My Favourite Dev Patel Films of All-Time

Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Dev Patel. Since the 1990’s, Patel has become an icon. Whether it’s slumdog teenagers, courageous knights or hotel managers, Patel has portrayed many commemorated characters. Given the sheer number of commemorated movies he has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a friend that would criticize movies that gave India a bad image. Born in the poverty-stricken slums of Mumbai, he was always critical of movies that depicted his country. An Indian without fear, he had dreams of becoming a famous millionaire. He would always argue that movies were an art that could never capture the beauty of a country that held a precious place in his heart. As someone treasuring fond memories of a friend that sought to become an Indian millionaire, I adored “Slumdog Millionaire”. Ever since its release in 2008, Dev Patel’s Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as an incredible Indian classic. In the greatest role of his career, Patel embodies an impoverished Indian boy that participates in a game show to become a millionaire. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Patel has always been one of those actors with an aptitude for conveying emotions through expressions, and his strengths are evident in “Slumdog Millionaire”. For instance, the scene in which Jamal is overcome with joy after he miraculously wins the game show becoming a millionaire is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” Dev Patel’s best movie is its depiction of India. The film contributes towards a greater understanding of India as a country that’s misunderstood in the West. Unlike most movies that depict India in a negative light, it honours a misunderstood country. 20 years following the release of an iconic film about a poverty-stricken orphan dreaming of becoming a millionaire, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has created a celebrated career making movies about which audiences care.

2. Lion

Orphans often face intense hardships that shape their destinies. At an early age, I formed a bond with a kid in school that was born in an orphanage. Separated from his parents at an early age, he was a conflicted teenager that felt dislocated. He had bright dreams to one day reunite with parents that he regarded in a positive light. However, his dreams of an emotional reunion with parents never materialized into reality. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured hardships experienced by orphans that face parental separation as powerfully as “Lion”. Released in 2016, Dev Patel’s movie depicted the true story of an Indian orphan that sought to reunite with parents he loved dearly. In the most emotional role of his career, Patel embodies a lost orphan going on a journey to reunite with parents about whom he has grown to care. With “Lion”, the actor showcased emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Saroo reunites with his mother having emotional reunions several years after separation showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Lion” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about orphans that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships Indian orphans face, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies audiences embrace.

3. The Green Knight

Medieval knights in history have shaped my teacher’s identity. I remember an English teacher in high school that grew up to treasure medieval knights in literature. Fascinated with medieval knights, he always educated students about figures that he appreciated. As someone treasuring bright memories of a teacher that was fascinated with obstacles medieval knights fight, I adored “The Green Knight”. Released in 2021, Dev Patel’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved poem. In the most intense role of his career, Patel embodies a warrior embarking on a journey to defeat an evil knight that evokes fear. Patel is one of those actors that excels at communicating emotions through his expressions, and his strengths are evident in “The Green Knight”. For instance, the scene in which Gawain beheads the green knight is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Green Knight” a medieval masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Arthurian legends, the film discusses themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Gawain’s desire to become a strong knight, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor earning the spotlight by making commemorated movies shining light on obstacles Arthurian heroes fight.

4. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Charles Dickens is a legendary author loved by my mother. I remember a mother that was fascinated with Charles Dickens’ literature. A fan of Charles Dickens, she would tell fond stories about an author that shaped her identity. As someone whose mother loved an author with a personal field, I adored “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. Released in 2019, Dev Patel’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved Charles Dickens book. In the most comical role of his career, Patel embodies a writer seeking to tell stories that are rare. Patel has a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic talents are evident in “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. For instance, the scene in which David Copperfield has an argument with intruders is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Charles Dickens adaptations, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. Centuries following the publication of a book about by an iconic author in English literature, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose celebrated movies audiences treasure.

5. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Travelling can be a challenging activity for seniors that are aging. I vividly remember that my grandparents were always excited to travel to a country they grew up to treasure. However, recently age become a barrier. No longer as enthusiastic as they used to be, travelling became a process for them that’s challenging. As someone treasuring grandparents that once fell in love with travelling, I adored “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. Released in 2011, Dev Patel’s movie captured hardships faced by seniors travelling to hotels in India. In the most likeable role of his career, Patel embodies a warm-hearted hotel manager seeking to take care of seniors facing despair. Patel has always had a likeable personality, and his strengths are evident in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. For instance, the scene in which Sonny first introduces the senior guests into his hotel is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” one of Dev Patel’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a profound message about aging which would resonate with everyone. As beautiful as the Marigold hotel, it’s a powerful reminder of a actor with stories to tell whose films cast audiences under a spell.

6. The Wedding Guest

Dev Patel has always been one of those actors that excels at playing anxiety-ridden characters. Since his career began years ago, Patel has thrived at playing conflicted characters facing sorrow. Patel’s strength for playing tormented characters under stress that are unable to rest is clearly evident in his film “The Wedding Guest”. Released in 2018, Dev Patel’s thriller showcased his strength for playing characters under intense pressure. In the most serious role of his career, Patel embodies a British man seeking to gatecrash an Indian wedding that faces despair. It’s a role that gave Patel an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing intense characters through his strong presence. As strong as Jay’s desire to gatecrash a wedding, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose engaging movies are definitely worth celebrating.

7. The Man Who Knew Infinity

Few mathematicians in Indian history are as celebrated as Srinivasa Ramanujan. During the 1920’s, Ramanujan made significant contributions to the field of mathematics that changed history. Through his intelligence, wit and dedication, Ramanujan became an iconic mathematician. In 2015, Dev Patel did an extraordinary job of portraying the legendary mathematician in Indian history in his movie “The Man Who Knew Infinity”. In the most intelligent role of his career, Patel embodies a mathematician facing despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave Patel a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing commemorated characters driven to achieve a mission. A marvellous tribute towards an iconic Indian mathematician, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated actor whose movies are worthy of celebration.

8. Monkey Man

One of the criticisms often levelled against Dev Patel is that he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Since his breakthrough role in “Slumdog Millionaire”, Patel has often been typecast as Indian men that face despair. However, in 2024 Patel took audiences by surprise when he proved he can take risks in his movie “Monkey Man”. In the darkest role of his career, Patel embodies a tormented Indian man seeking vengeance against criminals that caused him to face despair. With his directorial debut, Patel showcased extraordinary control behind the camera. It’s a movie that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an unlikeable character. As strong as Kid’s desire to seek vengeance, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor with intelligence whose memorable movies have earned a huge audience.

9. Hotel Mumbai

When it comes to the most notorious acts of terrorism in Indian history, it’s worth discussing the attacks of Mumbai. In 2008, a group of Pakistani terrorists seeking to terrify sought to destroy the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. A shocking incidence of terror, the attack changed perceptions of India forever. In 2018, Dev Patel did an excellent job recreating the terrorist attacks in his film “Hotel Mumbai”. In the most anxious role of his career, Patel embodies a hotel manager facing a terrorist attack causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing anxiety-ridden characters under intense pressure. Nearly 20 years after terrorist attacks caused trauma destroying hotels in India, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies always attract audiences towards the Cinema.

10. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Dev Patel hasn’t always made movies that are successful. While most movies that the actor has made have proven successful, a few have fallen short of audiences’ expectations. Unfortunately, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” falls into the latter group of movies that turned out to be a disaster. Released in 2010, M. Night Shyamalan’s movie was a critical disaster that failed to celebrate an animated series. Nevertheless, Dev Patel stood out as being the bright spot of an otherwise terrible movie. Patel brought emotional depth to Goku missing from the commemorated animated television series. As strong as the superpowers of Goku, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his ability to captivate audiences whose commemorated movies I will forever value for motivating me to make my film criticism dreams come true.

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