If you don’t already know, musician, visionary and artist David Bowie could do pretty much anything. While Bowie has been acclaimed as a musician for much of his career, the singer’s acting roles are equally noteworthy. Bowie has starred in sci-fi, horror, fantasy, war dramas, art films, and everything in between, managing to capture his larger-than-life persona in each of his respective performances. Bowie’s film roles also showcased his remarkable range, showing layers to an already impressive array of skills.
Updated December 7, 2022: If you’re a fan of David Bowie, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve updated this article to include more of the talented musician’s best movies.
For fans of Bowie’s movie roles, the debate is fierce as to which is his strongest performance to date. Thankfully, we’ve put together a roundup of some of Bowie’s most dramatic, campy, poignant, or downright gonzo roles all in one place. Take a look and find out which movie really represents the Starman’s acting talent.
10/10 Just a gigolo
For David Hemmings’ highly tongue-in-cheek 1978 drama Just a gigolo, Bowie appears as Eastern European soldier Paul von Przygodski, who, returning from World War I, finds work as a high-class prostitute in a German brothel run by the Baroness (old Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich in her last film role). Bowie is handsome and charming, but the film doesn’t abuse the musician’s charisma and looks like a show without substance.
Just a gigolo disliked critics, audience and Bowie himself, who described the film as “my 32 Elvis Presley movies in one.” However, you only have to see this film to see that the Bowie film flop is still more interesting than many other films.
9/10 The prestige
Christopher Nolan’s 2006 movie The prestige is notable for many reasons, and Bowie’s crafty but commanding cameo as Nicolai Tesla is a real standout. Despite the brevity of the role, Bowie’s theatrical swagger and cheeky humor effectively carry over into the character portion of the film and leave a lasting impression. While the role could have just been a glorified walk-on, Bowie manages to make Tesla’s appearance feel central to the themes at hand, more than perfectly capturing the genius’ restless spirit and eccentricity.
Reportedly, Nolan begged Bowie to appear in the film and, luckily for viewers, he not only accepted, but delivered a scene-stealing role that enriched the film in the process. Bowie’s performance inside The prestige was well received by critics and audiences alike and proved that even in a short role, Bowie could still create a performance that resonated.
8/10 Absolute beginners
Julien Temple’s 1986 musical Absolute beginners explores life in London in the late 1950s, depicting the transformation from the jazz era to the rock and roll 1960s. Bowie is just a minor player in the movie, an ad executive named Vendice Partners, but his catchy title song became very popular in the UK and spent nine weeks on the charts.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen worse acting in a major British film… That song was, in my opinion, the only redeeming feature of the whole film,” IndieWire quoted Jake Eberts, whose movie studio Goldcrest Films collapsed after the commercial failure of Absolute beginners.
7/10 Basquiat
It’s no secret that Bowie was a master at embracing the absurd and that certainly applies to his film appearances. In the 1996 BasquiatBowie takes on the role of none other than iconic pop artist Andy Warhol. Bowie’s portrayal here lacks subtlety and is clearly uninhibited, but his over-the-top nature and flamboyant touch is ravishingly entertaining, his theatrical style brings liveliness to the role, and his line readings and mannerisms strike the right balance between campy and self-assured. .
Many artists have taken on the role of Warhol, and while some have portrayed him as a haunted visionary, Bowie’s exuberant and feisty take on Warhol is refreshing to watch. Also bonus points for how Bowie shamelessly rocks the Warhol wig; again, this is a man who knows a thing or two about pulling out a haircut.
6/10 The Last Temptation of Christ
Based on the controversial novel of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis, Martin Scorsese’s 1988 epic religious drama The Last Temptation of Christ humanizes the figure of Jesus Christ (played by Willem Dafoe), tormented by the temptations of demons, wondering what the right way is. Scorsese’s retelling of the Last Days of Christ, which resonated with some audiences while offending others, was accused of being an offensive and unholy film.
In The Last Temptation of Christ, Bowie steps into the role of Pontius Pilate. He plays it so subtly, gentle and talented, almost looking sympathetic as he kills God.
5/10 The hunger
For any musician turned actor, it seems like the vampire movie a rite of passageand Bowie entered the genre in 1983 The Hungry. In the hyper-stylized film, Bowie plays John, the lover of the immortal vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve); the vampire couple become entangled in a love triangle that tests their loyalty to each other.
The film is notable for its gothic aesthetic, and Bowie’s haunting and seductive performance only adds to its appeal – his chemistry with Deneuve slumbers, adding an edgy layer of sexuality to the proceedings. Bowie’s penchant for performance art served him well, as he translates his glamorous showmanship to the cinema very well here. The Hungry was not a critical hit, but has since built a cult following and is regarded as one of Bowie’s most iconic feature film roles to date.
4/10 Twin Peaks: Fire walk with me
Few performers can become an iconic character in just one scene, but Bowie managed to do just that in his role as Philip Jefferies in Twin Peaks: Fire walk with me. Bowie’s anguished role as Jefferies in the seductive David Lynch classic is one of his most powerful performances, and while he’s only really present in one scene, he owns more than his screen time. Bowie gives Jefferies a haunted intensity and shows a real dramatic presence here.
Bowie’s role is considered by many to be one of the film’s most iconic moments, and has been widely embraced by the fandom. It is a testament to Bowie’s talent that despite the brevity, his role as Jefferies remains so important and impressive.
3/10 Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Although Bowie had acted in films prior to 1983, it was with that year’s Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and Hungry he established the seeds of his acting potential. The film follows Bowie as a prisoner of war during World War II and his relationship with a high-ranking commander develops in unexpected ways. The film finds the actor in his most serious performance, and he manages to tackle the task with conviction, sincerity and emotion.
Bowie is also in a more subdued mood here, managing to convey his charismatic presence in the process. It’s a gripping film throughout its run, and while it would be easy for an actor to screw up, Bowie’s restraint here is mighty powerful. His appearance in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence received critical acclaim and helped establish his credibility as an actor, and his work in the quiet, mysterious, often beautiful film remains one of Bowie’s finest dramatic performances.
2/10 Labyrinth
While Bowie may have had more “serious roles,” few remain celebrated and adored quite like his turn as the Goblin King in the 1986 fantasy film. Labyrinth. Bowie’s performance is gloriously exaggerated and theatrical, and he makes good use of his glam rock pedigree. Bowie is known as a flamboyant performer and he uses this power immensely Labyrinthowner of every scene he is in.
Credit is also due to his comedic timing, as he manages to playfully interact with the film’s many animated characters and young performers with ease. Bowie’s turn as the Goblin King is celebrated by many and continually introduces him to new generations. For many, Labyrinth serves as a gateway to Bowie and is one of them his most important on-screen appearances.
1/10 The man who fell to earth
One of Bowie’s first starring roles came in the 1976 science fiction film The man who fell to earth. Featuring a main character inspired by Bowie’s stage persona, the film follows Bowie as an alien who crash-lands on Earth in the form of a human as he navigates modern society. The film is known for its existential and philosophical themes as it explores morality, corruption, desire and the human mind. Bowie’s performance as Thomas Jerome Newton makes huge use of his otherworldly presence, and his intensity and vulnerability are powerful to behold. Bowie also organically demonstrates an intimacy and understanding of his character that allows us to have a deeper resonance for his plight. Refreshingly, his performance lacks any vanity and is organic and heartfelt throughout.
Like many of Nicolas Roeg’s masterpieces, The man who fell to earth polarized audiences at the time, and Bowie wasn’t fully accepted as a respectable actor; he would direct only one more film for seven years after that, until Hungry and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. However, the film has built a cult following and is considered one of the most influential sci-fi films of its time. Bowie’s performance here is also seen as one of his most defining roles, with many automatically associating the Starman musician with the man of the film’s stars. Although Bowie has acted in many movies, his role in The man who fell to earth remains its most definitive.