Biopics get a bit of a bad rap, but the genre sort of brings such accusations upon itself.Biographical movies often (though not always) seem more keen to show viewers something they’re expecting, rather than something subversive or surprising. There’s an inherent formula found throughout straightforward biopics that can be tiring from a narrative perspective, and then, if viewers already know the life story of the figure at a biopic’s center… it’s just a match made in hell, for those wanting something adventurous or unique.
The following biographical movies aren’t automatically among the worst of all time – though some may qualify – instead being featured here because they’re more bland, rather than anything else. They hit the beats you’d expect, are generally about well-known figures, and seldom take many risks. Some have good performances and aren’t necessarily deficient from a technical perspective, but none below are exciting, and all are at least a little bit boring.
10’Darkest Hour' (2017)
Director: Joe Wright
Darkest Hourmay revolve around the Second World War, but in no way can it beconsidered a genuinely great war movie. It feels like it exists to getGary Oldmanan Oscar, and in that sense, it was mission accomplished. He certainly deserved one in general, for being a generally strong and committed actor over decades, but finally earning it for playingWinston Churchillin a dry biopic… that stung a little.
Churchill himself had an obviously dramatic time as Prime Minister of Great Britain, serving while the nation was wrapped up in war and being a notably forceful leader during that time. He was a charismatic historical figure, the make-up used to transform Oldman is impressive, and Oldman himself is doing a good impersonation,though unfortunately, nothing about the storytelling or filmmaking on offer inDarkest Hourmanages to be very interestingat all.
Darkest Hour
Watch on Netflix
9’Trumbo' (2015)
Director: Jay Roach
Bryan Cranstonfits well into the role ofDalton Trumbo, a noteworthyscreenwriter whopenned some iconic movieswhile also having his career stalled by anti-communist sentiments and hearings. He was well-known for not cooperating with such a process, and it led to a considerable period of being blacklisted, whichTrumboaims to depict across the course of just over two hours.
It might fare a little better than the aforementionedDarkest Hour, but loses points on account of the fact that it had real potential to be fascinating while shedding light on a dark and dramatic period of Hollywood history. Cranston is good in the lead role, and he’s backed up by a solid supporting cast, but unfortunately,Trumbonever really soars like it could, or perhaps even should.
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8’Back to Black' (2024)
Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
There’sa fantastic documentary movieaboutAmy Winehousefrom 2015 simply calledAmy. It looks at the troubled singer’s life with empathy and purpose. Regarding the former, it shows the layers to Winehouse, as a person, that were often ignored by members of the media, and regarding the latter, it condemns the media – and the public at large – for the role they played in mocking Winehouse, and failing to treat her struggles with addiction and mental illness with the care they should’ve.
Then, nearly a decade later,Back to Blackcame out, and provided a more sanitized take on Amy Winehouse’s tragically short life. There’snothing here narratively that wasn’t done better, more emotionally, and with more insight in the aforementioned 2015 documentary, and as a biopic,Back to Blackultimately leaves something of a bad taste in one’s mouth once it’s all over.
Back to Black
Watch in theaters
7’Cinderella Man' (2005)
Director: Ron Howard
As a filmmaker,Ron Howard’ssensibilities tend to be a little workmanlike, but his straightforward approach to directing does get the job done surprisingly well sometimes.A Beautiful MindandRushare quite good as biopics, for example, but others he’s made have felt a little more middle-of-the-road, and haven’t proven as well-remembered. Case in point: 2005’sCinderella Man.
On top of being a biopic that very few people have thought about since say 2006,Cinderella Manisalso a sports movie, retelling events from the life and career of boxerJim Braddock.Russell Croweplays Braddock, and the film takes on a familiar underdog story sort of slant, following the boxer as he comes out of retirement to help provide for his struggling family. It’s fine. It’s okay. It’sjust the sort of movie that starts, then ends, and at a point, you can be sure you’ll forget all about it.
Cinderella Man
Rent on Apple TV
6’Hitchcock' (2012)
Director: Sacha Gervasi
The best thing aboutHitchcockis that it givesAnthony Hopkinsthe chance to playAlfred Hitchcock, taking theDarkest Hourstrategy of using heavy make-up to ensure the transformation works. AndHopkins is good enough of an actorto make it work, and there’s some fun to be had seeing him dig into this role, with the film also benefitting from the fact that much of it revolves around the production ofone of Hitchcock’s best/most notorious movies:Psycho(1960).
Then you’ve also got the fact that the supporting roles are well-cast, withHelen Mirrenplaying Hitchcock’s wife,Alma Reville, andScarlett Johanssonplaying actressJanet Leigh. Everyone’s doing well for what they’re given,but they’re not given much as far asHitchcock’sscreenplay is concerned. It’s all very ordinary and, at its worst, feels a bit like a Wikipedia page brought to life (barely) on screen.
5’The Theory of Everything' (2014)
Director: James Marsh
A movie so middle of the road it’s kind of unnerving,The Theory of Everythingis exactly what you’d expecta romance/biographical movieaboutStephen Hawkingto be, you could say for better or worse… but it would be preferable for this to be either better or worse. Obviously, if it was better, then it would probably be good in the traditional sense, and if it was worse, then at least it would be a bit of fun to talk about.
As it stands,The Theory of Everythingis just generic. It feels like it was manufactured in a laboratory for the sole purpose of winning an Oscar or three. Like some of the aforementioned movies, in this sense,The Theory of Everythingwas a success,gaining a disappointingly high number of Oscar nominations: five, including Best Picture.Eddie Redmaynealso won the film’s sole Oscar, for Best Actor, quite hilariously right around the same time he gave one of the most ridiculous performances of the decade inJupiter Ascending.
The Theory of Everything
4’W.' (2008)
Director: Oliver Stone
Oliver Stoneknows his way around a biographical film, or at least he used to back in the 1990s, given thatJFK(with its focus on district attorneyJim Garrison) andNixon(about the titular President) are both compelling. That makes it surprising that he was also the director behind 2008’sW., which was released during the final year ofGeorge W. Bush’spresidency, recounting the lead-up to getting elected and the ups and downs of his two terms in office.
One would expect Stone to bring a little more edge to a movie about Bush, either being a little more critical, humorous, or at least stylish. There were exceedingly eventful things that happened to – and because of – George W. Bush, butW.isn’t too interested in digging deep, instead feeling astoundingly surface levelwhile wasting a great cast that includes the likes ofJosh Brolin,Elizabeth Banks,Ellen Burstyn,James Cromwell, andThandiwe Newton.
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3’Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018)
Director: Bryan Singer
People were blinded a little by the spectacle and music on offer inBohemian Rhapsodyupon its release, and to some extent, that was understandable. It is a movie, after all, that features plenty of fantastic music by Queen, and the idea of watching something about the life ofFreddie Mercuryis undoubtedly fascinating. To his credit,Rami Malek’sperformance as Mercury – while perhaps not genuinely Oscar-worthy – was still solid.
ButBohemian Rhapsodyshould be so much more than what it inevitably was, andeven though 2018 wasn’t too long ago,time already hasn’t been super kindto this film. One indication of its truly flawed nature was made apparent when 2019’sRocketmancame out, which looked atElton John, a rock star who had a similarly turbulent and extravagant life to Mercury’s, withRocketmanfeeling a little more realistic and honest… not to mention a bit more adventurous with its style and content.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Watch on Apple TV
2’Judy' (2019)
Director: Rupert Goold
Judy Garlandis one of the most famous singers/movie stars of her time, perhaps just forThe Wizard of Ozalone, which is one of themost frequently referenced and parodied movies ever made. As such, a movie would have to be pretty great to live up to her legacy, especially considering her life was a difficult one, in many ways, and that much of it was defined by tragedy and exploitation.
A powerful film could be made about what Garland went through, butJudy(2019) takes a very safe and strangely static look at Judy Garland, particularly looking at the difficult final stages of her career in showbiz.Renée Zellweger was praised for her performance/imitation of Garland, but beyond being a showcase for her,Judyis so tedious and just a waste of time. It can be contrasted withBlonde(2022), a movie aboutMarilyn Monroethat divided audiences, but at least took creative risks and didn’t shy away from genuinely depicting the horrors of being a woman chewed up and spat out by a horrible and callous entertainment industry.
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1’The Iron Lady' (2011)
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Oh boy. Let’s get one thing out of the way first:Meryl Streepis a great actress, and can (generally) do wrong. The word “generally” has to be used as a caveat because she was inThe Iron Lady, though, which is a misguided and messy movie about controversial UK Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher. Somehow, Streep won one of her three Oscars for portraying Thatcher here.
It has a very simplified approach to telling the story of Margaret Thatcher and what she did in office, acknowledging that she got on some peoples’ bad sides but doing so in a way that never feels critical. When taking into accountthe damage her government did, framingThe Iron Ladyas being even just a little bit about empowerment feels tacky at best, and genuinely offensive at worst. Admittedly, the aforementioned movies were mostly just bland, butThe Iron Ladyis… also bland, but take away the “l” and the “n” from that word andThe Iron Lady’salso that, too.
