Content Warning: This article contains discussions and references to drugs.
Henry Golding is set to star in Netflix's new Jane Austen adaptation, Persuasion, coming out on the 15th of July 2022. He is set to be opposite Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Javis, as he plays the scheming but charming Mr. Elliot.
Golding has played several characters in well-loved films over the years, such as the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians. While Golding only has a few films already out, with many still filming, rankings on IMDb have given fans a good idea of what people enjoy the best out of his filmography.
Note: IMDb lists are live and continue to change ratings, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Snake Eyes (2021) - 5.3
Directed by Robert Schwentke and having come out in 2021, Snake Eyes was a spin-off to the well-loved 2009 G.I Joe franchise. The film saw Henry Golding play the titular character, following the original antagonist's journey to learn information about his past and his connections to the infamous Arashikage Clan.
Fans believe Henry Golding as the mysterious ninja is a brilliant choice, from his believable performance allows fans to feel for the character, as well as his Asian representation. However, many criticize his forced accent due to its lack of continuity throughout. Golding's performance is commendable, with a striking ability to still keep the mysterious nature of the character throughout, alongside the brilliant action sequences.
Monsoon (2019) - 6.0
2019's Monsoon, starring Henry Golding and Parker Sawyer, follows a man returning to Saigon for the first time after leaving with his parents 30 years prior and developing a relationship with his new male acquaintance.
This LGBTQ+ romance film shows audiences a new side to Henry Golding's abilities as an actor as he stars in a mostly new role. His role remains grounded in the real issues LGBTQ+ people face in eastern cultures, as well as playing the role with care and authenticity. This performance allowed him to deliver incredibly moving scenes with fans feeling the loneliness and loss of Golding's character, alongside the stunning, stylistic cinematography.
Gold Diggers (2009) - 6.7
In the 2009 Malaysian comedy-drama, Gold Diggers (originally named Pisau Cukur), two gold-digging girls join a cruise and come face to face with multiple Datuks, their families, and a detective that is a fan of one of the girls.
Henry plays one of the Datuks, a rich and title man of power, however, he has little screen time throughout the movie and no dialogue. However, this film did see praise for incorporating western culture while remaining grounded in Malaysian cultures, and for being an enjoyable, if cringeworthy, chick flick.
Last Christmas (2019) - 6.5
Last Christmas, starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, saw Katarina, unbelieving of the magic of Christmas, working as a Christmas Elf. The film follows her journey of seeing life from a new perspective as she meets the spirited who works as an Elf for Christmas and sees a new perspective on the holiday as she meets Tom.
Fans enjoy this lovely Christmas tale due to the realistic chemistry between the co-stars and the cheery-spirited nature of Henry Golding's character, Tom. Seeing the balance of the unbelieving to Golding's magical and upbeat personality makes the film memorable. Fans also agree that Golding as the leading man provides a powerful and realistic performance due to his relatable personality.
A Simple Favor (2018) - 6.8
Starring alongside Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, Henry played Sean Townsend in A Simple Favor. The movie, directed by Paul Fei, follows a single mother trying to uncover the secret behind the disappearance of her friend, Emily.
While Henry is only a secondary character as he plays the husband of the missing woman, his dynamic with Anna Kendrick allows for the movie to thrive. Much like many other of Golding's characters, the character is cheery and charming, allowing fans to route for an eventual happy ending between him and Anna's character. This film was one of his break-out roles in America, propelling him forward in his career.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) - 6.9
Originally making its debut in 2018, starring Constance Wu and Harry Shum Jr, Crazy Rich Asians is a contemporary romance where the audience follows a new yorker's journey to meeting her boyfriend's parents in Singapore.
Golding plays the aforementioned boyfriend, Nick Young, throughout the movie, with fans loving the chemistry between him and Constance Wu. Many fans have said that the convincing romance between the two heightens all the emotions throughout, making it believable and relatable. This was one of Golding's first debut films as the main protagonist, catapulting his career, and securing his roles in more popular films alongside great actors.
Star Wars: Visions (2021) - 7.0
Created by many anime creators, Disney's Star Wars: Visions is an anthology TV show set in the Star Wars universe, following different planets and storylines of the world.
Henry Golding plays the sith apprentice, Tsubaki in the episode "Akakiri." Golding delivers an underrated voice acting performance, with this being his first foray into voice acting. Fans enjoyed seeing his abilities rely solely on his voice, showing the dark side of a hidden and mysterious character. The power of his acting in this show allows for a demonstration of his wider skillset.
The Gentlemen (2019) - 7.8
The 2019 crime comedy, The Gentlemen, directed by Guy Ritchie saw an American (Matthew McConaughey) try to bring his Marijuana empire to London and sell it to a newer market, coming across many people who try to steal it from under him.
Henry Golding plays the supervillain Dry Eye. The character was manipulative and egotistical, the opposite of Golding's normal character profile, so it was fun to see the actor in a different kind of role. While there was much disagreement about the character's choices and the dialogue given to Golding, fans still enjoyed his performance and chemistry with McConaughey and his other co-stars.