Anton Yelchinproved his sheer talents from a very young age. His career blossomed as he grew into an adult and became quite a respected actor. His roles spanned across several genres including drama, horror, science fiction, and more. Yelchin worked in several independent films, as well as big-budget. No matter the role, Yelchin always gave it his all and completely embodied his characters. He had a wide dramatic range and could convincingly deliver fantastic dramatic performances. In a documentary about Anton Yelchin,entitledLove, Antosha, audiences saw that Yelchin loved life and had many artistic passions in addition to acting, including music and photography.
Yelchin was born in Leningrad, Russia to parents who were a prominent figure-skating duo. Upon moving to the United States, Yelchin made his film debut inA Man Is Mostly Water. From there, Yelchin earned several film and television roles and worked with prominent actors like Anthony Hopkins and Morgan Freeman. As Yelchin’s career grew, he landed big-time roles in blockbuster franchises likeStar TrekandTerminator Salvation. Unfortunately,Yelchin’s life ended at age 27 due to a “freak accident” with a motor vehicle. Although his life ended far too soon, he will always be remembered for his talented acting capabilities. Let’s dive into Anton Yelchin’s best performances throughout his career.
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9Fright Night
Anton Yelchin took the lead role in the comedic horror film,Fright Night, based on the 1980s film of the same name. Yelchin plays a teenager named Charlie Brewster, who discovers that his neighbor (Collin Farrell) is a killer vampire. The film is a great suspense story, in the vein ofRear Window. Yelchin gives a very convincing performance of a fearful teenager trying to uncover this mystery. At the same time, he delivers several great comedic moments. Yelchin holds his own opposite Farrell, and the film delivers thrills, comedy, and great special effects.
8Star Trek
Anton Yelchin took on the role of Pavel Chekov in J.J Abram’s reboot of theStar Trekfranchise. Yelchin did justice to the character while delivering comedic and heroic moments. At the same time, he nailed the iconic Russian accent of Chekov. Yelchin brought the young and naive personality of Checkov back to life in the reboot and held his own among the rest of the cast. Yelchin went on to reprise his role in both of theStar Treksequels.
7Charlie Bartlett
Anton Yelchin proved withCharlie Bartlettthat he could hold his own in a leading role. The story follows a charming, wealthy high school student named Charlie Bartlett (Yelchin) who begins to offer therapy sessions and pharmaceuticals from the school’s bathroom stall. Yelchin completely embodies the character and gives us an honest and charismatic performance. At the same time, his chemistry with co-stars Robert Downey Jr. and Kat Dennings was on point. Yelchin also shows us an honest portrayal of a young man dealing with complicated relationships with his parents.
6Hearts In Atlantis
In one of his younger performances, Anton Yelchin plays opposite Anthony Hopkins inHearts In Atlantis. Yelchin proved his dramatic range at quite a young age. He plays a boy named Bobby who goes under the wing of a man (Hopkins) with telekinetic powers. At the same time, Yelchin shows, through his performance, a young boy struggling with a very selfish mother. Yelchin gives an endearing and heartfelt performance proving that he had the capability to have a long career in show business.
5House Of D
Anton Yelchin starred in the coming-of-age film,House Of D, written and directed by David Duchovny. Yelchin plays 13-year-old Tom who navigates love, friendship, and growing up. Yelchin honestly plays a boy dealing with a depressed single mother, and he delivers several great dramatic moments. At the same time, Yelchin has great chemistry with his co-star Robin Williams, who plays a mentally-challenged man named Pappas. The film is a heartfelt story that tackles several thought-provoking themes.
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4Alpha Dog
In Nick Cassavetes’Alpha Dog, based on thetrue story of a real-life murder, Anton Yelchin plays Nicholas Markowitz, a young man who was tragically kidnaped and murdered by drug associates of his older brother. Yelchin brilliantly portrays Markowitz as an innocent and good-hearted kid eager for adventure. Unfortunately, when Markowitz learns the true motives of the kidnapping, he realizes the nightmare that he is in. Yelchin delivers this dread effectively through his voice and emotions. It is a tragic story of troubled youth.
3Thoroughbreds
Unfortunately,Thoroughbredswas Anton Yelchin’s last film before his tragic death. Although Yelchin is in a supporting role, he steals every scene that he is in. Yelchin brilliantly plays an underachieving drug dealer who becomes roped into a murder plot by two young women, played by Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy. Yelchin gives a dark, yet somewhat comedic, performance of a neurotic and complicated individual. This role was a lot different from his past performances, and Yelchin completely nailed it.
2Like Crazy
In the romantic film,Like Crazy, Yelchin stars with Felicity Jones as two college students who fall in love and are challenged by a very long distance relationship. The story is an honest portrayal of love, and Yelchin perfectly encapsulates a young man struggling with trying to keep his relationship going. Yelchin has amazing chemistry with Felicity Jones and the two of them deliver a very memorable romantic film. The dialogue, as well as the conflict, between the two actors are exceptionally honest and, sometimes, heartbreaking.
1Green Room
In the acclaimed thriller,Green Room, Yelchin plays a member of a heavy-metal band who becomes trapped by a group of sadistic neo-nazis after witnessing a murder. Yelchin’s emotional range is on point in this film and brilliantly portrays a man filled with dread facing potential death. At one point in the film, Yelchin’s character’s arm is nearly cut off by a machete, and Yelchin honestly conveys the pain and torment of such a situation. The film is a smart and dark depiction of an escape story, and it is filled with great dramatic scenes and monologues from Yelchin.
