10 Best Movies Starring David Thewlis
Born in 1963, British actor David Thewlis stepped into the world of films in 1987, marking his debut. He began with a minor role in the movie Little Dorrit in that year.
Fast forward six years to 1993, David took on the main role as Johnny Fletcher in the film 'Naked'. This significant role earned him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.
After receiving such prestigious awards, David Thewlis' reputation soared. He engages in a diverse range of movies and portrays various characters year after year. He's also notably prolific, starring in multiple movies within a single year.
From the numerous films David Thewlis has been a part of, we've chosen the top ten for you. Which movie titles are we talking about?
1. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
This movie continues the story from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010), wrapping up the Harry Potter film series.
The plot revolves around Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) quest to locate and eliminate Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, which are crucial to stopping Voldemort forever.
After laying Dobby to rest, Harry enlists the help of Griphook, Tonks, and Hermione to break into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts bank. The goal is to find Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, suspected to be there.
Griphook agrees, provided he receives the Sword of Gryffindor. While at Gringotts, Harry has a vision of Lord Voldemort and realizes that a Horcrux he's seeking is concealed at Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, Snape becomes aware of Harry's return to Hogwarts. He then threatens those who aided him among the students and staff. In the midst of this turmoil, Harry must confront Snape, who manages to escape during a duel with Professor McGonagall.
In response, McGonagall rallies the Hogwarts community for battle. Tragically, lives are lost, including that of Remus Lupin, portrayed by David Thewlis.
Lupin's demise doesn't deter Harry from his mission to retrieve Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. Along the way, Harry discovers that he unintentionally became a Horcrux when Voldemort's curse failed to kill him.
Now, Voldemort must eliminate Harry to destroy the fragment of Voldemort's soul within him. How will the ongoing showdown between Harry and Voldemort conclude?
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) carries on the story from The Chamber of Secrets (2002). This is the third movie in the Harry Potter series, recounting Harry Potter's adventures during his third year at Hogwarts. The tale also explores his efforts to uncover the mysteries of his past.
Curious about the connections between himself, his deceased parents, and Sirius Black, Harry sets out to learn more. Returning to Hogwarts for his third year, he's reunited with his two closest friends, Ron and Hermione Granger.
During this time, Harry finds out that Sirius Black, a convicted supporter of Lord Voldemort, has escaped from Azkaban Prison with intentions to harm him.
Even while traveling to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express, Harry is haunted by the looming threat of Dementors. Luckily, Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, comes to his rescue by using the Patronus Charm. Will Harry manage to survive these attacks that put him in danger?
3. Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman (2017) marks the fourth movie in the DC Extended Universe. It acts as a prequel and spin-off to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
The story follows Amazon Princess Diana (Gal Gadot), who is determined to put an end to World War I. She believes that the war was instigated by Ares, an old enemy of the Amazons, based on information from Steve Trevor, a pilot who becomes stranded on her island.
David Thewlis portrays Sir Patrick, a proponent of peace in the Imperial War Cabinet. However, it is later revealed that he is actually the cunning Ares.
The narrative begins when Diana comes across a photograph from Wayne Enterprises, displaying herself alongside four men during WWI. This picture triggers her memories of the past.
Diana grew up in seclusion on Themyscira, an island inhabited by Amazons – warrior women fashioned by the gods to safeguard humanity. Among these deities, only Ares held enmity towards humans and aimed to annihilate them. Ares' malevolence resulted in the demise of all the gods except Zeus.
Before succumbing to Ares, Zeus left behind a weapon for the Amazons. This weapon, referred to as the god-killer, is to be employed against Ares should he ever return. Trained as a warrior, Diana endeavors to shield humanity much like her forebears did.
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
This film stands as the fifth installment in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. It carries on the story from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), depicting Harry Potter's journey following his fifth year at Hogwarts. David Thewlis continues to portray the character of Remus Lupin in this movie.
During his fifth year, Harry receives information from his godfather, Sirius Black, suggesting that Voldemort is searching for a certain item believed to be a weapon. Harry also faces conflicts with Dolores Umbridge, who refuses to teach defensive spells. Consequently, Harry is penalized by being made to write sentences containing lies about Voldemort.
Alarmed, Dumbledore enlists Severus Snape to instruct Harry in Occlumency, a spell to shield his mind from Voldemort's influence. Following this, Harry has a vision of Voldemort torturing Sirius.
In response, Harry, along with Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Ginny, alerts the Order of the Phoenix. The group sets out to rescue Sirius.
Unexpectedly, the six young wizards find themselves within the Department of Mysteries, where they locate the sought-after object that Voldemort desires. They also come across a prophecy bearing Harry's name.
As it turns out, Harry's vision of Sirius being tortured was a manipulation. Lucius ambushes Harry and compels him to surrender the prophecy they obtained. Fortunately, Remus Lupin comes to Harry's rescue. How will Harry's journey unfold from here?
5. The Theory of Everything
The Theory of Everything (2014) is a romantic drama biographical film that delves deeply into the life of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. The story is based on the 2007 memoir "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by Jane Hawking, his former wife.
The movie portrays Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), a student of Astrophysics at Cambridge University, who falls in love with Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones), a Literature student. At a public lecture on black holes, attended by Stephen and his professor Dennis Sciama (David Thewlis), his fascination with the topic is sparked.
He decides to center his thesis on black holes. However, his physical abilities start to wane, affecting his coordination. It's revealed that he is suffering from an incurable motor neuron disease. Eventually, he becomes immobile, losing the ability to swallow or even breathe on his own.
Doctors estimate he has only around two years left to live, but his mental capacity remains unaffected. Despite the circumstances, Jane chooses to stand by his side.
As his condition deteriorates, Stephen and Jane get married. They have a son named Robert, and even as Stephen's physical state worsens, they welcome their second child, Lucy. Stephen adapts to using a wheelchair.
Despite his limitations, Stephen continues to work on his theory of black hole radiation and gains international acclaim as a physicist.
6. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) is a film featuring David Thewlis, based on John Boyne's 2006 novel. This historical drama is set in Nazi-occupied Poland during a troubling time. The story revolves around the unlikely friendship between the son of an SS officer and a young prisoner of the Holocaust.
An 8-year-old German boy named Bruno (Asa Butterfield) moves with his family to the countryside in German-occupied Poland. This move is prompted by his father, who is an SS officer, receiving a promotion.
Ralf (David Thewlis) arranges for Herr Liszt to teach his children, Bruno and his sister Gretel, Nazi propaganda and anti-Semitism as a form of indoctrination.
One day, Bruno ventures into the woods and stumbles upon a fenced area. There, he meets and befriends Shmuel, a boy his own age. Unaware of the true nature of the concentration camps, Bruno mistakes Shmuel's striped uniform for pajamas.
On the day Bruno is about to be relocated away from the camp, he bids farewell to Shmuel. However, learning that Shmuel's father is missing after being moved, Bruno resolves to help locate him.
Shmuel provides Bruno with a prisoner's uniform and hat. Tragically, it's this uniform that leads Bruno to his demise in the concentration camp, where he tragically killed alongside other prisoners.
7. Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven (2005) is a grand historical drama directed by Ridley Scott. The story, while fictionalized, provides a portrayal of events leading up to the Third Crusade.
The central focus is on Balian of Ibelin, who valiantly defends the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem against Ayyubid Sultan Saladin. In this film, David Thewlis takes on the role of The Hospitaller.
The Hospitaller is part of the three prominent Roman Catholic religious orders, including The Knights Templar and The Teutonic Knights, who are dedicated to serving as warrior knights.
Set in medieval France, the narrative centers around Balian (Orlando Bloom), a blacksmith tormented by his wife's suicide. Amidst his grief, a group of Crusaders arrives, led by Baron Godfrey who introduces himself as Balian's father. Godfrey requests Balian's return to the Holy Land initially met with refusal. Yet, Balian's motivation shifts as he seeks redemption for himself and his departed wife in Jerusalem.
His journey to Jerusalem is fraught with challenges, including a shipwreck caused by a storm. Balian adapts to the diverse situations and encounters significant individuals along the way. Eventually, he crosses paths with Saladin. However, when Guy takes power, the declaration of war against the Saracens is announced.
8. War Horse
War Horse (2011) is a war-themed film based on Michael Morpurgo's 1982 novel of the same name. Set in the period before and during World War I, the movie traces the journey of a bay Irish Hunter horse named Joey, cared for by a young English teenager named Albert. However, Joey becomes separated from Albert when he's bought by the British Army.
In 1912, a bay Irish Hunter horse is born in Devon, England. The horse ends up with farmer Ted Narracott after Ted outbids a landlord named Lyons (David Thewlis) at an auction. Ted's wife, Rose, is unhappy because the family needs a workhorse for plowing rather than an Irish Hunter.
Nonetheless, their son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) becomes attached to the horse and names him Joey. In 1914, as war with Germany is declared and heavy rains ruin the family's crops, Ted has no choice but to sell Joey to the army.
Albert tries to prevent this but is unsuccessful. He then makes a promise to himself that he will search for Joey again when he's old enough to join the army.
9. Seven Years in Tibet
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) is a biographical war drama directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The film is based on the 1952 memoir Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer and a former SS sergeant. The memoir chronicles his experiences in Tibet from 1944 to 1951.
The story follows Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) and Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), both Austrians and avid mountain climbers in the 1930s. However, when World War II erupted in 1939, their nationalities led to their imprisonment in a POW camp in the Himalayas, specifically in Dehradun.
In 1944, Harrer and Aufschnaiter managed to escape from the prison and successfully crossed into Tibet. Upon arriving in the sacred city of Lhasa, Harrer was introduced to the young 14th Dalai Lama.
Over time, Harrer developed a deep bond with the young spiritual leader. He and Aufschnaiter remained in Tibet until 1950, when the escalating Tibetan conflict reached its pinnacle during the Battle of Chamdo.
10. Legend
This biographical crime thriller film is adapted from John Pearson's book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins. This book vividly portrays the lives and dynamics of the Kray Twins, including their eventual imprisonment in 1969.
Set in the 1960s, the movie revolves around Reggie Kray (Tom Hardy), a former boxer who has risen to prominence within London's criminal underworld. His twin brother, Ron Kray (also Tom Hardy), is confined to a mental hospital due to paranoid schizophrenia.
After orchestrating his brother's release through threats, they combine their efforts to gain control over a substantial portion of London's criminal realm. One of their attempts is to take control of a local nightclub using extortion and brutal violence.
The Kray Twins are eventually approached by Angelo Bruno from the Philadelphia crime family, who seeks to include them in a crime syndicate. In this film, David Thewlis takes on the role of Leslie Payne, the business manager of the Kray family.
The ten David Thewlis movies featured in this article present captivating narratives, spanning war films, biographical tales, and the popular Harry Potter series. With his extensive expertise, the actor ensures a gratifying experience. Each film has something unique to offer, promising enjoyment for all audiences. So, which one is your favorite David Thewlis movie?