28
28
Robert Pattinson in 8 memorable roles
Die, My Love, Lynne Ramsay’s new film starring Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence, will come out in theatres on April 29th, 2026. The chameleon actor has established himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary cinema. Here’s a look back at eight memorable roles that defined his career and showcased his incredible talent.
Published on 29 April 2025. Updated on 28 April 2026.
The husband of a troubled woman in Die, My Love
In 2026, Robert Pattinson‘s keeps expanding. The British actor is set to appear in Denis Villeneuve’s new chapter of the Dune saga and in Christopher Nolan’s epic fresco The Odyssey. Before that, the 39-year-old star will join the phenomenal Jennifer Lawrence in Die, My Love, coming out on April 29th. Selected for the official competition for the Palme d’Or in 2025, the project marked director Lynne Ramsay’s return to the Cannes Film Festival, eight years after You Were Never Really Here, starring Joaquin Phoenix.
Robert Pattinson walked the red carpet to present it last year. In this psychological thriller, adapted from a novel by Ariana Harwicz, Jennifer Lawrence portrays a mother falling into psychosis. The British actor plays her overwhelmed husband. Shot on 35mm, the film offers an intense sensory experience. Fun fact? Robert Pattinson had to take dance lessons for a scene he was dreading…
Die, My Love by Lynne Ramsey, coming out on April 29th, 2026.
An overwhelmed groom-to-be in The Drama
In 2026, Robert Pattinson’s filmography continues to expand. He is set to appear in Denis Villeneuve’s new Dune and in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. But before that, the 39-year-old British actor shines on April 1st, 2026, alongside the prodigiously talented Zendaya in the cynical and brilliant film The Drama. He plays a groom-to-be making the last arrangements for his wedding, whose plans are thrown into disarray by a troubling secret… What follows is a full-blown crisis (and a loss of libido), superbly portrayed by the actor.
The Drama (2026) by Kristoffer Borgli, currently out in theatres.
A criminal in the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time
With Good Time, Robert Pattinson distanced himself from blockbusters to play Connie Nikas, a petty criminal desperately trying to save his disabled brother. The film, critically acclaimed (scoring 91% on Rotten Tomatoes), finally allowed him to display the full range of his talent. Though it had a limited release, the film marked a turning point in his career. To fully embody his character, he lived incognito in New York, working at a laundromat to observe the behavior of passersby.
Good Time (2017), by the Safdie Brothers, available on MyCanal.
A disillusioned billionaire in Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis
In 2012, Robert Pattinson surprised audiences as Eric Packer, a jaded young billionaire, in Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg. Based on Don DeLillo’s novel, the film chronicles one chaotic day in New York, mirroring a society in crisis. His cold, introspective performance was hailed by some critics as his best to date. Although the film, which co-stars Juliette Binoche, was well-received by many journalists, it struggled commercially. The majority of the film takes place inside a limousine, heightening the claustrophobic feel—which didn’t help it win over the public…
Cosmopolis (2012), by David Cronenberg, available on DVD.
A mysterious agent in Nolan’s Tenet
In Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Robert Pattinson plays Neil, a mysterious agent navigating a world where time can be reversed. As complex as it is ambitious, the film received mixed reviews: some praised its creativity, while others found its plot confusing. With a budget of $205 million, Tenet grossed over $300 million worldwide, despite the pandemic’s impact on the film industry. Pattinson himself admitted he didn’t fully understand the script during filming… just like many viewers.
Tenet (2020), by Christopher Nolan, available on Netflix, Prime Video, and MyCanal.
A dark superhero in The Batman
By stepping into the iconic role of Bruce Wayne, Pattinson delivered a dark, introspective take on the superhero in The Batman (2022). Matt Reeves’s neo-noir approach was widely praised, and the film grossed $463.2 million globally, earning immediate critical acclaim. To prepare, Robert Pattinson immersed himself in detective films from the 1970s to craft a more tormented, realistic Batman. A sequel is in the works, but delayed. Pattinson, meanwhile, is busy filming The Odyssey with Christopher Nolan.
The Batman (2022), by Matt Reeves, available on Prime Video and MyCanal.
A lighthouse keeper in The Lighthouse (2019)
It’s said the shoot was grueling… At one point, Robert Pattinson reportedly ate mud for a scene to heighten the film’s brutal realism. In Robert Eggers’s The Lighthouse, he shares the screen with Willem Dafoe in an oppressive two-hander. Shot in black and white, the film plunges viewers into the madness of two isolated lighthouse keepers. Acclaimed by critics, it earned over $18 million on a modest budget. Pattinson’s performance, veering between rage and vulnerability, is astonishing.
The Lighthouse (2019), by Robert Eggers, available on Canal VOD.
