An accent can make or break a movie for some people, and a bad accent in a film can often become distracting. Even some of thebest movies of all timehave had to deal with a bad accent performance by any of the actors, which can sometimes pull a viewer out of the experience entirely.
In an industry wherea single scene can define an actor’s career, getting an accent right in a film is imperative. Otherwise, it might even be best not to use an accent entirely, especially in films where an accent is entirely unnecessary.
10Nicolas Cage
Con Air (1997)
Nicolas Cage is an iconic actor with a long line of acting credits to his name, some incredible and some not so much.Con Airis one of his most famous performances, notable for the distinct Southern accent that he puts on throughout the entire film. Here, he plays Alabama-born Cameron Poe, a man serving prison time for killing someone in self-defense.
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Aside fromCon Air’s many accolades, there are many instances in which Cage’s Southern accent goes from being a genuinely crafted facet of his character to a distraction. Though the film itself is not meant to be believable, Cage’s missteps with the accent do not assist with the viewer’s ability to absorb themselves into the film. Aside from this, however,Con Airis a fun thrill ride that stands at a high point in Cage’s earlier career.
9Quentin Tarantino
Django Unchained (2012)
Existing as a delightfully bloody tale of liberation and revenge,Django Unchainedis an exciting narrative crafted by director Quentin Tarantino. As a director, Tarantino is known for a visceral type of filmmaking that elevates visual style to heights akin to what one might see in a comic book. However, while his directing style is a feast for the eyes,his acting inDjango Unchainedis sometimes difficult to listen to.
Quentin Tarantino is known for appearing in several of his films, includingPulp Fiction.His performances in these films are normally spot-on, but forDjango Unchainedhe decided to put on a silly, poorly performed Australian accent. It is unknown as to why he decided to choose this accent as opposed to Southern or even just his normal accent, but regardless, it is incredibly distracting to listen to.
8Dick Van Dyke
Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppinsis a classic film that was a major part of many people’s childhoods. The story of Mary Poppins, the nanny with seemingly superhuman abilities, resonates with audiences across the entire world. There is one aspect of the movie, however, that is often picked as one of the less appreciated parts of the film.
A sequel to the film titledMary Poppins Returnswas released decades later in 2018, starring Emily Blunt.
Dick Van Dyke is a legendary actor in his own right, and his inclusion in theMary Poppinsmovie is memorable, to say the least.The Cockney accent that he puts on throughout the film never quite hits,and it feels more like a caricature than it does a genuine accent. This did not stopMary Poppinsfrom becoming one of the most well-known movies of all time, and certainly one of Disney’s best.
7Sean Connery
The Untouchables (1987)
When it comes to accents, Sean Connery is known as an actor who unambiguously struggles to put on a voice that is not his own incredibly recognizable Scottish accent. This continues to be the case inThe Untouchables, which also stars acting mainstays Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro. It tells the story of Al Capone during the Prohibition Era, the team going after him, and his inevitable downfall.
As a film,The Untouchablesis an incredible exhibit of a unique point in American history that delivers on its promises with spectacular storytelling.
As a film,The Untouchablesis an incredible exhibit of a unique point in American history that delivers on its promises with spectacular storytelling. Though Connery’s performance is otherwise solid, his accent does not remain consistent as the film goes on. At the end of the day, this is only one mark against an incredible historical film, and though it is sometimes distracting, it is not enough to take away from the movie at large.
6Daniel Craig
Knives Out (2019)
A wonderful and engaging mystery movie through and through,Knives Outis a fun play on other mystery movies in the same genre. Filled with a compelling cast of characters played to perfection by an all-star cast, the film manages to be both a fun comedy and a genuine mystery thriller.Daniel Craig’s performanceis also golden, but the accent of his character Benoit Blanc can sometimes overpower the scenes he’s in.
Benoit Blanc is the detective sent to unravel this family mystery, and as suchhe is played as an over-the-top representation of many detectives that have appeared throughout cinematic history.In this way, it makes sense that his accent might be a bit out there and overpowering, and Craig does a great job of delivering for the character. While there are reasons for the accent being the way it is, it can still sometimes take one out of the film.
5Tom Hardy
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Risesis arguably one of the most iconic superhero movies of all time, revolving around Batman and his struggle against the villainous Bane. Starring Christian Bale and Tom Hardy, the movie is a non-stop action thrill ride that rarely gives the viewer a moment to breathe. Hardy, in his performance as Bane, is properly threatening, buthis vocal choice for the role has become infamous for how odd it is.
A bit difficult to place and often obscured by the mask he wears, Hardy’s accent has become synonymous with his role in a way that few have.The accent has been both praised and criticized in equal measure,a testament to how electric and divisive the performance was. Though it does not take away from the movie in a traditional way, it can often become a distraction due to how much of a sticking point it can be.
4Robert Pattinson
The Devil All the Time (2020)
The Devil All the Timewas a surprising addition to Netflix’s lineup of original films, starring a litany of actors who have become modern icons in the greater cultural zeitgeist. This Southern Gothic thriller focuses on the story of several characters across two small towns, lingering on the darker aspects of their lives. Robert Pattinson plays Reverend Preston Teagardin, a nasty man whose evil acts clash with his supposed “godly” nature.
The Devil All the Timeis based on a novel of the same name, written by Donald Ray Pollock.
When it comes to acting, Pattinson is perfectly on point, painting a terrifying picture of a man who is only in it for himself and his own desires. Aside from this, one of the most obvious points of his character is his thick accent. While not entirely inaccurate, the difference of it compared to the other characters of the film sets Preston apart, for better or for worse.
3Keanu Reeves
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Keanu Reeves' careeris full of performances that have been questioned by a portion of the audience watching them despite his genuinely incredible abilities as an actor. One such movie is that ofBram Stoker’s Dracula,a retelling of the original Gothic tale of vampires and slow-creeping horror. Here, Reeves plays the protagonist Jonathan Harker, who is sent to assist Dracula with his real estate acquisitions.
For this film, because Jonathan is an Englishman, Reeves naturally chose to use an English accent. While it makes sense for Reeves to use an English accent in his portrayal of Harker, Reeves’s execution of the accent is less than perfect.There are many moments where it becomes clear he is putting on an accent,breaking the magic of the film every time it happens.
2Gary Oldman
True Romance (1993)
Another installment written by Quentin Tarantino,True Romanceis a story told in two parts. At first, it is about a man named Clarence who falls in love with a call girl named Alabama. As the story goes on,the two must face off against her abusive pimp, Drexl, so that she can be free of her previous life and marry Clarence.
True Romancecurrently holds a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Drexl is played by Gary Oldman, an actor well-known for wacky performances in films like the science fiction classicThe Fifth Element.The same is the case inTrue Romance,but throughout his performance, he puts on an accent that feels wholly unnecessary. He could have been a great villain without the accent, and yet it was included regardless.
1Don Cheadle
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Don Cheadle’s performance inOcean’s Elevenhas long been controversial, with questions ranging from his lack of credit in the film to his actual performance. He plays Basher Tarr, an explosives expert and valuable member of the team put together for the film’s grand heist.He is meant to have a British accent, but as the movie progresses this becomes less and less clear.
Despite a long filmography of really amazing performances that range across genres, the accent Cheadle puts on for the film stands on an uncertain footing from the very beginning. By the time the film ends, his accent has devolved into something that is a cross between British and New York, making something unique, for better or worse.
