M. Night Shyamalan's hit Old is in theaters and seems to be beating supposed summer blockbusters like Snake Eyes and Space Jam, proving once again that Shyamalan's critically divisive yet successful films still have a rabid fan base. The film is brought to life with an eclectic and inventive mixture of characters played by a variety of interesting, low-key actors.
Many of these actors have featured prominently in huge films, while others are still steadily climbing their way upwards to international recognition. Chances are that audiences have seen these actors before, though some may not remember from what film. Some of them are quite surprising when pointed out.
Gael García Bernal (Guy)
Mexican-born Gael García Bernal has starred in a variety of films and TV shows, but very few blockbusters. That might be set to change now that he's gained more recognition for playing devoted dad Guy in Old. Bernal offered up a memorable and likeable performance as a guy going through a divorce and trying his best to hide it from his kids.
Bernal recently starred in the Amazon Prime series Mozart in the Jungle for four seasons, nabbing him some attention in the process. He also starred alongside Amanda Seyfried in the romantic Italian-themed comedy Letters to Juliet where he played Victor, a chef who spends more time in his restaurant than with his fiancée.
Vicky Krieps (Prisca)
Actress Vicky Krieps was born in Luxembourg, and she's been paying her dues in a variety of TV and film roles including Germany's detective crime series Tatort, 2013's Möbius starring Tim Roth, and 2017's Phantom Thread, alongside Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis.
Old can be considered a breakout role that will open up some doors in Hollywood, and there's already evidence of this. Krieps is set to star in two upcoming adaptations of the Three Musketeers novels alongside actors like Vincent Cassel and Eva Green.
Rufus Sewell (Charles)
Veteran actor Rufus Sewell is no stranger to fans, and he's quite possibly the most recognizable of the entire cast thanks to his recent role as the infamous John Smith in The Man In The High Castle, one of Amazon's most frightening original series. He was the perfect choice to play a severely disturbed doctor who ends up losing his mind due to the stresses that unfold.
Sewell has participated in a variety of films, from stinkers like Gods of Egypt to minor hits like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He's also starred in classic hits like Dark City, The Legend of Zorro, and A Knight's Tale, one of his most famous performances.
Alex Wolff (Trent, Age 15)
The character of Trent goes from a young child to a young teenager in the space of a single day in Old, and it's one of the most startling plot devices of the film. That required a set of great actors to bring the character to life, including Alex Wolff, best known for playing the hapless Spencer in the recent Jumanji reboot films.
Wolff has also appeared in TV shows like Monk and The Naked Brothers Band before migrating into film with appearances in Jonah Hill's The Sitter, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, and the surprise 2018 horror hit Hereditary starring Toni Collette.
Thomasin McKenzie (Maddox, Age 16)
Young actress Thomasin McKenzie seems to have some star power going for her, and that's sure to continue thanks to her good performance in Old. It's one of her highest-profile films, but it's definitely not her first. McKenzie got her big break way back in 2014 when she portrayed little Astrid in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Since that time, she's been building her body of work with performances in TV shows like Shortland Street and The Cul De Sac before moving back into film territory. She's starred in films like The King, Lost Girls, and Leave No Trace, co-starring Ben Foster.
Nikki Amuka-Bird (Patricia)
Nikki played Patricia, the psychologist who suffers from epileptic seizures in the film and becomes one of the linchpins of the story by the time the big reveal takes place at the end. Her performance is great, even if her character checks out too fast in order to create an important link in the tale.
Amuka-Bird is known to Doctor Who fans for a starring role in the 2017 episode "Twice Upon A Time," the last to feature Peter Capaldi as the tragic and weary Doctor. She's also starred in TV's Torchwood, MI-5, the remake of the classic horror film The Omen, and the critically panned Jupiter Ascending.
Abbey Lee (Chrystal)
Of all the characters in Old, Chrystal is the most insufferable of the bunch. She's shallow and vain, which doesn't bode well for her once the strange effects of the beach begin to take their toll. Actress Abbey Lee brings the character to life with an emotionally charged performance that unfortunately gets a little silly at the end.
Most audiences wouldn't recognize Lee for her role as The Dag, one of Immortan Joe's five wives in the mega-hit Mad Max: Fury Road, one of the best action films of recent memory. She's also starred in The Dark Tower, Outlaws, and 2016's Gods of Egypt, alongside her Old co-star Rufus Sewell.
Ken Leung (Jarin)
Ken Leung is one of those versatile actors who seems to be able to weave in and out of roles as they come his way. He's played in thrillers, comedies, and action-adventure films, falling neatly into character each time. He's also responsible for more fan lightbulb moments than most actors thanks to the films he's starred in.
Leung starred in the Hannibal Lecter thriller Red Dragon in 2002, plus films like A.I., Saw, and Rush Hour where he played bad guy Sang. He also played the evil mutant Kid Omega in X-Men: The Last Stand. For a time, Leung migrated to television in shows like Law & Order, The Sopranos, and Lost.
Emun Elliot (Adult Trent)
Scottish actor Emun Elliot played the grown-up man-child Trent in Old, and it was he who ended up saving the day by successfully navigating both he and his sister away from the danger of the surrounding beach. As an actor, Elliot still has a ways to go before he's cemented A-list status, but he's got everything it takes.
He's made appearances in everything from Ridley Scott's Alien prequel Prometheus, to Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. In addition, he's starred in big films like Exodus: Gods and Kings. One of his best-known roles is Marillion, a singer who makes the ill-fated mistake of writing a nasty song about King Robert, prompting Joffrey Baratheon to have his tongue cut out.
Embeth Davidtz (Adult Maddox)
Actress Embeth Davidtz is no stranger to the acting circuit. She's been around for a long time, and her credits speak for themselves. She gained mainstream fame and recognition as the beautiful Sheila in Bruce Campbell's ultra-cult classic Army of Darkness way back in 1992.
Next, she starred in Steven Spielberg's iconic Schindler's List as Helen, a young Jewish woman forced to endure the cruelty of Amon Goeth. Davidtz has gone on to star in everything from Thir13een Ghosts and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo to TV shows like Scrubs and Californication.