Henry Cavill is back for round two as Sherlock Holmes in Netflix's Enola Holmes 2. And while critics praise his dynamic chemistry with Millie Bobby Brown, the actor has been trending online in all measures, such as his welcoming return as Superman to bowing down from playing Geralt in The Witcher.
Throughout his career, Cavill has played many memorable roles. He might've risen to fame by playing the greatest superhero of all time, but he's also portrayed some truly devious characters. And while he excels at playing heroic and villainous roles alike, audiences certainly know which version of Cavill they prefer.
10 August Walker - Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
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So far, Henry Cavill has only played one outright villainous role: August Walker in 2018's action masterpiece Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Co-starring opposite Tom Cruise, Cavill's Walker is brutal and menacing, giving Ethan Hunt a run for his money.
Cavill's impressive physique does half the work, as Walker's has a reputation for his vicious ways. However, the actor adds new layers to the role; Walker is precise and cunning, and Cavill goes all-in at the chance to play such a dark character. His fight scenes are incredible, but it's his status as a genuine threat to Ethan and company that makes him one of Cavill's best portrayals to date.
9 Humphrey - Stardust (2007)
Stardust is one of the all-time best standalone fantasy films. Starring Charlie Cox and Claire Danes, the film is a classic fantasy adventure with healthy doses of romance and humor. Cavill plays a small but memorable role as Humphrey, the protagonist's rival for a young girl's affection.
Despite his limited screen time, Cavill makes an impression as the odious Humphrey. The character is pompous, and as vain as the girl he's courting, Cavill excels in the silly role. His scenes with Charlie Cox are funny, but Cavill's haughty performance makes Humphrey quite unlikeable.
8 Mike - Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Like most straight-to-DVD films of the noughties, Hellraiser: Hellworld is quite bad. It's neither scary nor entertaining, but it is sufficiently entertaining to justify its runtime. The film never makes the most out of its meta setting, instead opting for cheap scares and basic storytelling.
Cavill plays the role of Mike, a young man obsessed with an online game based on the Hellraiser series. Although Mike is one of the film's many victims, he has enough screen time to confirm himself as a bonafide jerk. He's not necessarily evil, but he's not a good person, either. Mike is self-centered and immature, qualities that won't endear him to any viewers sitting through the film.
7 Charles Brandon - The Tudors (2007-2010)
The Tudors might not be one of the all-time best historical TV shows, but it was a decent-enough drama with surprisingly good production values. It was also wildly inaccurate, but the plot was soapy and, at times, trashy enough to make it a guilty pleasure.
Along with series star Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Cavill is the only actor to appear in every episode. He plays Charles Brandon, arguably the character with the most growth throughout the story. Charles is selfish at first, a womanizer who doesn't care about anything other than pleasure. He matures after marrying and becoming a father, although he remains self-centered. Not a villain by any measure, but he won't win father of the year either.
6 Walter Marshall - Night Hunter (2018)
Night Hunter is a mediocre film and one of Cavill's worst. However, the actor does his best to elevate the clichéd plot and comes out mostly unscathed. Indeed, his performance is arguably the best part of the whole thing and the film's one saving grace.
Like many other detectives in the thriller genre, Cavill's Walter Marshall is fiercely committed to solving the crime at the film's center. He is courageous and selfless yet tough and intimidating, a classic case of a soldier with a heart of gold. The characterization is superficial, but Cavill does his best with the material he receives, adding another gentle action man to his resumé.
5 Napoleon Solo - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Guy Ritchie has several great films in his resumé, but The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is an underrated gem. The film is fun, stylish to a fault, and fast-paced, featuring Henry Cavill at his most devastatingly charming, playing American thief-turned-spy Napoleon Solo.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. might very well be Cavill's audition to be James Bond. He is confident, dashing, heroic, and outright disarming. Cavill is the perfect '60s spy, playing Napoleon with cheeky conviction. Napoleon is a the-goal-justifies-the-means kind of guy, a thief willing to break a few laws to get the job done, but he is still a hero at heart.
4 Theseus - Immortals (2011)
Tarsem Singh's Immortals is another underrated gem in Cavill's career. The film is more style than substance, but striking visuals and a compelling, fast-paced plot make it a worthy entry into the mythological genre. Cavill and Mickey Rourke give it their all, delivering a pair of worthy performances that make it worth the admission ticket.
Like many other mythological heroes, Theseus is a bonafide hero. He is brave and honorable, willing to stand against a tyrant to protect the Greek people. Theseus is a warrior worthy of becoming immortal and standing alongside the Olympian gods after sacrificing his life, making him one of Cavill's most heroic roles yet.
3 Geralt Of Rivia - The Witcher (2019)
It's easy to see Geralt of Rivia as nothing more than a killing machine. The White Wolf is intimidating, and Cavill's stoic portrayal enhances his most fearsome qualities. However, Geralt is not an antihero, as many wrongly believe, but a hero who always tries to make the best choice.
In The Witcher, Geralt's selflessness comes across thanks to his relationship with Ciri, his adoptive daughter. He also has deep bonds with the witch Yennefer and his mentor, Vesemir. Despite his menacing exterior, Geralt is a softie who strives to do his best. He might not always make the right choice, but he will always work hard to make up for any mistake.
2 Sherlock Holmes - Enola Holmes (2020) & Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
Enola Holmes was a wholesome cottagecore movie propelled by Millie Bobby Brown's endless charm. The sequel, Enola Holmes 2, is even better, featuring an expanded role for Cavill and his unique take on Sherlock Holmes.
Unlike previous versions of the detective, Cavill's portrayal of Holmes tones down the arrogance and bring the charm up to eleven. His Sherlock is suave and funny, far removed from other more stoic and robotic versions of the detective. Cavill's Sherlock cares about his family, especially his younger sister, proving himself a gentler and kinder spirit than most people believe.
1 Superman/Clark Kent - Man Of Steel (2013)
Superman is the all-time greatest superhero, the ultimate symbol of hope and one of the most powerful beings in the comic book genre. As one of the original characters in the medium, he is the prototype for what every superhero should be, the role model everyone tries to live up to and follow.
Cavill's take on the Man of Steel might not have the same overwhelming positivity and cheerful attitude as his comic book counterpart, but he shares the same values. His Superman is selfless and empathetic, willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. He is the DCU's ultimate hero, and his future appearances will surely bring him closer to the character comic book fans know and love.