The rise of Timothée Chalamet has been a fascinating one to watch. The talented actor’s career seems to have gone from strength to strength over the past few years, with Chalamet’s A-list status cemented with his huge Warner Bros. deal last year. A lot of it is due to the quality of the projects he chooses and his ability to mix big-budget blockbusters with subversive independent films. He’s been part of a huge franchise like Dune but has also opted for art-house projects that might not get seen by quite as many people. His fan base spans generations and has exposed a lot of them to projects they might not otherwise have seen.

In Timotheé Chalamet’s movie resume, there are already so many big hits on his acting career that have been seen by plenty of people, but it’s his more niche projects that really show off how much range he really has. Going to the premiere of Wonka, or seeing Little Women seven times, does not a true Chalamet fan make. It’s the deep cuts that are the marker of dedication, and that’s been the case since Chalamet broke out as a young actor in the 2010s.

5

H๏τ Summer Nights (2018)

Directed by Elijah Bynum

This film came out the same year as Call Me By Your Name, but did not see the same levels of recognition. It made $246,133 at the box office, which would be a surprising result for a Timothée Chalamet movie nowadays. A coming of age drama, it leans into the actor’s youthful awkwardness of the time. He plays a socially inexperienced teen who travels to Cape Cod for a summer and experiences a lot of life for the first time. It’s set in the 1990s, which adds a pleasant nostalgic feel to an otherwise straightforward story.

It was a very good choice of a role for the young actor who was cutting his teeth on bigger roles in indie films. The story mixes romance with themes of discovering oneself, and even a bit of a criminal sub-plot. Its stylization elevates its status from a simple teen film and Chalamet does a good job in the lead role. He adds depth to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional, and it’s worth seeing it to get more insight into his early career.

4

Hostiles (2017)

Directed by Scott Cooper

Timothée Chalamet plays a supporting role in this Western drama. The cast was stacked with big names, including Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Jesse Plemons, so standing out among such a talented roster is no mean feat, but the talented actor managed to hold his own. The film’s subject matter is very heavy, and the gritty atmosphere and violence make it a very serious watch. But, it’s a story worth telling, and a chance to see Timothée in a rare supporting role.

His time on the screen isn’t particularly long, as his character meets a sad fate relatively early on, but by that time, viewers are very invested in the story. The Rotten Tomatoes score is 71%, and it just about broke even at the box office. While it’s more of a Christian Bale vehicle, it’s a film that a true fan of the actor should see if they want to see how far he’s come.

3

The King (2019)

Directed by David Michôd

This historical drama is not for the faint of heart, as its nearly two and a half hour run time can sometimes feel daunting. It’s based on the life of King Henry V and delves deep into the political aspects of the time. The dealings at court as well as the relationships between other countries drive the story, as the young royal navigates the pitfalls of leading a country. The historical accuracy might not be 100%, as the plot focuses a lot on Hal’s internal struggles, and relationships with his advisors.

The reviews were mostly positive for the film and it holds a score of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the heavy theme and dark tone aren’t for everybody. Interestingly, despite his leading role, it was Robert Pattinson who got a lot of attention for his scene-stealing role as a very flamboyant Dauphin.

2

Bones and All (2022)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

After a very successful first time working together, the actor reunited with director Luca Guadagnino for this horror romance that touches upon very controversial subject matter. Not for the faint of heart, the story follows two young cannibals who fall in love and bond over their dietary habits right up to Bones and All‘s strange, tragic ending. Since procuring their meals involves a life of crime, they encounter many unsavory characters along the way.

The film came out to overwhelmingly positive critical acclaim and even won two awards at the Venice International Film Festival. It also received a lot of publicity, but it did not perform as well at the box office as was expected. It’s possible the topic of the film was to blame, because while it’s beautifully sH๏τ and wonderfully acted, the viewership was relatively small for the high-profile actor. It has a score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, and for those who can overcome their squeamishness, this tragic love story will leave a lasting impression.

1

Beautiful Boy (2018)

Directed by Felix van Groeningen

This somber story of a young drug addict earned Timothée Chalamet his second round of big award nominations. BAFTA, the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes all nominated him for his powerful performance. It’s a poignant cautionary tale based on a true story with some harrowing scenes of substance abuse, and how badly it impacts the loved ones of the addict. The actor is pushed to his limits as he takes the audience on his journey to rock bottom. Each scene between him and Steve Carell is heartbreaking and moving, as he plays his grieving father.

The film itself received mostly positive reviews and most of the praise was heaped upon Timothée Chalamet. Its box office performance was not stellar, as it barely broke even, meaning there are many people who have not seen or heard of Beautiful Boy. But, to understand the levels of dedication to his craft, and the depths that he’s able to reach, it’s important to watch this melancholic and inspiring story.