10 Best Dev Patel Movies, Ranked According to Rotten Tomatoes
Since his film debut in Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel has continued to delight audiences with his stellar acting and long-lasting Hollywood career. His roles are often rooted in heartfelt comedy and leave viewers craving for more. For many actors, it's hard to stop such an iconic first role. But for Patel, his emotional and physical range has only increased with time, continuing to collaborate with the brightest modern directors and having a distinct vision for all of his creative ventures and performances.
In the years since Slumdog Millionaire, Patel has continued to portray complex characters with stored history such as in The Man Who Knew Infinity. He has only continued to explode in popularity as one of the most prominent and beloved actors of the generation, following iconic performances in The Green Knight and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Especially with the recent release of his directorial debut, Monkey Man, there is no better time than the present to catch up and watch his greatest critical hits.
10 'Chappie' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%
Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver join Patel in a film about free will and AI from iconic director Neill Blomkamp, known for his work on District 9 and Gran Turismo. The 2015 film follows a futuristic world where crime is patrolled by a high-tech police force. When one of their AI robots, Chappie, is given a hard reset, he becomes aware of the world around him. Patel plays the role of Deon Wilson in the film, a programmer at company Tetravaal who created the prototype AI that would become Chappie.
The visual effects in Chappie were next level for its time but failed to garner any interest from critics, who couldn't get behind the narrative shortcomings of the film. Despite its rotten score, the film made over $102 million against its $50 million budget, showing that it was a much larger hit among average audiences. Even today, nearly 10 years after the film's release, it still has a surprising legacy and many die-hard fans who love the world and the powerful visual style of the film.
Chappie
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Release Date March 6, 2015 Director Neill Blomkamp Cast Sharlto Copley , Dev Patel , ninja , Yo-Landi Visser , Jose Pablo Cantillo , Hugh Jackman Runtime 120 minutes9 'The Road Within' (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
CloseDev Patel co-stars alongside Zoë Kravitz and Robert Sheeran in a heartfelt road trip comedy-drama, The Road Within. The film follows the trio enrolled in a mental behavior facility as they set out to spread one of their mother's ashes. The film deals with heavy topics such as mental and physical health, as the trio deals with the complications of their conditions while on their road trip. Patel plays the role of Alex in the film, initially Vincent's roommate who travels as a part of the trio in their wild escape and exploration of the world.
The film debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival and received praise for all the lead actors, who did an exceptional job bringing respect and nuance to their characters and conditions without being overbearing or problematic. While the pacing was seen as lackluster by critics the film does have a touching message at the end and found itself to be much more beloved by audiences who quickly connected with the trio.
8 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
ClosePatel portrays world-renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in the historical film, The Man Who Knew Infinity. Based on Ramanujan's life, the film tells the journey from his low-class upbringing to his admittance to Cambridge University during World War I, becoming a pioneer in mathematical theory. His life work would find itself contributing to the field of mathematics and making a massive difference in how the modern world understands the subject, thanks to the help and guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons).
The film dealt with many theories and complex problems that many critics praised the film for, able to do justice to one of the most important yet rarely talked about stories and figures of the era. Patel's performance in the film outshines the overall plot of the film, elevating it beyond simple biopic status, and acts as the true highlight of the film as a whole. Patel and Irons's performances primarily saved the film from being a critical blunder, helping the film earn a modest Rotten Tomatoes score.
7 'Hotel Mumbai' (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
CloseInspired by the real-life story of the terror attack on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, Hotel Mumbai leads a talented cast consisting of Patel and Armie Hammer. Members of the hotel staff as well as guests at the hotel are forced to fight against their captors to protect their guests and loved ones while they wait for help to arrive. Patel plays the leading role of Arjun in the film, a waiter who was working at the hotel before suddenly being thrust into the ensuing chaos and nightmare of the terrorist attack.
The film showcases Dev Patel in one of his most profound performances, able to effectively balance the dread of the situation with the unexpected thrive and spirit to do what is right in the heat of the moment. Hotel Mumbai is a cultural non-stop thriller film that shines a spotlight on one of India's darkest days. Audiences and critics alike gave high praise to the film, thanks greatly in part to the terrific leading performance from Patel.
6 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Patel plays host to an array of talented actors in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Seven strangers get more than they bargained for when they check in to the Marigold Hotel. Despite some of its lackluster features, the guests come to enjoy and partake in the cultural experience of the hotel. While a large deal of focus is placed upon its wide supporting cast, Patel steals the show with his supporting performance as Sonny Kapoor, the legendary manager of the hotel.
Featuring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy, the film packs such a heartwarming atmosphere that at times overpowers the cast. While far from being a groundbreaking feat of filmmaking, critics and audiences alike fell in love with the sweet and wholesome energy that the film imbues itself with, making it a highly enjoyable viewing experience. The film was such a success, a sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, was made, and Patel reprised his role as Kapoor.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
PG-13 Release Date November 28, 2011 Director John Madden Cast judi dench , Tom Wilkinson , Patrick Pearson , Hugh Dickson , Bill Nighy , James Rawlings Runtime 1225 'Lion' (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Patel does what he does best in Garth Davis' directorial debut, Lion. Based on the true story and novel by Saroo Brierley, the film tells the story of how Brierley, at the age of five, was separated from his family. After being adopted by an Australian couple, Brierley sets out to find his family after 25 years. Patel plays the adult version of Brierley in the film, dealing with the ramifications and mental fortitude of attempting to find one's real family after being separated for their entire life.
The film was very well-received with Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel both earning high praise, with their performances helping center and bring together its powerful story of family and connection. Lion earned six Oscars nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Patel and Best Supporting Actress for Kidman. The film remains one of the highest-grossing films in Australian history, as well as Patel's only Academy Award nomination to date, although he would lose out to Mahershala Ali in Moonlight.
Lion
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2016's Lion is a drama film based on a book by Saroo Brierley titled A Long Way Home. Directed by Garth Davis, the movie chronicles a young boy who finds himself lost in a city and must make it home while unable to communicate well with the locals.
Release Date January 20, 2016 Director Garth Davis Cast Nicole Kidman , Dev Patel , Nowaz , Tannishtha Chatterjee , Deepti Naval , Priyanka Bose Runtime 129 minutes Main Genre Drama4 'Monkey Man' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Patel's latest film as well as his directorial debut, Monkey Man tells the story of Kid, an anonymous young man who has been living off of scraps from the short amount of money earned fighting for an underground fight club wearing a monkey mask. After years of anger and suppressed rage built up inside, Kid begins to enact and fulfill a dangerous plan, infiltrating the staff of an elite club, inching closer and closer to the day when he can enact his violent revenge upon those who have wronged him since childhood.
On top of directing, producing, and co-writing the film, Patel plays the leading role of Kid in a performance that combines precision and action skills with the wrath and uncaged instinct of an animal. It's an action performance that immediately cements itself as one for the ages, multilayered and going hand in hand with the film's powerful themes and messages of corruption, elite government, and revenge. The film proves that Patel is just as talented behind the screen as he is in front of it, and hopefully begins a new era for his brimming and limitless career going forward.
Monkey Man
RActionThrillerRelease Date April 4, 2024 Director Dev Patel Cast Dev Patel , Sharlto Copley , Pitobash , Vipin Sharma , Sobhita Dhulipala Runtime 113 minutes3 'The Green Knight' (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Patel teams up with A24 and David Lowery for a modern fantasy retelling of the famous "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" poem. The Green Knight updates its source material for a unique brand of medieval storytelling, jumping between a wide variety of different adventures and fables that Gawain experiences alongside his quarrel with the Green Knight. Patel plays the leading role of Sir Gawain in the film, the reckless knight who finds himself in a precarious situation after accepting the game of the Green Knight.
The Green Knight was flooded with praise for its cinematography and production, winning over film critics with its highly beautiful and stylized rendition of a medieval world. Despite the rave reviews from critics, the film's abstract and reliance on its symbolism and non-linear themes made it a difficult and confusing watch for general audiences, resulting in a rotten 50% audience score. Still, The Green Knight continues to cement a legacy for itself as one of the best fantasy films of all time.
The Green Knight
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An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in a more profound journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.
Release Date July 29, 2021 Director David Lowery Cast Dev Patel , Alicia Vikander , Joel Edgerton , Sarita Choudhury , Sean Harris , Kate Dickie Runtime 125 minutes2 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
The film that made Dev Patel a household name, Slumdog Millionaire is the type of film that would be a career highlight for any working actor, making it all the more impactful that it was Patel's first major role. In his role of a lifetime, Patel plays Jamal, an 18-year-old who is accused of cheating after winning the Indian version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? – Slumdog Millionaire recounts Jamal's upbringing and how he became such a gifted human.
After appearing overseas, the film hit the United States and took off. Slumdog Millionaire became one of the best films of 2008 while earning 10 Academy Awards nominations, including wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and even more. The film can certainly be attributed to launching Patel's Hollywood career, as his leading performance proved to be so effective that many more visionaries and creatives wanted to see what more he could do.
Slumdog Millionaire
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Release Date December 25, 2008 Director Danny Boyle , Loveleen Tandan Cast Dev Patel , Saurabh Shukla , Anil Kapoor , Rajendranath Zutshi , Jeneva Talwar , Freida Pinto Runtime 120 minutes1 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Patel lends his acting chops to another modern take on a classic tale. In The Personal History of David Copperfield, Patel stars as the titular character who details his life and its series of misfortunes. The tale is based on the classic Charles Dickens story, yet subtlety and effectively adapts and reinvents the story to make it work wonders in a modern setting and with modern conventions. Patel plays the leading role of David Copperfield in the film, the distinguished and intelligent man who finds himself navigating a chaotic and unrelenting world.
The cheery and feel-good film won over critics with the success of the retelling of an iconic tale, filled with undeniable charm and grace while exceptionally adapting the themes and importance of the original tale. The film sadly bombed at the box office due to being released during the height of COVID and theater restrictions, but despite not landing with an audience, it still made an exceptional impact on critics of the era.
The Personal History of David Copperfield
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Release Date November 7, 2019 Director Armando Iannucci Cast Ben Whishaw , Tilda Swinton , Gwendoline Christie , Hugh Laurie , Dev Patel , Peter Capaldi Runtime 119 minutesncG1vNJzZmibn6G5qrDEq2Wcp51ksabCjKmYrZ2cYq%2Bmv9NmpKiumZrAbr7Orauepl2pvK6t06icrGc%3D