Ranking the Best Performances To Date From Edward Norton

Edward Norton was, once upon a time, seen as a demanding actor who put forth incredible performances but could be hard to work with. These days, you really only hear about how he’s an incredible actor, suggesting a modulation that’s, frankly, led to a second golden age in his career. His talents were never in dispute. Recently, they’ve been able to receive new and exciting showcases, which finds him with turns that are surprising in the best way. Almost two years ago, I interviewed him here for A Complete Unknown. Now, with The Invite beginning its theatrical run, it’s time to look at his career.

In my review of The Invite here, I said the following about the quartet, including Norton:

The quartet of Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton, Seth Rogen, and Olivia Wilde are all terrific, doing absolute top tier work. Cruz and Norton are accomplished dramatic actors, so seeing them be the funniest they’ve ever been is an absolute pleasure. Rogen and Wilde have previously walked in both worlds, so it’s less surprising to see them ace these roles, though just as satisfying. That they’re essentially the only people on screen is all the more impressive, as it’s 107 minutes of just them. Cruz mixes a smoldering sexuality with a deep well of emotional understanding, which has Piña always feeling like the smartest person in the room. Hawk is a charmer and almost annoyingly optimistic, but these potentially punchable characteristics to Joe make him appealing to Angela, while they hide a past that gives him a genuine reason to be the way he is. As for the hosts, Wilde’s Angela is desperate to feel something and get out of her rut, which leads to both comedy and drama, while Rogen’s Joe just wants to be left in his rut. This dichotomy leads not just to some laughs, but a sense of realism that makes the jokes land, but the arguments sting as well.

Below, you can see how Norton stacks up for me. The upper echelon of this ranking could be pretty interchangeable, but 25th Hour, American History X, Fight Club, and Primal Fear do feel like the correct top four, overall. That doesn’t even include his other two Oscar nominated performances, both in Best Supporting Actor, with Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and A Complete Unknown (American History X and Primal Fear got him into Best Actor). Throw in some great comedic work in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and it’s actually pretty exciting to consider how his career is still evolving. Where does A Complete Unknown factor in? What about The Invite? You’re about to find out…

Here now is my ranking of the best performances so far from Edward Norton. Take a look:

Honorable Mention: Death to Smoochy, Everyone Says I Love You, Keeping the Faith, Leaves of Grass, and Rounders

10. Moonrise Kingdom

9. The People vs. Larry Flynt

8. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

7. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

6. A Complete Unknown

5. The Invite

4. Primal Fear

3. Fight Club

2. 25th Hour

1. American History X

What are your favorite Edward Norton performances? Let us know!