Michael Cera has become one of the most accomplished young actors in contemporary film since he won our hearts as the timid but endearing George-Michael Bluth in Arrested Development. From coming-of-age adolescent dramas to eccentric comedies, his ungainly charisma has enthralled global audiences. From Juno and Superbad to Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Youth in Revolt, watch the films that best illustrate his range of abilities.
1. Batman: The Animated Series
As a voice actor, Cera was the perfect choice to take on Batman. He had a lighthearted and funny personality that worked well with the tone of the film and was able to convey Bruce’s loneliness. He also had a lot of emotion when needed, which made the character believable.
While Paper Heart might have had a confusing narrative, the movie is still worth watching. It follows Charlyne Yi as she tries to make a documentary centered on the one thing she finds incomprehensible – love. As she interviews children, old couples, and even celebrities like Seth Rogen, she runs into Michael Cera and the two develop a deep relationship.
After starring in many coming of age teen films, Michael Cera has started to show more dramatic chops with roles like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Youth in Revolt. He’s also appeared in movies such as Gloria Bell and Sausage Party, which is a testament to his versatility.
2. This Is The End
With his awkward charm and natural grace, Michael Cera has carved out an impressive niche for himself in film. From endearing coming-of-age dramas to offbeat comedies, his unique style has endeared him to audiences worldwide.
Greg Mottola’s Superbad helped kickstart Cera’s career, and the movie still stands as one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century. His portrayal of a horny teenager alongside Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse was a career highlight for the actor.
Peter Sollett’s whimsical teen comedy Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist showcased Cera’s dramatic chops. His burgeoning talent also shone in the charming coming-of-age drama Youth in Revolt. The film starred Cera as Twisp, a young man with a tumultuous home life who hopes for his secret lover to take his virginity. He also portrayed Francois Dillinger, a suave alter-ego of his own self. The vumoo movies‘ goofy characters and production values were enough to earn it a cult following.
3. Tyrel
After starring in Arrested Development and a string of coming-of-age teen roles, Michael Cera proved he could play serious characters too in films like Youth In Revolt, The End of Love and Molly’s Game. Here he brings a charming romantic zeal to the role of Nick Twisp, a literature-loving good boy who falls for a neighbor named Sheeni.
Writer-director Sebastian Silva’s film takes an admirable look at race politics with Tyrel, which follows a group of white guys spending a weekend in the Catskills where one of them, Tyler (Jason Mitchell), is the only black man among them. The movie explores the ineffable signals and microaggressions that people of color have to instinctively parse.
With the snappy script from Dustin Guy Defa and the talented cast, Cera elevates this indie comedy with a heartfelt performance that’s one of his best. He carries the movie with his chemistry with Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza and his hilarious approach to physical comedy.
4. Molly’s Game
Michael Cera exploded onto the scene with Arrested Development 20 years ago and has since proven to be one of our finest contemporary actors. Despite a rocky start with menial TV roles, Cera has managed to hone his craft, making him an excellent choice for both comedic and dramatic roles.
Based on a true story, Molly’s Game follows former skier Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) who becomes a high-stakes poker entrepreneur, attracting celebrities, business moguls, and Russian mafiosi. Aaron Sorkin’s witty dialogue keeps the film moving at a brisk pace, even if it can feel a bit overlong.
Idris Elba and Kevin Costner are also great in supporting roles. Aside from the engrossing plot, it’s Cera’s performance as Molly’s attorney that truly stands out. He delivers a compelling portrayal of an intelligent, driven individual whose character flaws ultimately lead to her downfall. This is definitely one of his best performances. This is a must-see movie!
5. Superbad
This was the film that brought Cera to prominence, and many consider it to be his finest work. It follows Alicia, a woman whose mental stability is threatened by a series of bizarre occurrences that induce a state of dread. In this apocalyptic comedy, Cera stars alongside celebrities such as Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson, and Emma Watson.
After starring in a few comedies and television programs early in his career, Michael Cera portrayed the endearingly clumsy George Michael Bluth in Arrested Development. This led to his breakthrough feature, Superbad, which catapulted him to prominence and set the standard for subsequent adolescent comedies. This filthy yet amusing film about two lustful high school seniors has endured the test of time and is still adored by multiple generations.