Dylan O’Brien has been one of the most highlighted actors in the past decade. If you have come across the actor through his most renowned characters, Thomas or Stiles Stilinski, there is more to explore about this young talent. The actor has been a part of the industry since 2011 and since then has experimented from teenage romance to suspense thrillers.
Dylan O Brien movies and TV shows have something for everyone as the actor has never tried to fit into a box. We are taking a look at his filmography as he has showcased immense versatility since his debut.
The actor has a talent for getting deep into each character that he portrays and delivering the most convincing performance, no matter how big or small the role. Here is the list of his best Movies and TV shows.
Love and Monsters (2020)
The movie is based on a monstrous apocalypse and has been under development since 2018 but got further delayed due to the pandemic.
The coming-of-age movie is filled with an adventurous ride where a boy sets out to find his high school sweetheart after staying at the safe premises of an underground bunker for over 7 years. Movie’s unintended timeline that matches with the pandemic made it even more relatable for the audience.
Among all the Dylan O’Brien movies and TV shows, Love and Monsters is the most recent that got the actor to receive praise from both audience and critics.
The plot begins when Joel and Aimee are out on a date, and the world is suddenly under the attack of monstrous creatures.
When Joel is shifted to a safe bunker filled with couples he starts missing Aimee more and one day decides to go back to her caring less about the threat that awaits.
Joel’s character takes you on a ride that keeps the audience on the edge of the seats and you can’t help but cheer for him as he gains confidence and learns more about his own strengths and weaknesses throughout the journey.
| IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94% |
Not Okay (2022)
The movie has to be an apt representation of the society we live in with the dark side of influencer culture.
Among all the his major Movies and TV shows Not Okay does not feature him as the lead, but his work has to be counted among his best as he plays a stereotypical white, tatted guy named Colin.
Zoey Deutch’s Danny fits perfectly as a socially awkward aspiring writer who is desperate to expand her social media clout and win over her crush Colin who seems too cool for her.
When Danny’s desperation to expand her social media reach gets out of hand, she decides to post a fake trip to Paris but ends up on the list of terrorist attack survivors that took place in Paris.
She jumps to utilize the opportunity and ends up getting everything she has wanted. But soon realizes that netizens are even brutal while taking someone down.
Not Okay did an excellent job of conveying a clear message of how and why not to consume everything you witness on social media.
| IMDb Rating: 6.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 71% |
The Outfit (2022)
The Outfit perfectly showcases Dylan O’Brien’s ability to tap into any given role and character. The actor plays the character of Richie Boyle, the son of an Irish mob boss who struggles to find his identity beyond the tag of his father’s name.
The whole movie is set in a luxurious tailor shop of Leonard. The movie progresses slowly but not the kind of slow that will get you sleepy but the kind that will have you biting your nails out of curiosity.
Dylan O’Brien does an excellent job of giving a glimpse into his conflicting thoughts and the pressure of the position he holds as a mobster’s son.
While Leonard’s shop has always dealt with high-end criminal clients, he gets trapped in the rivalry between the two groups.
Richie, Dylan’s character, always has an unsaid pressure to act a certain way when in crowds but we get to see his softer and more sensible side when he is left alone with Leonard.
| IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 85% |
The Maze Runner (2014)
After doing small parts in various TV shows and movies someone finally saw the potential in Dylan O’Brien as an actor. In 2014 he was trusted with the lead role in a sci-fi movie, The Maze Runner.
The movie will remind you of The Hunger Games because it does feel similar, and Dylan’s character of Thomas will remind you of Katniss Everdeen.
The Maze Runner marked the first movie in The Maze Runner franchise followed by Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and Maze Runner: The Death Cure. Thomas’ primary role here includes connecting the plot with the audience as he asks questions throughout and clears all the doubts the audience would otherwise have.
All the Dylan O’Brien movies and TV shows, this one marked the actor’s breakthrough role. You are in for an adrenaline rush with the players experiencing near-death experiences throughout.
| IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 65% |
Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
The list of Dylan O Brien movies and TV shows is never complete without mentioning his debut project Teen Wolf. One of the teen series that made youngsters fantasize about werewolves and vampires.
Also, how can we forget the hot and steamy shirtless Dylan O’Brien? The actor instantly established himself as a heartthrob and a bankable actor.
O’Brien showcased his ability to add emotional depth to an otherwise humorous character.
His portrayal of Stiles Stilinski got the audience rooting for his character. Though Stilinski was a side character, O’Brien made him a memorable one and proved no role is big or small if you have a big enough talent.
The series is loved by the audience even after years that a movie remake was released in January this year. Though some of the cast members including O’Brien declined the offer to return to the project, the movie was a treat for all the Teen Wolf fans.
| IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 81% |
Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Based on one of the most deadly oil rig explosions that happened in April 2010. Deepwater Horizon recites the tale of survivors and the negligence of people responsible for the spill that cost innocent lives.
Though O’Brien had a small supporting role in the movie it is worth mentioning for the actor’s impressive screen presence as well as the well-executed and convincing portrayal of the tragic incident.
Peter Berg’s directorial did an excellent job of giving a realistic insight into what went down before the tragic marine oil spill.
The director got into the technical details of how an oil rig works, not in a boring-college-lecture way but in a rather impressive way. The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat till the last minute as the chaos ensues with oil, mud, and then fire everywhere.
| IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82% |
Flashback (2020)
Flashback has to be one of the Dylan O’Brian movies where the actor got to perform in his full capacity. He played the lead character of Fred, a regular 9-5 employee whose only source of happiness in his monotonous life is his loving girlfriend. But things soon take a dark and twisted turn when he starts having flashbacks of his high school days.
He indulges in substance abuse and gets trapped in the web of flashbacks questioning his own reality.
The psychological thriller witnessed the best performance by Dylan O’Brien as Fred takes you on a ride of paranoia, panic, and dread.
The storyline might feel entangled but that is the essence of such stories as the viewers also experience the confusion and chaos along with the actor.
| IMDb Rating: 5.3/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 54% |
The First Time (2012)
The actor’s boy-next-door persona during his initial days worked well for the 2012 release The First Time. The movie is about two teenagers who are too shy to admit their feelings or ask for what they want from each other. O’Brien plays the character of Dave opposite Britt Robertson’s Aubrey.
The movie explores the realistic and raw side of high school romance with awkward moments and innocent feelings with a lot of first times.
When Aubrey and Dave decide to get into a relationship they have to get into a lot of awkward moments with each other like when they decide to have sex for the first time and both of them get disappointed as the idea of it sounds more fun than actual act. The story feels relatable on many occasions as we have all had our awkward first times.
| IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 50% |
American Assassin (2017)
If you have a thing for spy action thrillers, O Brien starrer American Assassin is just for you. The movie also stars Michael Keaton, best known for his appearance in Tim Burton’s movies.
The plot revolves around a revenge story that feels like an era that has become obsolete- a happy couple enjoying their vacation. But soon the woman dies and now the protagonist’s sole purpose of survival is revenge. The plot does not have much to impress the audience but we can give it up to O’Brien for all the clean action scenes.
| IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 34% |
Bumblebee (2018)
The much-awaited transformer movie featured him as a voice actor for the titular yellow transformer. Bumblebee worked well with the critics as well as the audience.
This Dylan O’Brien movie marks the only movie featuring O’Brien as a voice actor. The standalone movie feels very average when compared to its predecessors, with the live action and storyline of a transformer taking refuge on earth.
O’Brien can be heard during the few minutes at the beginning, but this sets the foundation for the plot. He does impressive work, considering this was his debut as a voice actor.
Bumblebee tries to add an emotional touch to the gigantic transformer as he connects with the humans and explores a softer side of the gigantic robot.
| IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91% |
Conclusion
Dylan O Brien movies and TV shows successfully captured the hearts of the audience within a limited time making the actor one of the most successful young actors out there.
Starting as a teen heartthrob, O’Brien has come a long way with his versatile career graph. Clearly, the actor’s best is yet to come, and we can’t wait to witness his future projects.
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Soumya Nair is an entertainment industry enthusiast who loves to write and bring in all the gossip and news to everyone interested. She always make sure to keep a keen eye on everything that goes behind the glam and glitter of the industry.
