Image credit: Anchor Bay Films, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Canal+, The Orchard, Relativity Media, Lionsgate, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Vertical Entertainment
Luke Evans can switch from a Disney villain to a gritty anti-hero faster than you can say, "Gaston!"
While he's had his share of blockbuster moments, there are so many lesser-known films starring Evans that don't get the credit they deserve.
1. "No One Lives" (2012) In this slasher flick, Evans plays a mysterious character known simply as "Driver." A gang of thieves kidnaps him and his girlfriend, thinking they're easy prey. Big mistake. Turns out, Driver's a serial killer with a talent for gruesome kills. He turns the tables and hunts the gang members down, one-by-one. Spoiler: no one lives (except Driver).
2. "High-Rise" (2015) Luke Evans plays Richard Wilder in this dystopian drama based on J.G. Ballard's novel. The film focuses on a high-rise apartment building that spirals into social chaos. Wilder, a documentary filmmaker, becomes increasingly obsessed with exposing the dark underbelly of the building's society. He goes from floor to floor, documenting the descent into madness as the building's systems fail and the residents turn on each other.
It's a claustrophobic nightmare with Evans at its center.
3. "Message from the King" (2016) Luke plays Paul Wentworth, a shady dentist embroiled in criminal activities. He's not the protagonist, but his character serves as a catalyst for the chain of events.
Jacob King, the main character, comes to L.A. to search for his missing sister. He finds her dead and wants answers. The trail leads him to Wentworth, who is involved in her murder. Jacob takes him out with a bike chain, but not before Wentworth reveals critical info that propels the plot forward.
Evans nails the creepy factor here.
4. "Tamara Drewe" (2010) In this romantic comedy, Evans plays Andy Cobb, the rugged handyman and Tamara Drewe's former boyfriend. The film is set in a tranquil English village that gets disrupted when Tamara, now a successful journalist, returns after a makeover. She catches everyone's eye, including her old flame Andy.
Amidst affairs and misunderstandings, Andy remains the stable figure in Tamara's life. He helps her see through the shallowness of her new life, and they end up together.
5. "10x10" (2018) Ever wonder what it's like to see Evans play a vengeful guy? Here's your chance. He plays Lewis, who kidnaps Cathy, accusing her of ruining his life by a false testimony. He keeps her in a soundproof 10x10 room, but Cathy isn't going down without a fight.
They play a psychological cat-and-mouse game as Lewis tries to get her to confess. In the end, Lewis discovers that Cathy was innocent but dies before he can set her free.
6. "Ma" (2019) While not the main focus of this psychological horror, Luke Evans plays Ben, the dad of one of the teens that the creepy Sue Ann, aka "Ma," becomes obsessed with. As it turns out, Ben and Ma went to high school together, and Ben is partly the reason for her psychological breakdown.
After discovering that Ma has been stalking his son, Ben confronts her, leading to his untimely death by Ma's hands.
7. "The Raven" (2012) Set in 19th-century Baltimore, this thriller stars Evans as Detective Fields, who teams up with Edgar Allan Poe to solve a series of murders inspired by Poe's works.
As they dig deeper into the mystery, it becomes clear the killer is targeting Poe himself. Fields becomes more invested in the case, even putting his life on the line. His character serves as the rational counterpoint to Poe's artistic eccentricities.
8. "Midway" (2019) Time for some war history. In this World War II drama based on the Battle of Midway, Evans portrays Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky.
The film centers on the decisive aerial battle that turned the tide in the Pacific Theater. McClusky leads his air group into a dangerous mission, eventually locating the enemy fleet. His daring actions significantly contribute to the American victory.
9. "Anna" (2019) Luke Evans plays Alex Tchenkov, a Russian KGB officer who recruits the titular Anna to be an assassin. Throughout the movie, his character navigates the tricky waters of KGB politics and has a complicated relationship with Anna, even falling for her.
His character is essential in Anna's transition from a regular girl to a ruthless assassin.
10. "State Like Sleep" (2018) In this thriller, Evans is Emile, the charming but mysterious neighbor of Katherine, a widow investigating her husband's suspicious death. While Katherine initially suspects Emile might be involved, it turns out he's just a troubled soul like her.
His character serves as a red herring in the movie but also provides emotional depth as someone who understands Katherine's grief.
