Josh Hartnett: The Rise and Success of a Hollywood Icon
Explore the career and achievements of Josh Hartnett, from his early breakthrough to his recent comeback in Hollywood.
The Early Years and Breakthrough
Josh Hartnett has had a hugely successful 2023. After becoming one of the most notable young actors of the late 1990s and 2000s, Josh Hartnett has gone on to appear in more than 50 films and television series. The 45-year-old actor made a big comeback to the Hollywood spotlight in 2023 after taking an extended hiatus during which he mostly took smaller acting roles in independent and foreign movies to spend more time with his family in Surrey, England. Hartnett appeared in several major productions in 2023 including Oppenheimer and Black Mirror season 6.
Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence staring in awe in Oppenheimer
Hartnett rose to prominence after making his feature film debut in 1998's Halloween H20: 20 Years Later as John, the son of Jamie Lee Curtis' iconic Laurie character. He would then appear in several major film productions throughout the late 90s and early 2000s including Michael Bay's notable 2001 blockbuster Pearl Harbor, the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights, and the 2004 mystery/drama Wicker Man. Hartnett has also produced several projects, including the music video for 'Pursuit of Happiness' by rapper Kid Cudi.
Josh Hartnett in Black Hawk Down wearing military gear and looking battered and bloodied
Iconic Film Roles
One of Hartnett's most iconic films is the 2007 cult horror classic 30 Days of Night, directed by David Slade (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch). Josh Hartnett stars in the lead role as Eben Oleson in this vampire action horror set in a remote Alaskan town that is sent into 30 straight days of darkness. The unique setting is one of the reasons why 30 Days of Night is one of the most memorable vampire horrors of the 21st century. Hartnett gives an excellent performance alongside costars Melissa George and Ben Foster.
30 Days Of Night (2007)
For a film that Hartnett wasn't even supposed to be in initially, Wrath of Man ends up being one of the best movies that Hartnett has taken part in. The sleek and visually immersive action-crime thriller stars franchise powerhouse Jason Statham, Holy McCallany, and Scott Eastwood alongside Hartnett's role as Boy Sweat Dave. The Guy Ritchie movie offers one of the best new movies in the heist genre in recent memory and even features a cameo from rapper Post Malone.
Jason Statham with a gun in Wrath of Man
The 2005 drama Mozart & The Whale is one of Hartnett's most underrated performances that truly demonstrated his range as an actor. Hartnett and costar Radha Mitchell play two people with Asperger's syndrome who fall in love and form a powerful yet tumultuous relationship. Hartnett excels in one of his most complicated and challenging roles, which is wrapped around an inspirational and heartwarming unconventional love story.
Donad Morton (Josh Hartnett) looks at the camera in Mozart and the Whale
Cinematic Impact and Legacy
The 1998 horror classic The Faculty is likely one of the main movies that people think about when they see the name Josh Hartnett, as it was one of his early works that helped solidify his larger-than-life Hollywood status back then. The Faculty is a purely fun and entertaining movie experience that is even better to watch today than it was when it came out 25 years ago because of the added retrospective layer of 90s nostalgia. The film has a simple and wild premise, centering on a group of students who believe their teachers have become alien invaders.
The Faculty characters look terrified
Lucky Number Slevin is a mid-2000s classic action movie with a remarkable cast that includes Hartnett, Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, and Ben Kingsley. The highly stylized film from director Paul McGuigan still holds up to this day as a fast-paced thriller with interesting elements of a modern film noir. Hartnett stars as the titular protagonist Slevin who gets caught up in a web of conspiracy involving very powerful gangsters in this surprisingly great movie.
Josh Harnett with bloody nose in Lucky Number Slevin
Sin City is one of the most aesthetically innovative and iconic movies ever made and stars an incredible cast that includes Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Carla Gugino, Nick Offerman, Elijah Wood, and Hartnett. The film is truly a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that should be seen by all fans of the action/comic book genre as well as followers of Hartnett. Sin City is often referred to as one of the best cinematic graphic novel adaptations of all time.
Mickey Rourke with a shotgun in Sin City
