Posted 0 minutes agoSubscribe to Screen Time NewsletterCaret DownDylan O'Brien's Top 10 Best Film Performances Of All TimeFrom comic relief to action star, Dylan O'Brien does it all!by Shamindri De SayrahCommunity ContributorApproved and edited by BuzzFeed Community TeamFacebookPinterestLink Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Via MTV Teen TV heartthrob turned indie darling, Dylan O'Brien, has quietly pulled off one of Hollywood's best glow-ups. Sure, most people remember him sprinting through mazes or fighting werewolves, but his film choices prove he's way more than a nostalgic favorite. Across action, comedy, and drama, O'Brien keeps switching gears and proving he's got the range. Here are ten of his strongest performances and why they continue to resonate with audiences. 10. Simon - Maximum Truth (2023) (C) Momentum Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection In this mockumentary satire, O'Brien dives headfirst into chaos as Simon, a wildly clueless "political operative," tries to invent a scandal out of thin air. It's unhinged in the best possible way, complete with over-the-top mannerisms, sharp improv timing, and full commitment to the bit. The film may have flown under the radar, but his comedic timing here is one of his biggest and funniest surprises yet. 9. Richie - The Outfit (2022) (C) Focus Features / Courtesy Everett Collection Set in 1950s Chicago, the film leans into a slow-burning crime story with a stage-like rhythm. Dylan O'Brien's take on Richie balances swagger with insecurity, giving us the kind of wannabe mobster who talks big but sinks fast. Sharing scenes with Mark Rylance could have been intimidating, but instead, O'Brien proves he can hold his own with one of the best. 8. Paris - Caddo Lake (2024) (C) Warner Brothers / Courtesy Everett Collection In this eerie psychological mystery, O'Brien dials it all the way down as Paris, a character defined by distance and quiet tension. His performance is haunting in the best way, relying on subtle gestures and sharp stillness rather than dramatic emotional swings. It's proof that he's not just experimenting with darker indie roles-he's thriving in them. 7. Joel - Love and Monsters (2020) (C) Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection O'Brien turns a monster apocalypse into something surprisingly wholesome, mixing awkward humor with real heart. As Joel, he carries the movie with charm, vulnerability, and a little help from a very good dog. It's proof he can command a full-on adventure story and still make it feel personal. 6. Colin - Not Okay (2022) (C) Spotlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection Dylan O'Brien completely lets loose as Colin, a self-absorbed "woke" influencer who perfectly captures the most unbearable corners of online activism. It's chaotic, satirical, and just self-aware enough to sting a little. He leans so hard into the absurdity that every line lands, proving his comedic timing is just as sharp as his dramatic chops. 5. Vinny - Ponyboi (2024) (C) Tideline /Courtesy Everett Collection In this LGBTQ+ indie gem, O'Brien sheds his usual charm for something darker and far more unpredictable. As Vinny, he starts off as the kind of soft-spoken love interest you root for, only to unravel into something dangerously magnetic. It's a performance that commands attention without hijacking the story, proving he's unafraid to dive into queer narratives and challenge what audiences expect from him. 4. Fredrick Fitzel - Flashback (2020) (C) Lionsgate Home Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection Part sci-fi, part psychological fever dream, Flashback let Dylan O'Brien dive headfirst into paranoia, memory loss, and existential dread. As Fredrick Fitzel, he slips between timelines and mental states with the kind of intensity that makes you question what's real. It's not his flashiest role, but it's one of his most ambitious, proving he shines brightest when things get weird. 3. Thomas - The Maze Runner (2014-2018) (C)Copyright 20th Century Fox Netherlands. All rights reserved./Courtesy Everett Collection This was the role that launched Dylan O'Brien from TV screens to global fame. As Thomas in The Maze Runner trilogy, he carries the story with grit, empathy, and just enough chaos to make it believable. Between emotional breakdowns, near-death escapes, and doing many of his own stunts, O'Brien turns a YA action lead into something genuinely human. By The Death Cure, he isn't just surviving-he's proving he can lead a blockbuster with real heart. 2. Mitch Rapp - American Assassin (2017) (C)CBS Films / courtesy Everett Collection In his most physically demanding role yet, Dylan O'Brien traded teen drama for blood, sweat, and vengeance. American Assassin pushed him into darker territory, pairing him with Michael Keaton and proving he could handle a full-blown spy thriller. It was gritty, intense, and the moment everyone realized he wasn't just the guy from Maze Runner anymore. 1. Roman & Rocky - Twinless (2025) (C) Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett Colle