It’s no surprise to anyone who reads anything from me that I appreciate geeking out over actors with inimitable range—the type of performers who consistently deliver something fresh, unique, and nuanced in every role they’re in. By now, if you’ve followed me on social media for a while, then you also know Challengers rewired something in me in 2024. But I’ve been a fan of the actors long before that, and continue to be in awe of Josh O’Connor’s range, I need to scream about it again.
The thing about being a fan of an actor is that if they’re in a specific property that we love them most in, it can be hard to detach from that role. But some actors like Jonathan Bailey, Josh O’Connor, and various others are such brilliant chameleons that they consistently ensure that whatever role we’re watching them in, that’s what we’re locked in on. (I single out these two because again, if you know me personally, then you know I believe that they’re two of the most versatile actors of our generation and favorites for different reasons. But that’s not the point here.)
The point is that Josh O’Connor is consistently doing something exceptional in every role he’s in, and it’s an absolute gift to watch. How he’s so petulant and unlikeable in The Crown, how masterful he is in God’s Own Country, how chaotic and deliciously complex he is as Patrick Zweig, and more recently, how he embodies a genuinely good man in Wake Up Dead Man.
As I said to my mother while we watched the movie, I’d run to church if there was an actual leader like O’Connor’s Father Jud. His warmth and softness, coupled with the immeasurable grace he shows, is no small feat. It’s a genuine masterclass in depicting goodness when playing a religious figure, and it feels especially timely today when churches simply aren’t representing Christ’s love the way they should be.
And this isn’t the first time O’Connor plays some sort of priest because we also see in Autumn de Wilde’s Emma. His ability to embody whatever character he’s playing with different layers to ensure they stand out is an undeniable showcase of not only his talents but also how deeply he cares about the craft. We see it in all his interviews and even during his time hosting SNL, but Josh O’Connor’s passion is so lovely and pure, it’s reflected in his body of work. His talents are limitless, and I continue to be in awe of everything he does.
Mind you, I still haven’t seen Rebuilding or The Mastermind, and I know he’s going to nail it in those movies, too. (Will come back to confirm when I do.) It’s just genuinely so admirable how intimately he understands every character he plays down to their most subtle mannerisms. He ensures that we can see the humanity in each of them, no matter how flawed or complex. Plus, he’s so precious during every press tour that I’m convinced it’s impossible to hear (or watch) him speak and not get an instant serotonin boost. In other words, Josh O’Connor is a gift. Period.
What’s your favorite Josh O’Connor role? Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.