Still here
Method acting – when the actor adopts the lifestyle, physical appearance and habits of the character he’s portraying – is a popular method for perfecting a role. However, Phoenix tends to take method acting to the next level, which is perhaps part of what makes him an accomplished actor.
In an interview, he shared that when preparing for a role, Phoenix abandons his life completely; he disconnects all ties with friends and family, he abandons his wardrobe, his daily habits, and everything that defines him. One example when Phoenix took method acting to a level where he was almost unrecognizable, was in 2009, preparing for the role of a rapper for the mockumentary I’m Still Here.