One of the most captivating and versatile artists of his generation, over the years,Tom Hardyestablished himself as a force to be reckoned with. The British actor has continuously impressed the audience and critics with the intensity of his performances and his ability to immerse himself in different genres. From period crime shows to superhero live-actions,Hardy distinguished himself on TVand on the silver screen.
His substantial work in the cinema, however, is what allowed Hardy to rise to international stardom. Aside from his notorious collaborations with Christopher Nolan, whichstarted with the movieInceptionalmost 15 years ago, in the past decade,the actor has delivered a series of breathtaking performances. With a commanding presence and a penetrating gaze that speaks more than any lengthy dialogue, the British star has shown an impressive range, proving his ability to transform himself into any character he plays.
5Capone (2020)
As Al Capone
Caponemight have received a mixed reception from the critics, who did not appreciate the uneven tone of the film. However,Tom Hardy still delivered an epic performanceas the most famous gangster of Prohibitionism. Unlike the portrayal of Robert De Niro, who is fearsome and brutal, Hardy reveals a different side of the criminal. The movie shows the man behind the legend, as he struggles with health problems. Regardless of the reviews, this was an unusual angle to adopt.
Capone
Cast
Written and directed by Josh Trank, Capone is a Drama and Biography feature film that explores famed mobster Al Capone after he’s captured and sentenced to prison time. Now retired, he begins to experience deep psychological distress and hallucinations. The 2020 release stars Tom Hardy in the lead role.
Portraying the most famous mobster in America is not an easy job. But playing him as a more vulnerable version of what the public knows him as can be even more challenging. Hardy managed to do that. With the role,the actor proved once again his nuanced yet powerful emotional range, capturing the multifaceted nature of a real-life villain.Caponemight not be Hardy’s best crime film ever,but it’s worth a mention.
4The Bikeriders (2023)
As Johnny
Based on 1968 Danny Lyon’s photobook of the same name,The Bikeridersis a crime drama that depicts the lives of a Midwestern motorcycle club, known as the Vandals. The movie is an aesthetically beautiful homage to the gritty atmosphere of the biker subculture in the 1960s.Tom Hardy plays Johnny, the leader of the group. The character and the performance were partially inspired by Marlon Brando’s iconic work as Johnny Stabler inThe Wild One.
The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders is a 2024 drama exploring the turbulent relationship between Kathy and Benny, a member of the Vandals motorcycle club. As the club delves into violence, Benny faces a critical choice between staying with Kathy and his allegiance to the club.
Johnny is a complex character, a family man who wishes to run wild.The role enables Hardy to channel his usual intensityand emotional vulnerability. Furthermore, his chemistry with Austin Butler, who plays the role of younger biker Benny Cross, adds a compelling layer to the film.The Bikeridersis a testament to Hardy’s talent for stepping into the uncomfortable shoes of conflicted, albeit charismatic anti-heroes.
3Dunkirk (2017)
As Farrier
Despite the limited dialogue, Tom Hardy’s performance inDunkirkis no less deserving of recognition. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a tension-filled historical war thriller that tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation, which took place in France during WW2.Hardy plays Farrier, a Royal Air Force pilotwho spends most of the movie hidden behind a mask.
The actor, therefore, was forced to rely solely on his gaze and mannerisms to convey the internal turmoil of the character.
The actor, therefore, was forced to rely solely on his gaze and mannerisms to convey the internal turmoil of the character. The film could easily be described asHardy and Nolan’s best collaboration.Venom’s star did not fail to bring to the surface the emotional depth of his role.
Dunkirk
This epic tale of World War II tells the story of soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who are surrounded by the German army, and the dangerous operation that evacuated and saved the lives of thousands.
His ability to convey opposite feelings and thoughts through nothing more than a gaze deserves credit. Regardless of what is shown or not in his scenes,it is easy for the public to comprehend Farrier’s mental processes, and that alone is a testament to Hardy’s talent. If he had more screen time, this performance could have risen to the top.
As Max Rockatansky
The legendaryMax Rockatansky was an intimidating role to take on. However, Tom Hardy does not seem like the type of actor who backs down before a challenge, and we are all grateful for that. His performance inMad Max: Fury Roadis one of his best works in the past decade.
Tom Hardy’s 5 Best Movies, Ranked
Today, Screen Rant lists the five best movies that made the most out of Tom Hardy’s uncanny screen presence.
Indeed, the comparisons with Mel Gibson, who had previously worn the shoes of the iconic anti-hero, were highly complimentary. Like the role of Farrier inDunkirk, Max has little dialogue in the movie. Hardy’s interpretation demonstrates once again the actor’s ability to say a thousand words with a simple look.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road is a post-apocalyptic film set in a desolate desert landscape where society has collapsed. Released in 2015, the story follows two rebels, Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa, as they attempt to survive and bring balance to a world torn by chaos and strife.
The protagonist ofMad Max: Fury Roadis a man haunted by a traumatic past. Behind the character’s stoic facade, there is an entire world to learn about, and Hardy never fails to show it. Unsurprisingly, his portrayal,one of the best in the Mad Max franchise,earned him a Critics' Choice Award.
1The Revenant (2015)
As John Fitzgerald
Among many anti-heroes, Tom Hardy’s most commendable performance in the past decade is his work asthe iconic villain ofThe Revenant.John Fitzgerald is one of the most sinister and ruthless characters ever played by the British actor. The film is a vicious story about survival and revenge, and Hardy’s role adds another layer of brutality to it, heightening the already tense atmosphere. Although his hoarse timbre and rugged appearance make Hardy a terrifying antagonist who radiates unspeakable danger, there is still a human quality to him.
The Revenant
Inspired by the true events in the life of Hugh Glass, The Revenant is an action-drama movie that sees Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. Betrayed and left for dead by one of the members of his hunting group, Glass finds himself contending with some of the harshest elements imaginable while tending to his deadly wounds, as his will to carry on and need for revenge push him to carry on in this gripping tale of survival.
Hardy made John Fitzgerald much more than a one-dimensional villain. The star ofVenomacts alongside one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, but not once does he get overshadowed, emerging as an equally significant presence. Unsurprisingly, the performance earnedTom Hardyan Academy Award nomination. Although he did not win, it deserves as much recognition as possible.
