Robert Pattinson is the latest actor to don the cowl of the Batman in Matt Reeves’ reboot, and many are hailing his performance as the best portrayal of The Dark Knight of all time. When it was first announced that Pattinson was next in line to become Batman, many were skeptical, but it was only because most only recognize him for playing Edward Cullen in the Twilight series. While Twilight was certainly the role that put Pattinson on the map, he’s really become so much more than that through his performances in other films.
Since Twilight, Pattinson has been a breakout force in the indie film space teaming up with a variety of artistic filmmakers and delivering a unique set of performances that have made him an underrated actor in many people’s eyes. He’s especially been noted for his ability to transform his voice with a wide array of accents, and many have seen him as an under-recognized awards contender on multiple occasions. So, the good news is if you loved Pattinson in The Batman, there are plenty more performances of his to check out.
Good Time
One of Pattinson’s most highly regarded performances is in the Safdie Brothers' 2017 breakout film Good Time for his gritty, unpredictable performance.
As a young criminal trying to find a way to break his younger, mentally handicapped brother out of jail, Pattinson traverses the Safdie Brothers’ visceral criminal underworld with a nerve-shredding determination and fearlessness that leaves you constantly at the edge of your seat. It’s a performance that really planted the seeds for his gritty and grounded Batman.
The Devil All the Time
In Antonio Campos’ 2020 southern crime epic for Netflix, The Devil All the Time, Pattinson absolutely stole the show in a star-studded cast for his devious performance as a morally corrupt preacher.
Pattinson’s performance was greatly noticed by most for the transformative and, at times, hilariously overdone southern accent, but his swift conviction and devilish charm are what really make this performance memorable and evoke eerie chills.
High Life
Within the slow-growing madness of Clarie Denis’ 2019 sci-fi psychological horror film High Life, Pattinson delivers a calm headed performance that shows off his subtle range.
As Pattinson’s Monte attempts to remain celibate through a space exploration mission with other criminals and sexually charged experiments, you can feel Pattinson try to maintain his sanity making for a tightrope walk of a performance, and he gains more complexity as Monte is tasked with a greater purpose.
Cosmopolis
Legendary horror director David Cronenberg partnered up with Pattinson on his sleek 2012 crime-thriller, Cosmopolis, with Pattinson delivering a cold and foreboding performance that can’t be missed.
There’s no doubt that part of Pattinson depiction of a darker Bruce Wayne/Batman was heavily inspired by his performance as a young billionaire who slowly descends into madness as his fortune and life disintegrate over the course of a day. This is definitely the performance Pattinson tapped into for some of his Batman’s vengeance filled rage.
The Lost City of Z
Director James Gray’s The Lost City of Z saw Pattinson in more of a supporting role, but undoubtedly a memorable one.
As a man who assists Charlie Hunnam’s Percy Fawcett in his travels through uncharted territories in the Amazon, Pattinson plays a loyal companion who almost acts at the Watson to Hunnam’s Sherlock Holmes. He may not be as adventurous as Hunnam’s Fawcett, but Pattinson’s performance makes you always want him by his side.
The Rover
One of the big performances that broke many critics view of Pattison’s ability was his supporting performance in David Michod’s 2014 dystopian western The Rover.
This apocalyptic story sees Pattinson play Rey, the brother of a thief who steals the car of a desperate man named Eric (Guy Pearce), and although he struggles to be trusted by Eric, he’s forced to help him regain his belongings. It’s an unnerving performance that feels as dirty and lost as the grimy world around him.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Pattinson’s role as Cedric Diggory in the fourth Harry Potter film, Goblet of Fire, is probably the other role most people know him for outside of Twilight and while his performance isn’t game-changing, his presence makes a big impact for the series.
He acts a good-hearted rival for Potter in the film’s central tournament and is a part of one of the franchise’s most heartbreaking moments.
The Lighthouse
Personally, Pattinson’s performance in Robert Eggers’ 2019 moody black and white horror film, The Lighthouse, remains his career best.
As a secret-keeping lighthouse wickie, Pattinson traverses Egger’s dark visionary tale and goes toe-to-toe with professional on-screen madman Willem Dafoe with a palpable fear and curiosity that viewers can share in. Pattison nabs your attention at the start with his inquisitive secrecy and embodies a true slow descent in madness and paranoia.
Tenet
Although Christopher Nolan’s Tenet didn’t light up the box office and was pretty divisive overall, everyone could collectively agree that Pattinson absolutely ruled in it.
Pattinson’s Neil is the kind of sidekick every kind of action hero wants by their side. He’s full of incredible charm, talented when it comes to fighting, and shows immense heroism where it counts. He’s easily one of the best parts of Tenet and its no wonder Reeves was scared he wasn’t going to get Pattinson to play Batman because of this role.
Twilight
Hell, if we’re already going through can’t miss performances of Pattinson, there’s no reason to skip the film series that started it all for him.
Throughout the Twilight series, Pattinson gained acclaim from fans around the world for his portrayal of vampire Edward Cullen and instantly made a name for himself in the film world. Sure, not everyone was in love with the Twilight movies, but there’s no way we could have Pattinson, or Kristen Stewart, be the acting titans they are without them.