The success rates of child acting prodigies that go on to take the film industry by storm are few and far between. We have seen countless child stars fall by the wayside, simply unable to meet the demands of being an adult film star. Yet, the ones that do make the transition with aplomb, tend to go and forge stellar careers for themselves.
From Leonardo DiCaprio, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson to Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ron Howard, several youngsters have displayed an incredible faculty to translate their childhood successes into fully-fledged careers.George MacKayis another actor on a similar trajectory to the aforementioned, making his film debut at the age of 11 inPeter Pan. The charismatic Brit has starred in epics like1917andTrue History of the Kelly Gang. With his latest film,Femme, recently released theatrically, let’s take a look at the actor’s best movie.
10I Came By (2022)
Netflix’sI Came Bydebuted on the streaming platform in August 2022, and, despite the tepid critical reception, it comprised some seriously noteworthy performances from George MacKay and Hugh Bonneville, in the primary roles. Following the story of two graffiti artists and childhood best mates, Toby (MacKay) and Jameel (Percelle Ascot), who break into the homes of the rich, powerful, and corrupt, and vandalize their property with the tag “I Came By”, they quickly come across something a little more sinister at the home of lawyer, Hector Blake (Bonneville).
Why George Mackay’s Performance Is so Good
Once again, MacKay takes front and center stage in Babak Anvari’s haunting crime thriller. He conveys this audacious and daring vigilante with such unassuming charm and conviction, lifting what is a rather underwhelming movie at times. Guided by a strong sense of integrity, he is by no means morally irreproachable, but this anti-hero does a lot forI Came Byin terms of offering substantial character development.
Stream on Netflix
9Munich: Edge of War (2022)
A British diplomat travels to Munich in the run-up to World War II, where a former classmate of his from Oxford is also en route, but is working for the German government.
Set against the backdrop of the rise of Nazi Germany, and the imminent threat of another war, and the build-up to the Munich Agreement,Munich: Edge of Wardetails the story of a young British civil servant, Hugh Legat (MacKay), working for Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. Making regular trips to Germany to meet his university friend, Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewohner), the pair devise a plan to dethrone Hitler.
Why MacKay’s Performance is So Exceptional in Munich
Entrusted with the role of the film’s lead protagonist, MacKay’s presentation of this straight-laced, stiff-upper-lipped English gentleman was ostensibly made for him. Slightly awkward, a tad sheepish, and overly compliant, MacKay portrays Hugh in such a prim and proper manner, as a man shepherded by principle and a sense of immense pride in the supreme importance of his work.
8Defiance (2008)
Edward Zwick’s 2009 harrowing war flick,Defiancefinds its foundations molded within the makeup of a true story of courage, valor, and, of course, defiance, and it just so happens thatDaniel Craig delivers one of his finest performances. Detailing the very real fight for survival of three brothers in Eastern Europe during World War II, a whole community of Belarusian Jews assembles in the woods in order to circumvent the perils the Nazis are inflicting on their people.
Why MacKay’s Display in Defiance is Great
The film delves into the true meaning of humanity, with George MacKay starring as the youngest of the group of brothers, Aron Bielski. At just 15 years of age, MacKay’s rendition of Aron is remarkably well-seasoned considering his tender years. Despite only being reduced to a minor supporting role, MacKay puts in a performance that was certainly a sign of things to come for the budding actor.
Stream on Paramount+
7How I Live Now (2013)
How I Live Now
Directed by Kevin Macdonald, 2013’sHow I Live Nowis a poignant screen adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s 2004 novel of the same name. It traverses the life of Daisy (Saoirse Ronan), an American teen sent away from home to live with her cousins in England prior to a deadly terrorist attack in London that sees a war breakout.
Why MacKay’s Portrayal in How I Live Now is Brilliant
George MacKay plays Edmond, one of Daisy’s cousins, a thoughtful, compassionate, and well-mannered Brit, whose undeniable romantic connection with Daisy is explored throughout. MacKay delivers a performance fueled by empathy and an understated sensitivity as a young man conflicted by love, lust, and an incestuous relationship.
Stream on Tubi
6Where Hands Touch (2018)
Playing out amidst the terror of Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship in Germany,Where Hands Touchfollows the story of Leyna (Amandla Stenberg), a mixed-race German girl, facing the abhorrent racially purist measures of the Third Reich, and the prospect of no future at all as the hard-line fascist regime begins to clamp down on those that aren’t members of the Aryan Race. This mass ethnic cleanse sees Leyna fear for her life, and what’s more, she falls in love with a German boy, Lutz (George MacKay).
Why MacKay’s Portrayal in Where Hands Touch Is so Compelling
Colliding head-on with the conflict between love and his duty as a German soldier, Lutz is forced to decide between the two. MacKay dives head-first into this role, fully immersing himself in the emotional turmoil of his character. A Nazi not out of choice, but at the behest of his overbearing father, Lutz is a solicitous, merciful soul whose love for Leyna is so very palpable.
5Femme (2023)
This psychodrama initially premiered at the London Film Festival back in 2021 as a BAFTA-nominated short film, before the option was taken to makeFemmeinto a feature-length picture. This is a stirring account of a drag Queen, Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), and his vengeful pursuit of a closeted homophobe who horrifically assaulted him.
Why MacKay’s Performance in Femme is So Effective
MacKay presents a troubled drug dealer, Preston, a tattooed homophobe, haunted by unwanted desires and a complete lack of self-acceptance. Tussling with his homosexuality and his hatred of those who share the same desires as him, Preston is a deeply complex individual, and this is brilliantly exhibited through this faux alpha disguise, something MacKay achieves with accomplished ease.
Now Screening at Selected Cinemas
4True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)
True History of the Kelly Gang
2019 was a seriously important year for the career of George MacKay, who also starred in Sam Mendes' war epic,1917. However, the child star kicked-off his year with an appearance as Ned Kelly in the screen adaptation of the book of the same name,True History of the Kelly Gang, a biographical Western about the various escapades of notorious Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, and the series of events that led to his career choices.
Why We Chose True History of the Kelly Gang
MacKay puts on an acting masterclass as the film’s titular character. Appearing as this bloodthirsty, immoral criminal, MacKay brings a contemplative complexity to the role, which completely transforms the dynamic, and the misconception that Ned Kelly had pure evil pulsating through his veins. Bringing a different dimension to Ned, MacKay demonstrates through his display that there were a plethora of contributing factors that led to his outlandish behavior, such as the civil unrest unfolding concurrently. MacKay is brilliant throughout, yet, there are a number ofseriously exceptional sceneshe’s involved in.
Stream on Hulu
3Captain Fantastic (2016)
Captain Fantastic
Matt Ross' second feature film, 2016’sCaptain Fantastic,follows hippy father, Ben, (Viggo Mortensen inone of his best performances) as he brings his young family up in the American wilderness. Disenchanted by the ways of the modern world, Ben opts to remove himself and the kids away from civilization and rely on hunter-gatherer techniques. However, this simple life soon begins to fall apart around him.
Why MacKay’s Display is… Fantastic
George MacKay portrays Bo, the oldest of Ben’s rabble of children. A supremely intelligent, yet socially inept adolescent, Bo’s dream is to go to college and study like normal teens his age. MacKay delivers a performance way beyond his tender years, with his social incompetence and awkwardness around girls palpable throughout. The 1917 actor does a tremendous job at making the audience relate to his struggles as the eldest child, trying to appease his dad’s expectations, while also attempting to forge a life for himself.
Stream on Prime Video
2Pride (2014)
Inspired by a true story, 2014’sPrideis a moving depiction of a group of gay and lesbian activists pitching together in 1984 Britain to raise money for the country’s miners. In what was an incredibly divisive time in the United Kingdom, where the hard-lined conservatism of Thatcherism meant that thousands of miners became unemployed after the closure of countless coal mines, leaving thousands jobless and staring poverty in the face.
Why MacKay’s Performance in Pride is One of His Best
This moving and poignant picture displays one marginalized group helping another, with the gay community still subject to horrific homophobic abuse during the time period. MacKay’s performance as a young, closeted homosexual, Joe, offers a deeply personal and complex showing as a young man still coming to terms with his sexuality and leading somewhat of a double-life.
Stream on Showtime
11917 (2019)
A war epic, the story that is explored in1917was inspired by Sam Mendes' grandfather, who had served on the Western Front during the Great War. The movie traverses the tale of two young soldiers, Lance Corpral, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), who are tasked with the treacherous objective of going behind enemy lines to deliver an order that will likely save thousands of lives.
Why 1917 Is George MacKay’s Best Performance
Asone of the best war films of all time, MacKay’s portrayal in1917is irrefutably career-defining. His first real blockbuster movie, thePridestar takes the lead among a star-studded cast, and emphatically holds his own in what is both a physically demanding and emotionally taxing role. As a young private, Schofield has to bear witness to the horrors of war for the first time, and MacKay does brilliantly at presenting this inexperienced newcomer to the art of war.
