For Eddie Redmayne, anything is absolutely possible. We’re talking about an actor who has taken on such diverse roles throughout his career. Indeed, Redmayne has made it clear that he doesn’t shy away from just about any role, even famously taking on the Harry Potter wizard character Newt Scamander who has been compared to Harry Potter himself.
Redmayne’s ability to take on risky roles has paid off at times. That said, it has also led to some of his movies being savaged by critics. Let’s take a closer look at his worst movies so far, along with his best.
Worst: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, 36%
There are valid arguments that explain why the Fantastic Beasts movies may be better than the Harry Potter films. Nonetheless, this 2018 movie generally left critics unimpressed. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald picks up where Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them left off and, while many regard Redmayne’s performance as strong, there is a general consensus that the movie was just trying to do too much.
That said, the movie did perform well enough to warrant a continuation of the franchise. Today, Redmayne is expected to star in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3.
Worst: Elizabeth: The Golden Age, 34%
Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett portrays the titular character, Queen Elizabeth, in this sequel to the 1998 movie Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Redmayne portrayed Thomas Babington, the man who attempted to assassinate the queen in an attempt to pave the way for Queen of Scots to take the English throne.
As a British actor, Redmayne knew that it would just be a matter of time before he takes on a historical film such as this one. “If you’re a British actor, you’re ‘gonna have your period drama moment,” the actor told GQ.
Worst: Jupiter Ascending, 27%
There have always been mixed opinions about this 2015 sci-fi movie. On the one hand, there are some who regard it as one of those underrated movies that are worth checking out. On other hand, others believe that the movie is as bad as many claim it to be.
Jupiter Ascending centers on a woman played by Mila Kunis who discovers her intergalactic roots. Meanwhile, Redmayne played Balem Abrasax who is the movie’s primary antagonist. While speaking with GQ, the actor jokingly noted that the movie is a favorite among “people that loathe what I do.”
Worst: Powder Blue, 25%
The 2008 drama features different types of characters who end up together on Christmas Eve. In the movie, Redmayne stars as Qwerty Doolittle who is both a mortician and puppeteer.
Aside from Redmayne, the cast also includes Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Lisa Kudrow, the late Patrick Swayze, and Jessica Biel who plays the film’s lead character and Redmayne’s love interest. And while the movie doesn’t lack star power, critics have noted that it lacks appeal.
Worst: Hick, 5%
In this 2011 coming-of-age drama, actress Chloë Grace Moretz plays a young teen who decides to make her way to Vegas. As for Redmayne, he described his character as a “Texan meth-addict pedophile with a limp . . .” while speaking with Interview.
Aside from Redmayne and Moretz, the cast also includes Blake Lively and Juliette Lewis. Despite all the stars in the cast, the movie still received dismal reviews. Some even said that working on Hick was a waste of time for the actors, especially Moretz.
Best: Thomas & Friends: Sodor’s Legend Of The Lost Treasure, 80%
The 2015 animated movie stars Redmayne as a train named Ryan. According to the Oscar winner, working on this Thomas & Friends movie allowed him to “channel my inner 7-year-old.” He also told Entertainment Weekly that he jumped at the chance to do the movie since he has nephews and nieces who are “obsessed with it.”
At the same time, he himself had been a longtime Thomas & Friends fan. Interestingly, the movie was also Redmayne’s first foray into voicing characters. Aside from him, the cast also includes fellow British actors John Hurt and Olivia Colman.
Best: The Theory Of Everything, 80%
The Theory of Everything sees Redmayne portray the late Stephen Hawking. Prior to his passing, Redmayne was able to meet with the theoretical physicist as he prepared for his role. While recalling their first meeting, the actor told Sarah’s Backstage Pass, “I basically was so nervous that I ended up just telling Stephen Hawking about Stephen Hawking for the first twenty-five minutes.”
Meanwhile, the movie also stars Felicity Jones who plays Hawking’s ex-wife, Jane. During the interview, Redmayne also spoke about Jones’ “meticulous” approach to her role. In the end, critics said The Theory of Everything is among Jones’ best movies so far.
Best: Early Man, 80%
Just a few years after working on Thomas & Friends, Redmayne worked on this 2018 animated film. Set during prehistoric times, Early Man sees the actor play a caveman named Dug who works with his sidekick to defeat an evil enemy and in the process, save their home.
It seems Redmayne was eager to work on an animated film once more. “You’re relieved of all of the costume and scrutiny of cameras,” the actor explained while speaking with BuzzFeed. “You just get to mess around a lot, and I loved that…”
Best: My Week With Marilyn, 83%
Admittedly, there are several movies starring everyone’s favorite Harry Potter actors that no one’s probably heard of. That happens to be the case for My Week with Marilyn, a movie where Redmayne portrays Colin Clark, a man who worked as a third assistant director on Marilyn Monroe’s movie, The Prince and the Showgirl. Meanwhile, actress Michelle Williams portrays the movie’s titular character.
While speaking with Gold Derby, Redmayne remarked that working with the actress was a “real treat.” Williams earned another Oscar nomination for her role, putting her in the group of the most-Oscar nominated actors who are yet to win.
Best: The Trial Of The Chicago 7, 90%
It’s easy to see how this 2020 historical drama could easily be Aaron Sorkin’s best movie of all time. Based on the true-to-life events surrounding the 1969 trial that involves seven men charged with conspiracy and more by the federal government, the movie stars Redmayne as Tom Hayden, the late American social activist who had been one of the defendants.
Aside from Redmayne, The Trial of the Chicago 7 also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch, Frank Langella, and Alex Sharp.