by Beyond Spider-Man: Tom Holland’s Dramatic Range
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While Tom Holland is best known for his charming portrayal of the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man in Marvel’s blockbuster films, he has proven himself a versatile actor by taking on darker, more complex roles throughout his career. Holland got his start in mainstream Hollywood in 2017 as the new face of Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, and has since become a household name. However, those only familiar with his work as Peter Parker may be surprised by some of the grittier performances he has delivered in independent films and streaming projects. Two films in particular – The Devil All the Time and Cherry – showcase Holland stretching beyond his usual heroic roles and diving into psychological thrillers and crime dramas with emotional depth and intensity.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Released in 2020 on Netflix, The Devil All the Time is a psychological thriller based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock. Set in rural southern Ohio and West Virginia between the end of World War II and the early 1960s, the film explores themes of violence, religion, and moral corruption through an ensemble cast of characters. Holland plays Arvin Russell, a young man determined to protect those he loves in a seemingly lawless land.
Directed and co-written by Antonio Campos, The Devil All the Time features a star-studded cast including Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, and Sebastian Stan. However, it is Holland’s grounded and emotionally intense performance at the center of the story that anchors the unsettling atmosphere and drives the narrative forward. Arvin is a man of few words but fierce loyalty, who endures immense trauma in his youth and emerges hardened yet compassionate.
Right from the opening scenes, Holland disappears into the role, adopting the mannerisms and southern drawl of his character. Through flashbacks, we see young Arvin witness unspeakable acts of violence and abuse, leaving deep scars. As he grows into a man, Holland conveys Arvin’s quiet strength and moral code through his eyes and body language more than any dialogue. It is a gritty, unflinching portrayal, a far cry from the lighthearted Spider-Man. Holland navigates complex emotions of rage, grief, and resilience with subtlety and nuance.
While the ensemble cast is stellar, critics praised Holland for standing out in the leading role. His grounded, internalized performance anchors the film’s exploration of faith, morality and human darkness in post-war America. For those who only knew Holland as the wisecracking web-slinger, his turn in The Devil All the Time was a startling display of his range and commitment to dramatic material. It proved he is not limited to crowd-pleasing blockbusters, and can inhabit complex characters and dark worlds with psychological depth and emotional grit.
Cherry (2021)
Released in 2021, Cherry sees Holland team up again with the Russo Brothers, who directed him in several Marvel films. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, Cherry tells the harrowing true story of Army medic Cherry, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq. He spirals into opioid addiction and turns to bank robbing to fund his drug habit.
Directed by the Russo Brothers and written by Jessica Goldberg, Angela Russo-Otstot and Pete Russo, Cherry is a gritty and unflinching crime drama. Holland gives a raw, emotionally intense performance as the film charts Cherry’s descent and the toll his addiction takes on his mental health and relationships. From his charming manner at the start of the film to his harrowed physical appearance by the end, Holland fully commits to the transformation.
Like in The Devil All the Time, Holland immerses himself in the role, adopting the mannerisms and regional accent of his character. But Cherry sees him take things to an even darker place emotionally and physically. Through his eyes, facial expressions and body language, Holland conveys the trauma, pain, desperation and self-loathing that grip Cherry in the throes of addiction. Harrowing scenes depict his character at his lowest points, and Holland grounds them in heartbreaking humanity.
Critics praised Cherry as one of Holland’s most daring and challenging roles to date. Variety called his performance “raw and fearless”, capturing the “psychological and physical unraveling” of his character. While some found the nearly 3 hour runtime taxing, most agreed Holland’s emotionally gripping central performance anchored the difficult material. It cemented his reputation as a serious actor willing to transform completely for demanding roles well outside his usual blockbuster arena.
Exploring Complex Characters
In interviews, Holland has expressed an enthusiasm for diverse roles that allow him to explore complex human stories and darker psychological territories. While the Spider-Man films that made him a star provide mainstream entertainment, he seeks out projects that push his abilities as a dramatic actor. Both The Devil All the Time and Cherry afforded Holland opportunities to shed his familiar heroic image and inhabit deeply troubled, emotionally fragile characters on a journey of moral reckoning.
Directors like Campos and the Russo Brothers clearly trusted Holland to anchor their films through internalized, grounded performances over big theatrical fireworks. And Holland has delivered unflinchingly raw and committed work that has earned significant critical acclaim. While his box office power remains in big-budget franchises, these independent projects have proven his talents lie equally in nuanced character acting. As he continues to balance blockbuster fare with more serious dramatic roles, Holland cements his status as one of the most versatile young actors working today.
Audiences who only know Holland from his popular Spider-Man outings would do well to seek out his work in films like The Devil All the Time and Cherry. They provide a fascinating glimpse at his range and willingness to challenge himself with complex, emotionally demanding roles. Beyond the spandex, Holland has shown he can inhabit deeply human characters confronting trauma, addiction, and moral reckoning with gritty authenticity. As his career progresses, it will be exciting to see what other dramatic territories he explores that further showcase his remarkable range and commitment as a serious actor.
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