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Robert Pattinson in 5 memorable roles
Robert Pattinson will be at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to present Die, My Love, the new film by Lynne Ramsay starring Jennifer Lawrence. A chameleon-like actor, he has established himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary cinema. Here’s a look back at five memorable roles that defined his career and showcased his incredible talent.
by La rédaction.
At Cannes, Lynne Ramsay presents her film Die, My Love starring Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence
As the 2025 Cannes Film Festival gets underway, actor Robert Pattinson will walk the red carpet to present Die, My Love, Lynne Ramsay’s latest film. Adapted from Ariana Harwicz’s novel, this psychological thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence as a mother descending into psychosis, with the British actor playing her husband.
Shot on 35 mm film, it promises an intense sensory experience. A noteworthy anecdote: Robert Pattinson had to take dance lessons for a scene he dreaded… In official competition for the Palme d’Or, the film marks Lynne Ramsay’s return to Cannes, eight years after You Were Never Really Here with Joaquin Phoenix. A perfect moment to revisit Robert Pattinson’s career through five unforgettable roles.
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 behaviors of passersby.
Good Time (2017), by the Safdie Brothers, available on MUBI.
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 general 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 Canal VOD.
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 1970s detective films 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 Netflix and Max.
A lighthouse keeper in The Lighthouse (2019)
It’s said the shoot was grueling… At one point, 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.
Die, My Love by Lynne Ramsay, in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
