A Complete Unknown was one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 2024, and fans of the Bob Dylan film need to be sure to watch this Joaquin Phoenix musical biopic that is now streaming on Hulu. The musical biopic genre is always popular, with a plethora of movies centered on some of the most famous musicians of all time releasing every year. The Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown was arguably the most popular musical biopic of 2024, and it has a lot of similarities to another biopic that has 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.
It isn’t a surprise that A Complete Unknown was so successful that it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, as it had all the makings of an instant success. The film was all about Bob Dylan, one of the most influential musicians of all time, and it stars Timothée Chalamet, one of the most popular actors working today. It also has a variety of other talented actors, told a unique story, and perfectly recreated the time period. However, the aspect of A Complete Unknown that made it a surefire success was its director, with James Mangold having already directed another popular musical biopic.
Walk The Line Is A Johnny Cash Biopic From A Complete Unkonwn’s Director & It’s Now Streaming On Hulu
Here’s Why You Should Watch It
A Complete Unknown isn’t James Mangold’s first musical biopic, as he previously directed the 2005 film Walk the Line. Walk the Line tells the story of country singer Johnny Cash, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Upon its release, Walk the Line was critically acclaimed, with it winning an Oscar, being nominated for several more, and defining what musical biopics would be up until now.
Luckily for fans of A Complete Unknown, Walk the Line is now streaming on Hulu. Hulu’s release of the film is undoubtedly meant to capitalize on the success of A Complete Unknown, as the two musical biopics have a lot in common besides just a director. For example, both movies feature their own version of Johnny Cash.
How A Complete Unknown & Walk The Line’s Versions Of Johnny Cash Compare
James Mangold Made Both Of Them
James Mangold got to create versions of Johnny Cash in A Complete Unknown and Walk the Line, but they aren’t exactly the same. The Johnny Cash seen in Walk the Line is a lot more humanized, with the film going through his entire life story. Although he bears the signature qualities of Johnny Cash, this version is a lot more reserved.
Meanwhile, the Johnny Cash seen in A Complete Unknown is just a side character, meaning that he is able to have a performance that is far more heightened. Johnny Cash’s role in A Complete Unknown can be compared to the role of Elvis in Walk the Line, with this version of Cash showing the type of person who Bob Dylan could become.
