All 5 Cooper Hoffman Movies, Ranked

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Cooper Hoffman is a promising young actor quickly gaining recognition. Despite having only appeared in five films so far, he’s already worked with acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson, who was a frequent collaborator with his late father, and starred in an adaptation of a popular Stephen King story, suggesting a very successful career ahead.

Viewers will likely know Hoffman as the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and it’s evident he shares his father’s gift for both powerful acting and choosing interesting, complex roles. Though not all of his films have been blockbuster successes, they’ve consistently highlighted him as a rising star.

Instead of focusing on big-name franchises, Hoffman consistently chooses to work with directors who have a unique and personal style. This careful selection gives his work a thoughtful, artistic feel, rather than appearing as a series of strategic choices. He seems increasingly self-assured with each project, hinting that he’s just starting what promises to be an exceptional career.

Old Guy (2024)

Cooper Hoffman is relatively new to the film world, and he’s already experienced a box office disappointment. Despite featuring well-known actors like Christoph Waltz and Lucy Liu, his recent film, Old Guy, didn’t succeed because it relied too much on familiar action movie clichés without offering a fresh or compelling story.

Despite acting alongside established stars, Hoffman shined as Wihlorg, a talented but arrogant assassin mentored by Waltz’s character, Danny Dolinski. While the performances were strong, the film ultimately suffers from predictable characters and a weak script, meaning Old Guy will likely be quickly forgotten by most who watch it.

Overall, the movie Old Guy just didn’t have much energy. The pairing of Waltz and Hoffman, where an older man is annoyed by his younger, Gen Z coworker, feels like a familiar story that’s been done better before. The most positive aspect was seeing Hoffman attempt a broad comedy, and he has the potential to really shine if he gets a stronger script in the future.

Wildcat (2023)

Cooper Hoffman is known for his strong leading roles, but in Wildcat, he took on a smaller part in a more unusual and artistic film. Directed by Ethan Hawke and featuring his daughter, Maya Hawke, the movie is a biographical drama that mixes real events with fictional elements to portray author Flannery O’Connor’s efforts to get her first novel published.

Philip Hoffman played the character Manley Pointer, a traveling salesman featured in Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “Good Country People.” The film Wildcat weaves elements of O’Connor’s writing into its story. Hoffman’s look – a sharp blue suit and a fashionable black hat – perfectly suited the film’s imaginative portrayal of the author’s creative process.

Fans were delighted to see Hoffman appear in an Ethan Hawke film, recalling their previous collaboration in the gripping crime thriller, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. This shared history gives the new movie an added emotional resonance.

Saturday Night (2024)

Saturday Night recreates the memorable night of October 11, 1975, when Saturday Night Live first aired and revolutionized American television. The film is a lively and somewhat messy look at the creation of the show’s first episode, featuring the stories of key players like Lorne Michaels, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd.

The recent series cleverly used the show’s famously chaotic beginnings to show how a combination of optimism and good fortune were key to its initial success. Actor Cooper Hoffman had the challenging role of playing Dick Ebersol, an NBC executive, as the only relatively normal person amidst a cast of eccentric characters.

Saturday Night isn’t just a look back at classic American comedy; it’s a reminder of how exciting the entertainment industry was in the 1970s. It’s refreshing to remember a time when a network took a risk on a young, untested 30-year-old who had a big idea, especially now when so much of the media feels controlled by rules and regulations.

The Long Walk (2025)

Based on Stephen King’s 1979 novel The Long Walk (originally published under the name Richard Bachman), the recent film adaptation is one of his best. Many believed the book was impossible to turn into a movie, but Cooper Hoffman gives a captivating performance in a story that largely consists of characters simply walking.

The Long Walk centers around fifty boys competing in a brutal, days-long walking contest where they must keep moving until only one remains. The story follows Ray Garraty, played by Hoffman, a contestant who is secretly determined to get revenge on the Mayor (Mark Hamill) for the death of his father.

Stephen King’s The Long Walk is a thought-provoking story about problems within society and a moving portrayal of how friendship can endure even in the most difficult situations. Although the novel draws comparisons to the Vietnam War, the film adaptation and Kyle Hoffman’s acting resonate with contemporary fears, anxieties, and current political issues.

Licorice Pizza (2021)

It will be hard for Cooper Hoffman to surpass his first acting role, which was a special event for movie lovers. It marked a new on-screen partnership between director Paul Thomas Anderson and a member of the Hoffman family, as Cooper’s father was celebrated for his performances in films like Boogie Nights and The Master.

Dustin Hoffman’s son, Jake, not only benefited from his father’s fame, but his appearance and mannerisms were so similar, it was almost like watching a younger version of his dad. This film, which follows a young actor and his connection with a lost young woman named Alana Haim, could have easily felt contrived, but it’s surprisingly genuine and heartfelt.

Set in 1973, Licorice Pizza succeeds largely thanks to Cooper Hoffman’s remarkably natural performance. Even though it was his first time acting in a film, he delivered Paul Thomas Anderson’s dialogue effortlessly. He convincingly portrayed Gary’s confidence without being irritating, and subtly showed the character’s vulnerability, making him relatable. It’s an incredibly confident debut that proves Hoffman has leading-man potential.

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2026-02-23 01:02