Joey Magidson
Ethan Hawke is, somehow, an underrated actor, despite continually doing impressive work. Whether it’s with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater or not, he’s incapable of not putting forth performances that blow people away, even if it hasn’t yet translated into an Oscar win. I interviewed him here (along with Linklater) earlier in the week. Today, with some of his very best work in Blue Moon now in theaters (as well as his return to horror and villainy with Black Phone 2), it feels like the perfect time to rank his top performances to date.
In my rave review of Blue Moon (here), I said the following about Hawke:
Ethan Hawke is extraordinary here, inhabiting Lorenz Hart in all his glory and sadness. Getting to do some major monologuing, it’s an absolutely hypnotic performance. You never miss the sadness within him, but Hawke is also sure to allow all of his charm to shine through as well. It’s stunning work.
Below, you can see how Hawke’s best stacks up for me. When it comes to yours truly, the trio of Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight were musts for this list, as well as Boyhood. At the same time, Blue Moon is at the top, representing the best work he’s done with Linklater to date. Throw in First Reformed and Training Day, alongside whatever else strikes your fancy, and it’s a hell of a list, in my humble opinion. Plus, where does Black Phone 2 show up, if at all? What about his prior turn as The Grabber in The Black Phone? Find out next.
Here now is my ranking of the best Ethan Hawke performances so far. Behold:
Honorable Mention: Black Phone 2, Dead Poets Society, Good Kill, Juliet Naked, The Phenom, and Reality Bites
10. The Black Phone
9. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
8. Born to Be Blue
7. Before Sunrise
6. Boyhood
5. Training Day
4. Before Sunset
3. First Reformed
2. Before Midnight
1. Blue Moon
What are your favorite Ethan Hawke performances? Let us know!
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