Top 5 – Anton Yelchin Movies

Over the weekend, we lost a great, young talent in Anton Yelchin.  The 27 year old actor passed away tragically in what is being called a “freak accident”.  Yelchin was a great rising talent and one who consistently put out impressive performances every time.  So, in honor of this young man’s legacy, here are my favorite Anton Yelchin movies.

5 – CHEKOV in STAR TREK (J.J Abrams, 2009)

One of the few big budget films Yelchin ever did, Star Trek was a cinematic delight and Yelchin was simply perfect as Chekov.  As the USS Enterprise’s Navigator, Yelchin rocks the Russian accent like a pro, while also being funny and convincing.  In a large, diverse cast filled with great actors, Yelchin was one of the standouts.

4 – ZACK MAZURSKY in ALPHA DOG (Nick Cassavetes, 2007)

My introduction to Yelchin was one that showed he had a bright future.  Playing a kidnapped teen in upper middle-class California, Yelchin represents the viewer through out Nick Cassavetes true crime drama.  We follow Zack as he kind of enjoys the perks of being kidnapped and we enjoy it with him.  But when it turns tragic, we feel the pain of what happened, largely because of Yelchin’s compelling performance.  This was the beginning of a bright career.

3 – PAT in GREEN ROOM (Jeremey Saulnier, 2016)

In one of 2016’s most insane, violent movies, Yelchin got the opportunity to play a role he’s never played before: action hero.  When his band finishes a gig at a bar filled with skinheads, they stumble on a murder, which causes a string of horrifying events.  Yelchin’s Pat is very stoic and confused, much like the viewer.  He tries to stay calm as his bandmates die and his arm is duct taped so it won’t fall apart while also trying to safe himself and anyone who is still alive.  This movie is absolutely bonkers and Yelchin’s performance gives the movie the calm that we needed.

2 – QUENTIN in RUDDERLESS (William H. Macy, 2013)

One of the more underrated movies of this decade, Rudderless is a modern musical that gets better the more you watch it.  When a grieving father (Billy Crudup) finds his recently deceased son’s demo tapes, he forms a band to find a sense of relief.  Yelchin plays Quentin, a guitarist who convinces the father to form the band after seeing him play at a bar.  Yelchin shows off his musical talents, singing and playing guitar impressively.  His rapport with Crudup is outstanding, as the two make sweet music and light up the screen together.  This performance gave Yelchin a chance to really show off his dramatic, comedic, and musical talents and he knocks it out of the park.

1 –  JACOB in LIKE CRAZY (Drake Doremus, 2011)

In one of the most authentic and true love stories I have ever seen, Like Crazy is dependent on the two lead performances of Yelchin and Felicity Jones.  The two of them are masterful, as Jones plays Anna, a British college student who falls in love with an American (Yelchin) only to be separated when she is banned from the U.S. for overstaying her visa.  This is an incredibly heartbreaking, real, moving film and Yelchin and Jones carry it on their shoulders.  We feel their love and we feel their heartbreak.  Jacob tries to move on with his life, while fighting his love for Anna and wanting to be with her.  I couldn’t love this movie anymore than I do and that is all because of Yelchin and Jones.

R.I.P Anton Yelchin.  You will be missed.