Since the release of his mega-hit, Twilight, Hollywood has been on a quest to cast Rob Pattinson in as many films as possible. The 24 year old Scottish actor now has a string of successful films under his belt including the upcoming Cosmopolis, and the acclaimed Somewhere Only We Know. With such a successful run of films, it’s no surprise that so many big-budgeted Hollywood blockbusters were put on hold while they waited for his next role. Here, we examine his best and worst performances as well as rank his movies from worst to best.
Rob Pattinson: His Best Performances
Rob Pattinson made his movie debut as Edward Cullen in the 2009 blockbuster, Twilight. The handsome Scottish actor stole the show as the brooding vampire, earning rave reviews for his portrayal and becoming one of the most popular on-screen pairings of the year. Since then, he has gone on to appear in five more Twilight films as well as the franchise’s 2017 spin-off, New Moon. His other film credits include The Expendables 2, Olympus Has Fallen, and the Divergent series.
Despite his undeniable screen appeal, it’s fair to say that Rob isn’t one to rely on his looks as his acting talent is quite exceptional. Here, we’re going to run down his best and worst performances as well as rank his movies from worst to best.
1. Twilight (2009)
It’s fair to say that Rob’s debut performance in Twilight was a bit of a letdown. The action-adventure film that catapulted him to fame was a massive money-spinner, and a commercial and critical success. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, where werewolves and vampires live side by side, Twilight was an instant sensation when it was first released around the world. The film follows Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a sixteen-year-old human who lives in Forks, Washington with her mother, father, and little sister, Alice. One day, while on her way to school, Bella discovers that she is capable of seeing more than most people, and that she has the ability to talk to animals. When a mysterious young man named Jacob (Taylor Lautner) offers her a ride, she accepts, and that’s when her world is turned upside down. The following chapters of Bella’s life see her take on the roles of both vampire and werewolf, as she tries to deal with the dangerous creatures who are out to get her. Rob’s turn as the vampire Edward Cullen is arguably his best performance to date, as he displays an emotional range that the role demands. It’s fair to say that Rob’s portrayal of the brooding, romantic vampire has become the epitome of the dark, seducer archetype.
2. The Expendables 2 (2010)
Not content with one film, Hollywood quickly moved on to work with Rob again, this time for The Expendables 2. The ultra-violent gangster movie is a favorite of mine, as it boasts a wonderful ensemble cast led by Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Set in the 1980s, The Expendables 2 sees Stallone’s character, Barney Ross, hire a team of elite mercenaries to track down and assassinate members of the elite El Salvadorean gangster organization, The Gatling Gun. The team that Ross assembles is made up of some of the most famous faces in action film history, including Steve Buscemi, Talia Shire, Eric Bana, and Mickey Rourke. The movie was a major financial success, and expanded the world of The Expendables franchise. When it comes to the legendary lineup of mercenaries that Ross recruits, Rob’s performance as Bob Ritchie is a truly memorable one.
3. Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
The fourth collaboration between Rob and director Antoine Fuqua sees the famous action movie icon Michael Douglas returning as retired US President James Sawyer. The film takes place several weeks after the 2012 London Olympics, where Douglas’s character was the victim of a deadly coup d’état. Now, he enlists the help of the new French Prime Minister, Laurent Binet (Gerard Butler), who has just taken office, in order to retrieve a stash of sensitive files that were stolen during the attempted assassination. In the ensuing battle that ensues, Douglas’s character is nearly killed when a grenade is thrown into the White House. The scene where the terrorist attempts to throw the grenade and his body reacts as he throws it is one of the most dramatic and terrifying in recent cinematic history. Rob’s performance as the terrified Secret Service agent, Owen Steele, is a tour-de-force, as is the entire film. It’s fair to say that this is one of the actor’s best performances to date.
4. Somewhere Only We Know (2014)
The final collaboration between Rob and Fuqua sees the famous action movie icon Val Kilmer returning as secret agent Jim McLeod. The film is set in a future where human consciousness is digitized and stored in a database called EGOR (Electronic Grandchild Orbiting Remotely). When a hostile takeover of the company that runs the database is staged by the wicked step-sister of the main character, FBI agent Jim McLeod is enlisted to save the day. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned good reviews from critics who felt that kilmer’s brilliant performance helped carry the film. At the end of the day, though, it’s Rob’s screenplay that shines through the role of Jim McLeod.
5. Neighbors (2015)
Neighbors is another critically-acclaimed hit from Rob and director Daniel Pyne. The movie follows a socially awkward guy named Adam (played by Zac Efron), who seeks connection with the neighbors across the street, played by Rosemary Parkerson, Will Ferrell, and John Malkovich. In one of the film’s most famous scenes, Ferrell’s character, Carl, takes advantage of Adam’s awkwardness and pretends to be hit by a bus, prompting a heartwarming chain reaction that sees everyone from Adam’s apartment building come to help. It’s a touching scene that sees Adam gain the trust of his new neighbors, and earns him a place in their Christmas party. Rob’s portrayal of Adam, a mild-mannered guy who seeks social interaction is both endearing and humorous.
Perhaps the most memorable scene in Neighbors sees Adam approach the neighbors’ apartment building with a pizza, only to discover that they’re all out of food. When he tries to leave, the neighbors try to prevent him from leaving, saying that he’ll bring them pizza at another time. The movie is full of funny moments, but it’s also poignant and touching. When the actor was promoting the film on Conan O’Brien’s talk show, he described how much he enjoyed filming the scene where Carl pretends to be hit by a car, and how he cried after shooting it. The comedy of Neighbors is inspired by real-life incidents, but it never feels mean-spirited. When Zac Efron’s character pretends to be a pizza delivery man and drops off pizza for the neighbors, you don’t feel like he’s being mean; you feel like he’s being silly. It’s this sort of self-aware silliness that makes the film so endearing.
Overall, the range and depth of Rob’s performances is astonishing, and it’s clear that he is a true master at his craft. His comedic timing is exceptional, and he displays an emotional depth that is genuinely moving. For fans of classical cinema, it’s fair to say that he hasn’t done a bad job either. As well as being a top-notch actor, Rob is also a writer, director, and producer. All of his films are available to stream on Netflix. If you’re looking for a new drama to binge-watch, check out one of his films. You’re sure to enjoy yourself.