Callum Ward
Despite being one of the most versatile actors of his generation, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has often flown under the radar when it comes to leading roles in major blockbusters. When you think of him, Inception tends to come to mind; however, if you look beyond the time-bending Nolan classic, you’ll find a collection of films that showcase his immense range and talent. From indie darlings to action-packed thrillers, here are 10 films that you need to watch where Gordon-Levitt proves he’s one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors.
7500
7500 is a 2019 action-thriller film released on Amazon Prime in which Gordon-Levitt stars as Tobias Ellis, a soft-spoken but capable commercial pilot who finds himself in an impossible situation when terrorists attempt to hijack his aircraft.
The film is a gripping, claustrophobic thriller set almost entirely inside the cockpot of the plane and features minimal dialogue, meaning the film relies nearly entirely on the performance from Gordon-Levitt, and he does not disappoint.
As Tobias, Gordon-Levitt masterfully showcases his ability to convey emotion through subtle, subdued performances as his character attempts to remain calm throughout. However, as the situation begins to spiral out of control, Gordon-Levitt excellently transitions from his calm and professional demeanour to sheer panic and desperation, heightening the already tense feeling of the film.
A lesser actor may have struggled with the limitations of such a role and the pressure relying nearly entirely on their performance, however, Gordon-Levitt is easily the standout aspect of the film and keeps you hooked from start to finish.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a historical courtroom drama written and directed by the legendary Aaron Sorkin, focusing on the anti-Vietnam War protesters charged with conspiracy, with Gordon-Levitt playing Richard Schultz, the government prosecutor tasked with convicting those on trial. Sorkin is, of course, known for his intricate and articulate dialogue, and with this being a courtroom drama, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is no different, but Gordon-Levitt brings a sense of assurance and confidence to every line he delivers.
Whilst more of a supporting role than previous entries, Gordon-Levitt completely holds his own iin a heavyweight cast featuring the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance. He could have easily leant into a villainous portrayal of the prosecutor, but instead, he brings a refreshing sense of conflict and professionalism to the role, showing a man torn between duty and morality in what is a testament to his range – he doesn’t need to play the hero to deliver a memorable performance.
The Night Before
The Night Before is a wild Christmas comedy film from director Jonathan Levine in which Gordon-Levitt stars alongside Antony Mackie and Seth Rogan, with the trio playing childhood best friends who annually reunite on Christmas Eve in search of the best party following the death of Ethan’s (Gordon-Levitt) parents years earlier. The film excellently blends raunchy humour with an abundance of heart, and Gordon-Levitt is more often than not at the centre of this.
As Ethan, Gordon-Levitt perfectly showcases the grief his character still feels each year at Christmas and the desperation to cling to the annual holiday tradition he has with his friends, stemming from his inability to deal with the loss he suffered and his fear of abandonment. Unlike many of his dramatic roles, The Night Before really allows Gordon-Levitt to flex his comedic chops in a way we haven’t seen before as he really leans into the absurd and over-the-top moments while still managing to ground the film with his mix of charm and vulnerability.
One of the highlights of his performance throughout is the chemistry he has with both Rogan and Mackie. You really believe that the trio of childhood best friends and the interactions between them, even in the most chaotic and over-the-top moment or full of heart and emotion, result in a hilariously charming film as opposed to just another crude holiday romp.
The Dark Knight Rises
The third instalment in Nolan’s critically acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises sees Gotham on the brink of destruction as the imperious Bane and his criminal cohort banish the Batman and take over the city, before the Caped Crusador returns to take them on with the support of Commissioner Gordon, Gotham Police Officer John Blake and Catwoman.
In a film stacked with incredible performances from the likes of Christian Bale, Tom Hardy and Michael Caine, it can be easy to forget about Gordon-Levitt’s performance as Blake, but this is the one that made me take note of him as an actor when I first watched it and I haven’t looked back since. He is a young and idealistic cop who quickly rises in importance as he comes to the aid of Gordon and Batman. His hopeful, justice-driven spirit is an excellent contrast to the weary and battle-worn Bruce Wayne we see for the most of part of the film, making for an extremely interesting dynamic between two excellent actors throughout.
His interactions with both Bale’s Bruce Wayne and Gary Oldman’s Commissioner Gordon feel effortless, an impressive feat considering the other two have had two films prior to this to build that chemistry. His performance subtly hints at his character’s potential to become a hero, making the eventual Robin reveal all the more satisfying. Whilst he ultimately doesn’t don the cape, Gordon-Levitt’s excellent performance made is extremely easy to imagine him stepping into a vigilante role in Gotham and left fans wanting to see more, even if they never did.
Looper
Rian Johnson’s mind-bending 2012 sci-fi action film is one of the most underrated films of the 21st century. The story follows Gordon-Levitt’s Joe, a hitman (or “looper”) who executes people sent back in time. Trouble and conflicts arise, however, when an older version of himself, played by Bruce Willis, is sent back in time for execution.
The conversation around this film often centres on the incredible job the make-up team did, using extremely impressive facial prosthetics to transform Gordon-Levitt’s face into that of a younger Bruce Willis. Whilst this aspect of the film truly deserves the credit it receives, it often results in a lack of credit towards Gordon-Levitt for his own performance in the role. Gordon-Levitt expertly adopts Willis’s mannerisms and speech patterns to convincingly resemble a younger version of the esteemed actor in one of the most impressive physically transformative performances of recent times.
He perfectly balances Joe’s cocky, detached attitude of a young man who believes he has his future figured out with the vulnerability of someone forced to question everything, and the scenes where he interacts with his older self are electric, as he must grapple with his morality and whether or not his future is set in stone. The finished product is a fantastic blend of action, emotion and intelligence, proving that Gordon-Levitt can, without a doubt, lead a complex, high-concept film.
Brick
Brick is, without a doubt, one of the lesser-known entries on this list. However, the first collaboration between Gordon-Levitt and director Rian Johnson is such an underrated gem that more people should know about. The neo-noir high school detective story sees Gordon-Levitt playing Brendan, a teenage loner investigating the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.
This is one of the earliest roles that established Gordon-Levitt as a dramatic actor after his time on 3rd Rock from the Sun, with his performance being a key part to making the film’s stylised dialogue and tendency to lean into over-the-top detective tropes feel believable as opposed to coming across as cheesy or gimmicky. His portrayal of Brendan brilliantly juxtaposes his facade of self-assuredness with his underlying fear and youthful rawness, keeping you rooting for him throughout, as well as keeping the story grounded.
Brick was one of the first films to showcase Gordon-Levitt’s ability to carry a film almost entirely on his shoulders. His performance and the positive reception made him an indie film favourite in the following years as he built his status in the industry before transitioning to mainstream blockbusters, and it’s a performance that still holds up all these years later.
Don Jon
Don Jon not only sees Gordon-Levitt starring, but it is also his first foray into directing a feature film, and it does not disappoint. He plays Jon, a New Jersey playboy with a porn addiction that prevents him from forming real relationships. A bold, against-type role, as Jon starts as a shallow, self-absorbed character who objectifies women and sees life in terms of personal gratification before starting down the path of self discovery, acceptance and growth as a person.
Jon is one of Gordon-Levitt’s most unique characters, and he brings the character to life exceptionally well, peeling back Jon’s materialistic layers to show a deeper, emotional side to the character who uses his vices to mask the feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction he feels in his life and himself. His interactions with both Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore – both of whom play romantic interests of Jon’s at vastly different stages of his development – showcase his ability to balance both comedy and drama, shifting between the two effortlessly in an extremely well-rounded performance.
Gordon-Levitt gives a confident, sharp portrayal of a complex and layered character in a strong directorial debut that is still to this day his only feature length film, Don Jon is most definitely worth a watch.
The Walk
The Walk sees Gordon-Levitt play Philippe Petit, a French highwire artist who gained fame for his unauthorised highwire walks, most notably walking between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City in August 1974.
Gordon-Levitt’s performance is brilliant throughout this film, perfectly capturing Petit’s eccentricity, passion and obsessive dedication to his dream, making him an endearing (if occasionally frustrating) protagonist. He even manages to nail Petit’s distinct French accent and physicality, making the character feel fully lived-in rather than a caricature.
The final act, where he performs the death-defying walk, is made all the more breathtaking because of his performance—his expressions sell the terror and the thrill in equal measure. Petit is a performance that requires both charisma and vulnerability, making the film’s high-wire act feel as emotional as it is suspenseful, and Gordon-Levitt delivers plenty of both.
(500) Days of Summer
Outside of Inception, (500) Days of Summer is arguably Gordon-Levitt’s most iconic role, and for good reason. In the film, he plays Tom, a hopeless romantic who falls head over heels for Zooey Deschanel’s titular Summer, the girl he thought he could spend the rest of his life with despite the fact she does not believe in relationships or boyfriends. Over the course of 500 days, we see the ups, downs and eventual demise of the relationship.
In what could have been a rather unlikely role, Gordon-Levitt manages to bring an incredible relatability to Tom. He’s charming and funny but also deeply flawed, allowing the audience to see how his expectations cloud his judgment throughout his relationship with Summer. His chemistry with Deschanel is electric and by far one of the film’s highlights, making their highs feel euphoric and their lows feel utterly devastating.
The film’s nonlinear storytelling works largely because of his performance, he sells both the naive optimism and the crushing heartbreak with equal sincerity in what is still to this day a career-defining role that helped cement him as a leading man. 500 Days of Summer is one of my all-time favourite films, in large part thanks to Gordon-Levitt’s performance, but in my opinion, there is one other performance that eclipses this one…
50/50
When I think of the best Joseph Gordon-Levitt performances, the one that always comes to mind is 50/50. The film follows Gordon-Levitt’s Adam, a young man who is unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and struggles to deal with the aftermath of his diagnosis and his own mortality.
This film is the perfect example of Gordon-Levitt’s unrivalled ability to balance both humour and tragedy—never letting the film feel too dramatic and heavy-hitting but never shying away from its difficult and intense moments either. His chemistry with Seth Rogen (playing his best friend, Kyle) adds warmth and levity, making their friendship one of the most authentic in recent memory. He also has excellent chemistry with Anna Kendrick, who plays his therapist, bringing warmth and charm to their evolving relationship over the course of the film.
One scene in particular that always sticks with me is the scene where Adam finally breaks down in the car before his surgery. It is one of his most powerful moments on screen as Gordon-Levitt pours his heart and soul into the character’s struggles, resulting in a truly heartbreaking moment without being overacted. In my opinion, 50/50 is a career-best performance that showcases everything that Gordon-Levitt does well: depth, charm, and an ability to make difficult material feel human and real.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been a force in Hollywood for years, consistently delivering compelling performances across a wide range of genres. While Inception remains his most mainstream hit, the films on this list showcase his versatility, depth and ability to bring nuance to every role he takes on. Whether he’s leading a tense thriller, carrying a heartfelt drama, or bringing charm to an indie gem, he proves time and again why he’s one of the most underrated actors of his generation. If you’ve only seen him in Inception, it’s time to dive into these must-watch performances – you won’t be disappointed!
