10 must-watch Adam Driver movies that show his range

Adam Driver has made a mark in Hollywood with his iconic performances across many genres. His journey as an actor is remarkable: starting as a Marine to becoming a Juilliard graduate, and then becoming a fan favorite for his on-screen intensity and unconventional charisma.

Driver's work has consistently earned significant critical acclaim. His acting prowess is reflected in his back-to-back Academy Award nominations: the first for BlacKkKlansman and the second for Marriage Story.

He also won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor, many accolades that set his name in stone. With a filmography spanning just over a decade, he has explored many genres: from comedies to dramedies, from sci-fi to historical-period films. The following ten films offer a cross-section of his career, illustrating the scope of his acting approach.

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10 must-watch Adam Driver movies that show his range

1. Paterson (2016): Mastering the art of an understated life

This 2016 drama by Jim Jarmusch's Paterson won the prestigious Palm Dog Award, where Adam Driver enacted the role of a dreamy bus driver who is also a poet.

This role was not like his later roles (like The Last Duel, which delivered a lot of high-pitched scenes). Instead, in this role, he shines bright with his subtle expressions and contained acting.

The quiet introspection of a deeply reflective mind is conveyed through observant gazes and controlled body language. The performance is reflective of Adam Driver’s capacity to understand and interpret a fresh narrative based on everyday life, even without overt conflict.

2. Logan Lucky (2017): master of deadpan comedy

In this 2017 comedy by Steven Sorenberg, Adam Driver steps into the shoes of a fictional Clyde Logan, the brother of Jimmy Logan and a laconic, one-armed veteran who takes part in a robbery. We have popularly seen him in intense roles, but in this one, his comic side flares up.

Interestingly, to make this film, Steven Sorenberg came out of retirement. The film had an ensemble cast with popular actors like Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, and Sebastian Stan (and many others).

In this role, Adam Driver shines with his consistent deadpan delivery and equally hilarious reactions. This comedic style is distinctly different from his other serious performances.

3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017): complex antagonist portrayal

In 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Adam Driver features as Kylo Ren, marking his central performance within the three-part sequel. Fans were excited to see the iconic franchise come back with a new cast and story.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Kylo Ren is a dark Force-user who holds command of the First Order missions. Within the Star Wars realm, he is a character with a fierce temper. His only motto is to destroy the New Republic, the Resistance, and everything the Jedi are known for.

Here, Adam Driver’s acting is marked by internal conflict. Driver uses both physical intensity and emotional vulnerability to explore Kylo Ren's complex motivations, anger, and his always fierce temper.

These aspects add to the character of this iconic villain, moving beyond a common archetype. His high-pitched performance illustrates his ability to bring critical acclaim to an already popular franchise.

4. Marriage Story (2019): a highly emotional performance

Noah Baumbach's emotionally charged drama Marriage Story has gained multiple critical accolades. As Charlie Barber, Adam Driver draws critical attention with his emotional rawness and intensity.

This was the life of a theatre director navigating a dissolving marriage. The story was marked by heated arguments, grief of a slowly fading bond, and helplessness.

The majority of the scenes were against Scarlett Johansson acting as his on-screen spouse. The switch from a soft and tender mood to explosive conflict with a palpable intensity highlights Adam Driver's ability to convey the emotional toll of the divorce.

For this film, he received an Academy nomination as Best Actor.

5. The Dead Don't Die (2019): comedic flair shines

In this bizarre zombie comedy, The Dead Don't Die, Adam assumes the role of Ronnie Peterson, who remains comically calm amidst a raging zombie outbreak. He suited his acting style to the demands of the script by delivering an understated and droll performance.

So then, we may ask, what does this acting add to the script? It adds an absurdist tone and an unmistakable hilarity amidst the chaos of the plot.

This film is a testimony to his acting range and his ability to accept and shine as bright as any character from any genre.

6. 'House of Gucci' (2021): navigating a family saga

This Ridley Scott film was released in 2021. Adam Driver takes on the challenge of portraying a character from the fashion industry. The performance tracks the character's subtle transformation, from a hesitant new entrant to a more assertive personality.

This role is deeply reflective of Driver’s capacity to understand aspects of an evolving human mind who is on a journey of self-exploration.

7. Annette (2021): catching the musical theatricality

In Annette, Adam Driver gave an entirely different kind of performance. This was a role in a musical characterized by a subtle theatricality.

This role highlights his ability to fit into unconventional musical characters. Here, his stage background and previous training. On screen, he fully commits to the film's surreal vision.

8. The Last Duel (2021): complex, historical role

In 2021’s The Last Duel, Adam comes in as Jacques Le Gris. This role is one marked by thrill and high-pitched action. As the story traverses through differing viewpoints, Adam Driver’s honest and intense acting plays a crucial part in showcasing how Jacques’s characteristic arrogance and entitlement affect him.

9. 65 (2023): action-packed solo-survival

Here, Adam Driver shines in the role of an astronaut. He plays the role of Mills in the 2023 sci-fi movie 65.

The film takes us to unfamiliar territory, and Adam Driver carries the sci-fi thriller element with his physical determination and non-verbal cues. His physicality adds to the isolated survival story on a prehistoric Earth.

10.BlacKkKlansman (2018): Undercover Drama

In this 2018 undercover drama, Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, Adam Driver pulls off the character of Detective Philip "Flip" Zimmerman.

Phillip is a Jewish undercover officer who strategically infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan. This role demanded a performance that captured the heightened tension of the undercover situation and moral complexity of the role.

This earned him an Academy nomination as well.

Also read: How Adam Driver turned awkward intensity into Oscar-worthy acting