2020 has seen Robert Pattinson earn newfound respect in the wake of The Batman trailer and the release of Tenet. In anticipation of his 2021 debut under the cowl, let’s look at his five best movie performances.
If you are reading this, there is a good chance that the whole reason you clicked on this article was because you are still salivating at the trailer DC released for The Batman at DC FanDome. And with good reason. With just a few clips included and even fewer lines of dialogue spewed in the trailer, Robert Pattinson looks mesmerizing as both Batsy and Bruce Wayne.
We are all more than excited to see what he does in the dual role, but we have a year to go before the film hits theaters. But do you need yourself a fix of Pattinson goodness before then because you just can’t wait until 2021? Don’t worry. As you can see from the title, you have come to the right place.
You want to see just how Pattinson’s journey from sparkling vampire to Gotham’s grittiest detective? But with almost two decades of acting under his utility belt, you just don’t know where to begin?
Again, don’t worry. You came to the right place. This list is going to recommend the best of Pattinson by boiling it down to his five best and most essential performances of his young career thus far.
Tenet
Is it a little too soon for Robert Pattinson’s latest picture to weasel its way into his top five performances since it has just come out? Perhaps, but judging from early reviews from fans and critics alike, Pattinson is being cited as a show-stealer.
Regardless of whether viewers loved, hated, or felt indifferent about the film, most can agree that Pattinson is stellar. For example, Catherine Shoard for The Guardian said “Pattinson is never less than watchable. And his affectations can be a welcome distraction.”
And his performance is all the more accentuated by his lovely chemistry with his co-star, John David Washington, that makes you wish they had even more scenes together. As Anna Smith over at Deadline puts it, the two “compete to play rather different James Bonds.” Washington playing up Bond’s natural cool while Pattinson brings out Bond’s natural charm.
It may be just a little too early to tell, but judging by the current rave reviews, we may be looking at Pattinson’s performance in Tenet as an instant fan favorite by the time it hits home video. Just give it some time and it’ll stack up with the very best of Pattinson’s work… or maybe it already has.
High Life
For those not familiar with Claire Denis or her work (first off, go watch Trouble Every Day right now, you won’t regret it), she could be described best as an actor’s favorite director. The way she works with actors is hands-on enough that her films have generated multiple all-time great acting performances from her cast.
Actors line up in droves wanting to work with the Palme d’Or nominee, including Pattinson who hunted her down specifically – and judging by the work he delivers in High Life, the chase paid off. For those not familiar with the sci-fi thriller, it centers on a team of criminals launched into outer space for a do or die mission and must rely on each other to avoid a collision into a black hole. Think Suicide Squad, but in space.
Pattinson does his best to match the melancholic, high stakes tone of the picture and delivers with all of his emotions on full display. Looks like Claire Denis worked her magic again in a way where we hope that this is not the final collaboration between the two. Pattinson’s lead role is a large reason why some hail this as Denis’ best film, which says a lot.
Damsel
Damsel stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, an oafish pioneer on a quest to reunite with and marry the love of his life, played by Mia Wasikowska. The problem standing in the way of their (well, his) “happy ever after”? She doesn’t love him back.
Released in 2018, this was a film that fell somewhat under the radar and without much of an audience to see or speak of the independent picture, it’s already turned into something of a forgotten film. However, it is absolutely essential viewing just to see the versatility that Pattinson wields.
It’s easier to look at the dramatic roles of an actor and recognize the gravitas they bring to the table of an emotional picture, but Damsel is a dark comedy. Comedy is a whole new ball game, and a tough one at that. Pattinson is able to successfully allow himself to be sillier than usual without being over the top or unbelievable.
He gives a genuinely great comedic performance that not only shows how he is capable of excelling in both drama and comedy, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. We love ourselves a versatile jack of all trades, and Pattinson is exactly that.
The Lighthouse
Without giving too much away – because trust us, you are going to want to be surprised for what this one has in store – The Lighthouse comes from the same minds that brought you The Witch in 2015, so that should give you an idea for what to expect from this black and white horror masterpiece.
Oh, and you should know that Willem Dafoe is in this. Yes, the Green Goblin is playing opposite Robert Pattinson in this. We should all know by now what kind of magic Dafoe is capable of as a former Oscar nominee. The tall task comes for Pattinson in trying to match his co-star’s electricity onscreen – something that he absolutely does, which should show exactly how good he is in this.
And remember that versatility we were talking about earlier from Pattinson? Well, The Lighthouse allows him the opportunity to be just as versatile. When he’s not being serious and stoic, or when the material he is given stops being dramatic and scary, there is actually an aspect of dark buddy comedy, believe it or not. And it works.
More importantly, he works when it comes to flipping back and forth between genres for his performance.
Good Time
In his young career, this is the pinnacle of Robert Pattinson’s filmography. If anyone questions Robert Pattinson’s ability to be a good actor or still wants to hold Twilight against him in 2020, show them this movie and it’ll shut them up real quick.
In Good Time, Robert Pattinson plays Connie, a small-time crook who enlists the help of his mentally challenged brother, Nick (played by director Benny Safdie) on a big-time operation. What should’ve been a simple bank heist goes wrong and what should’ve been a simple prison break goes even worse.
All because Connie is a bumbling idiot, but Pattinson plays him with such a verbose fervor that you can’t stop watching him. Even though he’s not the most likable of characters – in fact, there are reasons given in Good Time as to why you might just outright dislike Connie – he feels like such a fully realized character who somehow manages to make you feel completely entrenched in his story.
This is all due to Pattinson’s stellar performance. Even if you can’t stand Connie for his heinous crimes, Pattinson makes him feel real and grimy enough that you’d want to watch to the end to see at least how his story concludes, perhaps hoping he gets his just desserts by the end credits.
Simply put, Robert Pattinson’s performance in Good Time is just that: a good time.
Which of Robert Pattinson’s performances are your favorites? Are you excited to see what he brings to The Batman? Let us know in the comments below!