The Northman may be his most recent blockbuster, but Alexander Skarsgård started his acting career in a wildly comedic and popular film, Zoolander. He has made impressive strides in the last twenty years. Being the eldest son of the famed Stellan Skarsgård, as well as an older brother to Bill, who has taken on the most recent adaption of Pennywise in IT, Alexander continues the family tradition with an astonishing career in acting.
Whether in brooding Viking epics like The Northman or black-and-white films like Passing, Alexander Skarsgård seems only to be more impressive with every project he undertakes. While his career seems to be on the upswing, Skarsgård was involved in earlier films with high Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Beyond The Pole (2009) - 62%
A satirical "mockumentary" following two friends attempting to perform the first organic, vegetarian, and carbon-neutral expedition to the North Pole, Beyond The Pole has been acclaimed as a piece of hilarious British humor. While the audience score is lower (43%), critics seemed to enjoy it for its wit and social commentary.
While Alexander Skarsgård played a smaller role, he proved that he had potential and versatility in his acting career. He played Terje, a Norwegian teammate and friend of the two main characters, Brian and Mark.
War On Everyone (2016) - 62%
Adding another comedy to his long-running repertoire, Skarsgård plays Terry Monroe, a corrupt police officer who blackmails criminals with his partner in War On Everyone. When he encounters a criminal worse than him, he is faced with tough moral decisions.
The audience ratings of this dark-humor film are nearly half as good as the critics' ratings, but many agree that Skarsgård puts on an entertainingly funny persona as the good "bad cop" of the film.
Zoolander (2001) - 65%
One of the most iconic comedies of the 2000's was Zoolander. Often considered one of Ben Stiller's best movies, it is also where Alexander Skarsgård got his start in the American film industry. As a first-time actor in Hollywood, his role is understandably small.
He plays Meekus, one of Derek Zoolander's reckless model friends in the industry. His performance may not have been particularly memorable, but it was monumental in securing his status as an actor in the United States.
Disconnect (2013) - 70%
In the suspenseful drama Disconnect, three scenarios occur revolving around technology and misfortune. This intense commentary on the dangers of overexposure to technology arrived in company, in one of the best years for drama films.
Alexander Skarsgård played the role of a former marine and husband to Cindy. As they grieve the loss of their child, they confide in technology (her, a group therapy kind of online chatroom; him, trying to find the suspect that stole their identity online). A respectably reviewed film, Skarsgård takes on a more serious role in his career.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) - 75%
The Godzilla films are a staple in entertainment and one of the longest-running film franchises, evolving from cult classics to a booming cinematic universe. The latest installment to the series provides an entertaining match-up between iconic creatures: Godzilla and King Kong.
Alexander Skarsgård plays an out-of-box role as Nathan Lind, a scientist written off by the majority until people find his research useful in recent developments with Godzilla. He delivers a solid performance, in which he delivers a memorable quote: "Heads up, guys! He's coming around for his morning walk."
The East (2013) - 76%
One of multiple credits from 2013, Skarsgård takes on a dramatic role in The East. He plays Benji, the leader of an ecoterrorism group (The East) whose focus is on notable organizations polluting the air. The audience rating of this film is far closer to the critics' rating than others.
Skarsgård plays an unrelenting man bent on justice for the ecosystem who also shows romantic interest in an undercover spy. He proves in this role that he is flexible and able to switch between rugged and emotive within the same film.
Long Shot (2019) - 81%
In the acclaimed comedy Long Shot, Alexander Skarsgård plays the role of Canadian Prime Minister James Steward. His role may have been eclipsed by big names such as Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron, whose characters (Fred and Charlotte) learn if they are compatible to reunite in the midst of her political campaign.
Skarsgård returns to his roots, if only for a small role, to bring comedic support to an already funny lineup. He shows that after so many years since Zoolander, he still has a knack for the humorous among his other serious roles.
Passing (2021) - 90%
Rebecca Hall's directorial debut, Passing, was one of two break-out performances for Alexander Skarsgård. As John, the husband of Clare, a Black woman "passing" as white in 1920's New York. The film addresses difficult themes with care, landing among the best films on Netflix.
Skarsgård takes on a difficult role as a prejudiced white man, but plays it convincingly. His performance shows that he can handle difficult, disagreeable roles and make the most of them for the ultimate purpose of the film.
The Northman (2022) - 90%
Alexander Skarsgård's most recent acting performance is found in The Northman, where he plays a vengeful Prince Amleth seeking to save his mother and avenge his father's death. Robert Eggers' Viking film asked more of its actors than typical to the Viking trope. Skarsgård played an animalistic, unrelenting Viking that also still had emotions and regrets.
This may be Skarsgård's most well-rounded performance to date. Not only did the role exact much from him in terms of playing a physically brooding Viking, he balanced those tendencies with family history and shocking emotional attacks perfectly.
The Diary Of A Teenage Girl (2015) - 95%
Alexander Skarsgård's highest-rated film to date is a coming-of-age story revolving around Minnie, a teenager finding herself and recording every detail. In The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Skarsgård plays Monroe, the lover of Minnie's mother and her first sexual encounter.
Following their first time, Monroe and Minnie's complicated relationship causes back-and-forth tension throughout the film. Skarsgård plays the perfect complement to Bel Powley in being a somewhat unrecognizable but memorable face in the highly regarded indie film.