Adam Driver Is Hollywood’s Secret Weapon

Much of the world was first introduced to Adam Driver with his portrayal of Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Previously known to a smaller audience for his Emmy-nominated work in HBO’s Girls, Driver has since been thrust into the limelight as one of the industry’s top utility players. Like all good character actors, Driver has demonstrated an ability to disappear into his roles and make everyone else in the cast look better off of the back of his own stellar work. The world has never been watching him as much as they are right now, and he’s already making a strong case for being among the finest performers of his generation.

Despite his casting as the new big bad in Star Wars being public knowledge prior to the franchise’s illustrious return to the silver screen, there was still a sense of surprise when Kylo Ren first removed his mask. Under the harsh shell was a scared boy whose loyalty was torn between honouring the Dark Side and returning to the Light. Now, Adam Driver is in his 30s, but his babyface features would have most people thinking otherwise. He knocked Kylo Ren out of the park in his blockbuster debut, instantly cementing himself as a fan favourite.

Driver had brought his A-game to the big dance and had infinite directions from which he could progress. Opting to stay in smaller films, his acclaimed work in Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson earned the actor numerous award nominations from high profile critic’s associations. Appearing in lower profile releases was a wise move, as too many studio films post-Star Wars could have potentially led to overexposure.

By the time Driver appeared in Silence, denying his talent would have been a foolish endeavour. His range and versatility are the biggest advantages he has over his peers. His lack of typical movie star features in his face are really a blessing in disguise; he’s not distinct enough that you see an actor rather than a character in his roles, but is recognisable enough that you’re not likely to forget who he is. His work in Martin Scorcese’s religious epic added yet another notch to his belt. He played Francisco Garupe with a determined but tragic air, a character who was wrestling with the will to push forward and the temptation to give up.

Silence was a draining watch, so returning to comedy would prove again how malleable Driver is. Logan Lucky was a real hidden gem from last year, and much of the praise from critics rightfully went towards Daniel Craig’s wonderful turn as demolitions expert Joe Bang. Driver did what any character actor worth their salt does and provided his brushstrokes to the background imagery. A painting’s most prominent figures are what draw the eye in, but it’s the detail behind those figures that holds it all together.

As Clyde Logan, Driver was very much a fall guy for Channing Tatum’s charismatic lead performance as the more confident Logan sibling. Missing an arm and spending his nights pouring shots at the local bar, Clyde Logan’s unassuming nature was perfect for an actor who can turn such a nature into gold onscreen. There’s genuine humour to Driver’s deadpan delivery in the role that is undercut by a charm that only a truly likeable actor can imbue each character with. Logan Lucky was ultimately about Channing Tatum having a relationship with his daughter, but the cautious loyalty of his much wiser brother forged one of the most believable brotherly relationships in recent cinematic memory.

Now we’re back in Star Wars territory, with The Last Jedi dominating the box office and being appraised by many as the best instalment in the saga since The Empire Strikes Back in a movie that Driver steals. His performance as Kylo Ren is currently on track to being among the finest acting ever committed to George Lucas’s magnum opus. The continued emotional turmoil from The Force Awakens was humanised with Ren’s relationship with Rey, only for it be dashed by an arrogance that betrays Ren’s balance of his Force alignment. Driver’s ability to turn seemingly on a dime between a desire to change and unbridled rage is a frightening sight to behold. In a series that has been criticised in the past for its inconsistent acting, Adam Driver has filled the role yet again as the glue keeping everything from falling apart. He’s an anchor that any production would be lucky to have.

With Terry Gilliam’s long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote and Spike Lee’s Black Klansman on the horizon, the young Driver continues to work with legendary figures in the industry. The direction Kylo Ren takes in the currently untitled Episode IX may very well demand more of him than any other previous Star Wars actor, depending on where JJ Abrams decides to take it. Looking at the actor’s increasingly impressive resume, there is no doubt that Adam Driver is a special talent with more upside than maybe anybody else in film today.