British actorNicholas Houlthas been working professionally since he was six years old, turning in terrific performances across a range of mediums and genres. Beginning his career as a child star, he quickly proved his ability to take on diverse roles, from indie dramas to blockbuster franchises. Since then,Hoult has continued to expand his emotional depth, comedic timing, and talent for transformation, allowing him to slip into characters as diverse asThe Menu’s Tyler andMad Max’s Nux.
Hoult is set to appear in several hyped movies in the coming months, includingThe Order,Nosferatu, andSuperman: The Legacy. With this in mind, now is as good a time as any to reflect on his filmography to date. Here are Hoult’s best movies, fromAbout a BoytoX-Men.These films not only underline his adaptability but also reflect Hoult’s commitment to choosing roles that challenge and push him.
10’Tolkien' (2019)
Directed by Dome Karukoski
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” Hoult leads this biopic as a youngJ.R.R. Tolkien, the author ofThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbit. In particular, the movie focuses on Tolkien’s deep bonds with his friends in the Tea Club and Barrovian Society, his romance with Edith Bratt (Lily Collins), and the harrowing experiences of World War I that profoundly influenced his work.
This is one of Hoult’s subtler performances.He shines in the quieter moments, convincingly conveying Tolkien’s internal conflicts and burgeoning artistic vision. He provides the movie with its emotional anchor. As a whole,Tolkienis solid while also falling a little short of its potential, sticking to the period playbook without breaking any new ground (other than the neat way it weaves fantastical elements into the visuals). That said, fans of the author’s fantasy world are likely to find it interesting.
9’Warm Bodies' (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Levine
A fun reinvention of the zombie flick,Warm Bodiesfeatures Hoult as R, a zombie grappling with the remnants of his humanity in a world ravaged by an undead apocalypse. He forms a connection with Julie (Teresa Palmer), a living human. This bond reignites his sense of self and offering hope for a world overrun by despair.
The film flips the zombie genre on its head, fusing it with rom-com elements and reinvigorating it much likeShaun of the Deaddid a decade earlier. Some dubbed the result a “zom-rom-com”. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s definitely enjoyable, bursting with sweetness and humor. On the acting side,Hoult deserves props for his committed performance, including his lurching zombie gait and posture, which reportedly took a lot of practice. He also nails the voice-over, providing many of the film’s best jokes.
Warm Bodies
8’About a Boy' (2002)
Directed by Chris and Paul Weitz
“No man is an island.” Hoult had his first significant film role in this comedy-drama, playing Marcus, an awkward yet endearing boy whose friendship with self-absorbed bachelor Will (Hugh Grant) changes both their lives. Marcus, dealing with a difficult home life and relentless bullying, seeks solace in Will, who initially wants nothing to do with him. Their dynamic is both humorous and heartfelt.
Hoult’s performance here is remarkably mature for his age(he was 13 when it premiered). He comes across as natural and believable, especially in the voice-over. The part gained him significant attention and helped pave the way for the roles that would follow. Grant is likewise terrific in his part, channelingCary Grantand delivering his comedic lines with pitch-perfect timing. Despite a predictable finale (and perhaps a little too much sentimentality),About a Boyis a fundamentally charming film that unsurprisingly resonated with audiences.
About a Boy
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7’The Banker' (2020)
Directed by George Nolfi
The Bankerexplores the real-life story ofBernard Garrett(Anthony Mackie) andJoe Morris(Samuel L. Jackson), two Black entrepreneurs in 1960s America who enlistMatt Steiner(Hoult) to pose as the face of their real estate empire. From here, the movie plays out in fairly standard period drama fashion, holding back from the kind of boldness that might have made it stand out, butthe strong lead performances compensate for a lot.
Mackie and Jackson have a great dynamic, bouncing off each other energetically. It’s fun to watch them hustling and outsmarting their opponents, despite facing significant obstacles.Hoult also does a lot with the relatively little the script gives him. He’s believable as someone grappling with the prejudices of his time. The finished product is a serviceable drama that benefits significantly from being based on fact.
The Banker
6’The Menu' (2022)
Directed by Mark Mylod
Image via Searchlight Pictures
The Menuisa deliciously acerbic dark comedyfrom the mind ofMark Mylod, who directed most ofSuccession’s big episodes. Hoult co-stars as Tyler, a self-absorbed foodie who brings his girlfriend Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) to an exclusive dining experience led by the enigmatic Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). As the night unfolds, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary dinner, with mayhem and death soon following.
Hoult’s performance is both comedic and cringe-worthy, equal parts pretentious and oblivious. His obsessive admiration for Slowik and blind devotion to the art of fine dining prove his undoing. Though all the actors here are overshadowed by Fiennes' towering villain performance (almost on par with Voldemort), Hoult is still enjoyable, and more than willing to make himself look stupid on-screen. By contrast, Taylor-Joy provides the sensible everywoman, the stand-in for the audience.
5’X-Men: First Class' (2011)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
X-Men: First Classchronicles the formation of the X-Men during the 1960s, focusing on the budding friendship between Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) as they lead a team of young mutants. Hoult steps into the role of Hank McCoy, aka Beast, a brilliant scientist grappling with his mutation that gives him both extraordinary agility and an unsettlingly animalistic appearance.
DirectorMatthew Vaughninjectsa ton of fresh energyinto the franchise with this one. Vaughn confidently fuses blockbuster entertainment with a surprisingly thoughtful script. He’s assisted by a game cast, Holt among them. The actor looks like he had a lot of fun with the part, which makes for a noteworthy performance.
X-Men: First Class
In the 1960s, superpowered humans Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr work together to find others like them, but Erik’s vengeful pursuit of an ambitious mutant who ruined his life causes a schism to divide them.
4’A Single Man' (2009)
Directed by Tom Ford
Colin Firthleads this 1960s-set drama (directed by fashion designerTom Ford) as George Falconer, a grieving professor coping with the loss of his long-term partner. He’s depressed and adrift, until he meets Kenny (Hoult), a curious and charismatic student. Kenny’s inquisitive and carefree nature provides a contrast to George’s despair, offering him a glimmer of hope and connection in a world that feels devoid of meaning.
Hoult brings a subtle magnetism to the role, demonstrating more range than he had previously. It takes a lot to share the screen with an actor of Firth’s talent (he was Oscar-nominated for this performance) yet Hoult holds his own. Aside from the strong acting,A Single Manalso boasts immaculate period clothing and production design, making it an immersive blast from the blast. Though at times the style threatens to overshadow the substance, the aesthetic ultimately serves as a striking frame for Firth’s performance.
A Single Man
3’The Favourite' (2018)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
One ofYorgos Lanthimos' very best films,The Favouritegleefully turns 18th-century court politics into a madcap black comedy. The plot focuses on the rivalry betweenSarah Churchill(Rachel Weisz) andAbigail Hill(Emma Stone) as they vie for Queen Anne’s (Olivia Colman) affections, while Hoult appears as Robert Harley, a manipulative and cunning politician also navigating the palace intrigue.
The Favouriteis riotously entertaining, unlike any other period piece. Rather than being dry and dusty, it’s decidedly gonzo, with a lively score, lush color palette, intricate costuming, and stunning set design. The inventive cinematography adds an eccentric visual flair, whilethe biting dialogue enhances the playfulness further. Hoult does a good job with his part, though he obviously plays second fiddle to the fiery female trio at the film’s center. Hoult would later reteam with screenwriterTony McNamarafor a series in a similar vein–The Great.
The Favourite
In early 18th-century England, the status quo at the court is upset when a new servant arrives and endears herself to a frail Queen Anne.
2’X-Men: Days of Future Past' (2014)
Directed by Bryan Singer
The time-traveling narrative ofX-Men: Days of Future Pastunites the younger X-Men cast with the original ensemble, as they work together to prevent a dystopian future dominated by mutant-hunting Sentinels. Hoult’s Hank McCoy serves as a crucial figure in the effort, using his scientific expertise and physical prowess to aid Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in their mission.
As inFirst Class, the chemistry between McAvoy and Fassbender is the beating heart of the film. Their performances together are top-notch. The rest of the cast doesn’t get as much to work with, but they’re still decent, Hoult included.His performance is more confident this time around, while Hank’s flaws and inner struggles make him relatable and likable.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Directed by George Miller
“What a lovely day!” When it comes to the best project Hoult has been involved in to date, it’s hard to topMad Max: Fury Road, one of the finestaction movies of the 2010s. Hoult delivers a transformative performance as Nux, a War Boy loyal to the tyrannical Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Initially an antagonist, Nux’s journey from a fanatical servant to a redeemed hero is one of the film’s most compelling arcs.
As he joins forces with Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron) in their fight for freedom, Nux’s character evolves, driven by a newfound sense of purpose and humanity. Here,Hoult is simultaneously frenetic and emotional, capturing the character’s vulnerability and determination amidst the chaos of the wasteland. This was not an easy role to pull off, but he absolutely aces it. The performance suggests that Hoult may have a fascinating character actor career ahead of him.
