Patrick Stewarthas risen to be one of the most acclaimed and respected talents in the realm ofacting. While his prowess and acclaim are most often associated with his work in theater andtelevision,Stewart has also been a part of many deeply engrossing cinematic experiences. He has amplified and brought life to numerous exceptional and iconicdramatic rolesover the years, ranging from long-lasting franchises to exceptionally talented one-off films.
There is an inherent allure and prestige to Stewart’s performances and capabilities that, even when his performance is more comedic in nature,there is a gravitas and weight to his style of acting. Stewart’s film outings have especially shown how versatile his talents are as an actor, bringing a level of expertise and refined craft to every role that serves to elevate the experience as a whole. He will only continue to be a household name for his acting prowess as he continues to star in brilliantly crafted films such as these.
10’Match' (2014)
Directed by Stephen Belber
A largely underrated dramatic comedy,Matchsees Stewart as Tobi,an ex-dancer who now works as a Julliard ballet instructor who is asked for an interview for research on a dissertation about dance. However, as Tobi’s interview with this married couple continues, the questions prove to get more and more personal and uncomfortable, as the true nature of the interview being held begins to slowly reveal itself.
The smaller scale and reserved nature of the production and filmmaking ofMatchallows for the film to prioritize andincrease the focus on the inherent strengths of Stewart’s acting capabilities and background in theater. It provides a more in-depth look into the intricacies of his character and his performance, playing closely in touch with the tone and style of theoriginal stage play that the filmis based on. The other prominent actors,Carla GuginoandMatthew Lillard, prove to further amplify this dynamic and elevate the emotional prowess and strength of the story being told.
9’The Prince of Egypt' (1998)
Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells
Stewart has a surprisingly vast and expansive catalog of films and television shows that he’s provided his talents as a voice actor to, ranging from beloved animated sitcoms likeAmerican Dadto infamous films likeThe Emoji Movie. However, easily one of the actor’s best voice acting performances comes fromThe Prince of Egyptand his role as Seti, the pharaoh ruler of Egypt, who cares for Moses (Val Kilmer) and Rameses (Ralph Fiennes).
Seti’s role and actions throughout the overarching story ofThe Prince of Egyptare far from glamorous, being a powerful and vicious ruler as Pharaoh, yetStewart still finds a way to bring humanity to the character as a father figure for Moses and Rameses. This doesn’t stop him from shying away from the more antagonistic aspects of the character and his legacy and impact on the two, yet it’s this balancing of good and bad aspects that makes Stewart’s performance so effective in the film.
The Prince of Egypt
8’The Kid Who Would Be King' (2019)
Directed by Joe Cornish
While his role in the film is relatively small, the implementation and usage of Stewart’s talents and abilities inThe Kid Who Would Be Kingpaints a greater picture of the film’s overall charm and witty sense of humor. Theunderrated family movie acts asa modern-day retelling of the classic story of King Arthur, witha young boy uncovering the mythical sword of Excalibur and being sent on a journey to save humanityfrom the legendary wizard Merlin.
While Merlin spends the majority of the film with the appearance of a young student thanks to his ability to age backwards, he finds himself shifting into his elder Arthurian form throughout the film, with this form being portrayed by Stewart. Even if the film weren’t a lighthearted comedy,Stewart is an absolutely perfect casting choice for the all-mighty and wisdom-filled wizard of Merlin, although he still finds strength and power even in a comedic rendition of the character.
The Kid Who Would Be King
7’X2' (2003)
Directed by Bryan Singer
Stewart’s long-lasting role as Professor X in theX-Menfranchise is easily among his most iconic and acclaimed film performances, building upon and elevating the character for wider audiences. Of the originalX-Mentrilogy, Stewart’s best outing, as well as the best film of the trilogy, easily goes toX2. The film further expanded upon the impact and difficulties between humanity and mutant kind,directly delving into Charles Xavier’s continuous struggles in the face of persecution.
Stewart’s performance as Charles Xavier was already deeply impactful and effective in the originalX-Menfilm, yetX2proved to only compound and build upon these inherent strengths and possibilities for the character. The character faces more physical and mental turmoil than in the previous film, from teaming up with former enemies to being manipulated into becoming a deadly superweapon. While many different attributes of the trilogy are at their best inX2, Stewart’s performance still finds a way to stand out.
X2: X-Men United
When anti-mutant Colonel William Stryker kidnaps Professor X and attacks his school, the X-Men must ally with their archenemy Magneto to stop him.
6’Dune' (1984)
Directed by David Lynch
While there has been widespread acclaim and success forDenis Villeneuve’s modern blockbuster adaptations ofFrank Herbert’sDune, this isn’t to discredit the distinct and effective filmmaking thatDavid Lynchbrought to the novel in the ’80s. Thecampy sci-fi classichas a lot of inherent elements and strengths that have helped it stand the test of time and become a niche even alongside these modern blockbuster hits,with one of the most prominent positives being Patrick Stewart as Gurney Halleck.
Stewart perfectly aligns with the mixture of authority, friendship, and unyielding loyaltythat the character is defined by in the story, making a large impact with an undeniable screen presence and a key role in the overarching story. It’s a distinctly different type of performance than the one thatJosh Brolingave in the modern films, being more focused on the guise of a caring mentor for Paul (Kyle MacLachlan) and a figure of refuge and a confidant when they are eventually reunited.
A Duke’s son leads desert warriors against the galactic emperor and his father’s evil nemesis to free their desert world from the emperor’s rule.
5’A Christmas Carol' (1999)
Directed by David Hugh Jones
Charles Dickens' holiday classic has seen a wide multitude of different interpretations and adaptations over the years, so it isn’t exactly surprising that oneA Christmas Caroladaptation would cast Stewart in the leading role of Ebenezer Scrooge.Stewart goes all out in terms of giving an emotional and deeply moving performancein thisHallmarkadaptation of the classic story, easily being the defining element and lasting legacy of the entire adaptation as a whole.
The film is about as clear-cut and timeless an adaptation ofA Christmas Carolcan get, sticking true to the original themes of the story while also seamlessly evolving and adapting to modern audiences with its approach to storytelling.Stewart proves to be the quintessential piece to the puzzle that ties everything together, sticking to classic elements of Scrooge as a character while also providing his distinct flair and personal touch to the role. While the film isn’t nearly as well-known as other adaptations, this quaint version ofA Christmas Carolis worth watching entirely for Stewart’s performance.
A Christmas Carol
4’Hamlet' (2009)
Directed by Gregory Doran
Stewart has a long and varied historywith various Shakespearean storiesduring his time in the world of theater, with one of his first breakout moments as a performer being as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. This film adaptation ofHamletacts as a film adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2008 production of the play,a production that managed to earn Stewart a Tony Award and a second Olivier Award for his portrayal of King Claudius.
While distinctly different from the theatrical production that it’s adapting,all the gravitas and award-winning prowess of Stewart’s performance is perfectly captured and transformedthroughout this TV movie. It’s a performance defined by and elevated by a deep-rooted history and respect for the material itself, with Stewart having a fundamental understanding and long-lasting history of the character and story to create the best performance possible for the timeless writing. It’s rare to see Stewart’s theatrical work and cinematic work cross paths with each other so directly such as in this case, making for a perfect starting point to experience his masterful work in theater.
3’Green Room' (2015)
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
One of the defining characteristics that can be attributed to many of Stewart’s iconic characters and performances over the years is a sense of heroism, likability, or even forgiveness by the end of the film.It’s rare to see the actor taking on a role of pure villainy and tension-fueled dread, which is exactly what makes his haunting and powerful presence inGreen Roomso effective. Stewart plays the role of Darcy in the film, the leader of a group of skinheads who finds himself in a stalemate and standoff with the band inside a bar, feigning a sense of negotiation as he plots to murder the band to eliminate witnesses.
More than simply being cold and calculating in the face of murder, Stewart’s previous roles as kind-hearted play directly into making his despicable character inGreen Roomso effective. Even as the audience knows the vile intentions of the character, Stewart still manages to conjure hope through his manipulative conversations and lying during the negotiation, giving a facade of warmth and understanding to his deadly trap. Combined with the visceral violence and pain that the film shows off,it all comes together to create one of the most distinct and individual performances in Stewart’s entire career.
Green Room
A punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar.
2’Star Trek: First Contact' (1996)
Directed by Jonathan Frakes
It’s undeniable that Stewart’s most recognizable and acclaimed role across all different mediums of acting and performance ishis long-lasting character of Captain Jean-Luc Picardin theStar Trekfranchise. While his most acclaimed and legendary work as the character comes in the form of various television series, Stewart has reprised the character in variousStar Trekmovies to largely mixed and inconsistent results. Easily the standout among these feature-length venues for the character comes inStar Trek: First Contact, the second of four films featuring theNext Generationcrew.
More thanany otherStar Trekmovieof the era,First Contactgoes to considerable lengths to not only increase the scope and scale of the television series, but also build upon the character dynamics of its recurring cast on a theatrical scale.Stewart’s portrayal of Picard is no different, being one of the most prominent and effective portrayals of the characterand achieving a deeper, more engaging sense of the character as a result.
Star Trek: First Contact
The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth’s first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed.
1’Logan' (2017)
Directed by James Mangold
While Stewart’s impact and legacy on the character of Charles Xavier over the years is undeniable, he has rarely been a true highlight of theX-Menfranchise throughout his appearances in the films. However, the major exception to this is his prominent appearance inLogan,playing a much older and nearing senile version of the character and giving an emotional and heartwrenching performancethat further elevates his role as the character.
Loganas a whole has many inherent positives that have helped it garner a reputation as the peak of theX-Menfranchise, with Stewart’s brilliant portrayal of Xavier further compounding upon the film’s effective legacy. Many of Stewart’s portrayals of the character can feel repetitive and similar to each other, yethis transformation as a powerful mutant in his final hours makes for one of the biggest tearjerkers in modern action movie history. It makes for a beautiful sendoff to Stewart’s decades-long history of portraying the character and further cements him as an iconic force of acting talent.
Logan sees the titular hero, AKA Wolverine, in his twilight years as his healing factor has begun to fail him, and he has begun to age more rapidly. Set several years in the future, Logan finds himself caring for an ailing Professor Xavier, whose mind has begun to succumb to dementia, making him an incredibly dangerous mutant that can cause widespread destruction accidentally. But when the preoccupied Logan is asked to meet with a woman that requests he transports a young girl to a mutant haven known as Eden, he learns that she may have his DNA and that the fate of mutant-kind may rest in her hands.
NEXT:The 10 Best Captain Picard Episodes in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ Ranked
