LaKeith Stanfield has been making waves in Hollywood ever since his breakout performance in 2013’s indie drama Short Term 12. However, despite his supporting roles in box office smashes like Knives Out and Get Out, it is not until recently that the actor has really solidified himself as a household name. Stanfield has never let this stop him, though. He continues to take on new and intriguing roles with each new project he tackles, making it impossible for anyone to put the gifted actor in a box. Here are some of his most notable performances to date.

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6 Knives Out (2019)

     Lionsgate & MRC

In this wildly-popular modern whodunit, Stanfield plays no-nonsense Detective Lieutenant Elliott in Knives Out, who serves the important job of keeping viewers — if not the Thrombey family — grounded throughout the film. Elliott sticks to the rules. He doesn’t read fiction. Unlike all members of the untrustworthy Thrombeys, he doesn’t appear to have any ulterior motives. Stanfield’s character adds a critical layer of intrigue and depth to Rian Johnson’s dysfunctional-family mystery.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Due to Knives Out’s sprawling cast of A-listers, including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Chris Evans, it’s easy to overlook Stanfield’s performance in the Oscar-nominated 2019 film. However, that does not make it any less iconic or memorable, especially as the much-needed antidote to Daniel Craig’s eccentric Benoit Blanc — whom you’ll remember for his accent, if nothing else. Unfortunately, it looks as though Stanfield will not be returning to the forthcoming sequel—but it will be important still to see how his legacy remains.

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5 Get Out (2017)

     Universal Pictures

Jordan Peele’s 2017 breakout film Get Out shocked and unnerved audiences everywhere, becoming a horror classic overnight. The story follows Daniel Kaluuya as Chris Washington, a young Black man visiting the family of his white girlfriend, only to discover their hosts have truly disturbing secrets. To say the least, Chris might be staying at their estate longer than expected.

In the film, which grossed over $250 million worldwide, Stanfield plays supporting antagonist Logan King. His role is multilayered and complex, in the truest sense of those words. Without any spoilers, Stanfield plays more than one “person” in this film — or, he is not exactly who he seems to be. Stanfield’s performance, in its beautiful subtlety and nuance, is downright creepy. He is visible evidence of the true evils of the Armitage family and their haunting legacy.

4 Sorry To Bother You (2018)

     Mirror Releasing

This 2018 surrealist comedy follows down-on-his-luck Cassius Green, who finds a portal into an alternate reality while working as a telemarketer. But, that’s really only where the absurdity begins. The film also features Armie Hammer as psychopathic CEO Steve Lift, as well as Danny Glover, Green’s coworker who teaches him the subtle art of mastering his “white voice.” Directed by outspoken activist Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You is a deeply relevant, and therefore pretty polarizing film, whose ending certainly isn’t leaving the collective consciousness any time soon.

As Green, Stanfield offers us a performance with all the finesse and energy required for the character. He is scheming, yet likable; self-aware, yet no less startled by the events of the film than the audience is. With a name that literally translates to “cash is green,” Stanfield expertly walks the line between what’s real and what’s farce. As things become increasingly unbelievable, his panic is no less than contagious for viewers — but how much does Cash ever really know? Stanfield always keeps us with him, and always keeps us wondering.

3 Short Term 12 (2013)

     Cinedigm

The 2013 indie flick Short Term 12 marks Stanfield’s first role in a major film — and the first signal of the young actor’s outrageous talent. The film centers around Brie Larson as a supervisor for a group home for troubled teenagers. It is actually based largely off of writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton’s own experiences working at similar short-term homes. Upon its release, the movie earned massive critical acclaim, with Roger Ebert’s Christy Lemire calling it “One of the best films I have seen this year.”

Although he is only on the screen for a short sum of time, Stanfield steals the (already powerful) show as Marcus, one of the teens whom Larson works with. We are introduced to the character just a week before his 18th birthday — right before Marcus can leave the facility as an adult. But, Stanfield makes it clear to us that Marcus’s healing journey is far from over. He shows us a character who is as vulnerable as he is threatening — perhaps threatening only because he is vulnerable. At age 22, Stanfield’s prodigious performance landed him an Independent Spirit Award nomination. He also co-wrote the rap his character performs in the movie, which, if anything, should be remembered as a work of art on its own.

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2 Atlanta (2016-2023)

     20th Television & Disney-ABC Domestic Television 

Atlanta is far from your average network comedy-drama. Just like Stanfield, the show refuses to be put in a box. It generally follows aspiring rapper Paper Boi on the precarious road to success, but lately has been reminding viewers more of Black Mirror than anything else. Overall, the series is unique and surreal-feeling, and always tackles cultural commentary with an insightful, sardonic edge.

Stanfield is sometimes a vessel for this commentary, but oftentimes he’s just Paper Boi’s eccentric, lovable henchman — which is why fans adore him so much. As Darius, Stanfield gets to show off his idiosyncratic brand of comedic talent. He’s certainly not “funny” in the traditional sense of the word — that’s because, indeed, Darius rarely cracks real “jokes,” and seems to take himself with a certain degree of seriousness. He is his own authority. In Darius’s words, ”I’m that guy. People see me, and they just want to give me free drinks. What can I say?” After being totally bewitched by him on the show, we can’t help but agree.

1 Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Judas and the Black Messiah is a biographical crime drama that made powerful waves among both critical and commercial audiences last year. The film received a total of five Oscar nominations, two of which were in the Best Supporting Actor category, headed by both Stanfield and his co-star Daniel Kaluuya.

Although it is Kaluuya who ultimately took home the Oscar for his staggering performance as Fred Hampton, Stanfield’s role here is no less noteworthy nor commendable. He plays Chicago FBI agent William O’Neal, who is forced to reckon with the moral quandary of betrayal against both a political movement and a friend. Stanfield’s performance is truly unforgettable, as he tackles the inner torment of someone who has something terrible to hide. If there’s anything the actor has shown us, it’s that he can successfully put on more faces — and more masks — than one ever thought possible.