Ten years after his death, Anton Yelchin is still fondly remembered by fans with three of his best films still holding up today. Anton Yelchin was a rising star during the late 2000s and early 2010s. While he had been working for years, starting in 2000 with the film A Man is Mostly Water, his acclaimed performance in the indie film Charlie Bartlett turned the spotlight on him for critics and audiences.
His first big role came in 2009 when he played Pavel Chekhov alongside actors like Chris Pine and Karl Urban in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. He only continued to grow from there with appearances in movies of various genres. He developed a huge fanbase because of his talented performances, making him a major rising star in Hollywood.
However, on June 19, 2016, Anton Yelchin tragically passed away in what was dubbed a freak accident. The news of his death shocked the world. Ten years later, Anton Yelchin’s career continues to be one of the best in cinema history. Not every film he performed in was a winner, but his acting talent was always deemed a highlight. Today, there are three films in particular that continue to hold up today quality-wise while also showing just how incredible Yelchin was when it came to acting.
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Fright Night (2011)
This remake of director Tom Holland’s 1985 cult classic was a bomb at the box office when it first premiered. However, it’s since become highly regarded by fans after 15 years. The film is known for having standout roles by Colin Farrell and David Tennant, but most of the credit for this film’s success comes from Anton Yelchin’s role as Charlie Brewster.
He’s a flawed yet likable protagonist who’s trying to fit in with the “cool” crowd after years of being bullied, and Yelchin captures this well. When he comes to realize just how awful he’s been to his former friend, Ed, though, Yelchin’s performance stands out as his character tries to save his girlfriend and put an end to Jerry the vampire once and for all.
2
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
This third entry in the rebooted Star Trek movie franchise is easily the best of the trilogy. Helmed by Justin Lin instead of J.J. Abrams, the film pushes the sci-fi and explorative aspect of the franchise front-and-center, which was sorely lacking from the previous two films. It’s an engaging Star Trek tale that also earns its place on the big-screen with its cinematic storytelling.
Anton Yelchin’s role as Chekhov gets a massive boost compared to the 2009 reboot and Into Darkness. He has an entire subplot with Captain Kirk, giving him a chance to shine as this updated version of the character. While Walter Koenig is still arguably the best person to play the part, Yelchin’s performance as the character is in a league of its own, making him one of the standouts from the Kelvin Timeline.
1
Green Room (2016)
This horror thriller produced by A24 is easily Yelchin’s masterpiece. Taking place in a Neo-Nazi club, Yelchin plays the bass member of a band called The Ain’t Rights. When he and his group anger the patrons with their rendition of “Nazi Punks” by the Dead Kennedys, they fight to survive as they’re held captive in the bar and hunted down.
Anton Yelchin’s role as Pat is one of his absolute best. He does a phenomenal job throwing himself into survival mode. The film’s enclosed setting allows him and his costars, including a Fright Night reunion with Imogen Poots starring alongside him, to show the tension created by their situation as Patrick Stewart’s Darcy tries to kill them.
Green Room is a film that needs to be seen to be believed, and it’s undeniably the best film from Anton Yelchin‘s memorable career that still holds up today.
- Birthdate
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March 11, 1989
- Birthplace
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Leningrad, USSR (St. Petersburg, Russia)