Rory Culkin: The Ultimate Breakthrough in Movies & TV Shows

Summary

Rory Culkin has carved out his own path as a character actor, differentiating himself from his famous brothers.

Renowned for his impeccable portrayal of darker characters, Culkin has effectively shed his former child actor persona by delivering spine-chilling performances in the realm of thrillers and horror flicks. Notably, his exceptional acting skills shine through in acclaimed shows like "Under the Banner of Heaven" and "Swarm," where he leaves an indelible mark despite appearing for only a limited duration on screen.

Rory Culkin has successfully emerged from the shadows of his more famous brothers, establishing himself as a celebrated character actor. Despite the challenge of being overshadowed by his child star elder brother Macauley, who gained immense popularity in the 1990s through movies like Home Alone, and his brother Kieran's successes in films like Scott Pilgrim vs The World and shows like Succession, Rory has carved his own path in the industry.

Setting himself apart from his brothers, Rory Culkin effortlessly shed his child actor persona by taking on darker roles. He honed his skills by portraying younger versions of his brothers in various film and TV projects, swiftly establishing himself as the Culkin sibling with a gritty edge. As a result, Rory's filmography predominantly consists of thrilling, horror, and mind-bending projects like Black Mirror. These ventures have allowed him to break away from the likable Culkin image and wholeheartedly immerse himself in his characters.

10 Under The Banner Of Heaven (2022)

Stream Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu—a true crime miniseries exclusively available on the platform. This gripping series delves into a dark chapter of Utah's history, focusing on Detective Jeb Pyre (played by Andrew Garfield) as he uncovers a conspiracy within an ultra-conservative faction of the LDS church. Culkin's portrayal of Samuel Lafferty is exceptional, adding a sinister edge that complements the slow-burn tone of the overall miniseries. While the story is captivating and the cast is impressive, the deliberate pace of the narrative can occasionally feel monotonous. Nevertheless, the show skillfully explores themes of faith and resilience in times of crisis.

9 Waco (2018)

Waco can be streamed on Paramount +, Fubo TV, and Showtime. Rory Culkin has been known for playing real-life figures in some of his best movies and shows. In Waco, Culkin once again showcases his talent for bringing history to life. The miniseries revolves around the 1993 ATF raid on David Koresh's compound in Waco, Texas, and Culkin's portrayal of David Thibodeau captures the essence of the entire series. Thibodeau's conflicted character serves as a reflection of the entire incident, and Waco manages to present a well-rounded perspective without resorting to sensationalism. Through its entertainment value, the series allows the audience to come to their own conclusions about this complex historical event.

8 Gabriel (2014)

Gabriel can be streamed on Fubo TV, Vudu, Tubi TV, Kanopy, and Redbox. Despite typically playing supporting roles, Rory Culkin shines as the lead in the indie drama Gabriel. Fresh out of a mental health facility, Gabriel embarks on a desperate journey to reunite with his childhood sweetheart. While not the most mind-blowing psychological thriller of the 2010s, Culkin's exceptional performance compensates for any shortcomings. The script does perpetuate harmful stereotypes about mental illness, but the character-driven narrative ultimately allows Gabriel to be portrayed as a fully developed individual.

7 Signs (2002)

Signs can be streamed on Max.

In 2002, acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan received much praise from Hollywood for his successful film Signs, which also marked one of Rory Culkin's early significant acting roles independent of his brothers. The story revolves around Graham, a grieving former reverend (played by Mel Gibson), who starts experiencing unsettling messages that appear to be of extraterrestrial origin. Culkin portrayed Morgan, Graham's eldest child, and delivered a convincing performance alongside Gibson and co-star Joaquin Phoenix. Despite the somewhat contrived ending, Signs effectively built suspense and achieved great success at the box office, earning over $400 million (according to Box Office Mojo).

6 Scream 4 (2011)

Scream 4, directed by Wes Craven, is now streaming on Starz. After a long break, Craven revived his popular slasher series to captivate a new generation of fans. In this installment, Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, returns to Woodsboro and faces the haunting presence of the Ghostface killer once again. One notable addition to the cast is Culkin, who showcases their potential as a creepy villain in the character of Charlie Walker. While Scream 4 may not be revolutionary, it successfully brings the series into the modern era by incorporating elements of Millennial culture and adding a contemporary twist to Ghostface.

5 Swarm (2023 - Present)

Swarm can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Rory Culkin's cameo as Marcus in the show was a standout performance, showcasing the talent of a great character actor who can make a lasting impact in a short amount of time. The series revolves around Dre (played by Dominique Fishback), a fan of a popular R&B singer, who goes to extreme lengths to capture her attention. Culkin's NSFW scene in Swarm was a memorable and unexpected moment that added a shocking twist to the storyline. Despite his limited screen time, Culkin delivered an impressive performance. Swarm is filled with similar captivating moments, skillfully combining dark humor with escalating suspense throughout its first season.

4 You Can Count On Me (2000)

You Can Count On Me is available for purchase or rental on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Vudu. Although Rory Culkin has had numerous successful movies, the majority of his work falls within the independent film circuit. One of his notable early roles was in the drama You Can Count on Me. The film revolves around Sammy, a single mother portrayed by Laura Linney, whose life is disrupted by the arrival of her troubled brother Terry, played by Mark Ruffalo. Culkin's portrayal of Rudy, despite being a young character, showcased his acting prowess with depth and complexity. The dynamic between Rudy's mature soul and Terry's immaturity was perfectly executed by Culkin and Ruffalo. The film successfully blended its melodramatic plot with realistic characters. Unfortunately, it went largely unnoticed during its initial release.

3 Lords Of Chaos (2018)

Lords of Chaos can be streamed on Hoopla and Kanopy. It retells a dark chapter in music history and is notorious for its authenticity. Set in 1980s Oslo, the film follows Euronymous, a metal musician, as he resorts to increasingly extreme publicity stunts to promote his band. However, these actions eventually spiral out of control. Culkin's portrayal of Euronymous captures the rebellious essence of the music movement, while also humanizing this somewhat legendary figure. Although the movie takes artistic liberties with some facts, it remains true to the exaggerated tone of the music scene that served as its inspiration.

2 Mean Creek (2004)

Mean Creek can now be streamed on Paramount +.

In line with his siblings, Rory Culkin successfully transitioned from child actor roles to teenage roles, and Mean Creek marked the beginning of this transition. Seeking revenge for his younger brother Rocky's bullying, Rocky's tormentor is invited on a trip that takes a terrifying and violent turn. Culkin delivers a standout performance as Sam, the younger brother, but he is just one piece in the puzzle of the film's impressive ensemble. What sets Mean Creek apart is its willingness to delve into territories that other coming-of-age dramas avoid, resulting in a remarkably intense experience that surpasses the limitations of independent cinema.

1 Black Mirror (2011 - Present)

Stream Black Mirror now on Netflix and witness how this highly acclaimed science fiction series has become a platform for numerous renowned actors. Rory Culkin, in particular, made a lasting impression with his role as the malevolent intruder Kappa in the season 6 episode "Beyond the Sea". Black Mirror delves into the dark side of technological advancements and features an impressive ensemble cast. Culkin's standout performance elevated the overall excellence of the series, solidifying his presence in the industry.