Dylan O’Brienhas two new movies connecting with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, as the actor returns to film in a big way after a brief two-year gap. Although he co-led the 2023 political satireMaximum Truth, theTeen Wolfalum has largely stepped away from major roles since 2022’sThe OutfitandNot Okay. O’Brien is back doing press tours for two very different films: the mystery thrillerCaddo Lakeand the comedySaturday Night, in which he plays Dan Ackroyd and which focuses on the premiere episode ofSaturday Night Live.
Both movies are gaining approval onRotten Tomatoes.Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman, hasa slight edge with an 87% audience scorebased on more than 250 ratings.Caddo Lake, which is written and directed by Celine Held and Logan George, with M. Night Shyamalan as one of the producers, isnot too far behind with 82% based on more than 250 ratings.
Caddo Lakeis currently available to stream on the Max streaming service, whileSaturday Nightreleased in theaters on October 11. The two new movies also have a positive overall critics' score, hovering around 80%.
What The Positive Response Means For O’Brien
Two Very Different Movies Are Garnering Similar Acclaim
Caddo Lakeis a twisty mystery, focusing on what happens when the disappearance of a young girl unlocks family secrets. It takes inspiration from the real forest that is located between Texas and Louisiana, with O’Brien playing the lead alongsideLittle WomenandThe Devil All the Timeactor Eliza Scanlen, though the movie’s supporting cast includes Lauren Roberts, Eric Lange, Dianna Hopper, Sam Hennings, and Caroline Falk.
81% (27 reviews)
82% (250+ ratings)
80% (147 reviews)
87% (250+ ratings)
Saturday Nightis much closer to ensemble. Even though O’Brien’s performance has garnered praise, his part as Arkroyd is part of a larger story about the chaos and uncertainty of what would go on to become a game-changing episode of television. Plenty of otherstars populate the world ofSaturday Night, including Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and J. K. Simmons. But each film holds true to O’Brien’s goal of where he wants to take his career.
Our Take On O’Brien’s Recent Run
He’s Successfully Mixing It Up
At one point in time, with his breakout role asTeen Wolf’s Stiles Stilinski coming to an end, O’Brien was being primed as the next big star. He ledThe Maze Runnerfranchise, which was a success, and headlinedAmerican Assassinwhich was a misfire with both audiences and critics. But after taking a step back, following a horrific and life-threatening accident on the set of the third and finalThe Maze Runner, O’Brien’s movies have been more interesting and varied than the typical big blockbuster offerings.
O’Brien gives what I believe to be his best performance in the2020 dystopian comedyLove and Monsters, a marquee star turn where two of O’Brien’s co-stars are a dog and a robot. He holds the screen, being vulnerable, funny, and even heroic. Since then, he’s dabbled in different genres. He spoke to this in a recent interview withMen’s Health, saying in part that he wants to “attempt to champion original things as much as I can.”
Every Dylan O’Brien Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
From a hero trapped in a maze to a clout-chasing influencer, Dylan O’Brien has been a part of some very different movies. But which is his best?
Caddo Lake (2024)
Cast
Caddo Lake follows a chilling mystery centered around a young girl’s disappearance in a small Texas town. As the community grapples with the unsettling events, hidden secrets and tensions unfold. Directed by nan, this suspenseful narrative explores themes of fear and the unknown surrounding Caddo Lake.
Saturday Night
Saturday Night (2024) is a forthcoming film with an undisclosed director. The movie centers on the vibrant nightlife of a bustling city, capturing the intertwining lives and stories of a diverse ensemble cast navigating personal and social challenges over the course of a single evening.
