Evan Peters is one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. From his breakout role as the disturbed teenager Tate Langdon in American Horror Story to his Emmy-winning turn as Detective Colin Zabel in Mare of Easttown, Peters has consistently delivered captivating, nuanced performances across a wide range of genres.
Over his nearly two-decade career, the 35-year-old has appeared in numerous critically-acclaimed films and TV series. He’s played everything from a rebellious high school student to a superhero, showcasing his impressive range and undeniable star power. Peters has a unique ability to fully inhabit his characters, whether he’s portraying real-life figures like Jeffrey Dahmer or fictional favorites like Quicksilver.
As a longtime fan of Evan Peters myself, I’ve watched nearly all of his movies and shows. And now, I’m ranking what I consider to be his 15 best and most memorable roles so far. These are the films and series that best highlight Peters’ acting chops and charisma.
From small indie films to major blockbusters to buzzy prestige TV, here are the 15 best Evan Peters movies and TV shows:
14. Elvis & Nixon (2016)
Kicking off the list is this quirky historical comedy about the real-life 1970 meeting between Elvis Presley and President Richard Nixon. Peters has a small but scene-stealing role as Dwight Chapin, one of Nixon’s aides.
The film mainly focuses on the odd couple dynamic between Elvis (Michael Shannon) and Nixon (Kevin Spacey). But Peters makes the most of his limited screen time, bringing humor and energy to his part as the president’s bemused assistant. His incredulous facial expressions and line deliveries when interacting with Shannon’s Elvis are highlights.
While Elvis & Nixon received mixed reviews, critics praised the performances, including Peters’. The actor’s innate likability and comedic timing shine through, even in a minor role. It’s a testament to his talent that he’s able to make such an impression with only a handful of scenes. The film is worth watching for his and Shannon’s memorable turns alone.
13. The Lazarus Effect (2015)
In this supernatural horror film, Peters stars as Clay, a member of a group of medical students who discover a way to bring the dead back to life. But as they soon learn, their groundbreaking research has terrifying consequences.
The Lazarus Effect is far from a great movie. It relies on genre clichés, has some clunky dialogue, and devolves into silliness by the end. However, it does offer some effective scares and creepy visuals. And Peters fully commits to the material, grounding the fantastical story with a sincere performance.
He has good chemistry with co-stars Mark Duplass and Olivia Wilde. The trio play off each other well, selling their characters’ relationships and increasing emotional stakes. Peters brings a boyish charm to Clay, making him a likable presence amidst the horror.
12. Never Back Down (2008)
One of Peters’ earliest film roles was in this mixed martial arts drama. He plays Max Cooperman, the best friend of the main character Jake Tyler (Sean Faris). When Jake gets pulled into the world of underground fighting, Max is the one who has his back.
Never Back Down is a fairly generic sports movie, hitting all the expected beats of the “unlikely underdog trains to become a champion” story. But it’s elevated by strong performances from its young cast. Peters doesn’t have a particularly big role, but he makes an impression as Jake’s loyal, wisecracking BFF.
The film showcases Peters’ natural charisma and ease in front of the camera, even at the very start of his career. He has an undeniable screen presence that jumps out, hinting at the star he would become. Never Back Down may be predictable, but it’s a solid vehicle for the then up-and-coming Peters.
11. Safelight (2015)
This little-seen indie drama stars Peters as Charles, a teenage boy with cerebral palsy. He befriends a troubled runaway named Vicki (Juno Temple) and the two embark on a road trip to photograph lighthouses. Along the way, a romance sparks between them.
Safelight has a lot of heart, sensitively exploring themes of friendship, love, and living with a disability. It’s a small-scale character study, laser focused on Charles and Vicki’s unlikely connection. Peters and Temple have lovely chemistry, bringing a sweet sincerity to their roles.
Peters is particularly good, thoughtfully portraying Charles’ challenges and conveying his inner life. It’s a subtle, understated performance brimming with empathy. He never condescends to the character, embodying him with respect and care.
10. The Pirates of Somalia (2017)
Peters stars as real-life Canadian journalist Jay Bahadur in this biopic adventure film. The story follows Bahadur as he embeds himself among Somali pirates to write a book about their lives and crimes.
The Pirates of Somalia received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it culturally insensitive. But most agreed that Peters gives a strong lead performance. He brings depth and nuance to his portrayal of Bahadur, an inexperienced young man driven by ambition and naivete.
Peters sells Bahadur’s initial fish-out-of-water awkwardness, then his gradual attempts to connect with the pirates on a human level. He conveys his character’s complex mix of fear, fascination and empathy as he gets drawn deeper into this dangerous world.
9. Kick-Ass (2010)
Peters has a small but memorable role in this irreverent superhero comedy. He plays Todd, the best friend of comic book geek turned DIY vigilante Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Todd initially mocks Dave’s superhero aspirations, but comes to admire his guts.
Kick-Ass puts a clever meta spin on the superhero origin story. And Peters fits right into its heightened, hyper-violent world. He brings humor and likability to his part as Dave’s snarky, girl-obsessed buddy. The two actors play off each other well, selling their characters’ friendship.
Peters doesn’t have a ton of screen time in Kick-Ass, but he makes the most of every moment he does get, landing laughs and serving as an amusing foil to Kick-Ass. The movie is a fun, fresh take on the genre. And Peters proves adept at comedy, hinting at his versatility as a performer.
8. Invasion (2005-2006)
This short-lived ABC sci-fi series gave Peters his first major TV role. He played Jesse Varon, the teenage son of the central family, who are caught in the middle of an alien attack on a small Florida town.
Invasion had an intriguing premise and a talented cast, including William Fichtner and Eddie Cibrian. But it struggled to find an audience and was canceled after one season. Still, it’s an entertaining, if uneven, mix of family drama and supernatural thriller.
Peters does solid work as the angsty, rebellious Jesse. He brings emotional intensity to the role, conveying his character’s confusion and fear as strange things start happening around him. Invasion showcases Peters’ early promise as a young actor.
7. WandaVision (2021)
Peters has a brief but buzzed-about role in this Marvel Cinematic Universe series. In a meta bit of casting, he appears as “Pietro Maximoff,” the brother of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), who was previously played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
WandaVision initially presents Peters’ character as the MCU’s version of Quicksilver, the super speedy mutant Peters plays in the X-Men films. But it’s later revealed that he’s actually a Westview resident named Ralph Bohner, who’s been “recast” as Pietro.
It’s a clever bit of stunt casting that plays on audience expectations and Peters’ own superhero history. And the actor clearly has a blast hamming it up as the snarky, mischievous “Pietro.” His scenes with Olsen crackle with sibling energy and oddball humor.
6. Mare of Easttown (2021)
Peters won a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in this HBO crime drama. He plays Detective Colin Zabel, the young, eager new partner of small town detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) as they investigate a murder.
Mare of Easttown is a gripping, emotionally raw mystery anchored by powerhouse performances from Winslet and Peters. The two actors have crackling chemistry, as Mare and Zabel’s prickly dynamic slowly evolves into a deep bond. Peters brings vulnerability and charm to his role as the green but determined Zabel.
He delivers a layered, lived-in performance, hinting at the pain and insecurity beneath Zabel’s upbeat facade. Peters holds his own opposite Winslet, as their characters navigate the dark secrets of their close-knit community. His work in the show is subtle and heartbreaking.
5. Pose (2018)
Peters has a recurring role in the first season of this groundbreaking FX drama about New York City’s underground ballroom scene in the 1980s. He plays Stan Bowes, a married businessman who begins an affair with a trans woman named Angel (Indya Moore).
Pose is a landmark series that centers the experiences of LGBTQ people of color. It features the largest cast of transgender actors in main roles of any scripted TV show. And it explores issues of identity, family, and community with empathy and grace.
Peters brings depth and complexity to his portrayal of Stan, a man struggling with his sexuality and societal expectations. He has tender chemistry with Moore, as their characters forge a complicated connection. While Stan could easily come across as unlikable, Peters imbues him with humanity.
4. X-Men Film Series (2014-2019)
Peters plays Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver, a mutant with super speed abilities, in three films in the X-Men franchise: Days of Future Past, Apocalypse, and Dark Phoenix. His memorable debut in Days of Future Past features a show-stopping slow-motion sequence set to Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle.”
The X-Men movies have been hit or miss, but Peters’ Quicksilver is consistently a highlight. He brings humor, swagger, and likability to the role, infusing the character with a mischievous energy. Whether he’s zipping around a room or delivering a snarky one-liner, Peters is a magnetic presence.
He also brings surprising emotional depth to Quicksilver, hinting at the pain beneath his devil-may-care attitude. Peters makes the character feel like a fully realized person, even with limited screen time. His Quicksilver is a fan favorite for good reason.
3. I Am Woman (2019)
Peters co-stars in this biopic of singer Helen Reddy, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. He portrays Jeff Wald, Reddy’s manager and husband, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship.
I Am Woman follows Reddy as she moves from Australia to New York in the 1960s to pursue her music dreams and becomes a feminist icon with her hit song “I Am Woman.” It’s a fairly standard biopic, hitting the expected story beats. But it’s elevated by its lead performances.
Peters has less to do than Cobham-Hervey, but he makes a strong impression as the charismatic, controlling Wald. He brings charm and intensity to the role, selling Wald’s magnetic pull on Reddy. Peters also captures the character’s darker side, his manipulative and abusive tendencies.
2. American Animals (2018)
Peters stars in this stylish heist film based on the real-life theft of rare books from a Kentucky university library in 2004. He plays Warren Lipka, one of four college students who planned and executed the robbery.
American Animals is a gripping, formally daring crime drama that blends fiction and documentary elements. It features interviews with the real men involved in the heist, juxtaposed with the fictionalized narrative. The result is a thought-provoking exploration of memory, truth, and storytelling.
Peters anchors the film with his magnetic performance as Lipka, the ringleader of the group. He captures the character’s mix of bravado, insecurity, and desperation, hinting at the pain driving his criminal ambitions. Peters disappears into the role, embodying Lipka with a raw intensity.
1. American Horror Story (2011-2021)
Could there be any other choice for the top spot? Peters’ work in Ryan Murphy’s long-running FX anthology series is what made him a star. He’s appeared in nearly every season of the show, playing a different character each time, from a school shooter to a cult leader to a fictionalized version of serial killer Richard Ramirez.
American Horror Story is known for its over-the-top, campy approach to horror. But Peters brings a grounded humanity to his roles, no matter how outrageous the storylines get. He commits fully to every character, disappearing into their quirks and mannerisms. Peters has a unique ability to make even the most despicable characters feel complex and oddly sympathetic.
His breakout role was as Tate Langdon in the show’s first season, Murder House. Tate is a deeply disturbed teenager who commits horrific acts of violence. But Peters imbues him with a wounded vulnerability that makes him strangely compelling. It’s a star-making performance that announced Peters as a major talent to watch.
Conclusion
From his breakout role in American Horror Story to his Emmy-winning turn in Mare of Easttown, Evan Peters has proven himself to be one of the most exciting and versatile actors working today. He disappears into his roles, bringing depth, humanity, and emotional honesty to every character he plays.
Whether he’s starring in a big-budget blockbuster like the X-Men movies or an indie drama like American Animals, Peters always delivers captivating, nuanced performances. He has a magnetic screen presence and a unique ability to make even the most despicable characters feel complex and sympathetic.
If you’re new to Evan Peters’ work, any of the films or series on this list would be a great place to start. You really can’t go wrong with his performances in American Horror Story, Mare of Easttown, or American Animals. And if you’re already a fan, I hope this list has inspired you to revisit some of his best roles or check out a few you may have missed.
