Patrick Wilsonhas had a fascinating career. He has the good looks and inherent charisma of a leading man and is often cast as such. However, Wilson never quite became the household name that some may have expected. He’s certainly been involved with a lot of major franchises, particularly horror series, and he’s never been short on critical acclaim (he received an Emmy nomination for his work in HBO’sAngels in America). Whether he’s typecast as a leading man or trying his hand at a character part, Wilson has a likeability to him. His filmography is surprisingly dense with a variety of projects ranging from smaller arthouse efforts to major Hollywood blockbusters, as well as some stellar television roles. Wilson will next be seen this year inRoland Emmerich’s science fiction disaster filmMoonfalland the superhero sequelAquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Wilson is set to return to theInsidiousfranchise withInsidious: The Red Door. Wilson isn’t just returning to his leading role of Josh Lambert, but the film will also see him step into the director’s chair for the first time. Also returning isRose ByrneandTy Simpkins, who play Josh’s wife and son, respectively. The movie hits theaters today, so if you find that this one is just too scary for you to enjoy, you’re able to check out these nine other Patrick Wilson performances (except for the originalInsidiousorThe Conjuring).
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Viscount Raoul de Chagny in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Wilson has a noted stage career that includes Tony Award wins for bothThe Full MontyandOklahoma!As a result, he was a natural choice to co-star as Raoul de Chagny inJoel Schumacher’s lavish reimagining ofThe Phantom of the Opera. Schumacher is never short on theatricality and it’s certainly an over-the-top looking production, but remarkably Wilson,Emmy Rossum,andGerard Butlerkeep their performances grounded and internalized. Raoul’s storyline is generally the least interesting part ofThe Phantom of the Opera, so credit is due to Wilson for injecting some life into the role.
Josh Lambert in ‘Insidious’
Prior to their influential work together on another major horror franchise, Wilson and directorJames Wanteamed up for the spooky possession thrillerInsidious. WhileInsidiousis a rather straightforward film compared to the more inventive horror films Wan would go on to make, Wilson helps ground it in with legitimate familial drama. It’s the believable marriage between Josh (Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) that elevates theInsidioussaga and makes it emotionally compelling. Surprisingly, Wilson got the chance to add even more depth to the character in the sequelInsidious: Chapter 2, one of the few horror sequels that actually improves upon its predecessor. The film explored elements of Josh’s backstory as he enters the astral plane and becomes possessed himself; it’s incredible to watch Wilson transform from being a likable dad to a terrifying entity of evil the moment he becomes possessed. Wilson’s absence is felt in theInsidioussequels where Josh does not appear. Let’s hopeThe Red Doorcan live up to the first two movies.
Todd Fields’ gripping deconstruction of suburban America,Little Children, is one of the most underrated films of the century. With a frank depiction of sexuality and mental illness, Fields crafted a subversion to the standard suburban melodrama. Wilson is typecast as the well-adjusted law student Brad Adamson, but both Fields and Wilson question the common archetype by showing the inkling anxieties that plague him, as he suffers from feelings of unfulfillment. Wilson is remarkably vulnerable alongsideKate Winslet, bringing authenticity to both intimate love scenes and frank emotional conversations.
Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II in ‘Watchmen’
Zack Snyder’sWatchmenadaptation is a fascinating mess, and the character of Nite Owl does have to suffer through some of the most insufferable moments (including the infamous “Hallelujah” sex scene). Regardless, Wilson brings a classiness to the role that hints at Dan Dreiberg’s faded idealism over the role of superheroes within the public consciousness. While he does his best to save the romance withMalin Åkerman’s Silk Spectre, it is his interactions withJackie Earl Haley’s Rorsach that are absolutely gripping. Props to Wilson for his commitment to even the most ludicrous Snyder dialogue; he manages to say “What happened to the American dream?” with a straight face.
Buddy Slade in ‘Young Adult’
After doing a phenomenal job adding depth to the seemingly one-note suburban dad role inLittle Children, Wilson got the chance to do it again inJason Reitman’s brilliant dramedy,Young Adult. Wilson co-stars as the “perfect dad” Buddy Slade, whose life is uprooted when his childhood sweetheart Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) returns to their hometown and attempts to rekindle their relationship. Buddy is more than happy with his marriage to Beth (Elizabeth Reaser), and his nurturing kindness in turning down Mavis’s advances only encourages her to be more persistent.Young Adultis a film that often gets cringe inducing with its realism, and Wilson is perfect at showing genuine humiliation.
Ed Warren in ‘The Conjuring’
Perhaps Wilson’s most famous role is that of Ed Warren inThe Conjuringfranchise. Although it’s been homaged and lampooned to no end in the subsequent years, the original 2013The Conjuringis still one of the scariest films of the 2010s, and its due to the legitimate human drama that James Wan brings to the story. Wilson shows a sensitivity within Warren; he’s inherently curious about the supernatural, but also incredibly respectful of the victims and wants to help them even as the Warrens face skepticism from their peers. While last year’sThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do Itmay have fallen short of expectations,Wilson is pretty phenomenal inThe Conjuring 2(and not just for his incredible rendition of “Can’t Help Falling In Love”).
Lou Solverson in ‘Fargo’ Season 2
The anthology nature ofNoah Hawley’s FX adaptation ofFargohas produced mixed results, but the second season is by far the most consistently compelling and emotionally satisfying. Wilson is the heart of the season as Lou Solverson, the one good cop who is brave enough to stand up to the oppressive Gerhardt crime family. Solverson has a tense relationship with his coworker and father-in-law Hank Larsson (Ted Danson), which only increases his stress level as he tries to save the Blumquist couple (Jesse PlemonsandKirsten Dunst) from their worst impulses. Hawley’s work is often so idiosyncratic, but Wilson is the voice of sincerity amidst the shenanigans.
Arthur O’Dwyer ‘Bone Tomahawk’
S. Craig Zahler’s outrageousBone Tomahawkis a film that defines genres, incorporating elements of westerns, horror, drama, and social satire. Zahler puts graphic images on screen that may disturb even the most seasoned gorehound, but what makes the film truly terrifying is how grounded the first two acts are. Wilson stars as Arthur O’Dwyer, a foreman bound to his bed by a broken leg. O’Dwyer is determined to head out on the mission to save his wife, Samantha (Lili Simmons), from a cannibalistic tribe despite his handicap, and he’s joined by the veteran Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), psychotic warrior John Brooder (Matthew Fox), and town medic Deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins), and the four men clash over their varying methods. While opinions vary on whether Zahler is being bold or exploitive, Wilson captures the desperation of a loving husband caught in over his head.
Rollie Smith in ‘The Founder’
Did you ever ask for “The Social Networkfor McDonalds?”The Founderis a lot more compelling than it sounds, as it explores the illicit legal maneuvering that future owner Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) uses to swindle original owners Dick (Nick Offerman) and Mac McDonald (John Carroll Lynch). Wilson has a pivotal role as Rollie Smith, the legal counselor who helps Kroc overwhelm the brothers with real estate terminology. Wilson captures the humiliation of a shady lawman who watches Kroc court his wife (Linda Cardellini), which gives him the chance to work alongsidehis “hero” Keaton.
Orm Marius / Ocean Master in ‘Aquaman’
Aquamanis one of the strongest installments in theDCEUbecause it completely embraces the ridiculousness, and it gave Wilson another chance to work alongside his frequent collaborator, James Wan. Arthur Curry’s half-brother Orm Marius is hardly a complex character, but Wilson is clearly having a blast shouting nearly all of his lines. As always, he can deliver the mambo jumbo nonsense with a straight face (“Call me Ocean Master!” he proclaims). He’s also incredibly imposing during the combat sequences; it seems ludicrous thatanyonecould hold their own againstJason Mamoa, but Wilson surprisingly gives him a run for his money.
