Image credit: IFC Films, Lionsgate, Twentieth Century Fox, Cinedigm Entertainment, Warner Bros., Bleecker Street Media, The Weinstein Company, FilmDistrict, Well Go USA Entertainment, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
We all know him as "Mr. Robot" and Bondiana's enigmatic villain, but there's so much more to Rami Malek's filmography!
1. "Short Term 12" (2013) Before Grace (Brie Larson) became the forefront of this emotionally charged film, Malek's character Nate had an unforgettable presence. Fresh out of college and full of idealism, Nate joins the staff at a foster care facility for at-risk teens.
The film deftly intertwines the stories of the staff and the teens, revealing their traumas and triumphs. Malek's Nate is tossed into a world where textbook knowledge meets harsh reality.
2. "The Master" (2012) Welcome to the world of Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a charismatic leader who captivates Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), a World War II veteran struggling with post-war life. Malek's character, Clark, is a devoted follower of Dodd. Amidst the backdrop of Dodd's controversial "The Cause," Clark's loyalty is unwavering.
The movie is a plunge into the depths of a post-war society, where characters grapple with a lost sense of identity, seeking solace and purpose.
3. "Ain't Them Bodies Saints" (2013) In a melancholic, lyrical tale of love and consequence, Malek plays Will, a close companion to Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck), a prison escapee.
Set in the 1970s Texas Hill Country, the film revolves around Bob's desperate attempt to reunite with his wife Ruth (Rooney Mara) and the daughter he has never met.
4. "Oldboy" (2013) Malek stars as Browning in this provocative remake of Park Chan-wook's South Korean masterpiece. Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) is mysteriously imprisoned for 20 years and then just as enigmatically released.
In a world where 20 years have slipped through his fingers, Joe seeks vengeance against his anonymous captor, a journey that unravels horrific truths. Browning is caught up in Joe's frenzied quest for revenge.
5. "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" (2014) An aristocrat named Dr. Hess Green (Stephen Tyrone Williams) is introduced to an ancient African artifact by his assistant (Elvis Nolasco), leading to an insatiable thirst for blood. Malek plays Seneschal Higginbottom, a role that adds an additional layer of complexity to this Spike Lee joint.
It's not your typical vampire story. Set amidst opulence and affluence, the film dwells in the spaces between addiction, curse, and redemption.
6. "Buster's Mal Heart" (2016) In this cryptic yet captivating film, Malek plays Jonah, a troubled night concierge at a remote hotel. Stuck in a perpetual loop of sleep-deprived shifts, he's haunted by a mysterious stranger who introduces the concept of 'The Inversion.' Jonah is then tormented by visions of a different life as 'Buster,' a mountain man on the run from authorities.
The film weaves a non-linear, complex story, oscillating between Jonah's mundane, isolated existence and Buster's frenzied escapades in the wild.
7. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2" (2012) Let's not pretend like we didn't all have a Twilight phase. Malek plays Benjamin, a vampire with the ability to manipulate the elements, a skill even the Volturi respect. As the Cullens gather allies to protect Renesmee, Benjamin's unique powers become instrumental.
In the grand climax of a romantic epic, battles are waged and allegiances tested.
8. "Papillon" (2017) Set against the harrowing backdrop of the infamous penal colony on Devil's Island, Malek portrays Louis Dega, a convicted counterfeiter. Charlie Hunnam stars as the title character, Papillon, a safecracker framed for murder.
Amidst the brutality of imprisonment and the unyielding pursuit of freedom, a unique bond forms between Dega and Papillon. Dega's cunning intellect and Papillon's unrelenting spirit fuel their arduous journey through an escape saga.
9. "Night at the Museum" (2006) In a lighter, family-friendly fare, Malek steps into the shoes of Ahkmenrah, the young Pharaoh whose tablet brings the Museum of Natural History to life.
The movie follows Larry (Ben Stiller), a new night guard, who discovers the exhibits come alive after sunset. Each character, from Teddy Roosevelt to a mischievous monkey, adds whimsy and charm to a film brimming with adventure.
10. "The Little Things" (2021) Malek shifts gears as Detective Jim Baxter in this crime thriller. Alongside Denzel Washington's Joe "Deke" Deacon, a Kern County Deputy Sheriff, they pursue a serial killer terrorizing Los Angeles.
As they delve into the dark recesses of the criminal mind, secrets surface, alliances are tested, and the haunting spectre of Deke's past looms large. Baxter, while a determined and focused detective, finds himself ensnared in a moral quandary.
