect on others, which soon results in animosity and violence.

1. Pursuing perfection will only lead to destruction.

Nina, "Black Swan"

Natalie Portman shows off a new side of crazy that no one has ever seen before. It is the story of a young, innocent girl who strives to please everyone and be perfect. Nina loses herself along the way and eventually annihilates herself. If you spend your life trying to be perfect, you will end up on a destructive, restless path. If you aren't already crazy, the pursuit of perfection will gladly carry you there.