Summary
Now firmly established as one of the hottest prospects in Hollywood,Glen Powellhas had several high-profile performances throughout his career. Since an inauspiciousdebut in 2003’sSpy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Powellhas gone on to feature in some of the most successful movies of the past decade, securing his status as both a leading man and a highly capable supporting star. As a result, his resume includes some extremely varied and often surprising projects.
Prior to 2014, Powell was primarily known for limited supporting roles – often in surprisingly high-profile releases. Memorably, for example, Powell made a fleeting appearance as a stockbroker in Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight Risesopposite Tom Hardy’s Bane. Since then, his career has gone from strength to strength. MemorableGlen Powell movies include the wildly successfulTop Gun: Maverickand the hit romantic comedyAnyone But You. However, while these films are certainly impressive credits, they’re not the only memorable performances ofGlen Powell’s career.
2014
64%
32%
2016
93%
87%
The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Society
2018
81%
92%
2022
80%
96%
Anyone But You
2023
54%
Cast
AlthoughSex Edis by no means a classic rom-com,the 2014 movie nonetheless provides a useful window into the qualities that Glen Powell is capable of bringingto any role. Starring Haley Joel Osmant, the movie is a low-budget comedy in the tradition of forerunners likeThe40-Year-Old Virgin, centering around a misfit teacher, Ed, who begins conducting a sex education program as part of an after-school club. The situation is complicated by the fact that Ed is himself a virgin.
As is the case in many early Glen Powell movie appearances, he does not take center stage. However, as Ed’s roommate JT, Powell helps make a role that could otherwise by unsympathetic and two-dimensional into a surprisingly nuanced portrait. It alsohighlighted Powell’s aptitude for comedy– a skill that would only become more apparent as his career continued.
Just like previous installments in the franchise,The Expendables 3relies upon an impressive ensemble castas much as it does cohesive storytelling and strong characterization. As a result of this approach, it’s unsurprising that some characters fail to stand out or end up feeling like incomplete sketches. As Thorn, Glen Powell bucks this trend.
Although the movie itself was relatively poorly reviewed, many critics identified Powell’s Thorn as a clear highlight – with some suggesting he might be the ideal person to take the franchise forward. As Thorn,Powell brought the same arrogance and charm that made his turn inTop Gun: Maverickso memorable, makingThe Expendables 3function as an interesting preview to the 2022 blockbuster. It may have been badly received on the whole, butThe Expendables 3was a perfect audition for Powellas a prospective action star.
One of thebest movies in Glen Powell’s careerto date,Hidden Figuresis an Oscar-nominated biopic that won universal praise for the caliber of its performances.The cast was led by the combined efforts of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, who played the real-life women who played a crucial but often unsung role at the heart of NASA’s space program. Yet while much of the story was understandably devoted to their story, Glen Powell played a crucial supporting role.
Although his screen time was limited, (Powell) imbued Glenn with a quiet authority and gravitas in keeping with his standing in the history of American science.
As astronaut John Glenn,Powell was a pivotal presence around whom the wider character’s efforts were concentrated. Although his screen time was limited, he imbued Glenn with a quiet authority and gravitas in keeping with his standing in the history of American science. While his limited screen time preventsHidden Figuresfrom ranking more highly as an all-round Glen Powell performance, it is nonetheless an impressive entry in his career.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society follows writer Juliet Ashton as she develops a transformative connection with a unique book club in post-World War II Guernsey. This adaptation explores themes of community and resilience, set amid the backdrop of the island’s occupation during the war.
In many of his later leading roles, Powell has thrived as a romantic heartthrob and hero of the story. His natural easy charm has made him an obvious choice for charismatic protagonists. However, before he rose to real prominence,he demonstrated his range in an understated and evocative performancein 2018’sThe Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society.
As main character Juliet Ashton’s American fiance, Mark, Powell goes somewhat against type as an unfortunate partner who gets spurned. While it would be easy for such a character to seem superficially malignant and deserving of such treatment, Powell’s turn is nowhere near as cartoonish. In fact,by making Mark less of a villain, Powell helpsThe Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Societyworkas a powerful parable for the intractability of love and romance, instead of a more fantastical melodrama.
Everybody Wants Some!!
Everybody Wants Some, directed by Richard Linklater, is a comedy film set in the 1980s that follows college baseball players navigating life on and off the field. The ensemble cast, including Blake Jenner and Ryan Guzman, portrays the competitive yet carefree atmosphere as the characters explore their identities during the weekend before classes begin. The film serves as a spiritual sequel to Linklater’s Dazed and Confused.
Making just over $5 million at the box office against a budget of around $10 million,Everybody Wants Some!!was a financial disappointment on release. However, that doesn’t stop the movie from being a great showcase for Glen Powell’s talents – as well as an indication of his potential synergy with director Richard Linklater. Not only didEveryone Wants Some!!win general critical acclaimfor its nostalgic college story, but the movie helped identify Powell as a future star.
As easy-going baseball player Finnegan, Powell is a natural at capturing college optimism. He also demonstrates his comedic chops – memorably during one party stream where he pretends to be an expert on astrology in order to impress some performing arts students. Although it wasn’t widely seen,Everybody Wants Some!!gave an early indication of Powell’s suitability for charismatic comedy roles.
Devotion
Devotion, directed by J.D. Dillard, chronicles the harrowing true story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. Their courageous sacrifices elevate them to the status of the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen, highlighting a pivotal period in military aviation history.
While many great Glen Powell performances come in a supporting capacity or as part of a broader ensemble, theKorean War dramaDevotiondemonstrates how effective he can be as a lead.The biographical narrative centers on the true story of two pilots in the conflictwhose experience and growing friendship is interwoven with systemic prejudice and tragedy. Selling such a story effectively requires more than Powell’s usual charm.
As Tom Hudner, Powell successfully balances the pilot’s sense of duty with the character’s changing perspectives on race and privilege.Arguably a more serious role than many of Powell’s previous performances,Devotionis a heartfelt study of mutual respect and male friendship in difficult circumstances. Despite being another box office disappointment,Devotionimpressed critics (scoring 80% onRotten Tomatoes), with many singling Powell out for praise.
Probably Glen Powell’s most recognizable blockbuster appearance to date,Top Gun: Maverickhelped cement the actor as a global superstar. In a movie where spectacular action could easily overshadow characters, it’s a testament to everyone involved thatTop Gun: Maverickbecame such a success. As the obnoxious, arrogant, yet ultimately heroic Hangman,Powell was a key piece of the jigsaw.
Following the dynamics established in the first movie, Powell’s job was essentially to fill the void left byVal Kilmer’s Iceman. Despite the original character’s legendary status, Powell did so with aplomb –arguably making Hangman a more sympathetic and likable presence than Iceman. While he played second fiddle to Tom Cruise and Miles Teller, Glen Powell was an integral part ofTop Gun: Maverick.
2024 Is The Summer Of Glen Powell I’ve Waited 2 Years For After $1.4 Billion Smash Hit
Glen Powell looks set to dominate screens over the next few months, which is exactly what the star deserves following his 2022 break-out role.
As demonstrated bythe movie’s polarizedRotten Tomatoesscore of 54%,Anyone But Youis far from flawless. However, while the story’s familiar tropes and narrative came in for criticism, many critics (and most viewers) agreed that the dynamic betweenSydney Sweeney and Glen Powellwas central to the film’s success. As a result, while the movie as a whole has its problems, it unquestionably ranks as one of Powell’s personal highlights.
As Ben, Powell is perfectly cast as a smooth-talking Goldman Sachs employee whose relationship woes are a constant source of angst. His chemistry with Sydney is palpable,makingAnyone But Youa broadly successful modern Shakespeare adaptation. The fact that the movie made over $220 million at the global box office despite middling critical response proves just how effective Powell and Sweeney’s performances are.
Set It Up
Set It Up is a romantic comedy directed by Claire Scanlon, featuring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants in New York City. To gain some free time, they scheme to set up their demanding bosses, played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs, with each other. As their plan unfolds, unexpected romantic entanglements ensue, leading to comedic and heartfelt moments. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the grind of modern work life.
AlthoughAnyone But Youranks as Glen Powell’s most recognizable comedy role, largely due to its box office impact, his best genre performance came five years earlier in theNetflix movieSet It Up. In many ways,Set It Up’s premise following two over-worked assistants who attempt to set their bosses up romantically is not dissimilar toAnyone But You’s lovematch story. However, where the 2023 film was criticized for predictability and lack of innovation,Set It Upproved that traditional storytelling can still succeed.
With an impressive 92% rating onRotten Tomatoes,Set It Upranks as one of the best-reviewed movies of Glen Powell’s career. However, while the film itself was a resounding success, Powell was a revelation. Made before prominent performances inTop Gun: Maverick,the movie is another example of Powell’s range, since his character is not the charismatic alpha male seen in later performances. His relationship with Zoey Deutch’s Harper Moore is genuinely touching and helps elevate an otherwise formulaic story.
Glen Powell’s complex, charismatic, and frequently hilarious performance in Richard Linklater’s acclaimed 2023 comedy-dramaHit Manis the most complete of his career to date. As fake assassin Gary Johnson, Powell dons multiple personas throughout the story, requiring a degree of flexibility unseen in any previous role. Combined with aspects that play to his natural strengths,Hit Manis the perfect vehicle for Powellto cement himself as a bona fide superstar.
The movie currently holds an enviable 96% rating onRotten Tomatoes–the highest of Glen Powell’s career. Not only is the film itself a success, but Powell himself has been consistently singled out for praise, with theRotten Tomatoescritical consensus declaring: “…Hit Man is an outstanding showcase for leading man Glen Powell – and one of the most purely entertaining films of Richard Linklater’s career.” The fact thatGlen Powellis the pivotal presence in a movie that fails or succeeds on the strength of its characters makesHit Manthe obvious choice as his best performance so far.
