Robert Pattinson, who once found global fame for his role as Edward Cullen in Twilight, has transformed his image from teen idol to respected dramatic actor, becoming a prominent figure among today’s celebrated performers. In discussing his journey and influences, Pattinson specifically cited the enduring impact of Marlon Brando’s work, highlighting the legendary performance that, in his eyes, defines the art of acting—spotlighting his focus on what makes a performance timeless in cinema.
Pattinson’s Shift from Teen Stardom to Acclaimed Roles
The struggle to escape early typecasting is familiar to many actors who achieve fame at a young age, a challenge Miranda Cosgrove reportedly faces to this day as people recall her iCarly persona in everyday life. Pattinson, however, has successfully shed the label of ‘that guy from Twilight with the shiny skin.’ His subsequent career includes a string of notable collaborations: he starred in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, a role that kept him in the spotlight for nearly the film’s entirety, and joined director Christopher Nolan’s ensemble in Tenet. Pattinson is set to lead Mickey 17 for director Bong Joon-ho, following the latter’s Oscar-winning success with Parasite, and will soon appear in Lynne Ramsay’s upcoming film Die, My Love.
With this impressive list of roles, Pattinson has established himself as a versatile and committed talent, one who seeks inspiration from history’s cinematic icons. The journey prompts a keen interest in the influences that shaped his evolving craft.
The Influence of Marlon Brando on Pattinson’s Craft
During a conversation with Backstage, Pattinson described one performance as a core influence on his own approach to acting. Speaking to the value of Marlon Brando’s work, Pattinson singled out Brando’s role in Elia Kazan’s 1954 classic film On the Waterfront, a gripping drama centered on labor corruption among New Jersey dock workers. Explaining the depth of this influence, Pattinson said,
“You can watch it a billion times, and it’s still quite shockingly good. It just has infinite value.”
—Robert Pattinson, Actor
Even though On the Waterfront is often celebrated as one of cinema’s greatest achievements, Pattinson’s emphasis on its lasting emotional impact and technical brilliance reveals his own high standards for what constitutes the greatest performance in cinema history. In highlighting Brando’s turn as Terry Malloy, Pattinson underlines why he recommends every actor study this film.
Revisiting Marlon Brando’s Iconic Role in Classic Cinema
On the Waterfront offered moviegoers an early glimpse of Marlon Brando’s extraordinary acting range. As Terry Malloy, Brando portrayed a former boxer consumed by regret over career choices and entangled in the violent politics of organized crime. The murder of his friend, who threatened to expose the mafia’s operations, propels Malloy into a struggle for justice, intensity, and redemption.
The complexity of Brando’s performance earned him the first of his two Oscars for Best Actor and solidified his status in Hollywood’s pantheon. The film’s impact is heightened by the unpredictable nature of Brando’s approach; when motivated, he crafted icons like his Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, while less-engaged outings resulted in more uneven films. On the Waterfront stands out, as Brando’s commitment drove the emotional force of the film, most notably in the celebrated scene where Malloy’s brother confronts him with a gun, leading to the legendary
“I could have been a contender”
moment—a scene Brando himself had wanted removed from the film, but which endures as a highlight of cinematic history.
Why Pattinson’s Choice Matters to Cinema Enthusiasts
While Pattinson’s admiration for Brando’s work in On the Waterfront may not be a radical or unusual choice, it underscores his discerning eye for artistry and craft in acting. His recognition of what makes a performance the greatest in the medium aligns him with a tradition that values depth, range, and lasting influence in cinema.
Pattinson’s evolution from a teen idol to a serious artist positions him not only as an actor willing to embrace risk and reinvention, but as someone who carries forward the lessons of acting giants, like Brando, into his diverse and ambitious project choices. For those who appreciate the history and artistry of film, Pattinson’s perspective offers both validation and inspiration, making his journey—and the performances he esteems—of “infinite value” to cinema’s ongoing narrative.
