Many actors have types or roles they tend to play, which makes it all the more interesting when they step out of them. Sometimes, it's a one-time thing, and other times it starts a whole new trajectory for their career. Either way, it's fun to see, and that's why the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Against-Type Performances.
As per usual, each writer ranks their top 15 performances in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. JIM CARREY - ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
In the 90s, the comedy scene had a few stars, but none as big or as individually profitable as Jim Carrey. His comedic presence was larger than life and absolutely bonkers. And while he did show off his brilliant dramatic chops in The Truman Show, that film still utilized his comedic chops to some degree anyway. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, however, is like a whole new Jim Carrey. His subtle, heartbreaking nuance was unheard of for the man mostly known for absurd films like The Mask and Dumb and Dumber, and he brought a level of dramatic heft that was needed to portray the heartbroken Joel. He’s never been better than in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and it’s frankly not even close. Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman took a big risk putting such a heavy emotional performance on someone known for his comedic prowess, and Jim Carrey more than paid that risk off. - Adriano
4. TOM CRUISE - COLLATERAL
Out of the many decades that Tom Cruise has been the movie star of all movie stars, Collateral is not only the best against-type role of his career (to me at least), but what I consider to be his best role ever. And maybe this movie was a precursor to the real-life instances of “what is happening here” that the world witnessed a year later on Oprah’s couch, but when the film dropped and everyone saw his charming, ruthless, deadly, vicious, yet undeniably entertaining Vincent, you couldn’t help but clutch your pearls on how damn amazing he was in this film. If not for this role, Tom’s other stand-out performance would have literally blown everyone’s minds, but after having our eyes opened to how sinister the crazed Cruise can get in Collateral, seeing him reinvent himself again four years later was icing on the white-haired, wicked-smiled Vincent-sized absolute bad-ass cake. - Amarú
3. TOM CRUISE - TROPIC THUNDER
Tom Cruise is generally known as the action hero with the good looks, but when he stepped into the role of Les Grossman in 2008’s Tropic Thunder, he completely subverted that image. Buried under that fat suit and bald cap, Cruise was entirely unrecognizable. To be frank, if I hadn’t done some digging back in the day to see who played the role (as he’s uncredited), I would have never guessed it was him as this absurdly obnoxious character. His comedic timing was impeccable, and those dance moves were unforgettable. Never in a million years did I expect Cruise to have the comedic chops to pull off a role like this, but boy did he prove me wrong. Les Grossman has undoubtedly become one of his most memorable performances to date, and leaves me wanting him to return as this character in some shape or form so badly. - Paige
2. BRYAN CRANSTON - BREAKING BAD
Like most people my age who grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle, I came to know of Bryan Cranston, for the most part, through his comedic work. And he proved himself more than capable on that front, especially on that show, where he played Malcolm’s loving-but-immature father Hal with such a go-for-broke mentality that the show’s writers made a game out of wondering what he wouldn’t do for a laugh. It’s genuinely fantastic work, but not necessarily the kind that would make you think he could pull off playing a cancer-ridden drug kingpin. I’ll admit when I got around to Breaking Bad (on Netflix in late 2012, to be exact), it was a bit surreal to imagine, even though I was aware of the hype. But as I obsessively binged Vince Gilligan’s serial masterwork, it didn’t take long for me to realize that he’s just as fearless in a more dramatic atmosphere. As the character of Walter White progressed from a sympathetic antihero to a calculating monster over the span of five seasons, Cranston brought every bit of intensity and subtlety to the part - making him terrifyingly human in the process. It’s an all-timer for a reason, and in a way, another example in his long and fruitful career that shows that he’s game for anything. - Bode
1. HEATH LEDGER - THE DARK KNIGHT
When an actor you had stock in jumps up a level, you feel vindicated in your love for them, and you hope they maintain a stable course to build out a long and satisfying resume for years to come. Fortunately, for Heath Ledger, he had two major leaps: from teen heartthrob to prestige leading man to iconic tour de force. Unfortunately, he burned out super bright way too soon, but regardless, Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker has become the standard villain performance, and that transcends just comic book cinema. In reality, The Dark Knight is a Joker movie and considered a top-tier success on the back of Heath Ledger. The feeling you got when you first met him in the bank heist, but especially when he interrupted the meeting of the Gotham mob, was not replicable, not in any film since, because of the history we had with him and how odd the casting choice was on announcement. However, there has never been more misplaced negative criticism as we were gifted an all-timer. - Robert
HONORABLE MENTIONS
ADAM SANDLER - UNCUT GEMS
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - DJANGO UNCHAINED
DENZEL WASHINGTON - TRAINING DAY
ROBIN WILLIAMS - GOOD WILL HUNTING
ADAM SANDLER - PUNCH DRUNK LOVE