Not many actors have built a legacy as strong as LaKeith Stanfield. Since the 1990’s, Stanfield has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s corrupt police-officers, detectives solving murders or political leaders, Stanfield has played many strong characters. Given the 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. Get Out
Racism is a devastating problem that shaped my friend’s identity. In high school, I formed friendships with an African-American classmate enduring racism that was cruel. He would commonly complain about being treated poorly by racist bullies causing pain. No matter how hard he tried, my friend could never overcome barriers of racism leaving him terrified. Few films I’ve ever seen have demonstrated hardships black men experience facing racism causing doubt as powerfully as “Get Out”. Released in 2017, LaKeith Stanfield’s best movie offered a powerful portrait of racism causing tragedy. In the greatest role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a black man that becomes victim of racist neighbourhoods causing despair. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and hilarious in his most meaningful role. Stanfield has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Get Out”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever horror movie. Working alongside Daniel Kaluuya who is also outstanding, Stanfield created a portrait of racism that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Andre experiences a severe seizure at a house party causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Get Out” LaKeith Stanfield’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about the dangers of racism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking horror film about African-American men seeking to get out of their white girlfriend’s racist households causing doubt, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured timeless movies which deserve to be talked about.
2. Judas and the Black Messiah
Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American politician that earned my friend’s appreciation. I remember a close classmate that was fascinated with the black political leader. He would always speak fondly about a messiah that fought racism during the segregation era. In 2021, LaKeith Stanfield honoured the iconic black politician that became a messiah in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. In the most political role of his career, Stanfield portrayed an undercover cop that infiltrated a black movement causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing anxious characters under intense pressure. Working alongside Daniel Kaluuya who is also outstanding, Stanfield honoured an African-American politician that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Bill betrays Fred Hampton by planning his murder causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute towards a black leader with charisma that changed America, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.
3. Knives Out
Social class has impacted my family. Years ago, my family faced grief when we discovered that our housekeeper was a thief. I remember he was a kind housekeeper that treated my grandparents in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked when they found the housekeeper they trusted had stolen jewelry. As someone that saw housekeepers facing barriers without a doubt, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, LaKeith Stanfield’s movie offered an engaging murder mystery about social class. In the most mysterious role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a detective facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a star-studded cast. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also outstanding, Stanfield created a mystery that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Detective Elliot becomes aware of the identity of the killer causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as murders Blanc seeks to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making great movies which audiences appreciate.
4. Short Term 12
It’s always challenging to recover from childhood trauma. Several years ago, I formed bonds with a dark kid in school that was haunted by parental abuse causing sorrow. Haunted by memories of abuse, he suffered from severe mental health issues. Adopting a negative life perspective, he shared broken relationships with his rash parents which were abusive. As someone haunted by sad memories of a friend that couldn’t recover from short-term trauma, I adored “Short Term 12”. Released in 2013, LaKeith Stanfield’s movie captured foster care workers taking care of youth. In the most emotional role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a traumatized teenager struggling to survive in a mental institution causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Brie Larson who is also outstanding, Stanfield created a drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Marcus reveals his childhood of abuse causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Short Term 12” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of foster care workers seeking to assist teenagers facing despair, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured an impressive career by making films about which audiences care.
5. Uncut Gems
Diamond jewellers that sell gems always fascinated my grandfather. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that adored diamonds that glimmered with a shining aura. My grandfather was always drawn towards bright diamonds on jewelry that would glimmer. He would always praise jewellers selling diamonds that he loved dearly. In 2019, LaKeith Stanfield honoured jewellers selling precious gems in his movie “Uncut Gems”. In the most anxious role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a gangster that becomes involved in selling of diamonds causing despair. Stanfield has always excelled at playing anxiety-ridden characters under intense pressure, and “Uncut Gems” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Adam Sandler who is also amazing, Stanfield created a portrait of diamond jewellers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Demany negotiates the selling of diamonds with Howard seeking to prepare for an auction is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Uncut Gems” a captivating thriller is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about diamond jewelry, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as the diamonds that Howard is determined to sell, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made movies casting a spell that excel.
6. Sorry to Bother You
Race is a barrier that often impacts individuals in the workplace. I remember a friend that struggled finding a stable job due to his skin colour. As someone that has seen hardships people of colour in the workplace go through, I adored “Sorry to Bother You”. Released in 2018, LaKeith Stanfield’s movie captured hardships faced by black telemarketers. In the most comical role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a black telemarketer that faces racism in the workplace causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Armie Hammer who is also amazing, Stanfield created a race comedy that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of hardships that black telemarketers face, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made great movies which audiences always embrace.
7. Selma
Few political leaders in America are as beloved as Martin Luther King Jr. During the 1960’s, MLK guided black communities facing adversities. In 2014, LaKeith Stanfield honoured the political leader that changed America in his movie “Selma”. In the most righteous role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a passionate black man seeking to support a politician in a nation facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a star-studded cast with limited screen-time. Working alongside David Oyelowo who is also amazing, Stanfield honoured a political leader that achieved fame years ago. Nearly 60 years after Martin Luther King Jr. became a powerful political leader that changed America forever, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made movies which audiences treasure.
8. The Harder They Fall
Over the past decade, the western genre has faced a decline in quality. With their old-fashioned themes, cartoonish characters and mindless violence, most westerns have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has faced a downfall, it’s worth praising “The Harder They Fall”. Released in 2021, LaKeith Stanfield’s movie offered a unique reinvention of the western genre. In the most villainous role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a menacing gunslinger committing murders in a town facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Idris Elba who is also amazing, Stanfield created a western that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of cowboys that fall, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making great movies which are easy for audiences to recall.
9. Dope
Drug trafficking is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided addressing a serious issue that’s misunderstood. In an industry avoiding issues of drug trafficking without any hope, it’s worth praising “Dope”. Released in 2014, LaKeith Stanfield’s movie offered a powerful portrait of teen drug trafficking. In the most provocative role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a traumatized teenager suffering from severe drug addiction causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing teenagers under pressure. Working alongside Shameik Moore who is also outstanding, Stanfield created a portrait of addiction that’s compelling. A powerful portrayal of drug addiction causing teens to crumble, it’s a bold reminder of an actor making movies audiences consider special.
10. Death Note
LaKeith Stanfield hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Death Note” falls into the latter category. Released in 2017, Adam Wingard’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Stanfield portrayed a criminal using a notebook to kill people in a doomed city causing despair. Stanfield brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Death Note” is a bad movie, it honoured Stanfield’s legacy. As precious as the death note notebook Kira uses to kill, it’s a it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to thrill whose movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking that has given my life a greater will.
The Film Buff 