Widely considered to be one of the best young actors working today, Timothée Chalamet has it all: a striking, angular face, undeniable talent, and an impressive resume for a 24-year-old. As one of the leading contenders for the coveted role of a young Peter Parker in the MCU, Chalamet's trajectory could have been greatly altered should he had won over Tom Holland.
Although he lost the part, the Oscar-nominee has since taken on some of the most interesting roles and carved himself a niche as a tour-de-force, capable of towering over co-stars Armie Hammer, Steve Carrell and Sean Harris. Soon to star in the highly anticipated Dune, Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch and even in a biopic, as Bob Dylan, here are the 10 best roles of Timothée Chalamet.
10 Miss Stevens (2016) - 6.6/10
The coming-of-age theme is common in Chalamet's films. Although many films on this list can claim this characteristic, Miss Stevens functions most closely as a traditional story of growing up.
Following a teacher struggling with self-confidence in the midst of a breakup, the titular character (played by Lily Rabe) chaperones three high school students to a drama competition. The most troublesome student is Billy (Chalamet), and the role is notably more impressive than that of the other young actors. Interstellar might have earned Chalament his role in Miss Stevens, but this film earned him starring roles in Lady Bird and Call Me By Your Name.
9 A Rainy Day In New York (2019) - 6.6/10
This controversial film, starring Chalamet, Selena Gomez and Elle Fanning, was filmed in 2017 but shelved due to sexual assault allegations against director Woody Allen. He filed a $68 million lawsuit against distributor Amazon and A Rainy Day in New York was eventually released in 2019 to mixed responses. However, most of its success is attributed to the work of its three costars, most notably Chalamet's performance.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that he "does a terrific job channeling your typical Allenian antihero: a neurotic, scrawny, clever and critical New Yorker who’s also quite the charmer." Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the film's production, A Rainy Day in New York was clearly a stepping stone for Chalamet to roles like Dune.
8 Men, Women & Children (2014) - 6.7
Jason Reitman, director of the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife, is fascinated with relationships and what makes people tick. His films always take brutally honest looks at everyday lives, and Men, Women & Children is no different in that regard. But Reitman includes one major twist: how the internet shapes our relationships.
Chalamet was 18 when it was released, and he plays a jock that antagonizes Ansel Elgort's character in a memorable fashion. Although the film failed to be a hit, it led to greater recognition for the young actor and bigger and better roles.
7 Hostiles (2017) - 7.2/10
Arguably the most intense feature Chalamet has participated in, Hostiles is an entry in the filmography of Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Black Mass). Cooper's films are emotional and raw, set in desolate landscapes.
Hostiles is the story of the post-Civil-War western frontier and a former Union soldier Captain Blocker (Christian Bale) tasked with bringing a violent Native American to his prison. Rosamund Pike, Ben Foster, and Wes Studi also star. Chalamet plays Private Philippe DeJardin, a young, fearful, and rambling soldier in Blocker's company of men. Despite the impressive cast, he stands out as the youngest man in the company and meets a memorable end.
6 Beautiful Boy (2018) - 7.3/10
When you take a post-The Office Steve Carrell and have him play the father of a hurting, addicted teenage son, it seems that success is guaranteed. Beautiful Boy is the "true story" of David (Carrell) and Nic Sheff (Chalamet), and the pair of actors were praised for their performances, described as "raw, honest, and unflinching."
In previous years, Carrell received an Oscar nomination for Foxcatcher and Chalamet for Call Me By Your Name. These films that featured stronger production and direction than Beautiful Boy, but the film is still regarding favorably.
5 The King (2019) - 7.3/10
The first true leading-man performance by Chalamet doesn't disappoint. Based on the Shakespearean "Henriad," Chalamet plays the prodigal son of Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn) who is crowned King of England amidst unprecedented circumstances. Despite the often-plodding pace of The King, it is a vehicle that truly exalts the performance of Chalamet.
In past roles, he has been self-doubting, sniveling and arrogant. Here, Chalamet is fierce, physical, and captivating as Hal. The whoring and self-loathing masked in alcoholism is played to perfection. And once he dons his armor to avert political disaster, Chalamet transforms Hal into a truly heroic action star, worthy of his title as Lord of his country.
4 Lady Bird (2017) - 7.4/10
Writer-director Greta Gerwig's debut Lady Bird is based on personal experiences growing up in Sacramento, so it's no surprise to find it equal parts memorable and heartfelt. Saoirse Ronan was catapulted to stardom following her role as the hero, but Chalamet, who plays her pretentious intellectual boyfriend Kyle, isn't hidden in her shadow.
What makes his role so interesting is that Gerwig spends time exploring his psyche and motivation, specifically how deeply they contrast to the priorities of Lady Bird. Come story's end, he's undergone an entire arc of self-discovery that leads to the ultimate demise of their relationship. It's a poignant, humorous and perceptive role Chalamet plays to near perfection.
3 Call Me By Your Name (2017) - 7.9/10
Call Me By Your Name hit theaters a month before Lady Bird, making 2017 the year Timothée Chalamet came out swinging. The film earned him his Oscar nomination for Best Actor, as Elio, and it is the best coming-of-age film on this list.
Opposite the sheer physicality of an actor like Armie Hammer (who plays Elio's love interest, Oliver), Chalamet shines brighter than the Italian sun. Outpacing his costar in the awards-season race cemented even further that the then 21-year old wasn't just a tour-de-force, but a legendary actor in the making.
2 Little Women (2019) - 7.9/10
Returning to star in Gerwig's second directing gig, Chalamet plays Laurie, the love interest of one, and then two, of the March sisters. Chalamet's appearance in Little Women further confirms his uncanny ability to not only perform in fantastic roles, but also entrusting his career to a selection of fantastic directors.
The film further builds on Gerwig's astute insight into the lives of women, capitalizing on the truly timeless components of the classic novel, and this thread also extends to Laurie. Slender yet masculine, Chalamet is convincing as the March sisters' friend, longing for Jo's romantic affection, then later as Meg's lover.
1 Interstellar (2014) - 8.6/10
Despite his brief role in Interstellar as the 15-year-old son of Astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), Chalamet's performance in the sci-fi drama epic is memorable. Christopher Nolan's saga about time, space and love hits the heart, as Cooper embarks on a mission to save humanity.
Because of the time-bending effects of space, Cooper sees his son, Tom (Chalamet) and daughter, Murph (Mackenzie Foy) age at a rate much faster than his own. The weight of their father's mission isn't lost on the children, with both weeping as he explains why he has to go. Sadly, Chalamet's character is somewhat sidelined by the importance of the relationship between Cooper and Murph. But his performance still delivers an emotional gut punch.
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