Tom Hardy leads the new Netflix thriller Havoc, showing off his action skills as a homicide detective pulled into a high-stakes mission. With his versatility, imposing figure, and grounded approach to acting, he has a knack for action hero roles.
However, action isn’t Hardy’s only strong suit, as he has also portrayed villains, gangsters, superheroes, and survivors, led major movie franchises, and worked alongside many iconic actors and directors, including frequent collaborator Christopher Nolan. Viewers interested in seeing more of Hardy can use our guide to discover where to watch his best films and shows on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and more.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Hardy stars as the titular character in Mad Max: Fury Road, a soft reboot of the Mad Max franchise. The film follows Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a former soldier of warlord Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), who teams up with former captive Max Rockatansky (Hardy) on her mission to free Immortan Joe’s five wives. The film breathed new life into the franchise with its stunning creation of a post-apocalyptic world, feminine themes, and the phenomenal performance of Theron. Meanwhile, Hardy was an excellent successor to Mel Gibson in the role of Mad Max, conveying emotion, toughness, and weariness without needing to use many words.
Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk is an epic war film that depicts the Dunkirk evacuation rescue mission of World War II through the eyes of a young soldier named Tommy (Fionn Whitehead). Hardy appears in the movie as Farrier, a pilot involved in the rescue mission. Although his role is small, it’s one of the most powerful roles in the film, as he portrays an exceedingly brave and selfless war hero. His performance further elevates Dunkirk, which critics have hailed as one of the best war films ever made, thanks to its dazzling cinematography and focus on action and survival, poignantly conveying the war experience.
Locke
Locke is one of Hardy’s most underrated movies, as well as one of the most unique. The film follows Ivan Locke (Hardy) as he embarks on a two-hour drive to a hospital to be present for the birth of his child, the result of a one-night stand. Hardy is the only actor to appear onscreen, as the rest of the cast is merely heard through phone calls, and he nails the one-person show, beautifully conveying Ivan’s flaws and regrets as he desperately strives to do better by his child. While Locke was released to little fanfare, it’s an intense and thought-provoking psychological thriller that perfectly executes its experimental style.
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is a period crime drama that explores the Peaky Blinders crime gang, led by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), during the post-World War I era. Hardy stars in the show from season two onward as Alfred “Alfie” Solomons, a Jewish gangster loosely inspired by the real-life Alfred Solomon, who is involved in a heated feud with an Italian mob boss. He contributes to Peaky Blinders' dark and gritty yet intriguing story of family and the criminal underworld as an eccentric and unpredictable gangster prone to violence who has a complicated relationship with Shelby and his gang.
The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders tracks a young motorcycle rider, Benny Cross (Austin Butler), and his exploits with the Vandals Motorcycle Club. However, he soon finds himself torn between his love for motorcycles and his love for his wife, Kathy (Jodie Comer), as the Vandals' leader, Johnny (Hardy), begins losing control of the increasingly violent club. The Bikeriders is an intriguing look into motorcycle culture and the rise of outlaw motorcycle clubs. Additionally, Hardy delivers one of his best performances as the tough yet loyal Johnny, who struggles to find balance between his identity as a truck driver and father, and dreams of being a Marlon Brando-esque figure.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises is the third and final installment in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. It takes place eight years after The Dark Knight, following Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) return as the titular hero when the mysterious villain Bane (Hardy) arises with the mission of destroying Gotham. Hardy is barely recognizable in the role, having gained 50 pounds to portray the physically imposing character, complete with a gas mask and a low, brooding voice. His performance is genuinely cold, calculated, and terrifying, while The Dark Knight Rises boasts excellent action sequences, thoughtful social commentary, and stunning visuals, much like its predecessors.
Venom
Hardy boasts one of his most iconic and recognizable roles in Sony’s Venom. In the movie, Eddie Brock (Hardy) is a journalist, intent on exposing Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) and his Life Foundation’s unethical experiments. However, his life changes when he accidentally bonds with the alien symbiote, Venom, during his investigation. His role as Eddie/Venom showcases his comedic and action skills, as well as his exceptional voice acting, particularly in portraying Venom’s distinctive growly voice. Although Venom isn’t his most thought-provoking movie, it is one of his most entertaining and enjoyable films, thanks to its superhero action and the hilarious dynamic between Brock and Venom.
The Revenant
The Revenant is a remake of Man in the Wilderness and follows Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), a fur trapper in the 1800s, who leads an expedition in the Dakotas. The expedition takes a dark turn when a bear mauls Glass, and his trapper, John Fitzgerald (Hardy), becomes fixated on mercy-killing him. The Revenant boasts Hardy’s most critically acclaimed role, as he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Fitzgerald, the desperate survivalist willing to go to extreme lengths to preserve himself. Although The Revenant is a brutal, gritty watch, it’s also a fascinating tale of cruelty, revenge, and human resilience.
Inception
In Inception, Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) has made a name for himself by hopping into people’s dreams through sophisticated technology to extract information from them. He soon lands the mission of a lifetime when a client asks him to plant an idea into someone’s mind in exchange for having his criminal record wiped. Hardy stars in Inception as Eames, a forger who helps Cobb by impersonating other people in dreams. He’s easily one of the most interesting members of Cobb’s team with his impersonation skills and smooth, suave way of carrying out business. Meanwhile, Inception is a wildly ambitious, trippy, and unforgettable sci-fi thriller masterfully executed by director Nolan.
MobLand
Recently, Hardy returned to the small screen with MobLand. He stars in the series as Harry Da Souza, a tough, street-smart fixer employed by the powerful London crime family, the Harrigans. Hardy excellently embodies the complex Da Souza, who carries himself with dignity and politeness, yet is also capable of violence when the job demands it. He’s the kind of character viewers know shouldn’t be messed with. MobLand as a whole is quite a well-made crime drama bolstered by twists, thrills, and executive producer Guy Ritchie’s signature sense of humor.
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