Happy Birthday Dylan O’Brien: Exploring His Top 10 Movies And TV Shows As Actor Turns 33

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As a huge fan of Dylan O’Brien, I must say his journey in Hollywood has been quite fascinating to watch. From his humble beginnings on Teen Wolf to his critically acclaimed roles in films like Love and Monsters and The Outfit, he’s proven time and again that he can bring any character to life.

Through memorable roles like Thomas and Stilinski, Dylan O’Brien has garnered global interest from audiences. Since 2011, he has graced screens in films and television shows, with his standout portrayals being those of the characters mentioned above in the Maze Runner film adaptations and Teen Wolf.

Over the last twelve years, O’Brien has appeared in critically and commercially acclaimed movies across various genres and earned nearly two dozen nominations and awards for his performances. This isn’t hard to believe given his unwavering talent for bringing life to the characters he portrays, but these ten additions to his filmography will prove just how brilliant he really is. Here are the best Dylan O’Brien movies and TV shows, from Maze Runner: The Death Cure to Love and Monsters as the star turns 33.

1. Teen Wolf (2011 – 2017)

In the 2010s, Teen Wolf was a series that made every teenager dream about having claws and fangs. Who wouldn’t have loved to join Scott McCall’s (Tyler Posey) pack, alongside Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien), Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin), Lydia Martin (Holland Roden), Allison Argent (Crystal Reed), and Daniel Sharman?

For six seasons, the show amassed a large audience and more recently, a movie based on it was released this January. Although Stiles wouldn’t appear in the film, his impact on the series remains strong. O’Brien’s remarkable acting made Stiles and his human character the emotional core of Teen Wolf amidst an abundance of supernatural beings.

2. The Maze Runner (2014)

A science fiction film titled “The Maze Runner,” inspired by James Dashner’s widely acclaimed book series, kicks off a series of sci-fi adventure movies. After a catastrophic solar flare wipes out the planet, all that remains of humanity is a small band of young individuals resistant to a lethal virus – their only hope for continuation.

The story starts by introducing Thomas (O’Brien) who encounters a band of boys confined within an imposing forested region, surrounded by towering walls. It appears they are trapped in a labyrinth with no escape route. “The Maze Runner” is one of the top dystopian sci-fi films from the 2010s and represents a significant achievement in actor Dylan O’Brien’s career portfolio. Although Thomas was not his first breakthrough role, it undeniably played a significant part in boosting his professional success.

3. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)

Two years after the debut of the initial Maze Runner film, a second installment was unveiled. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes generally praised it for its strong performances and compelling script, even though it didn’t quite match the popularity of the original. Some viewers criticized it for straying too far from the source material, while others felt it surpassed the first film.

Regarding the film’s quality, there was no consensus among viewers about The Scorch Trials. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, the movie managed to shatter box office records, grossing a total of $312,296,056 globally, ensuring its commercial success. Beyond keeping you engrossed and leaving you eager for the conclusion, this aspect alone makes it an entertaining experience.

4. Deepwater Horizon (2016)

Using a more casual and straightforward approach: In this movie based on the seven-year-old catastrophe, known as the world’s worst marine oil spill, O’Brien adds another heart-wrenching true story to his collection of films. The film Deepwater Horizon tells the tale of both the victims and survivors from the oil rig that exploded in April 2010.

In my perspective, it’s not hard to grasp why this poignantly portrayed retelling of a tragic environmental disaster from history resonated so strongly with both critics and viewers, garnering an impressive 82% score. As Caleb Holloway, Dylan delivers a powerful performance alongside the likes of Mark Wahlberg as Mike Williams, Kurt Russell as Jimmy “Mr. Jimmy” Harrell, Gina Rodriguez as Andrea Fleytas, and others.

5. Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)

Many spectators felt let down by the third Maze Runner movie, as not all film series live up to expectations as they develop. However, it’s worth noting that this film is generally well-liked, despite some criticisms about its character development and plotline, and a significant number of people remain ardent fans.

In their latest endeavor, the surviving Gladers join forces with their new partners from the previous movie to free their imprisoned comrades and stop WCKD’s malicious activities. Though it sparked debate, this film was widely praised as a satisfying finale for the original trilogy due to its stellar acting, spectacular visual effects, and high-energy action sequences. Remarkably, he sustained severe injuries during his stunts, which makes his role in The Death Cure all the more impressive, given that he plays a leading character in the series.

6. Bumblebee (2018)

People who enjoy the Transformers series might recognize this 2018 blockbuster hit. More recently, there was a standalone movie focusing on Bumblebee, a beloved yellow Transformer, which received both critical acclaim and box office success. The narrative revolves around the title character who seeks shelter in a California coastal town’s junkyard. Simultaneously, Charlie Watson (played by Hailee Steinfeld) stumbles upon this battle-worn and damaged character.

In his main character role as Bumblebee, it seems that he spoke for roughly three minutes. However, Dylan’s talent for infusing personality into a largely silent character highlights his voice acting skills, leaving many fans eagerly hoping for his return to voice Bumblebee again in the future. All we can do is hope.

7. Flashback (2020)

Christopher MacBride’s movie, titled “Flashback,” is a captivating mystery that revolves around Dylan as its central character. Clocking in at 97 minutes, “The Education of Fredrick Fitzell” delivers a heart-pounding thriller, where the protagonist, Fred, encounters flashbacks reminiscent of his high school years, particularly focusing on a girl who vanished under mysterious circumstances.

2020 saw the debut of the movie at the Sitges Film Festival, garnering a mix of opinions. Despite this, the movie offers enough enigma and suspense to keep viewers guessing with every twist and turn. It’s worth noting that O’Brien’s acting performance is noteworthy; even if the film may not be objectively great, his convincing portrayal of characters adds depth to it.

8. Love and Monsters (2020)

Discovering this small gem was an unexpected joy. The movie’s unique narrative, robust plotline, stellar acting, and Academy Award-nominated visual effects contributed to its triumph across the board. O’Brien shone brightly throughout and showcased his survival abilities in what some initially perceived as a run-of-the-mill monster-hunting flick.

The plot centers around Dylan O’Brien’s character, Joel Dawson, and his loyal pet, Boy, as they journey through 85 miles of dangerous terrain to find Aimee (portrayed by Jessica Henwick). This connection was severed seven years ago when the world came to an end. Filled with heartfelt moments, humor, and all the essential elements, it’s a movie you won’t forget easily.

9. Not Okay (2022)

In 2022, “Not Okay” – a dark comedy-drama satire about social media – marks the second collaboration for Dylan O’Brien and Zoey Deutch. Throughout the narrative, we follow Danni Sanders, a character with questionable actions and aspirations of becoming an influencer, who finds herself ensnared in a lie that rapidly escalates out of control.

In “Not Okay,” we delve into the perilous pursuit of fame at any cost, as our main character remains indifferent about her methods. Amidst the belief that she survived a terror attack she was far from, Danni finds herself ensnared in a tangled web of deception, fueled by her followers’ misconceptions. Instead of deflecting attention, she capitalizes on the situation, keeping it centered on herself. While the film may not be overly complex, it effectively delivers thought-provoking themes. The character’s love interest is portrayed flawlessly by O’Brien.

10. The Outfit (2022)

In simpler terms, although Dylan’s 2022 release “The Outfit” flopped financially, earning more than four million dollars against a five-million-dollar budget, it was widely appreciated by both critics and viewers, receiving high ratings.

In this gripping mobster enigma, Mark Rylance joins forces with Johnny Flynn, Simon Russell Beale, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Zoey Deutch, and Dylan O’Brien for their second joint venture. The story centers around a British tailor residing in Chicago, who is not merely sewing wedding suits for pleasant clients; instead, his patrons are hardened by violence. So far in his career, Dylan O’Brien’s Outfit has garnered one of the highest Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

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2024-08-26 12:06