Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders opens in theaters this weekend, and we wanted to commemorate the occasion by highlighting one of the film’s main stars, Tom Hardy. With over 50 major projects to his name dating back to his brief appearance in HBO’s Band of Brothers, the Academy Award-nominated actor has cobbled together quite the resume, appearing in some of the biggest movies of the modern era. What are the best Tom Hardy movies? Read on to find out.
Inception (2010)
Hardy has teamed with Christopher Nolan on three occasions — Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, and Dunkirk — and it’s plain to see why: the two make one helluva team. Their first collaboration resulted in Inception, in which the actor plays Eames, a skilled forger who specializes in identity theft within the dream world. Often overlooked, Hardy’s measured performance oozes cool, adding a layer of sophistication and humor to the film. Let’s be honest, he’s basically Nolan’s version of James Bond, a resourceful, confident mercenary who never takes his eye off the prize, which lands this on our list of the best Tom Hardy movies.
Warrior (2011)
Before tackling Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Hardy displayed his knack for playing terrifying, muscle-bound jocks alongside Joel Edgerton in Gavin O’Connor’s sports drama Warrior. As the war-hero-turned-MMA fighter Tommy, Hardy brings an intensity not seen since 2008’s Bronson, portraying a conflicted man overburdened with more emotional baggage than any human can carry. His scenes with Oscar nominee Nick Nolte are powerful. The final showdown with his brother Brendan is heartbreaking. Through it all, Hardy delivers a nuanced performance that makes you fear and love him all at once.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Hardy had a tough task with The Dark Knight Rises, but it still makes our list of the best Tom Hardy movies. Not only did he have to portray one of Batman’s most formidable and iconic villains in a way that matched Christopher Nolan’s down-to-earth aesthetic, but he had to match, or at least come close to matching, Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. We can quibble over whether or not he achieved the latter, but Hardy’s Bane stands tall as a captivating, often terrifying foe thanks to his imposing physique and distinct (some would say campy) accent. Rises isn’t quite as sharp as its predecessor but remains a solid trilogy capper, mostly thanks to Hardy’s presence.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
It’s a shame we likely won’t get another Mad Max movie with Tom Hardy. His turn in George Miller’s awesome Fury Road is as cooky and unhinged as Mel Gibson’s in the first three pictures. While he does share the screen with Charlize Theron’s scene-stealing Furiosa, Hardy’s Max Rockatansky is still unique enough to leave a mark. His performance anchors the action-adventure as Max morphs from a rugged feral animal to a human being who learns to care about a greater cause than himself. Plus, he looks cool amidst Miller’s nonstop mayhem.
The Revenant (2015)
Hardy received his only Oscar nomination for his turn as John Fitzgerald in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant. This gritty revenge tale follows Leonardo DiCaprio’s Hugh Glass, who is left for dead by Hardy’s character and subsequently travels the vast 19th century wilderness to exact justice. Hardy once again demonstrates a ferocious intensity and brings much-needed depth to the role, imbuing Fitzgerald with a sense of desperation and survival instinct making his actions, though brutal, somewhat understandable in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the American frontier. Admittedly, I think The Revenant is overrated. The true story is more fascinating and far less deplorable. Yet, I have no qualms with Hardy’s performance. The man delivers the goods and deserves every bit of praise he receives in the final film on our list of the best Tom Hardy movies.
Other Great Tom Hardy Movies
Bronson (2008): Hardy transforms into Britain’s most violent prisoner with remarkable physicality and psychological depth.
Capone (2020): Critics trashed Josh Tranks’ biopic about Al Capone’s last days, but I found the picture and Hardy’s performance a haunting portrait of a fallen king facing the unbearable consequences of his life’s choices.
Dunkirk (2017): Christopher Nolan directs this war epic about the evacuation of Dunkirk, which features Hardy as a heroic pilot who puts duty before self.
