Not many actors have made movies that audiences cherish like David Thewlis. Since the 1990’s, Thewlis has become a British icon. Whether it’s magical school teachers, Nazi commanders or gangsters, Thewlis has portrayed many 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. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter is a magical book series that shaped my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has always been a part of my childhood. I recall fond memories of reading J.K. Rowling’s book series during my childhood influencing my identity. I instantly fell in love with a book series about strong wizards casting powerful spells with timeless stories to tell. In 2004, David Thewlis honoured the magical series about wizards with a plan in his movie “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. In the greatest role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a magical school teacher seeking to prepare students for warfare. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Thewlis has spent most of his career playing conflicted characters in British period dramas. With “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first Harry Potter film. Working alongside Emma Watson who is also outstanding, Thewlis honoured a series about wizards that’s spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Remus Lupin seeks to prepare Harry for performing a Patronus charm giving him valuable advice about his parents is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” David Thewlis’ best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the Harry Potter franchise, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about wizards casting Patronus charms to defeat dementors that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of a famous actor that has produced memorable movies which audiences consider precious.
2. Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is an inspirational comic-book heroine that earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember a mother that was once a huge fan of the iconic comic-book character. She would always praise a strong female warrior that had the abilities to inspire feelings of wonder. In 2017, David Thewlis honoured the iconic comic-book heroine that inspires wonder in women in his movie “Wonder Woman”. In the most villainous role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a ruthless businessman that seeks to prepare for warfare causing despair. With “Wonder Woman”, the actor took a big step out of his comfort zone by portraying his first ever comic-book villain. Working alongside Gal Gadot who is also outstanding, Thewlis honoured an iconic comic-book heroine that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Sir Patrick reveals his true identity as the evil God of Aries causing Wonder Woman to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Wonder Woman” a comic-book classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A wonderful tribute to a great comic heroine that inspires wonder, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making movies which audiences treasure.
3. The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking is a powerful physicist my father has always found inspiring. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a physicist with an inspiring message. He would always praise theories created by a historical figure that overcame frightening disabilities. In 2014, David Thewlis honoured the inspiring physicist in his movie “The Theory of Everything”. In the most intellectual role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a university professor that recognized Stephen Hawking’s gift for physics causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Eddie Redmayne who is also outstanding, Thewlis honoured the legacy of Stephen Hawking. For instance, the scene in which Professor Sciama becomes aware that Stephen Hawking suffers from severe disabilities causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Theory of Everything” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about disability which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Stephen Hawking’s theories to appreciate it. A stirring tribute towards Stephen Hawking, it’s an inspiring reminder of an actor manufacturing movies which are worth celebrating.
4. The Big Lebowski
Slackers that are lazy have shaped my identity. Several years ago, I formed strong friendships with a close classmate in school whose aimless life lacked a clear purpose. An aimless youth, he loved engaging in recreational drug activities that didn’t require any energy. As someone treasuring fond memories of a slacker that was lazy, I adored “The Big Lebowski”. Released in 1998, David Thewlis’ movie captured the lives of slackers that are lazy. In the most scene-stealing role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a comical slacker facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase his aptitude for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside John Goodman who is also outstanding, Thewlis created a comedy about slackers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Knox meets the Dude for the first time becoming aware of his criminal activities is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Big Lebowski” a comedic classic is bold appeal. Unlike most comedies about slackers, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as the Dude, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences have always valued.
5. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject that fascinated my teacher. Several years ago, I was taught about the mass genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He always took great pride educating students about a mass genocide in which his people tragically died. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a glorious teacher that taught me about a genocide without joy, I appreciated “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”. Released in 2008, David Thewlis’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about the Holocaust. In the most conflicted role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a Nazi commander struggling to care for his family during warfare. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters in power. For instance, the scene in which Ralf has an argument with his wife about his family causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about Nazi Germany, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 90 years following a genocide in which civilians died, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to make great movies leaving audiences satisfied.
6. Naked
David Thewlis has always excelled at playing characters whose lives are amiss. Thewlis has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing anxious characters facing damage. Thewlis’ strength for playing conflicted characters whose emotions are naked is clearly evident in his movie “Naked”. Released in 1993, Mike Leigh’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a reckless criminal engaging in a lifestyle causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for playing characters launching his career. Thewlis showcased strong range in his first major role that made him a star. A powerful portrait of conflicted criminals whose emotions are naked, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured great movies that deserve to be celebrated.
7. Macbeth
It isn’t easy to adapt a celebrated Shakespeare play on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in literature, Shakespeare penned plays changing the world forever. Making an adaptation of Shakespeare poses challenges for actors. However, in 2015 David Thewlis pulled it off effectively in her movie “Macbeth”. In the most poetic role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a majestic king seeking to prepare for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for delivering complex Shakespearean monologues. Working alongside Michael Fassbender who is also amazing, Cotillard honoured a legendary author. A spectacular tribute towards Shakespeare, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured a great career making bold movies about which audiences care.
8. Enola Holmes 2
Few characters in English literature are as beloved as Sherlock Holmes. Ever since he was introduced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Holmes has become one of the most celebrated characters in English literature. In 2022, David Thewlis honoured the iconic detective that readers value in his movie “Enola Holmes 2”. In the most mysterious role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a cunning thief that causes Enola to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing mysterious characters with ambiguous intentions. Working alongside Henry Cavill who is also amazing, Thewlis honoured an iconic detective that’s inspiring. As memorable as murders investigated by Enola, it’s a excellent reminder of an actor with charisma whose memorable movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.
9. Anomalisa
Stop-motion animation is a great genre that has achieved fame in the modern era. Over the past decade, filmmakers have often made compelling animated movies through stop-motion. In 2015, David Thewlis captured the magical appeal of the genre in his movie “Anomalisa”. In the most animated role of his career, Thewlis portrayed a depressed customer service agent facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating compelling animated characters through his commanding voice. Working alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh who is also outstanding, Thewlis created a stop-motion animated movie that’s engaging. As memorable as faces perceived by Michael Stone, it’s a riveting reminder of a well-known actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies standing in a league of their own.
10. Red 2
David Thewlis hasn’t always made great movies that audiences cherish. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Red 2” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Dean Parisot’s espionage blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Thewlis portrayed an agent engaging in warfare causing despair. Thewlis brought his trademark charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Red 2” is a bad movie, it honoured Thewlis’ commemorated legacy. As strong as bonds between retired spies, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to surprise manufacturing unforgettable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to materialize dreams of film criticism into reality that I idolize.
The Film Buff 