"I play a lot of characters who you might want to avoid," Oscar-nominated character actor John Hawkes once told The Independent. Hawkes stood out to even the most casual moviegoers ever since the '90s, when he turned seemingly throwaway supporting turns in critically panned films into scene-stealing delights across the board. It was a hoot seeing him in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and even Hardball, and was therefore a fortunate turn-of-events when he finally started co-starring in awards-caliber films.
See below for our best-of-the-best when it comes to films featuring the thespian-turned-movie star. Some honorable mentions include Spielberg's Lincoln (2012), Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), and Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007). We can't wait to see Hawkes in the highly anticipated Roving Woman. Until then, here's a closer look at his career.
5 Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
"Welcome the f*** back" reads the promotional poster for Deadwood: The Movie. The acclaimed 2019 TV film is a continuation of the series of the same name, which was created by David Milch and ran for three seasons from 2004 to 2006. The film reunites the majority of the large ensemble cast, including Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, and, of course, Hawkes. Everyone is dynamite in their iconic roles from the "Western where everyone says the F-word," as the show was once described to me before I dove in.
"I was really relieved, when I saw the movie, that I felt like we really did put a beautiful cap on it," Hawkes once told Collider upon the film's release. "If somehow there was going to be more, I’d be the first one at the Melody Ranch gate, ready to shoot some more. Who knows what will happen. This may be the end, but it’s a good end if it is."
4 Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
Martha Marcy May Marlene is a tale of an ex-cult member who manages to escape and returns to society, but it's not so easy for her to integrate back in after many years spent in the cult. The memories she has of being within the cult haunt her and make it difficult to move on. As Elizabeth Olsen’s debut as a solo actress, Marth Marcy May Marlene is a look into the aftermath of being in a cult and how the struggle continues even if you can manage to escape. It is Olsen who is universally remembered in this breakout hit, but let's not forget Hawkes' equally edgy turn as the distasteful cult leader. The scene where he casually turns his gun on one of the male cult leaders (Christopher Abbott) is terrifying and thrilling in its subtlety. The film as a whole is not to be missed.
3 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
A highly regarded adventure story set in a modern Mark Twain world, The Peanut Butter Falcon begins with Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, running away from a nursing home to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Through circumstances beyond their control, Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, becomes Zak's unlikely coach and ally. Together they evade capture, drink whiskey, catch fish and convince Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) to join them.
The beautifully depicted film — which also stars veterans Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, and, of course, Hawkes — had its world premiere at SXSW in 2019 and went on to become a sleeper hit, grossing over $23 million and making it the highest grossing independent film of the year. It also received universal praise from critics for its charming, warm and compelling nature.
2 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
This genre-mashed stunner follows Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), a mother grieving over the recent murder of her young daughter. After several months of no answers and frustrated with the lack of urgency within the local police department, Mildred decides to rent "three billboards" in an attempt to send a message to the police department. Martin McDonagh delivers an unforgettable tale of a mother on a mission, while subsequently sprinkling elements of dark comedy and understandable sympathy. In 2017, the Academy Awards nominated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri for seven different awards, including Best Picture, while Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. Hawkes steals his scenes as Mildred's abusive ex-husband. It seems he's a fine addition to just about any acclaimed drama these days...
1 Winter’s Bone (2010)
The critical success of Winter's Bone somewhat parallels that of the aforementioned Martha Marcy Mae Marlene: Both acclaimed dramas featured breakout roles for young female stars Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Olsen, while Hawkes co-starred in both films with awards-caliber performances for each.
"Is this our time?" is perhaps Hawkes' best line in any film, ever. It belongs on a T-shirt, one could argue. As a whole, Winter's Bone follows a girl in the Ozarks whose childhood has been ruptured by family tragedy. Lawrence's portrayal of a determined, resilient young woman seeking out her father to save her troubled family is utterly devastating, and one of the best surprises to ever come out of the acting world. Her on-screen family-like chemistry with Hawkes is the icing on the cake for this small, groundbreaking effort.