Few stars are as in demand today as Edward Pattinson. The 31-year-old British actor has been in the public eye since he first landed on our radar in 2009, when he starred in the psychological horror film Coraline. Since then, he’s appeared in acclaimed films such as The Dark Knight Rises, The Great Gatsby, and Alien: Covenant, the latter of which he also co-wrote. He has also lent his voice to a number of animated movies, including the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, where he plays Raphael.
The talented actor has remained consistent throughout his career. His versatility has enabled him to play multiple roles within the same movie, and although he may venture into characterful performances more often than not, he still tends to gravitate toward the more serious end of the spectrum. In the same way the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once quipped, “The trouble with most people is that they think too much,” we can say that Edward Pattinson spends too much time thinking about his craft, rather than just letting it flow naturally. As a result, while his colleagues are out having fun, he’s often found in his trailer, polishing his dialogue or perfecting his accent. Although this work ethic undoubtedly helps him land big-budget feature films, it also likely keeps him away from the camera more often than not.
Regardless, with a truly amazing career thus far, and roles in some of the most memorable films of the last four years, it’s fair to say that 2019 will be the year of Edward Pattinson. The actor has already started the new year on a high, landing the lead role of Jack Taylor in the upcoming biopic Breaking: New Life at Sea, based on the adventures of the sea explorer. He will also star alongside Daisy Ridley in the crime thriller The Wild Goose, and will have a small part in the Marvel Studios superhero ensemble film Shang-Chi, along with Hugh Jackman and Zazie Beetz. He is currently in production on the indie drama A Small Payment, with Sienna Miller and Olga Kurylenko, and the fantasy-thriller Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantulinu. All three of these projects will premiere later this year.
The Rising Star
If there’s one person who has made the most of a relatively unknown status, it’s been Edward. While many other actors would have rested on their laurels after starring in such high-profile films, he has instead continued to find roles, often playing characters who are multi-dimensional and challenging. He has also used this platform to speak out about important social issues, most notably regarding the state of mental health in the U.K. As anyone who has watched him on screen knows, Edward possesses a magnetic personality, and a screen presence that is both commanding and charming. What’s more is the fact that he has proven himself time and time again, often landing on top of our annual Best Actor listings.
Branding Himself As An Ambassador For Mental Health
The U.K. has a well-deserved reputation for having the highest rate of mental health issues in Europe. According to the British Ministry of Health, one in four adults will experience some form of mental health issue during their lifetimes. Furthermore, young people are also disproportionately affected, with one in six experiencing some kind of mental health problem. This rate is more than double that of adults in general, and it’s something that Edward has worked hard to raise awareness of. In 2018, for example, he lent his voice to a campaign by U.K.-based mental health charity Mind, where he voiced the character of Lucas. In this campaign, Lucas’ story is told through photos and videos, providing an insight into the life of a person with mental health problems.
The videos show how Lucas’ everyday life is affected by his mental illness. He may struggle with basic actions, such as holding a knife and fork correctly, or remembering to take his medication. The videos make it very relatable for viewers because we, as an audience, can understand what is going on, even if we don’t have mental health problems ourselves. Through these videos, we see how people with mental illness can still live full, happy lives, and that it is possible to thrive despite having this problem.
A Role Model For Young People
The rising star has been open about the effects of his illness on his life, and has used this platform to advocate for greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. Even more remarkably, he has spoken about how his own experiences have helped him become an agent for change, and a positive role model for young people.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Edward discussed the rise of antisocial behavioral issues among young people, which he attributes, in part, to the increasing isolation that people experience as a result of the pandemic. He stated:
“I think in the last two years, we’ve noticed a rise in the number of young people who aren’t connecting with other people, who are finding it hard to trust or like social situations. And that’s really sad because we need people in our lives. We need people who will accept us for the people we are, and not just the people we represent or pretend to be. It’s a tough time for everybody, but I really think it’s a tough time for young people especially, because they need people to look up to. They need people who will show them that it’s okay to not be perfect, that it’s okay to struggle, and that they can rely on somebody. All of us, at some point, will experience mental health issues, and I think it’s important that we learn to rely on one another, and not be afraid to admit that we need help.”
The Dark Knight Rises
One of the most remarkable things about The Dark Knight Rises is how it managed to bridge the vast audience who saw the first Dark Knight movie 20 years ago, with a completely new generation. Set years after the events of the first film, the new installment sees Batman protecting a city that had largely moved on and forgot about the Dark Knight. The opening sequence, which sees the Caped Crusader breaking into the talking-head interviews that were a defining part of Nolan’s previous films, was an instant classic, and helped to set the tone for an incredible final act, which saw Batman fight against the minions of Bane, before saving the city once more.
It’s safe to say that Nolan, the master of the long-take, has not abandoned this incredible filmmaking technique, and it forms the spine of his latest movie, Tenet. In this biopic about the life of a public defender in Florida, the director takes us on a grand tour of his home state, as a way of getting to know his characters. While this could have easily been a one-sided account of a trial lawyer’s life, Nolan intercuts interviews with dramatizations of important court cases, providing an insight into the criminal justice system, and the stresses that it places on the individuals who work within it. It is a stark reminder of the many faces of justice, and the toll that it takes on those who pursue it, to the point of obsession.
Batman has always been an outsider. While most of the other superheroes emerge from an ordered society, where they are considered valuable members, Batman’s rogue persona, and the darkness that he represents, is a constant source of unease and discomfort for those who witness and/or experience it. Much like the real-life individuals and communities that he protects, Batman’s struggles provide an example of what social activism is like in practice: non-confrontational, and aimed at changing society from the inside. He may not save the world, as some of the other heroes are capable of doing, but he certainly influences and impacts those around him, and that, in and of itself, is a significant achievement.
Breaking: New Life at Sea
Edward’s first starring role in a feature film was in the independent psychological thriller Coraline, which he co-wrote and co-produced. It was the success of this film, coupled with his starring role in the horror movie Revival, that firmly established him in the public eye. He followed this up with a starring role in the acclaimed crime drama The Guard, and went on to appear in the acclaimed horror series Twin Peaks, and the science-fiction hit Jupiter Ascending. Most recently, he starred in the big-budget action movie The Dark Knight Rises, and will soon be seen as one of the leads in the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. This is a truly incredible track record, and one that has cemented Edward’s position as one of the most in-demand actors of our time.