What happens when actors stop playing it safe
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2026 has been the year of cinema, and I have been living the dream as an avid movie goer.
The two most recent films I have seen are Zach Creeger’s “Resident Evil” and Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime.” Both films were hugely successful, each grossing over $40 million worldwide. One thing these movies had in common, which I believe contributed to their successes, was the performances by their lead actors, Austin Abrams and Robert Pattinson.
Abrams was hilarious in “Resident Evil,” and I knew he would be perfect for this movie after his previous role in “Weapons.” Similarly, Pattinson brought a slight twinge of humor as his role of Chris Hansen in Primetime, bringing to it a certain unhinged pizazz only he has. So what I began to think about after watching these films is the love I have for the roles both Abrams and Pattinson choose for themselves as actors.
And it’s not only them — there is a small group of actors I feel are also known for choosing these crazier roles that may be labeled as a career risk or pay less, yet allow for more creative freedom and challenging material, ultimately benefiting their careers. One that comes to mind is a former co-star of Pattinson’s, Daniel Radcliffe. That would be a whole other conversation, as “Swiss Army Man” and “Guns Akimbo” are underrated classics in my household. Overall, in a world where type casting is a very common phenomenon, I love their drive to play these unconventional characters.
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Austin Abrams has only recently become “memeable” when it comes to his roles; however, I have hopes that he continues to make more odd movies. Personally, I am very excited to see him in his upcoming film “Whalefall,” in which he stars as Jay Gardiner, a man who is swallowed whole by a massive sperm whale. Like that's really just the type of role I would want to get into if I was an actor. Enough of this serious business. I also love that I couldn’t possibly predict how he might get out of that situation, but I can tell you that I truly cannot wait to find out.
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Next, I would hope that we are all at least somewhat familiar with Robert Pattinson and his kooky roles. As an actor, he continuously surprises me, and I think he elevates any movie he is featured in. Don’t get me wrong, I love his performances in both “Twilight” and “Harry Potter,” but his pipeline from teen heartthrob to throwing himself into arthouse fare is something I will be eternally grateful for. My personal favorites from some of Rob’s weirder movies include “Good Time,” “The Boy and The Heron” and “Mickey 17.”
There are also always things you will hear about the method behind a Pattinson performance that just makes so much sense. For example, his constant self-induced vomiting and spinning around in circles to get the madness going for his role in “The Lighthouse.” With “Primetime,” we see him calling the shots as a producer in this offbeat, stylized film.
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My main point here is that I hope I continue to see naturally quirky actors turn this quirk into their brand. There is nothing I am more jealous of or interested in than when someone can lean into the avant-garde and curate a career discography that can’t be replicated by anyone else.
Strike Out,
Cira Thigpen
Editor: McKenna Edwards
Athens