Apple TV+'s new psychological thriller Sharper continues Sebastian Stan's best-acting trend. Sebastian Stan first gained wide recognition for his role as Bucky Barnes in the MCU. However, since Stan's MCU debut as the Winter Solider, Stan has proved he's more than just a brooding action star. In addition to his dramatic roles in The Devil All The Time and Destroyer, he has earned critical acclaim for his role as Tommy Lee in Hulu's Pam & Tommy, which earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. With his wide range, Stan proves he can be a heartthrob, a downright terror, and a comedic genius all in one.
Sharper follows four main characters who are involved in a series of cons. Sharper gives each character a chance to tell their side of the story and further peel back another layer of the story. Starring alongside Julianne Moore and Detective Pikachu's Justice Smith, Sebastian Stan plays a con man who is not always who he seems. Apple TV+'s Sharper gives Stan plenty of screen time to shine.
Sharper Continues Sebastian Stan's Double Life Villain Trend
Sharper sees Stan play a role similar to his role in Fresh and the MCU—someone who is capable of being entirely emotionally removed with a double life who manages to fool people into believing he is someone he is not. In the MCU, it isn't Bucky's fault, but it follows one fascinating throughline that demonstrates Stan's talent. Since Bucky is largely innocent in the MCU, the horror movie Fresh marks one of the first times Stan plays a villain. Stan's cannibalistic Steve proves to be a role that Stan was born to play.
For Fresh to work, Sebastian Stan had to come across as charming and innocent to lure young women in. Similarly, Stan's good looks prove helpful in Sharper where he plays a con man named Max. Both films showcase a man trying to trick people, but also Stan's endearing qualities. While this may not be true in Fresh, Stan makes Max seem likable. Sharper is one of those films that doesn't reveal all its card at first, just like Stan's Max.
Why Sebastian Stan's Acting Trend Is A Good Thing
Sebastian Stan's acting trend of playing villains illustrates Stan's range as an actor. Before the MCU films and Fresh, Sebastian Stan had a career in television as Carter Baizen in Gossip Girl and The Mad Hatter in Once Upon A Time. As a handsome man, Stan could've stuck to the typical leading man role, but instead, Stan chooses interesting roles. Stan's talent to go from a charming man to a disturbed individual in a few frames is definitely not being overlooked.
Sharper gives Sebastian Stan another role that showcases his unique talents. In the Apple TV+ original film, Stan proves he can act alongside Academy Award-winning Julianne Moore and Academy Award nominee John Lithgow. It will be interesting to see where Stan's career goes after Sharper, but one can assume that Stan isn't slowing down and will continue to choose compelling roles that turn the audience's expectations on its head.