Joe Alwyn burst onto the Hollywood scene in 2016 with his powerful lead performance in the Ang Lee war drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. Since then, he has carefully chosen compelling roles in critically acclaimed films like The Favourite, Boy Erased, Mary Queen of Scots, and Stars at Noon. With nuanced and emotionally complex performances, Alwyn has proven his acting chops across various genres from period dramas to thrillers. Let’s take a look at his Top Best Rated Joe Alwyn Movies That Redefined Hollywood.
Conversations with Friends (2022)
In the 12-episode Hulu miniseries Conversations with Friends based on Sally Rooney’s novel, Alwyn plays Nick, a married older man who begins an affair with 21-year-old college student Frances (Alison Oliver).
As Nick, Alwyn portrays a complex character struggling to understand his feelings. Fans of the book praised his performance for accurately capturing Nick’s awkwardness and emotional unavailability. This first leading TV role for Alwyn earned great reviews and showed his acting range.
The Favourite (2018)
Alwyn lit up the screen as the sweet and swoon-worthy Samuel Masham in Yorgos Lanthimos’ period comedy-drama The Favourite. Alongside Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, and Olivia Colman, Alwyn displayed excellent comedic timing and charisma.
As a royal courtier pining for Queen Anne’s attention, Alwyn embodied a lovable and good-natured character. This change of pace from his more brooding roles showed the English actor’s versatility.
Boy Erased (2018)
Delivering one of his most chilling performances, Alwyn terrified audiences as the abusive Henry in the biopic Boy Erased about gay conversion therapy.
As a deeply disturbed and sinister antagonist, Alwyn abandoned his usual soft-spoken demeanor. Critics praised his ability to tap into darker emotions and bring such a vile character to life. This role displayed his impressive range.
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Reuniting with The Favourite director Josie Rourke, Alwyn portrayed the charming Robert Dudley, a potential suitor for Queen Elizabeth I’s cousin Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) in the historical drama Mary Queen of Scots.
As Dudley, Alwyn got to showcase his natural magnetism and charisma once again. With Queen Elizabeth herself conflicted over her feelings for Dudley, Alwyn made the character’s appeal believable and added complexity in a smaller supporting role.
Harriet (2019)
Alwyn took on another villainous turn for his role as the vicious slave owner Gideon Brodess pursuing the escaped Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet. As a racist and cruel antagonist, Alwyn depicted Gideon’s violence and tyranny with incredible intensity.
This marked one of Alwyn’s most ruthless characters yet. The scenes of his explosive anger highlighted Alwyn’s ability to tap into darkness and project palpable menace.
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016)
In his feature film debut directed by Ang Lee, Alwyn anchored the Iraq War drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk with his emotional performance as the title character. As a 19-year old soldier struggling with PTSD, Alwyn brought heartbreaking nuance and vulnerability.
Leading an all-star cast, Alwyn proved he could compellingly lead a prestige war drama at just age 25. His moving turn marked an astonishingly assured breakthrough.
Stars at Noon (2022)
Reuniting with The Favourite producer Ed Guiney, Alwyn starred opposite Margaret Qualley in Claire Denis’ romantic thriller Stars at Noon. Set in modern-day Nicaragua, Alwyn plays Daniel, a mysterious Englishman who begins a passionate affair with Qualley’s headstrong American journalist.
As hidden truths about Daniel emerge, Alwyn keeps the audience guessing about his true motives with an air of unpredictable danger. Both leads earned strong reviews for their simmering on-screen chemistry.
Operation Finale (2018)
In this historical drama about the 1960 capture of Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Argentina, Alwyn plays the sly and manipulative Nazi sympathizer Klaus Eichmann who helps orchestrate his father’s escape.
Showing off a convincing German accent, Alwyn brought cold calculation and arrogance to the role. His scenes with Ben Kingsley as Adolf Eichmann crackled with tension. Alwyn held his own opposite the veteran actor.
The Sense of an Ending (2017)
Based on Julian Barnes’ novel, this British mystery drama follows Tony (Jim Broadbent), an elderly man haunted by his past relationship with his friend Adrian Finn. In flashbacks, Alwyn plays the young Adrian, an intelligent philosophy student who begins dating Tony’s ex Veronica (Freya Mavor).
Though a supporting role, Alwyn made his limited screen time impactful with Adrian’s charming confidence and strong moral compass. His character motivates much of the story’s central mystery.
Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
In Lena Dunham’s medieval coming-of-age comedy Catherine Called Birdy, Alwyn plays the sweet Uncle George to the rebellious Lady Catherine (Bella Ramsey). When Catherine refuses her father’s attempts to marry her off for money, Uncle George offers to marry her instead to protect her.
As the kind and big-hearted uncle, Alwyn got to show off a more light-hearted comedic side. His endearing dynamic with Ramsey added emotional warmth. After darker turns in films like Boy Erased and Harriet, this marked a nice change of pace.
With such a short yet impressive filmography so far, Joe Alwyn has consistently chosen compelling roles across a spectrum of genres that highlight his versatility and acting chops. Having worked with world-class directors like Ang Lee, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Claire Denis, the talented English actor continues to redefine himself and attract attention from critics and audiences alike. Still only in his early 30s, Alwyn’s career bears watching as he continues raising the bar ever higher. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this “Top Best Rated Joe Alwyn Movies That Redefined Hollywood” article.
