Most famous for his work in The Hobbit trilogy, the handsome and charming Richard Armitage has appeared in a slew of TV shows and movies. In the 90s, before he made it big, he had several small roles and even appeared in Star Wars: Episode I as an uncredited fighter pilot from Naboo.
In 2002, he got cast as an unusual, but likable John Standring in a TV mini-series Sparkhouse, a role that is considered his major breakthrough. In the years that followed, he appeared in several TV series. In The Impressionists, he portrayed the famous painter, Claude Monet. He is also an outstanding theater actor. He received several nominations for his role in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. His filmography includes movies in various genres, from action-packed superhero movies to family dramas, Richard Armitage is a versatile and often overlooked actor.
My Zoe (2019): 5.9
In this 2019 drama about a single mother raising her daughter, Armitage plays the unlikable ex-husband, James. Julie doesn't like the way James is raising her daughter, but it's evident that both love their little girl very much. What happens next turns this drama into a thriller that tackles difficult themes, such as morality, ethics and medicine. The movie might not have the highest rating, but it is perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Ex Machina and Perfect Sense.
My Zoe premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. Richard Armitage has appeared in several other movies that have an even lower ranking, for example Into The Storm, one of the worst movies of 2014.
The Lodge (2019): 6.0
The Lodge is one of Armitage's most recent projects and it's a horror movie that will definitely send chills down your spine. Richard Armitage plays Richard Hall, the heroine's fiance and father of two children. They all go vacationing together, only to be snowed in.
In this slow burner, the atmosphere is tense and unnerving. Without giving too much away, the major themes of this thriller are childhood trauma and grief. Those who love surprise plot twists and movies featuring creepy children should add this movie to their watch list, right away. The Lodge has been directed by the same directors as Goodnight Mommy - Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala.
Alice Through The Looking Glass (2016): 6.2
Alice Through The Looking Glass is the less successful continuation of the original Alice In Wonderland film from 2010, starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Tim Burton has managed yet again to captivate our imagination, using creative costumes and casting just the right actors for the job.
Richard Armitage very briefly appeared as King Oleron, the King of Underland. The whole sum of his screentime is somewhere between two and three short minutes. Armitage did not audition for the role. Instead, the casting director reached out to him and couldn't be more delighted when he accepted the offer.
Ocean's 8 (2018): 6.3
In Ocean's 8, an all-women remake of Ocean's Eleven, Richard Armitage had a minor role. He played Claude Becker, an art paintings dealer. Just like other movies in the franchise, Ocean's 8 is a heist movie. Eight women put their heads together and come up with a masterful, yet highly risky plan to infiltrate the yearly Met Gala and steal a $150 million Cartier necklace.
The crew is led by Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), Danny's younger sister. It is an entertaining watch - fast-paced, funny and clever. Unfortunately, though, it failed to surpass the 2001 version. It still ranks as better than the original and Ocean's Twelve, from 2004.
Brain On Fire (2016): 6.6
Netflix's Brain On Fire is based on a true story and it's about a young journalist Susannah, who all of a sudden starts acting strange. Her behavior is out of her control and completely unpredictable. She is admitted into a hospital, diagnosed shortly after as psychotic by several professionals. Luckily, she is treated by an expert neurologist, Dr. Souhel Najjar, who finds out that she is suffering from an auto-immune disease.
Richard Armitage plays Tom Cahalan, Susannah's supportive and concerned father. The book that inspired the movie is called Brain On Fire: My Month Of Madness and it got better reviews than the movie.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): 6.9
In Captain America: The First Avenger, Richard Armitage played Heinz Kruger, one of HYDRA's top assassins. He unsuccessfully tried to stop Steve Rogers becoming Captain America. In the final showdown, Kruger shows, yet again, just how evil he is. He has no problem using a child as a shield and throwing him in the water to distract Rogers. The hero he is, Rogers checks on the kid nonetheless and continues pursuing Kruger, who has already started his journey back to Germany in his submarine.
Naturally, Captain America catches up, but before he can interrogate, Kruger takes the cyanide pill and dies. Armitage is not only great at playing kings and loving fathers: he is also exceptional at playing heinous villains.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014): 7.4
The last of the three Hobbit movies, The Battle of the Five Armies ended on a relatively underwhelming note and thus received lower a ranking than the first two movies. It picks up right where the second movie left off. Dragon Smaug has been driven out of the Lonely Mountain and sought revenge blazing Lake-Town. Richard Armitage's character, Thorin, is down with Dragon Sickness, which made him obsessed with power and increasingly delusional.
If it wasn't for Richard Armitage's and Martin Freeman's exceptional acting, the movie would not demand any sort of emotional investment from its viewership. They both serve as the main protagonists of the movie. After the movie, Thorin dies in battle.
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (2013): 7.8
The second chapter, The Desolation Of Smaug, takes Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield and his dwarves towards the Lonely Mountain through the dangerous Mirkwood. Just before entering the dense forest, Gandalf departs on his very own mission and so, the dwarves and Bilbo have to fend for themselves. Thorin needs to get Arkenstone back from Smaug.
The movie is not just dramatic and packed with signature breath-taking scenery, it's also funny, heart-warming and emotional. What sets this movie apart from others is the introduction of Smaug, the fearsome titular dragon.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012): 7.8
Some Lord Of The Rings fans were not too thrilled about the Hobbit trilogy coming out, but the movie was a major success nonetheless. It opens up with young Bilbo Baggins, who is invited by Gandalf to embark on a quest with the dwarves in their attempt to get back their homeland, The Lonely Mountain, which was taken by Smaug. The premise of the first Hobbit is very similar to The Fellowship of the Ring.
Armitage's Thorin instantly becomes a protagonist just as important as Bilbo. He is a humble warrior with a kind heart. In a series of flashbacks, we learn more about how he came to be such an esteemed warrior.
Urban & The Shed Crew (2015): 8.1
Urban & The Shed Crew is set in Leeds, England and it's a touching story about the relationship between Chop (Armitage) and a family that struggles with substance abuse. The mother's name is Greta and she has an 11-year-old son, Urban, with whom Chop instantly connects. Chop used to work as a social worker, but that only left him frustrated because the system was broken and it did little to help people, such as Greta, Urban and his siblings.
Greta's family is therefore a chance for Chop to redeem himself and truly do something good in the world. Those who love stories about marginalized groups and poverty will thoroughly enjoy this realistic depiction of the struggles that the lower class faces in the UK. The cinematography is also outstanding and was done by Peter Field, the man behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi.