(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Antonio Banderas says that wife Melanie Griffith thought he was acting "weird" while filming his newest thriller.

Antonio portrays Dr. Robert Ledgard in Spanish director Pedro Almodvar's recent film The Skin I Live In. The movie is based on French novelist Thierry Jonquet's book Tarantula. It follows a deranged surgeon who embarks on a quest to create synthetic skin.

Antonio admits that this role was an all-consuming experience.

"When Melanie watched the movie in Toronto, something interesting happened," Antonio said at Wednesday's New York Film Festival premiere in New York City. "That night, when we got to the hotel, she was just looking at me weird ... and she said to me, 'Now I understand why you acted like that the last three months of your life!' "

Melanie believed that remnants of Dr. Ledgard's lunacy were noticeable in her husband while he was filming. Antonio admits that Melanie's observations were accurate.

"I said, 'What are you talking about?' She said, 'Yeah, you still have some remains of the character inside you.' Which, in a certain way is true ... It was so intense. It was so difficult," Antonio recalled to People.

The movie is so extreme that Antonio will not allow the couple's 15-year-old daughter Stella watch it.

"To the kids, some of them are not of the age, not only to introduce the characters to them, but not even to really watch the movie," Antonio explained.

Overall, Antonio is content with playing a psychopath. The role inspired him.

"At this particular time in my life, I needed that."

The Skin I Live In premiered in the US on October 12. (C) Cover Media