The Top 10 Dev Patel Films

In the London Borough of Harrow, Dev Patel was born to Indian parents, both of whom immigrated to the United Kingdom. Inspired by the action films of Bruce Lee, Patel pursued his dream of acting throughout his time in school. His first major role came in the British teen drama Skins as Anwar Kharral, which was then followed by his breakthrough performance in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, and the rest is history.

Since then, Patel has gone on to become one of the most versatile and captivating British actors working today. No genre is beyond his talents, but he does specialize in comedic dramas, with good wit, quick line delivery, and magnetic charisma. But he has certainly proven himself in dramatic and moving stories, showcasing his range. Even more recently, Patel has transitioned into directing. Though he started in television, this list looks directly at Patel’s best performances in his best films.

Across his career, Patel has received many accolades despite his relatively young age. He has received two Black Reel awards, one BAFTA, one Critics’ Choice Award, and two AACTA awards. He has also picked up an Academy Award nomination. Of all Patel’s performances, many of which have received plaudits and awards, which is truly his finest?

10. Rabbit Trap

Year: 2025 | Genre: Horror

Premise: Written and directed by Bryn Chainey, the film takes place in 1976. It follows Darcy and Daphne Davenport, played by Patel and Rosey McEwen respectively, as they relocate to an isolated cabin in Wales. When the pair accidentally disturb a fairy ring, they are visited by a mysterious child, played by Jade Croot, who seems to have sinister intentions.

Performance: To start off, Patel plays Darcy Davenport, a man grappling with his past, where he suffered abuse at the hands of his father. Throughout the film, he is forced to confront this by the boy and overcome that trauma so he can finally move on and be happy with Daphne, with the potential to be a good father to a family.

It’s a tried and tested character archetype that Patel easily portrays. He has good chemistry with McEwen and balances all the many facets of Darcy as a character. From the normal beginnings, where Darcy is charming and lovable, to the haunting middle, where he must battle his inner demons, to the very end, where he finally accepts it all and can finally move on, Patel maintains a strong consistency throughout. His effortless charisma makes the audience connect with his character before the drama truly ensues.  

9. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Year: 2011 | Genre: Comedy/Romance

Premise: Directed by John Madden, the film follows a group of British pensioners who move to a retirement home in India, run by the young and eager Sonny, played by Patel. The hotel itself is not in the best of shape, but despite this, the group of retirees finds that love and life can begin again when they let go of their pasts and move on.

Performance: Sonny, as a character, is electric and lovable, yet hapless and inept. He is a necessary piece of the film to add levity and humor since the primary drama is focused on the cast of retirees. Throughout the film, Sonny grows in competence, finding love with a fellow employee despite the expectations around him. This young love is contrasted well with the retirees’ relationships.

Patel certainly lives up to the occasion, holding his own on screen with legendary British actors like Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith. His natural charisma and physicality make Sonny a joy to watch, constantly entertaining the audience despite the circumstances of the hotel. A standout scene is definitely the dancing sequence, where Patel, without uttering any dialogue, shows off his character through his body language and facial expressions.

8. The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar

Year: 2023 | Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Premise: Written and directed by Wes Anderson and based on the story of the same name written by Roald Dahl, the plot follows a rich man who is dubbed Henry Sugar, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who learns about a clairvoyant guru who can see without using his eyes through a form of Yoga. Henry seeks to master this skill to cheat at gambling.  

Performance: Wes Anderson is known for attracting a wide variety of actors, many of whom suit his style extremely well, and Dev Patel fits his wacky world like a glove. In this Oscar-winning short film, Patel plays two characters: Dr. Chatterjee and John Winston. As Dr. Chatterjee, Patel serves as narrator for the first half of the story as Henry reads the tale of the clairvoyant guru. The latter role is a small one, as Henry Sugar’s accountant, John Winston.

Patel works marvelously with Anderson’s style of writing. The excessive dialogue delivered swiftly, with impeccable charisma and interest, is nailed perfectly by Patel. He has to hold the audience’s interest as the story is delivered mostly through his words, whilst also not overwhelming the audience either. Patel and Anderson strike a perfect balance, and Patel’s comedic timing and body movement allow the story to flow at an electric pace. He makes the story of the clairvoyant guru as captivating for the audience as it is for the titular protagonist.

7. The Man Who Knew Infinity

Year: 2015 | Genre: Drama

Premise: Written and directed by Matthew Brown and based on the book of the same name by Robert Kanigel, the film follows the life of real-life mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, played by Patel. From the streets of Madras, now known as Chennai, Ramanujan earns admittance to Cambridge University during World War I, where he becomes a pioneer of mathematical theories alongside mathematician G. H. Hardy, played by Jeremy Irons.

Performance: Portraying a real-life figure is always a tough act. Not only do the mannerisms and personality of the figure in question have to remain intact in an actor’s performance, but the actor must also go beyond mere imitation, turning the role into something that is distinctly their own. This is something Patel does excellently as Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Patel effortlessly portrays the man in his youth, his excitement at going to Cambridge, and his eagerness to both learn and showcase his talents. But even then, the insecurities within Ramanujan are very much present. The sense that Ramanujan does not belong there, or that he is not as good as he thinks he is, Ramanujan must grapple with the lofty expectations that have been placed upon him. Furthermore, Patel must authentically deliver the complexities of mathematics as if he knows them by instinct. Patel manages to embody all these facets within his performance and has good, authentic chemistry with Jeremy Irons.   

6. Hotel Mumbai

Year: 2018 | Genre: Action/Drama

Premise: Directed by Anthony Maras and inspired by the 2009 documentary Surviving Mumbai, the film depicts the events of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where members of Lashkar-e-Taiba storm the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. From the perspectives of both a brave chef and a kitchen worker, the audience watches as the pair risk their lives in attempting to protect guests.

Performance: In this film, Patel plays Arjun, a kitchen worker and ordinary person who is put into an insane and intense situation. Arjun certainly seems out of his depth at first, but as the film progresses, his bravery is put on display as he must do whatever he can to protect his guests and ensure that they can get through such a frightening scenario.

Patel pulls off the “normal person thrust into peril” excellently. He sells the intensity of the situation, and some scenes of tension hang on his performance. Perhaps his best moment is when he is comforting one of the guests and explaining the significance of his turban to her. Despite being British, Patel nails the accent and mannerisms of his character, making the scene feel both heartwarming and emotional. Arjun’s commitment to his guests’ safety is on full display, and never once does it feel forced or unbelievable.

5. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Year: 2019 | Genre: Comedy/Drama

Premise: Directed by Armando Iannucci and based on David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, the film chronicles the life of David Copperfield, played by Patel. Starting from his youth all the way to the end, the audience sees his many adventures, his growing web of friends, and the enemies he makes along the way.

Performance: This is perhaps the first film on the list where Patel plays the central figure of the story and where everything else bounces off him. Scholars have often pointed out that the book is semi-autobiographical, meaning that Patel is not only playing a character but also the literary embodiment of Dickens himself. This means that not only must his performance remain faithful to the core of the original text, but also to the idea of Dickens as a person.

These are all things Patel can handle, and he arguably elevates the role given the film’s presentation. Copperfield is often an observer, taking in his surroundings, and in the book, the reader comes to learn the influence that has on him in his life. Given that this is a film with little room for interior thoughts or text describing such, all this must come across in Patel’s performance. He perfectly plays the ever-evolving figure, creating a version of the character that is distinctly his own and that also retains the core of Dickens’ original work.

For his performance, Patel was nominated for a Golden Globe and for a British Independent Film Award.

4. Slumdog Millionaire

Year: 2008 | Genre: Crime/Romance

Premise: Directed by Danny Boyle and based on Q & A by Vikas Swarup, the film follows 18-year-old Jamal Malik in the Juhu slums of Mumbai. As a contestant of Kaun Banega Crorepati, a Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Jamal surprises everyone by answering every question correctly. Accused of cheating, he recounts his story to the police, illustrating how he was able to answer each question.

Performance: While he may have started in the famous British drama Skins, this film is what made Dev Patel a star and is widely considered to be his breakthrough role. It is also his feature film debut, and all one can really say is what a great first performance. Patel plays the older Jamal Malik as he goes through a classic rags-to-riches story, starting from the Juhu slum in Mumbai to becoming the top contestant of Kaun Banega Crorepati.

At such a young age, Patel effortlessly steps up to the pressure of being the lead. He plays the archetype of a poor, yet bright young man perfectly. The youth, the energy, the doubt, and the insecurity all come across marvelously. Jamal matures as the film progresses too, coming into his own, showing bravery in the face of danger, and feeling anxious when on stage. Thanks to Patel’s performance, the scenes on the game show feel just as nerve-wracking and intense as the scenes of genuine peril. It is one hell of a film debut, with a promise of greater things going forward.

For his performance, Patel won the Black Reel Award for Best Actor. He was nominated for the corresponding BAFTA and won two Promising Newcomer Awards at the British Independent Film Awards and the Chicago Film Critics’ Association, respectively. He also won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress.

3. Monkey Man

Year: 2024 | Genre: Action/Crime

Premise: Written and directed by Dev Patel himself, the film follows Kid, a young man working at an underground fight club where, night after night, he wears a gorilla mask and is beaten bloody by fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid strikes back, launching a vendetta of retribution against the men who took everything from him.

Performance: While this list is focusing on performance, the work Patel puts in for both the writing and directing of this film should not go unnoticed. There is a clear passion and energy demonstrated in these aspects of filmmaking. As for his own performance, this is Patel’s first foray into being an action star, requiring not only strong acting chops, but also excellent physicality for action sequences.

Patel once again demonstrates his range of talents, perfectly matching the physical requirements for the role. Every action sequence feels gritty and well-realized, with strong choreography that Patel sells excellently. His facial expressions and body language allow his character’s struggles to feel real, thus increasing the stakes of the fights as the audience now feels jeopardy whenever Kid is hurt. It is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates Patel’s ability to adapt and develop his range.

2. The Green Knight

Year: 2021 | Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Premise: Written and directed by David Lowery and based on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the Gawain Poet, the film follows Sir Gawain, played by Patel, a headstrong knight and nephew of King Arthur, played by Sean Harris. The story chronicles Gawain’s journey to prove himself following a visit to his kingdom by the enigmatic and imposing Green Knight, played by Ralph Ineson. His journey sees him encountering many strange and unique individuals, and Gawain must take stock of his own life as his showdown with the eponymous figure looms over him.

Performance: This film is certainly one where the adventure and environment take center stage rather than the lead performance. Regardless, Patel forms a version of Sir Gawain that is eager to prove himself, full of energy and youth, yet also naive and shortsighted. The journey he embarks on is full of strange sights, interesting characters, and perilous danger, all of which affect Gawain in a meaningful way.

Patel really shines in the character’s moments of doubt. One of the strongest instances of this is right at the end, when Gawain finally comes face-to-face with the Green Knight and must be ready for his own death. Here, Patel excellently portrays a man unwilling and not ready to die, and what follows is a sequence with little dialogue, showcasing how Gawain is destined to fall despite getting all that he wished. His one moment of stupidity in the beginning gives way to a moment where he must be brave. Patel makes the final moment of the film resonate, where Gawain finally faces death with courage, embodying the idea of a knight.

For his performance, Patel won the Critics’ Choice Super Awards for Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie.

1. Lion

Year: 2016 | Genre: Adventure/Drama

Premise: Directed by Garth Davis and based on A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierly, the film tells the true story of Saroo, played by Patel. At a young age, Saroo gets lost on a train, is separated from his family, and must learn to survive in Kolkata alone before being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, Saroo sets out on a journey to rediscover his past and find his lost family.  

Performance: This is a performance of great caliber, if for nothing else, that Patel arguably only has half of the film to shine. The first half of the film sees Saroo as a child played by Sunny Pawar, whilst the second half is Patel as an adult Saroo. This is possibly the most nuanced and multifaceted performance of Patel’s career thus far. Saroo’s life in the modern day is certainly good. He has loving parents who adopted him, a budding romance, and worthwhile studies. Yet, Patel portrays an emptiness in Saroo, something that forever remains incomplete, driving him to find out where he really comes from. Saroo worries over what his family must be thinking for him being gone for so long, overwhelming him with emotion.

What follows is an incredible journey that sees Saroo grapple with his very identity. All these facets of Saroo come across in Patel’s performance, and it’s hard to pick a single scene where he isn’t giving it his all. As Saroo pieces things together, Patel excellently portrays a man coming to terms with who he truly is, accepting all facets of his life, and bringing closure for himself. It is a tour de force of a performance, and Patel manages all this whilst maintaining an Australian accent.

This performance garnered many accolades for Patel, including his first nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. He won the corresponding BAFTA and AACTA Awards.