Ed Skrein first started turning heads in Hollywood when he starred as Daario Naharis in HBO’s Game of Thrones. However, since his GoT debut in the third season, and his controversial replacement, he’s gone on to perform in some powerhouse blockbusters with immense presence.
Skrein has been in the big-time movie and television game for only a decade, and yet, he’s racked up an incredibly impressive stack of acting credits over a wide range of genres, including 2016’s Deadpool, where his main character had several iconic scenes. Over the last several years, he’s even delved into directing a couple of short films, including Little River Run (2018) and Boys Will Be Boys (2021).
Kill Your Friends (2015) 6.0
Kill Your Friends takes on the classic story of greed for power. In this case, it’s seen within the cutthroat music industry during the Britpop music craze of the 1990s. Nicholas Hoult stars as the lead and a drug-addicted nihilist who will go to any lengths to climb the ladder of the London music industry.
As Steven (Hoult) continues to escalate all the way up to murder to achieve his selfish goals, he must navigate around suspicions and competitors, including Skrein’s character, Rent. Skrein’s devilish gaze and intriguing smile make him perfect for this frenemy character. The film has been compared to American Psycho (2000) for its gratuity and themes around narcissism.
Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon (2021) 6.1
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon tells the unique tale of a girl with supernatural abilities who breaks out of a psychiatric facility. Following her escape, she goes through the trials and tribulations of trying to make it on her own in New Orleans, Louisiana. Skrein plays Fuzz, a white hip-hop drug dealer with a fantastic street persona, which he drew from his side career as a rapper.
Kate Hudson and Craig Robinson costar with Skrein in this fantasy, mystery-thriller, which is a little different from some of his other films. Mona (Jeong Jong-Seo), the girl who must face the outside world, makes allies along the way and attempts to find herself and, more importantly, her place in the world.
The Sweeney (2012) 6.1
The Sweeney is an action crime-thriller that involves a bank robbery, tensions among detectives, and even infidelity with the boss’s wife. A renegade cop who follows his own rules, DI Jack Regan (Ray Winstone), performs at his job, but to the potential expense of his department.
Alongside Skrein as David in yet another excellent villainous role as a bank robber, the film boasts Hayley Atwell and Damien Lewis. After reprimand for the botched bank robbery, Jack’s bosses know that he’s the only one who can bring the perpetrators to justice and, reluctantly, set him free to pursue them.
Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2019) 6.6
A sequel from the first installment in 2014, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil continues the story of the classic Disney villain from Sleeping Beauty. The film progresses the five real-life years that have passed and picks up with Maleficent (Angelina Jolie), one of the best female movie villains, and Aurora (Elle Fanning) facing an undesirable marriage to a ghastly man.
Skrein plays Borra, a villainous dark fairy, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Juno Temple. His evident awesome ability to play dark characters and villains shines through the film. Unexpected allies and dark new forces come into play and challenge Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora as to which paths they should take and who they can ultimately trust.
Midway (2019) 6.7
Skrein takes center stage as Dick Best, a real-life World War II pilot, in the cinematic accomplishment of Midway. His portrayal of such a deep and heroic character is a nice change of pace for Skrein and he played the brave patriot perfectly. While most people think of Europe when WWII is brought up, a very much integral part of the war occurred in the Pacific.
The film opens with the prolific Pearl Harbor attack to set up the strategies and battles leading to the Battle of Midway, which directly affected America’s and the Allied victory. Midway is the most accurately depicted naval combat movie of all time and the cast to go with it is perfection. Costarring with Skrein is Dennis Quaid, Patrick Wilson, Mandy Moore, Nick Jonas, Luke Evans, Woody Harrelson, Aaron Eckhart, and Darren Criss.
Ill Manors (2012) 7.1
Ill Manors explores the lives of four drug dealers and two prostitutes. It’s a British film that focuses on the underground of the English crime world. The style of the film has been compared to Pulp Fiction (1994) and has the artistic appeal of black-and-white flashbacks.
The central story is brought together in one, all-encompassing tale through these flashbacks, and the connections the audience establishes with each character leading up to the present scenes strengthen the depth of the film. Skrein plays one of the drug dealers, a role in which he has experience, alongside Riz Ahmed of Venom (2018) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) 7.1
In this critically acclaimed drama romance filled with beautifully poetic quotes, If Beale Street Could Talk, a young woman unexpectedly becomes pregnant and chooses to embrace the live event rather than see it as a negative impact. In tandem with this intriguing plotline, the young girl Tish (KeKe Layne), ventures off with her family in an effort to prove one of her childhood friends innocent of a crime he’s accused of.
Skrein plays Officer Bell, another villain whose racist actions run free-range in his position of power, and is supported by an impressive cast including Teyonah Parris, Diego Luna, and Finn Wittrock. Skrein’s talent of conveying evil on the screen is not lost in this most-sinister character. The ever-talented Regina King delivered one of her best performances and, deservedly, took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019) 7.3
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-written by James Cameron, Alita: Battle Angel hit the screens as a refreshingly unique science-fiction meets cyberpunk film and is considered one of the best action movies of 2019. When a previously deactivated cyborg awakens, grows, and begins to wonder about her origins, her “father,” Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz) must indulge her but keep some things secret for Alita’s own safety.
Skrein plays the unmissable Zapan, another cyborg with a completely robotic body but with a human face, and has stellar action scenes while posing snappy comebacks and snide remarks fit Skrein to a T. Rosa Salazar stars as the title character alongside Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, and a surprise appearance from Edward Norton in an exciting cliffhanger.
Born A King (2019) 7.5
Set 100 years before its release, Born A King tells the true story of a teenage Arab prince who is sent to London on a high-stakes diplomatic mission by his father. With the pressure to negotiate and secure the formation of his country, the 14-year-old must build courage for his people. Skrein plays Harry St John Bridger Philby, who was a British Arabist and Colonial Office Intelligence officer. This role is very different from Skrein’s other characters but exhibits his acting range and ability to convey kindness instead of violence.
While in London, he meets with pre-eminent historical figures like Lord Curzon (Kenneth Cranham) and Winston Churchill (Celyn Jones) and forms a friendship with Princess Mary (Hermoine Corfield), who mentors him on how to navigate through a life of power.
Deadpool (2016) 8.0
The instant Marvel hit, Deadpool was full of characters with iconic scenes that had fans and audiences around the world cry laughing. Ryan Reynolds brings one of his best performances and graciously upstages his Green Lantern (2011) debut. Skrein plays Ajax, the infamous Francis in the film, the sadistic character who fights Deadpool on the bridge and kidnaps him for his “medical procedure.” His English accent, great one-liners, and all-around badass vibe made Francis a favorite for Marvel fans.
It’s no surprise that a Deadpool sequel was immediately ordered and released in 2018, leaving fans arguing over which of the films was better – a feat sequels rarely meet. However, Skrein wasn’t in the second installment due to his just defeat as the villain in the first film.
