Daniel Radcliffe might be best known for his performance as the titular protagonist of the Harry Potter franchise, but his career since then has taken a much more diverse and intriguing turn. From independent dramas to studio blockbusters, the actor has proven time and time again that he’s capable of any project thrown his way.
Despite starting his career as a successful child actor, Radcliffe is clearly making an attempt to steer his career in a more unique direction through his involvement in several unusual and unorthodox films. He’s clearly having fun with every project that he takes on, which shows through his many entertaining performances.
10 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Vs The Reverend (2020)
Based on the Netflix comedy show, the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt movie follows the titular character as she sets off on an adventure across three states to foil an evil reverend’s dangerous plot. The film takes a unique approach to storytelling, however, as it allows the viewer to choose how the narrative plays out through a selection of possible choices.
In a new character exclusive to this cinematic special, Daniel Radcliffe plays Prince Frederick, Kimmy’s fiancé and a member of the British royal family. It’s a highly eccentric role that allows Radcliffe to fully embrace his comedic skills.
9 Victor Frankenstein (2015)
In a twisted take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein story, Victor Frankenstein follows the dysfunctional relationship between Daniel Radcliffe’s Igor Strausman and James McAvoy’s Victor Frankenstein, two gifted scientists who take their work too far into the irreparable.
Like many of Radcliffe’s later films, Victor Frankenstein has a very distinct tone and atmosphere that sets it apart from all other films in the genre. It’s unusually paced and stylishly shot, which allows the story to feel fresh and new despite its dated origins.
8 Imperium (2016)
In this crime thriller, Radcliffe plays an FBI agent attempting to uncover hidden terrorist plots. The film follows him as he goes undercover in a white supremacist group, in the pursuit of recovering a stolen bomb. It’s an extremely tense film, and Radcliffe’s emotive performance makes it all the more engaging.
The film marked an unconventional acting role for Radcliffe, but he managed to clearly make the character his own and add another layer of entertainment and tension to the story. It might tackle some uncomfortable topics, but it always does so in a careful and precise way.
7 Swiss Army Man (2016)
Radcliffe stars alongside Paul Dano in this unusual and unconventional drama, portraying the animated corpse of a dead man. There isn’t a single scene in Swiss Army Man that would conceivably be found in any other film, which gives it an extremely unique and distinct atmosphere that’s impossible to replicate.
Despite its unnatural and grotesque premise, the story at the heart of the film is actually an extremely touching and heartfelt one. It explores what our purpose is as humans, and why we so often feel lost and reason. Swiss Army Man is full of inspirational and memorable quotes that are sure to stick with you for a long time.
6 The Woman in Black (2012)
Based on Susan Hill’s original novel of the same name, The Woman in Black is a supernatural horror film that fully takes advantage of its terrifying premise. The woman in question is actually a vengeful ghost, whom Daniel Radcliffe’s character is forced to deal with after traveling to her quaint village.
The Woman in Black is best described as a gothic horror movie, usually making use of terror and suspense more than violence and gore. It’s extremely atmospheric, and the supernatural hijinx that the film details are sure to keep you up at night.
5 Horns (2013)
In one of Radcliffe’s more unusual movies, his character wakes up one morning to find that he’s mysteriously grown horns, and sets out to find his girlfriend’s killer with his newfound supernatural powers. It might not be the most traditional or mainstream film, but it uses its odd narrative in an extremely captivating way.
Horns often bathes in its own unfamiliarity, never seeming to care that it’s indisputably weird. Radcliffe’s lead performance is just as captivating as it is daring, and just goes to prove that there isn’t a single genre that he’s afraid to tackle.
4 Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Picking up right where the first film left off, Now You See Me 2 is a sequel that absolutely stays true to the spirit of the original. With the introduction of Radcliffe’s character, the film is met with a whole new level of conflict and complexity that was arguably missing from the first film.
Radcliffe plays the illegitimate child of Michael Caine’s character Arthur Tressler, who wants revenge on the Four Horsemen for losing his money and power. All the action set pieces and magic spectacles are still there, with several exciting new additions to the original ensemble cast.
3 Kill Your Darlings (2013)
Kill Your Darlings is one of Radcliffe’s more grounded and emotional films, chronicling the life of poet Allen Ginsberg and his involvement in the complex friendship between writers Lucien Carr and David Kammerer. It’s a biographical film, but it still manages to be extremely exciting and engaging thanks to the various relationship dynamics at play.
The film also stars Dane DeHaan and Michael C. Hall as Carr and Kammerer, both of whom deliver extremely memorable performances alongside Radcliffe that truly bring the film to life in an interesting way. It’s not only educational but also interesting, which is exactly what biographical films need to succeed.
2 What If (2013)
What If (released in some countries as The F Word) is a romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, based on Michael Rinaldi’s play Toothpaste and Cigars. It follows a pair of best friends as they navigate their feelings for each other and contemplate what this means for their friendship.
It’s an extremely touching and relatable film – and one that treats its characters as humans above all else. They’re imperfect and flawed, which makes them easy to empathize with and relate to. The story might be a little simple, but it’s one that many believe to be one of the best and most charming romantic comedies of the 2010s.
1 Guns Akimbo (2020)
Guns Akimbo is easily Daniel Radcliffe’s most controversial and polarizing film to date. Whilst most critics wrote it off as a ridiculous, bizarre film that goes way beyond the constraints of conceivability, other audiences saw it as a bizarre and self-aware comedy that isn’t afraid to subvert expectations.
Whichever side of the debate you fall under, there’s no denying that Guns Akimbo is Daniel Radcliffe’s boldest project since playing Harry Potter all those years ago. It proves that the actor is willing to have fun with his projects, and that’s exactly what makes him so charismatic and entertaining to watch.
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