Though Gabriel Basso is now well-known for his leading role in The Night Agent, the actor appeared in a number of other awesome movies and TV shows before his big Netflix hit. In 2023, Basso became the face of the political thriller, The Night Agent. The series tells the story of FBI agent Peter Sutherland, who, after answering a mysterious phone call, is pulled into a complex and dangerous political conspiracy. Notably, The Night Agent made Netflix history by becoming the third-most-viewed debuting series on Netflix. Nowadays, it remains as the sixth-most-watched Netflix series ever.
Basso’s acting career began long before the premiere of The Night Agent. Basso discovered acting at a fairly young age, and quickly earned minor roles in movies like Meet Bill and Alice Upside Down. Slowly but surely, he took on bigger and more important roles, and collaborated with massive Hollywood stars like Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, and Keanu Reeves. After a brief hiatus between 2016 and 2020, Basso earned one of his first starring roles. This led directly into The Night Agent, which has allowed Basso to take part in even more amazing projects, including The Night Agent season 2.
Related Why Hillbilly Elegy’s Reviews Are So Brutal
Ron Howard’s drama Hillbilly Elegy is based on a critically adored memoir, so why did the Amy Adams movie from 2020 receive such brutal reviews?
1
7 Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
JD Vance
Hillbilly Elegy 1
Your Rating
5 stars4.5 stars4 stars3.5 stars3 star2.5 stars2 stars1.5 stars1 stars0.5 star Rate Now Submit Rate Now Edit Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
RDrama Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Directed by Ron Howard for release on Netflix, Hillbilly Elegy is a Drama film released in 2020 and stars Amy Adams and Glenn Close. The plot is based on author J.D. Vance’s memoir of the same name and follows a family as they attempt to deal with their mother’s unstable lifestyle.
Director Ron Howard Release Date November 24, 2020 Writers Vanessa Taylor , J.D. Vance Cast Bo Hopkins , Freida Pinto , David Atkinson , Sunny Mabrey , Haley Bennett , Gabriel Basso , Glenn Close , Dylan Gage , Amy Adams Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Runtime 116 minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
After playing countless supporting characters, one of the movies that put Gabriel Basso closest to being the lead was 2020’s Hillbilly Elegy. Based on the memoir of the same name by JD Vance, the movie follows Vance through his childhood in Appalachia. In particular, the story focuses on Vance’s addicted mother and his tough but loving grandmother. In the film, Basso plays the adult version of Vance as he comes to terms with his youth, pursues his career goals, and falls in love with his future wife. The movie premiered on Netflix and also starred Amy Adams and Glenn Close.
In many ways, Hillbilly Elegy is far from Basso’s best movie performance. The film received a meek 24% on Rotten Tomatoes and even earned Glenn Close a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress. Moreover, Hillbilly Elegy has since faced significant controversy due to Vance’s portrayal of American poverty. However, the movie is still pivotal to Basso’s career. For the first time, Basso was able to play the main character. Furthermore, the actor put his all into the role, regardless of how the project was received. Thus, it deserves a brief nod among Basso’s greater filmography.
6 The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)
Gregory
The Strangers: Chapter 1 1
Your Rating
5 stars4.5 stars4 stars3.5 stars3 star2.5 stars2 stars1.5 stars1 stars0.5 star Rate Now Submit Rate Now Edit Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Not Yet RatedHorrorThriller
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is the third film in the horror/slasher franchise directed by Renny Harlin. The film follows a young couple who move to the Pacific Northwest to start a new life. However, their new life gets off to a terrifying start when a broken-down vehicle forces them to stay at a remote vacation home, leaving them to be stalked relentlessly by three masked murderers.
Director Renny Harlin Release Date May 17, 2024 Writers Alan R. Cohen , Alan Freedland Cast Madelaine Petsch , Froy Gutierrez , Rachel Shenton , Gabriel Basso , Ema Horvath Distributor(s) Lionsgate Runtime 91 minutes Expand
Another Gabriel Basso movie to check out is The Strangers: Chapter 1. This 2024 film is the third installment in the larger The Strangers horror franchise, which follows terrifying home invasions. In The Strangers: Chapter 1, Maya and Ryan are spending a romantic getaway in a cabin in the woods to celebrate their fifth anniversary. However, their vacation takes a 180 when a group of masked strangers begin to stalk the couple, and break into their Airbnb. Basso plays Gregory, otherwise known as the home invader, Scarecrow. The cast also includes Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, and Ema Horvath.
Where the actor previously appeared in dramas and coming-of-age stories,
The Strangers: Chapter 1
makes him a complete villain, which is a great change of pace for the actor.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a notable part of Basso’s career because it was his first movie role after The Night Agent. For the first time since his big Netflix success, Basso was able to return to the big screen in a horrifying and important role. The Strangers: Chapter 1 also stands out because it is unlike anything Basso has done before. Where the actor previously appeared in dramas and coming-of-age stories, The Strangers: Chapter 1 makes him a complete villain, which is a great change of pace for the actor. It hints at a future in horror for Basso.
5 The Whole Truth (2016)
Mike Lassiter
Close
A legal thriller that may have gone under the radar for most audiences is The Whole Truth. This 2016 film follows Keanu Reeves as defense attorney Richard Ramsay, who takes on the case of Mike Lassiter, who is accused of murdering his father. Ramsay enlists the help of a young corporate lawyer to help defend a silent Mike. However, as Mike’s complicated relationship with his father continues to unravel, Ramsay and his team struggle to find a way to defend their young client. The movie underperformed at the box office upon its release, and holds a 34% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Once again, The Whole Truth may not be a critically outstanding movie, but it is definitely worth watching for Gabriel Basso. Surrounded by impeccable actors like Keanu Reeves and Renée Zellweger, Basso makes a good impression as the young killer, Mike. Like The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Whole Truth sees Basso in a darker role, and this works for him. Although Basso successfully embodies the morally upstanding hero in The Night Agent, The Whole Truth shows that he can also dive deep into more dangerous and dynamic characters as well. The Whole Truth is dramatic, tense, and potentially underrated.
4 The Hive (2014)
Adam Goldstein
Close
A Gabriel Basso movie that is definitely of interest is 2014’s The Hive. This small indie movie stars Basso as Adam Goldstein, a young man who has been infected with a virus that has caused his body to mutate. At the start of the film, Adam wakes up alone in a cabin with no recollection of who he is or what has happened to him. However, through a series of notes and clues he left for himself, Adam begins to piece together the evil scientific experiment that led to his condition. The Hive also stars Kathryn Prescott and Sean Gunn.
The Hive
is available to stream on Tubi.
With a very limited theatrical release, The Hive is an easy movie to forget, despite its importance to Basso’s career. After appearing in two major films in 2011 and 2013, The Hive was a massive step forward for Basso, who got to play the lead in this indie film. The Hive also kickstarted Basso’s participation in the action genre. Though the movie is sci-fi in nature, there is plenty of intrigue and action that takes place as well. In this way, The Hive is a unique precursor to The Night Agent, as both projects see Basso uncovering a shocking conspiracy.
3 The Big C (2010)
Adam Jamison
Close
One of the most important projects in Gabriel Basso’s career is the Showtime comedy, The Big C. For four seasons, the show follows Cathy, a schoolteacher whose life turns upside down when she discovers she has terminal cancer. After years of people pleasing, Cathy decides to finally stand up to her immature husband, spoiled son, and needy brother. More than that, she chooses to live her life the way she wants to, making sudden decisions that she never had the courage to make before. The Big C stars Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, and John Benjamin Hickey.
2:16 
Related Netflix Just Released The Perfect Action Movie To Watch While Waiting For The Night Agent Season 2
The Night Agent was a huge success when it was released on Netflix, and fans now have a similar-style movie to watch while waiting for season 2.
In The Big C, Basso plays Cathy’s delinquent son, Adam. Adam is clueless about his mother’s condition, and thus, continues to be a thorn in her side. Basso succeeds at playing a rude and inconsiderate teenager, and it is definitely a big shift from his role in The Night Agent. Yet, The Big C is important because it was Basso’s breakout role. After appearing in 40 episodes of the Showtime series, Basso was able to earn roles in even bigger projects. In this way, The Big C is foundational for Basso, and is also a heartwarming and hilarious watch.
2 Super 8 (2011)
Martin Read
Super 8 4
Your Rating
5 stars4.5 stars4 stars3.5 stars3 star2.5 stars2 stars1.5 stars1 stars0.5 star Rate Now Submit Rate Now Edit Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
PG-13ActionAdventure Sci-FiThriller Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Written and directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, Super 8 follows a group of children who make a shocking discovery while attempting to make a movie. Set in 1979, Super 8 follows Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) as he enlists the help of his friends to make a zombie movie. Among them is Alice (Elle Fanning), a girl who Joe’s father (Kyle Chandler) has forbidden him from seeing. After a train derails and releases an otherworldly danger upon the town, the group of friends must work together to find safety.
Director J.J. Abrams Release Date June 10, 2011 Writers J.J. Abrams Cast Ryan Lee , Elle Fanning , Riley Griffiths , AJ Michalka , Gabriel Basso , Zach Mills , Kyle Chandler , Joel Courtney Studio(s) Amblin Entertainment , Bad Robot Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Runtime 112 minutes Expand
The biggest, most glamorous, and most successful project that Gabriel Basso worked on before The Night Agent was probably 2011’s Super 8. Directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, the movie follows a group of teenagers in 1979 who set out to make their own movie in their small suburban town. During their shoot, the kids soon witness a horrifying accident that leads to an even scarier mystery that begins to plague their town. Super 8 was a major success, earning $260 million at the box office on a budget of $50 million.
Basso, along with the rest of the young cast, does a great job of walking the line between being a likable young character and also being something of a hero.
Super 8 is most definitely worth the watch. In the film, Basso plays Martin Read, one of the teens at the center of this spooky incident. Basso, along with the rest of the young cast, does a great job of walking the line between being a likable young character and also being something of a hero. On top of that, the movie is visually stunning and presents a storyline that is easy to get invested in. Plus, the nostalgia factor makes this an even better watch. In this way, Super 8 is one of Basso’s best projects to date.
1 The Kings of Summer (2013)
Patrick Keenan
The Kings of Summer 0
Your Rating
5 stars4.5 stars4 stars3.5 stars3 star2.5 stars2 stars1.5 stars1 stars0.5 star Rate Now Submit Rate Now Edit Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
RAdventureComedyDrama Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
The Kings of Summer is a coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The film follows three teenage boys who, yearning for independence, run away to build a house in the woods. Starring Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and Moises Arias, the movie explores themes of friendship, freedom, and the challenges of adolescence as the boys attempt to create their own paradise away from societal constraints.
Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts Release Date May 31, 2013 Writers Chris Galletta Cast Nick Robinson , Gabriel Basso , Moises Arias , Nick Offerman , Erin Moriarty , Craig Cackowski Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand
For those who loved Gabriel Basso in The Night Agent, the best movie of his to watch in preparation for The Night Agent season 2 is The Kings of Summer. This coming-of-age movie follows Joe, a young man who is sick of his single father’s attempts to control his life. One day, Joe decides to run away into a clearing in the forest, along with his best friend Patrick and a strange boy named Biaggio. Together, the boys live life the way they want to, building a house in the woods. However, their friendship is quickly put to the test.
The Kings of Summer truly puts Basso’s young talents on display. As Patrick, Basso portrays the boldness and tenderness of being a teenager. Alongside actors like Nick Robinson and Moisés Arias, he fits right in as a believable and lovable young character. With a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Kings of Summer is an incredibly underrated film. Walking the line between drama and comedy, this movie is heartwarming and nostalgic. Overall, it is the best project to watch for those who are seeking more Gabriel Basso before The Night Agent returns.