I’m old enough to remember people being uncertain about Robert Pattinson’s casting in Twilight, and now, eighteen years later, he continues to prove that he’s one of the best actors of our generation. I said it after watching Mickey 17, and I’ll say it again after The Odyssey: Pattinson is in a league of his own.
There’s something indescribable about the actor’s ability to convey every character he’s embodying with a depth that ensures he stands out. And the best part is? He hasn’t even delivered his best performance to date, and it’s not because he isn’t remarkable in every role, but because that career-defining moment is coming, and when it does, I genuinely don’t think any of us are prepared for it, even if we’ve been a fan for a while.
The Twilight movies garner hefty criticism left and right, which is understandable to a degree in writing, but make no mistake in thinking that the actors aren’t dazzling. (The word choice is intentional, yes.) I continue to be so floored by the careers that both Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have built after those films, showcasing that a single role doesn’t hinder the path you can go on when you’re an actor with tremendous range.
And the best part about Robert Pattinson’s performances is that he isn’t afraid of pushing limits or going the extra mile to deliver something absurd. Some of his best work as Antinous comes to life in the indescribably nuanced third act, and while people are now making memes about it, it’s the way Pattinson conveys his viciousness that adds to the humor. He’s absurd in the epic, yes, but Pattinson adds an extra layer of pettiness that’s absolutely vile to think about. And in a lot of ways, that’s what makes his Batman so compelling because it’s clear that he isn’t afraid of pushing boundaries when necessary.
The fact that I can be so utterly repulsed by his character one moment, then giggle with him while watching an interview is a treat that’s rare in Hollywood because Pattinson’s ability to take things lightly is exactly what makes his commitment to the craft so admirable. These characters aren’t who he is, and that couldn’t be more obvious. Yet, at the same time, it’s proof of the fact that he not only understands his characters down to their bones, but he cares to embody multifaceted people that perhaps challenge him as an actor.
In an industry where there’s a lot of conversation about understandably wanting recognition, you can tell that Pattinson does it because he loves the artistry more than the praise. You can tell he cares about being the kind of team player people will want beside him because he respects the craft with every project. There are a number of brilliant actors who could’ve brought Antinous to life in The Odyssey, but the fact that Pattinson makes him as sleazy as he does is entirely a testament to how well he embodies complex characters.
With The Drama already out and also Dune: Part III releasing later this year, it’s going to be a genuine treat to see just how well he continues to outdo himself with every performance. And who knows, maybe we’ll be back again with yet another article praising his work as an actor because it’s impossible not to gush. And while we have to wait a bit longer for The Batman 2, we can be confident that his work there will be everything we want and more.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Universal Pictures