Aaron Taylor-Johnson has, with very little noise, built a career that is as unexpected and admirable. He has gone from awkward teen rom-coms to serious dramas and fiery action blockbusters, showing that he is capable of blending into any character. He is able to be the charming lead, the troubled anti-hero, or even an evil villain, and yet Taylor-Johnson is still able to make his mark. We will look at 10 of his best performances as a way of leading to his number one.
10. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Before the MCU became all multiverse-tastic, Taylor-Johnson took his place among the superhero ranks as Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver. His portrayal of the character went hard in terms of anger and intensity, making him more of a sharp point than fans might have anticipated. Although his time spent in the MCU was brief, his performance injected some much-needed energy into Age of Ultron and demonstrated that he could hold his own in an enormous ensemble.
9. The Greatest (2009)
This romantic drama, which features Carey Mulligan with Taylor-Johnson, is a tear-jerker. He portrays a young adult struggling with loss and intimacy, and his act is understated but emotionally powerful. The movie sometimes drifts toward over-the-top melodrama, but Taylor-Johnson’s sensitivity keeps it grounded, and it ends up being a secret gem in his filmography.
8. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
Each actor has one teen comedy that will always be remembered by fans. For Taylor-Johnson, it’s this cult classic, in which he plays Robbie, the dreamboat every awkward British teenage girl (and many viewers) fell for. It’s a breezy, humorous movie loaded with cringeworthy teen behavior, and Taylor-Johnson’s own likability comes through.
7. Anna Karenina (2012)
To take on Count Vronsky in Joe Wright’s chic Tolstoy remake was a risky proposition. Taylor-Johnson portrays him with just the right amount of passion and anguish, his beauty and tragedy captured in the knowledge of a lost love. The film’s opulent production values are stunning, and his chemistry with Keira Knightley makes the tragedy all the more poignant.
6. Nowhere Boy (2009)
As a younger John Lennon, Taylor-Johnson demonstrated just how versatile he was early on in his career. His performance walks the line between Lennon’s arrogance and his vulnerability, so it’s no surprise that this is his breakout role. It’s a performance that got him critical acclaim and, interestingly, where he also met his future wife, director Sam Taylor-Johnson.
5. Tenet (2020)
Christopher Nolan’s brain-bending thriller is filled to the brim with spectacle, but Taylor-Johnson makes a lasting impact in a comparatively small part. Playing a tough military commander, he exudes authority and grit that serve to anchor the movie’s more heady moments. By the point at which he arrives in the third act, you can’t look away.
4. The Fall Guy (2024)
In David Leitch’s action-comedy, Taylor-Johnson stars as Tom Ryder, a missing Hollywood star, and he kicks the plot into high gear. His performance is both comedic and bigger-than-life, spoofing action hero movie conventions while still managing to hold his own against Ryan Gosling. It’s a lighthearted, energetic part that gets to see how much fun he has on camera.
3. Bullet Train (2022)
As Lemon, half of a British assassin team, Taylor-Johnson is utterly compelling. Dividing off-kilter humor with smooth action-hero vibes, he swipes scenes left and right with Brad Pitt thrown into the mix. His Thomas the Tank Engine fixation is reason enough to make him one of the most indelible players on this frenetic, high-octane romp.
2. Nocturnal Animals (2016)
In Tom Ford’s harrowing thriller, Taylor-Johnson is almost unrecognizable as sadistic terror Ray Marcus. The performance is chilling, feral, and unforgettable, so much so that he took home a Golden Globe for it. It’s one of his riskiest performances, and a reminder of just how bravely he can plunge into dark, unsettling waters.
1. Kick-Ass (2010)
The film that cemented his stardom. As Dave Lizewski, the awkward teenager who chooses to become a masked superhero, Taylor-Johnson embodies the humor and the heart of the character. He is awkward, endearing, and absolutely believable as an unlikely hero. The blend of graphic violence and coming-of-age comedy simply wouldn’t have been effective without him fronting it, and it’s one of his greatest performances.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has never been satisfied to remain in one lane. He can shatter your heart, tickle you, frighten you, or blow you away with an action sequence, sometimes all within the same movie. If these 10 films say anything, it’s that he’s among the most versatile leading actors currently working.