Not many actors have gained a fan following as huge as Sebastian Stan. Since the 2000’s, Stan has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s struggling theatre actors, space scavengers or winter soldiers, the actor has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. A Different Man
Facial deformities shaped my classmate’s identity. Several years ago, I witnessed a poor classmate in school suffering from severe facial deformities causing sorrow. I remember he was a bright kid that had dreams of becoming a great theatre actor. Due to his disturbing appearance, he was an easy target for school bullies that ruined his self-confidence. He would desire to change into a different man that could become a successful actor. Few films I’ve seen have captured the painful challenges faced by facially deformed people whose dark lives rarely go according to plan as powerfully as “A Different Man”. Released in 2024, Sebastian Stan’s best movie captured the hardships faced by facially deformed actors. In the greatest role of his career, Stan portrayed a facially deformed actor that experiences a grim medical procedure to change his appearance that causes despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Stan has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “A Different Man”, however, the actor took a big step out of his comfort zone by playing a facially deformed actor. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Edward transforms into a different man without facial deformities after facing a grim medical procedure that’s severe is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Different Man” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about facial deformities that are targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about disabilities which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of facial deformities causing the lives of commemorated Broadway performers to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate making memorable movies that audiences appreciate.
2. I, Tonya
Ice skating is an activity that my friend always enjoyed doing. I recall with nostalgia a girl that sought to become a famous ice-skater in America. Nothing in the whole world could ever stop her from achieving her dreams of ice-skating. As someone treasuring memories of an ice-skater with nostalgia, I adored “I, Tonya”. Released in 2017, Sebastian Stan’s movie honoured the legacy of a legendary ice-skater in American history. In the most conflicted role of his career, Stan portrayed the abusive husband of an ice-skater facing despair. With “I, Tonya”, the actor showcased a menacing side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Margot Robbie who is also outstanding, Stan honoured a figure in ice-skating. For instance, the scene in which Jeff has a tense argument with Tonya after he becomes aware that she is leaving him causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “I, Tonya” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a bold message about pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after Tonya Harding became an inspiring figure in ice-skating, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made captivating movies which are worth celebrating.
3. The Martian
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals surviving a disastrous situation as powerfully as “The Martian”. Released in 2015, Sebastian Stan’s movie offered an engaging adaptation of a beloved book about space survival. In the most anxious role of his career, Stan portrayed an astronaut seeking to locate his long lost companion in space facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Stan honoured a classic sci-fi book about survival. For instance, the scene in which Chris and his space crew become aware that Mark Watney is still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Martian” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships astronauts face seeking to survive in space, it’s a bold reminder about an actor whose movies audiences embrace.
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America is a captivating superhero that shaped my teacher’s persona. I recall with nostalgia memories of a teacher appreciating Captain America. He adored a comic-book character with a shield carrying power. In 2014, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic comic-book character in his movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. In the most villainous role of his career, Stan portrayed a traumatized soldier facing despair. Stan has always had an aptitude for playing conflicted characters facing terror, and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” showcased his strengths as an actor. As the Winter Solider, Stan did a great job of portraying an iconic character. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Stan honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Bucky transforms into the Winter Soldier causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” a comic-book classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards Captain America, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma making movies that attract audiences to the Cinema.
5. Avengers: Endgame
The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that admired a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. His room was always decorated with posters of a superhero team he appreciated. In 2019, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic superhero team reaching an endgame in his movie “Avengers: Endgame”. In the most emotional role of his career, Stan portrayed a superhero seeking to save the world from warfare causing despair. Stan has always excelled at playing Bucky throughout the MCU’s trajectory of movies. With “Avengers: Endgame”, however, the actor brought an emotional vulnerability to the character audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Bucky bids emotional farewell to Captain America as he becomes older causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Endgame” a comic-book classic is its message. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a heartwarming message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring tribute towards a groundbreaking team reaching an endgame, it’s an amazing reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced great movies achieving fame.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(670x336:672x338)/sebastian-stan-the-apprentice-090324-b5c7c1b894af4ab2af1fa831be17c07f.jpg)
6. The Apprentice
When it comes to the most controversial presidents in American history, it’s worth discussing Donald Trump. Since his election in 2016, Trump became a president with a divisive reaction. Some supported his cutthroat policies while others criticized his way of managing the country. In 2024, Sebastian Stan honoured the apprentice president in his movie “The Apprentice”. In the most political role of his career, Stan portrayed the president that guided the nation facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a president that’s well-known. Working alongside Jeremy Strong who is also amazing, Stan honoured a president in history. A powerful tribute towards a controversial president, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with commitment that has made memorable entertainment.
7. The Devil All the Time
Few books ever written about crime occurring all the time are as beloved as “The Devil All the Time”. Since its publication in 2011, Donald Ray Pollock’s book has become a classic. In 2020, Sebastian Stan honoured the iconic crime book in his movie “The Devil All the Time”. In the most devilish role of his career, Stan portrayed a corrupt police-officer seeking to resolve crimes in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters facing a dilemma. Working alongside Robert Pattinson who is also amazing, Stan honoured a commemorated book. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about religious violence, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong presence that has manufactured great movies which attract a huge audience.
8. Destroyer
Sebastian Stan has always excelled at playing anxiety-ridden characters that face tension. Stan has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Stan’s strength for playing anxious characters under pressure is clearly evident in his movie “Destroyer”. Released in 2018, Karyn Kusama’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most tragic role of his career, Stan portrayed an undercover cop that becomes a victim of gang violence causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing emotional characters. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Stan created a character that’s compelling. As strong as Erin’s desire to be an undercover police-officer, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made great movies which audiences treasure.
9. Logan Lucky
Heists are engaging events that have often made for entertaining movies. Audiences have always loved watching thieves pull off casino robberies in movies. In 2017, Sebastian Stan captured the enduring appeal of movies about thieves pulling off robberies that are lucky in his movie “Logan Lucky”. In the most athletic role of his career, the actor portrayed a race car driver facing a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also amazing, Stan created a commemorated heist movie which is captivating. A hilarious portrait of courageous thieves pulling off frightening heists that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of a famous actor that has made memorable movies which audiences consider precious.
10. The Apparition
Sebastian Stan hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Apparition” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Todd Lincoln’s horror blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Stan portrayed a man that becomes victim of a supernatural apparition causing despair. Stan brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Apparition” is a bad movie, it honoured Stan’s commemorated legacy. As powerful as the apparition entity, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy making great movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 