Since his big break in 2014, when he played the role of Tom in the sci-fi/adventure film Interstellar alongside Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chasten, and Anne Hathaway, Timothée Chalamet has become one of the most beloved and impressive actors of his generation. His charming and endearing presence accompanied by his passion and raw talent for his craft has made Chalamet the one to watch in Hollywood. Since Interstellar, he has starred in some of the biggest films of the 2010s and 2020s, such as Lady Bird, Beautiful Boy, Call Me by Your Name, Little Women, The King, Don’t Look Up, and Dune.
All of Chalamet’s performances seem just to keep getting better and better. He studied at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where his love and passion for acting grew. He attended New York University for a brief period before becoming the icon he is today. The 2017 romance/drama Call Me by Your Name directed by Luca Guadagnino changed the trajectory of Chalamet’s career, launching him into full-blown stardom. His role as the young Elio Perlman who falls in love with an older man named Oliver staying with his family for the summer, portrayed by Armie Hammer, earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2018. Chalemet and Guadagnino teamed up again for the romance/drama Bones and All, which is now in theaters in the United States. There is no shortage of brilliant performances this talented actor has given. Here are eight of his most memorable scenes, so far, ranked.
8 Lady Bird and Kyle Meet — Lady Bird
A24
The first time the iconic on-screen duo, Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, were seen together was in director and screenwriter Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird. Chalamet plays the edgy and “different” high schooler Kyle, whom Lady Bird has an instant attraction towards. She falls for his persistence in rebelling against teenage norms such as technology and popularity. Lady Bird and Kyle’s parking lot conversation became something of a phenomenon when fans saw how effortlessly and confidently Chalamet carried himself in the scene.
7 Jukebox Scene — The French Dispatch
Searchlight Pictures
Not only is Wes Anderson’s 2021 drama/comedy The French Dispatch known for its symmetry, almost perfect set design, and unique cinematography, but it’s yet another example of how diverse an actor Chalamet is. Anderson’s films are all so infamously specific to him that acting in one of his projects requires a specific ability that Chalamet was able to embody. The Jukebox scene feels like the heart of the film, where the youth is able to put their differences aside and join in this cinematically beautiful moment. In addition to Chalamet’s incredible performance, legends such as Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Léa Seydoux, Saoirse Ronan, Benicio del Toro, and Lyna Khoudri also star in the film.
6 Supermarket Scene — Don’t Look Up
Netflix
Adam McKay’s comedy/disaster film Don’t Look Up received a staggering amount of jumbled reviews, with audience members either loving or hating the movie. Even if the movie was a little all over the place, and lost audience attention along the way due to its length, one thing for certain is that the thought of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Chalamet going grocery shopping and preparing for the end of the world as a comet is in motion on the path to destroying the earth is oddly hilarious. The characters are still in shock after trying to process the idea of no tomorrow that they don’t know how to act, and mundane activities such as a trip to the supermarket feels absurd.
5 Laurie Confesses His Love to Amy — Little Women
Columbia Pictures
The second collaboration between Gerwig and Chalamet was the 2019 adaptation of Little Women. Chalamet plays the role of Laurie alongside the brilliant Florence Pugh, who stars as Amy. It is obvious that, in her youth, Amy had a crush on Laurie, the older, wealthy, and funny boy, best friends with her sister. Laurie never looked at Amy romantically because he was wrapped up in Jo, but in later years, when he and Amy have both matured and are studying in Europe, Laurie realizes his feelings and tells Amy that he loves her. The chemistry between Chalamet and Pugh in this scene is beautiful, and the energy they bring out in one another is infectious, you can’t help but love them on-screen together.
4 The Box — Dune
Warner Bros.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune stands out when looking at Chalamet’s career because unlike Dune, most of the projects he has worked on have been smaller and independent. This film, with a much higher budget than anything the actor has worked on, ended up earning over $100 million at the box office, and the second film in the franchise Dune: Part Two has already started filming. Paul Atreides is our protagonist and leading character in the film, going on an epic journey to save the future of his people. One of the most impressive scenes in the movie is “The Box” scene, where Paul is forced to feel an immeasurable amount of pain as a test. Chalamet brings the tension and anticipation in this scene to an entirely new level.
3 Laurie Proposes to Jo — Little Women
Before Laurie realizes his love for Amy, he first tries to convince Jo to marry him. Jo is one of his best friends and favorite people to be around, but Laurie confuses their friendship for love after feeling pressured by his grandfather and the people in his life to marry her. Despite his begging, Jo stays true to her feelings towards marriage, and expresses that she loves her liberty too much to marry a man and give it up. She says she is awkward and unpredictable and wouldn’t make a good proper wife, and that their marriage would ultimately end in the two being disappointed and resenting one another. This scene is heartbreaking and both of the actors’ abilities to be so vulnerable and open leaves a lasting impact.
2 This is Who I Am — Beautiful Boy
One of Chalamet’s very first films was Beautiful Boy, where he starred as Nic Sheff, a teenager struggling with an addiction to meth that almost sends his entire life into destruction. Luckily, Nic has a father, played by Steve Carell, who is committed to doing anything and everything in his power to help his son. During this emotional scene at a diner, Chalamet shows what an incredibly truthful and gifted actor he is. This scene is by far one of his most impressive performances to date. What also makes Beautiful Boy so memorable is that is based on the true story of Nic Sheff and his father, who never gives up on him no matter how terrible things may get.
1 Ending Scene — Call Me by Your Name
Sony Pictures Classics
Coming in at number one on the list of Chalamet’s most memorable scenes to date is the ending scene of Guadagnino’s romance/drama Call Me by Your Name. After Elio finds out his first love Oliver has moved on and is engaged to be married, Elio feels completely alone and lost. He sits by the fireplace, reflecting on the weight of what he just heard and processing that empty feeling. The total despair and empty void that you can see in Chalamet’s face during this scene radiates through the screen and is arguably the most impactful scene in the entire film. Chalamet received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role in the film in 2018.
