Netflix is the TV streaming service that keeps on giving. While the platform mostly focuses on movies, it still offers a large selection of TV shows, many of which are addictive. If you’re a fan of Robert Pattinson or just want to follow his celebrity life, then you can easily find all of his movies on Netflix. In case you missed some of his previous roles, here’s a complete list of his movies on Netflix as of May 2020.
High Life
If you’ve never heard of High Life, then you probably haven’t been paying close attention to popular culture in the last few years. It’s a Netflix movie that was released in January 2019 and stars Robert Pattinson as a private detective in 1930s London who helps a nightclub owner’s wife find her missing husband. The movie is based on the real-life crime novel of the same name by George Smiley and it’s one of the most anticipated movies of the year. While the Netflix series Gypsy hasn’t been announced yet, it’s presumably based on the 2006 movie of the same name starring Natalie Portman (who also directed it).
Just Friends
A co-production between Netflix and DreamWorks, Just Friends is a romantic comedy-drama that was released in December 2019. It’s the story of two star-crossed lovers who meet while taking refuge in a castle after World War II. Chiara (Amanda Seyfried) is an art restorer who hides her sexuality from her conservative family; Luce (Robert Pattinson) is a photographer who was banned from taking pictures for 10 years because of his sexuality. The two characters find solace and comfort in each other’s company and eventually fall in love, but their fates are ultimately sealed by an accident that leaves Luce penniless. Despite its serious subject matter, the film is actually quite a comedic relief considering the large ensemble cast. While Luce is certainly a tragic figure, the film’s humor comes from his naiveté and the fact that he doesn’t seem to see the world the same way most people do. For example, when Chiara’s father (Peter Sarsgaard) confronts Luce about his homosexuality, the latter responds by challenging him to a duel to the death:
“You’re either gay or you’re not. If you’re not, then you should try being straight – it’s what the majority want. It makes things simpler.”
To which Sarsgaard’s character responds:
“Do you know who the majority are? They’re not you. Not even close.”
Luce’s wisecracks and general romantic naivety serve as great counterpoints to Chiara’s more experienced pragmatism. Together, their differences form an interesting dynamic – one that’s clearly defined by the creators as a battle of intellects and a test of wills. Ultimately, neither Chiara nor Luce are willing to give up their individual natures to be together, but they have to because life keeps on throwing obstacles in their path.
The Laundromat
One of the most anticipated films of the year is The Laundromat, which stars Robert Pattinson as a high school English teacher who discovers a dark secret behind his school’s annual spelling bee. The film centers around a school competition that’s been turned into a bloodsport by the administration and, specifically, by Hank (Pattinson), the gym teacher whose sport has devolved into a way of humiliating the students. As the story unfolds, it turns out that almost everyone in Hank’s school has participated in this “sport” – even the students themselves. It’s a powerful statement about the toxicity of competition:
“I think we’re all guilty of participating in competitions that have some dark side. It’s not always about winning or losing, but it is about proving yourself to be better than someone else. It’s about feeling superior.”
The Laundromat is known for being one of the first Netflix movies to be released with Dolby Theatre movie mode – something that’s exclusive to Netflix at the time. It was also the first Netflix movie to be filmed in 48k resolution – with the rest following suit. Another interesting tidbit is that the movie was initially scheduled for a December 2018 release, but was pushed back to January 2019 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. It’s ironic that one of the few films that got released in December was one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Not much more is known about The Laundromat, aside from the fact that it will almost certainly be released on Netflix in the near future.
Cosmo
Another Netflix movie that’s been highly anticipated is Cosmo, which was released in May 2019. Based on the Marvel comic of the same name, it tells the story of a man named Will (Taron Egerton) who discovers that he’s actually the son of an alien from the planet Kronos. Due to some genetic tinkering, Will grew up believing that he was born a woman named Sylvia, but he was actually conceived in a lab. Since his birth, Will has been the subject of medical experiments that have given him superhuman abilities. He eventually learns the truth about his past and decides to embrace his true identity as a man. What’s interesting is that Will is played by British actor Taron Egerton, best known for his role in the blockbuster movies Kingsman: The Secret Service and Blockbuster movie version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Even though he plays a man, Will still has a very feminine quality about him – especially when he dresses up as a woman. You’d think that playing a character with masculine roots would be a hindrance, but in fact it’s a bonus, since audiences can more easily relate to him as a man.
It was announced in March 2020 that Netflix will be adapting the popular British TV series, Thicker than Water, for their platform. The show follows Emmett (Brandon Flynn), a young man who discovers that he has a gift for making animals stronger. Unfortunately, his power comes at a price as he is despised by both humans and animals alike. It’s pretty cool that Netflix is taking a chance on such an unusual and intriguing show, especially since they’ve never done anything like it before. The show also stars Emmett’s mom, Jean (Judith Gardener), a renowned naturalist who is trying to teach her son to appreciate the animals’ perspective. If you’ve never heard of Thicker than Water, then you might wonder what attracted Netflix to it in the first place – other than the prospect of working with Brandon Flynn again. Even though Flynn is set to repeat his role, viewers will remember his performance as Emmett, whose arc involves him discovering his true identity and standing up for those who can’t defend themselves – even if that means taking on a group of men by himself. Thicker Than Water is an interesting exploration of nature versus nurture – how a person’s genetic makeup influences their behavior and how much of it is determined by their surroundings and personal experiences. The show also raises questions about free will and determinism, which are two closely-linked but nevertheless distinct philosophical concepts that challenge those who believe that everything is pre-ordained and that we have no control over our actions – a popular view in some religious communities.
Speaking of philosophical concepts, the character of Erik, the alien from the planet Kronos, was inspired by an illustration in the Marvel comic, Death of Wolverine. The illustration, which was done by Chris Bachalo, depicts Erik, after he’s been shot in the chest by the Wolverine.
“The bullet went straight through,” says Erik, referring to a scene that will be familiar to anyone who’s read the Marvel comic. “I felt no pain. It must have hit an artery or a lung. I could feel my heart beating but I couldn’t feel any discomfort in my body. It was like I had stopped living and become a thing.”
The scene will be difficult to adapt for the screen, since it doesn’t fit the PG-13 movie rating. It’s unclear whether or not this will affect the final cut of the movie, which hasn’t been released yet. What is clear is that the scene will be difficult for many viewers to watch – especially since it references a scene from one of the most shocking and violent comics of all time. The scene will also likely require some form of emotional restraint from those who’ve watched the comics – or read them – before the movie. In the comics, Erik’s unusual ability is discovered by Will but it’s not made clear how he ultimately comes to realize that he’s really from another planet. The scene in the Netflix adaptation that references this moment is a scene in which Will first sees Erik and believes that he’s come across another humanoid. It’s an extraordinary scene that will undoubtedly be very memorable for those who see it – as well as those who read the comics. This scene, along with several others, was cut from the theatrical version of Death of Wolverine but it was restored for the DVD and Netflix versions.