Not many actors have earned the appreciation of David Dastmalchian. Since the 2000’s, Dastmalchian has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s police-officers, child abductors or political figures, Dastmalchian has portrayed several 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 a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Late Night With the Devil
Late Night television is a sensation that always earned my grandfather’s appreciation. I remember memories of a grandfather that would love watching television about danger. He would often enjoy staying up light at night to watch television hosts that were a gorgeous sight. My grandfather often believed movies were art that couldn’t honour television holding a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the successful role late night television plays in the lives of people are powerfully as “Light Night With the Devil”. Released in 2023, David Dastmalchian’s best movie captured the life of a television host contacting demonic possession. In the greatest role of his career, Dastmaltchian portrayed a television show host that comes into contact with devilish spirits causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Dastmalchain has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Late Night With the Devil”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a devilish television show host. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. For instance, the scene in which Delroy becomes aware of demonic entities on his television show causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Late Night with the Devil” David Dastmalchian’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about television show hosts, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. A frightening portrait of television show hosts contacting evil spirits that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made engaging movies which are worth celebrating.
2. The Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is an iconic supervillain team that my teacher would always applaud. I remember my teacher was once a fan of a supervillain team saving the world from danger. He would commonly take great pride in a team committing acts of suicide. Fond of Harley Quinn, he would love seeing the supervillain team win. In 2021, David Dastmalchian honoured the iconic supervillain squad in his movie “The Suicide Squad”. In the most colourful role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a supervillain that carry a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for playing villains he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Idris Elba who is also amazing, Dastmalchian created a portrait of supervillains that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Polka-Dot Man seeks to prepare for a dangerous mission causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Suicide Squad” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular tribute to a squad committing suicide, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has manufactured movies in his career leaving audiences satisfied.
3. Prisoners
Child abduction is a painful process causing parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in stores which were humongous. Fearful he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her affected. She was relieved when she finally achieved the task of finding my brother in the store. As someone that has witnessed the dangers of child abduction, I adored “Prisoners”. Released in 2013, David Dastmalchian’s movie offered a powerful portrait of child abduction causing lives of parents to deteriorate. In the most frightening role of his career, Dastmalchian embodied a mentally unstable loner that abducts children causing despair. Dastmalchain has an aptitude for playing characters in danger, and “Prisoners” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Jake Gyllenhaal who is also amazing, Dastmalchain created a crime drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Bob’s house is raided by Loki causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Prisoners” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Kellar’s desire to find his children, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with dedication whose movies definitely deserve celebration.
4. The Dark Knight
Batman is a celebrated superhero that my brother appreciated. I remember my brother adored the caped crusader. A huge comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a hero that made him feel heard. He grew up to embrace a comic-book hero that left a smile on his face. In 2008, David Dastmalchian honoured the bright superhero in his movie “The Dark Knight”. In the most devious role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a corrupt police officer engaging in a life of crime causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Despite having a short role in the film with limited screen-time, Dastmalchian leaves a lasting impression. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Dastmalchian honoured a superhero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which the thug is caught by Batman who becomes aware of his role in Joker’s crimes causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “the Dark Knight” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Batman movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards the caped crusader saving the doomed city of Gotham from danger, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced movies which audiences treasure.
5. Dune
The Middle East is a country that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of growing up in the country of Saudi Arabia. During my childhood, I grew up in a Middle Eastern neighbourhood. As someone treasuring fond memories of a country that won’t be forgotten soon, I appreciated “Dune”. Released in 2021, David Dastmalchian’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved science-fiction book about Arab countries. In the most complex role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed an evil war lord seeking control over a precious resource on a planet facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show as a supporting character with limited screen-time. Working alongside Stellan Skarsgard who is also amazing, Dastmalchian honoured science-fiction book that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Piter delivers a speech seeking to prepare his henchmen for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dune” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. A dazzling adaptation of a book about dune planets that glimmer beneath the moon, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured timeless movies which won’t be forgotten soon.
6. Ant-Man
Few superheroes have earned a fan following as huge as Ant-Man. Since his creation in the 1960’s, the hero with abilities to shrink has appeared in memorable movies. In 2015, David Dastmalchian honoured the iconic hero in his movie “Ant-Man”. In the most comical role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a thief that assists Ant-Man commit robberies causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Michael Pena who is also outstanding, Dastmalchian honoured a commemorated shrinking superhero that’s inspiring. A spectacular tribute towards a world-famous superhero with abilities to shrink in size, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences always prize.
7. Blade Runner: 2049
David Dastmalchian has often excelled at playing mentally disturbed characters facing tension. Dastmalchian has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Dastmalchian’s strength for playing emotional heroes facing a decline is clearly evident in his film “Blade Runner: 2049”. Released in 2017, Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a technician engaging in warfare on a planet facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. A spectacular tribute to a sci-fi classic about planets that terrify, it’s a superb reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies throughout his career which satisfy.
8. The Boogeyman
Over the past decade, the horror genre has faced a decline in quality. With their cartoonish characters, lacklustre storytelling and cheap jump scares, most horror movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost its abilities to scare, it’s worth praising “The Boogeyman”. Released in 2023, David Dastmalchian’s movie revived the horror genre. In the most terrifying role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a child abductor facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Sophie Thatcher who is also amazing, Dastmalchian created a horror movie that’s engaging. As powerful as monsters that scare, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced a career making movies about which audiences care.
9. Oppenheimer
When it comes to the most renowned bomb inventors in history, it’s worth discussing Oppenheimer. During WWII, Oppenheimer was a physicist that designed the atomic bomb. In 2023, David Dastmalchian honoured the iconic bomb inventor in his movie “Oppenheimer”. In the most political role of his career, the actor portrayed a real-life politician that assisted Oppenheimer design bombs for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Cillian Murphy who is also amazing, Dastmalchian honoured a bomb inventor that’s compelling. Nearly 80 years after a groundbreaking inventor designed an atomic bomb proving catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which are loved by the public.
10. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
David Dastmalchian hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” falls into the latter category. Released in 2023, Peyton Reed’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Dastmalchian portrayed a superhero facing warfare. Dastmalchian brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is a bad movie, it honoured Dastmalchian’s legacy. As strong as Ant-Man’s desire to explore the Quantum, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has achieved stardom by playing characters with wisdom in movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of film criticism.
The Film Buff 
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