5 Most Underrated Timothée Chalamet Movies

by

There are some actors who appear in many films, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, Timothée Chalamet is a notable exception. Despite his frequent appearances, people aren’t bothered at all. This is largely due to the fact that he is incredibly gifted and choosy about the projects he takes on. Rarely does he associate himself with creative flops. Since 2014, Chalamet has already accumulated a remarkable filmography featuring critically acclaimed movies as well as box office successes.

He’s already making headlines, having accomplished what John Travolta didn’t for 45 years by releasing two high-grossing films within a short period in March 2024. It’s quite an achievement to have movies like “Interstellar,” “Call Me By Your Name,” “Lady Bird,” “Little Women,” “Wonka,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Dune,” and “Dune: Part Two” under your belt in just a decade as an actor. However, this success can sometimes make lesser-acclaimed or financially successful films get overshadowed.

For this purpose, Chalamet is amassing a collection of lesser-known masterpieces to complement his blockbuster successes – now could be an excellent moment to explore some of these underrated works, before he produces another handful of must-see films, making it even more challenging to keep pace with those that slipped past the spotlight.

The King

It appears that most actors striving for credibility eventually take on a significant historical film. However, this wasn’t the primary factor attracting Timothée Chalamet to Netflix’s “The King,” which is adapted from William Shakespeare’s works and narrates the tale of England’s King Henry V (played by Chalamet), who ascends the throne following the demise of King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn). As Chalamet explains, his motivation was simply to create quality work, and he found that potential in “The King.

The film “The King” boasts an impressive 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus being that while it doesn’t always reach its full potential, its powerful source material and captivating performances make it a period drama that deserves applause. Notably, Timothée Chalamet delivers a stellar lead performance, supported by the consistent talent of Ben Mendelsohn. Additionally, Robert Pattinson, Joel Edgerton, and Lily-Rose Depp are among the many gifted actors who contribute to those critically acclaimed performances that left viewers in awe.

If you’re someone who tends to shy away from lengthy films, rest assured that “The King” clocks in at a relatively concise 140 minutes, a duration that is actually quite commendable for a Netflix production, given its propensity to provide filmmakers with ample room for extended runtime.

Miss Stevens

Last year before “Call Me By Your Name” catapulted Timothée Chalamet into Hollywood’s spotlight (and even an Oscar nomination!), he was already making waves on the critics’ radar, particularly with the critically-acclaimed 2016 dramedy “Miss Stevens.” In this movie, I found myself in the role of one of those students under the watchful eye of teacher Lily Rabe. As we journeyed to a drama competition together, my character struggled to balance his behavioral disorder with showcasing his talent and maintaining healthy relationships.

The movie “Miss Stevens” focuses not only on reaching the competition but also on the trip itself, blending elements of a road comedy and a coming-of-age story. It served as an excellent platform for Rabe, who was exceptionally deserving of the special jury award for best actress at the South by Southwest festival. However, it’s important to note that it’s very much an ensemble piece, requiring a talented cast of young actors to portray the students. Chalamet, Lili Reinhart, and Antony “Lohanthony” Quintal all excelled in their roles.

Beautiful Boy

A lesser-known drama starring Timothée Chalamet, available on Amazon Prime Video, is titled “Beautiful Boy.” This film, distributed in 2018, showcases one of Steve Carell’s less recognized performances, particularly within his dramatic roles. In this movie, Carell and Chalamet portray real-life characters David Sheff and Nic Sheff, a father and son duo who are both writers. “Beautiful Boy” is adapted from two separate memoirs – one written by each of the Sheffs – that narrate the story of how David assisted Nic in overcoming addiction to not only reveal his talents but also save his life.

The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes praises the performances of Chalamet and Carell as exceptional, stating that their talent transforms an already good movie into a fantastic one. Notably, Chalamet garnered multiple award nominations for his role in “Beautiful Boy,” including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Critics Choice Award.

Hostiles

Despite being a film genre with deep roots and frequent appearances on the big screen, Westerns can sometimes struggle to attract audiences. This was evident in the case of “Hostiles,” released in 2018, which underperformed at the box office despite positive critic reviews and Christian Bale’s leading role. In this movie, Bale portrays Captain Joseph J. Blocker, a character who is compelled to guide dying Cheyenne chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) back to Montana, despite their history of conflict on the battlefield.

Timothée Chalamet portrays Private Philippe Dejardin, a member of the troop chosen for the Yellow Hawk escort operation. Notably, Dejardin is the youngest soldier in the group, and his lack of experience proves to be a challenge during this unusual and perilous mission.

In this production, Timothée Chalamet somewhat blends with the crowd, not just because of Bale’s outstanding portrayal, but also amidst a stellar cast featuring Jesse Plemons, Rosamund Pike, Rory Cochrane, and Scott Wilson who often steal the limelight. However, Chalamet excels at both leading roles and strong supporting ones, and “Hostiles” offers an excellent platform for his supporting role.

Bones and All

2021 through 2024 saw an especially hectic pace for Timothée Chalamet, as the actor was featured in a remarkable eight films during this period. Notably, these movies encompassed two parts of “Dune,” “Wonka,” “A Complete Unknown,” and the much-anticipated Adam McKay apocalypse comedy “Don’t Look Up.” Consequently, his sole 2022 release, the intriguing film “Bones and All,” unfortunately received less attention.

In this film, “Bones and All”, the actor steps into the role of producer for the first time, creating a unique blend of romance and horror, where both leads, Chalamet and Taylor Russell, portray cannibals. This isn’t a story for everyone, and if the subject matter is uncomfortable for you, that’s perfectly understandable. However, for those who can stomach it, “Bones and All” offers one of Timothée Chalamet’s most daring performances. It also underscores his willingness to take on dark and complex projects, even as he ascends the ranks in big-budget studio films.

Read More

2025-04-10 19:30