Jason Bateman is one of those rare actors who can nail comedic roles with the best of them, just as effortlessly as he can dive into a dark, gripping drama. And his recent career transition as a drama actor owes a lot to Netflix. For years, Bateman found himself typecast in Hollywood, a reality he was all too aware of as well. And this led him to break away from his usual on-screen persona and take on the role of a manipulative money launderer with Netflix. This decision turned out to be one of the best he could have made as an actor.
As Bateman prepares to drop yet another Netflix film, Carry-On
, here are five Netflix titles featuring the actor that are absolutely worthwhile.
Game Night
Game Night
is a brilliant mix of comedy, crime, and suspense, featuring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. The duo plays a couple whose regular game nights take a chaotic turn. What starts as an elaborate murder mystery game soon becomes real-life kidnapping case.
On this day in Movie History.
January 14th 1969: JASON BATEMAN is born.
(🎥 Game Night – 2018)pic.twitter.com/OKEkj9eAG1
— We Love Movies !!! 🎬 (@MoviePolls4U) January 14, 2023
The real magic in the film, however, lies in the chemistry between Bateman and McAdams. Bateman’s signature deadpan humor, paired with McAdams’ lively energy, is what makes Game Night
such a fun ride.
Horrible Bosses 1 and 2
Horrible Bosses
, both installments, is a comedy that does not waste any time trying to be something it is not. Thanks to a great ensemble cast and a twisted sense of humor, the film makes the most of its premise solid and delivers non-stop laughs.
charlie, jason bateman and jason sudeikis in horrible bosses 2 (2014) pic.twitter.com/dmrSVI1zXk
— rcg 💭 (@rcgposter) July 4, 2024
Starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis, with Jennifer Aniston
, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx rounding out the ensemble, the film’s best part is that it keeps things fast, fun, and unpredictable.
Read More: Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck Are Part of a Rather Secret Hollywood Club, but What Is It About?
The outrageous antics of the bosses, paired with the trio’s increasingly desperate- and hilarious- plans to get rid of their workplace nightmares, further drive the film’s humor and plot forward in ways that are totally unpredictable.
The Gift
Fans saw a small glimpse of Jason Bateman’s transition into complex dramatic roles in The Gift.
This 2015 psychological thriller featured the actor in a tense, dramatic role that was praised by both critics and audiences alike. Bateman also got to flex his sinister side in the role, playing a handsome, doting husband who might have a dark past.
Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton star in the deeply unsettling psychological thriller The Gift. Now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/YHhptGY55l
— Netflix (@netflix) March 14, 2022
The Gift
was made with a tight budget of $5 million and still brought in almost $44 million, which is impressive for such a small-scale thriller.
Ozark
This is where Jason Bateman stepped into a role unlike anything he had done before. Bateman starred as Martin Byrde, a financial planner turned money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel in Ozark
. For his nuanced portrayal as the on-screen husband of Laura Linney
, Bateman won several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He even took an Emmy home for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
Ozark
takes an unflinching look at the fallout of criminality and just how far people will go to protect their own. But more than anything, it put Jason Bateman on a whole new map as an actor.
Read More: “Nothing”- Jason Bateman Was Disappointed When ‘AIR’ Shoots Ended, Here’s Why
What do you think about Jason Bateman’s Netflix movies and shows? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
