Tom Hardy’s Best Films to Watch Before 'Venom: The Last Dance'
With the trailer for Venom: The Last Dance newly released, L’OFFICIEL looks back at Tom Hardy’s best film and TV performances.
English actor Tom Hardy might have stolen the spotlight with his breakout role as Eames in Christopher Nolan’s 2010 movie Inception, but he’s been appearing in TV shows and movies since 2001. He made his television debut in Band of Brothers (2001), a World War II drama miniseries. Following his casting, he left the Drama Centre in London, where he was studying, and pursued acting full-time.
With an extensive television career, Hardy starred in several BBC miniseries including Oliver Twist (2007) as Bill Sikes and Wuthering Heights (2009) as Heathcliff. Hardy notably starred alongside Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders, a show about British gangsters in the early 20th century.
He’s worked across several genres in film as well, though most often appearing in dramatic action movies and thrillers. From Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006) to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Hardy’s portrayal of complicated, dark characters has proved him to be an unforgettable talent in the film industry.
Most recently, Hardy is set to star in the third installment of the Venom series, Venom: The Last Dance, which will release in theaters this October. The trailer for the film was released yesterday, and excitement among fans is already building. In an interview with Forbes, Hardy noted that the final chapter of the Venom trilogy will be different from the rest. “I’m so, so excited about [Venom: The Last Dance] because we’ve gone much bigger,” he said. “If the mission statement is commercial, blockbuster, action and superhero movie, how can we imbue a sense of something that’s fun and different? This comes from us who are really, really caring about this.”
A deep dive into Hardy’s filmography will provide hours of entertaining drama, complicated relationships and high-energy action. In anticipation of the release of Venom: The Last Dance, L’OFFICIEL rounds up a list of Hardy’s must-see roles.
Tom Hardy as Eames in 'Inception' (2010)
Tom Hardy plays the role of Eames in Christopher Nolan's 2010 sci-fi thriller. Inception follows Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a thief with the ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets. Cobb is tasked with planting an idea in someone's mind, which would be the perfect crime. Hardy's character of Eames specializes in forgery and identity theft. It's an intense, complex film, and one of Hardy's breakout roles. This movie opened the doors to roles in several other Christopher Nolan films for Hardy.
Tom Hardy as Bane in 'The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
In another Christopher Nolan film, Tom Hardy plays Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, the second film in Nolan's batman trilogy. Set eight years after The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne returns as Batman to save Gotham from the threats of nuclear destruction from the terrorist Bane. Hardy worked hard to develop the unique voice for Bane's character and changed his physical appearance to fit the comic book description of the villain. His portrayal of Bane in the ambitious superhero trilogy remains well respected.
Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons in 'Peaky Blinders' (2013-2022)
Peaky Blinders is a crime show set in Britain after the Great War. It follows one of the most powerful gangs at the time, the Peaky Blinders. Tom Hardy has a recurring role as Alfie Solomons on the show, a mob boss for a Jewish gang that rivals the Peaky Blinders. With a well written plot and top-tier acting from the entire cast, this show is impossible to look away from once you start watching.
Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky in 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
Tom Hardy stars as Max Rockatansky in the postapocalyptic action film Mad Mad: Fury Road. Hardy's character is an apocalypse survivor who joins forces with Imperator Furiosa to defeat the cult leader Immortan Joe and his army. The film and Hardy's performance recieved massive critical acclaim, including winning six Oscars. Many have called this movie one of the best action films of all time.
Tom Hardy as Farrier in 'Dunkirk' (2017)
Christopher Nolan and Tom Hardy work together again in the historical war thriller Dunkirk. Set in World War II as Germany advances into France, the film depicts the historic Dunkirk evacuation that saved over 300,000 soldier's lives. Hardy plays the character Farrier, a pilot and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force who helps to lead the evacuation. Farrier shoots down a German bomber plane, but eventually is taken as a prisoner of war when his plane runs out of fuel. It's a heroic film that brings new life to the historic rescue mission.
Tom Hardy as James Delaney in 'Taboo' (2017-present)
Taboo is a BBC television series that was created by Tom Hardy, Steven Knight, and Hardy's father, Chips Hardy, based on a story that Tom and Chips wrote. Taboo is set in 1814 and follows James Delaney (Tom Hardy) as he returns to England after spending twelve years in Africa. The show explores corruption in 19th century London. An essential show for any Tom Hardy fan, the series has been picked up for a second season, which is expected to start production soon.
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock in 'Venom' (2018)
Before watching Venom: The Last Dance, consider revisiting the first two films in the trilogy. Here, Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock, a struggling journalist who becomes the host to the alien entity, Venom, who is part of a species of symbiotes who plan to invade Earth.
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock in 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' (2021)
In the sequel to Venom (2018), Tom Hardy is back as Eddie Brock. He is still the host to Venom and facing the serial killer Cetus Kasady, who has subsequently become the host to another alien entity named Carnage. The film was a box office success, setting high expectations for the release of Venom: The Last Dance.
