With his portrayal of the quirky assassin Lemon currently lighting up the big screen in Bullet Train, Brian Tyree Henry has had quite the year. The D.C. native began his career in the theater after graduating from Yale's prestigious graduate Drama school before landing his breakout role as Paper Boi in Atlanta.
Since then, Henry has quickly become one of the most elastic performers in Hollywood, playing everything from a menacing, looming crime boss to a non-confrontational, introverted artist.
The Outside Story (2020) - 3.1
In his first leading film role, Henry plays Charles Young in The Outside Story, a film editor in Brooklyn who gets locked outside while tipping a delivery man. Forced to leave his life of solitude, Charles must rely on introducing himself to his neighbors and strangers in order to get back into his apartment.
A quaint-contained comedy, The Outside Story showcases Henry's ability to crank out laughs from ridiculous situations while simultaneously sympathizing with someone coming to with their own faults.
Person To Person (2017) - 3.1
An ensemble drama that follows the lives of different people across New York City, Person To Person's scattered narrative culminates to capture the energy of people living in the Big Apple. Other notable names amongst the ensemble include Michael Cera, Abbi Jacobson, and Benny Safdie.
In one of the story threads, Henry plays Mike, one of two brothers who track down their sister's ex-boyfriend who posted nude pictures of her online. Though scant with dialogue, Henry makes the most of the opportunity, using his nonchalant energy to throw in quips and side-eye that add to the ridiculousness of the situation.
Vivo (2021) - 3.1
One of the best animated movies of 2021, Vivo follows the titular kinkajou as he travels from Cuba to Florida to perform his deceased friend Andrés' love song to Marta, a retiring musician and Andres's old friend, with the help of Andres's relatives Rosa and Gabi.
Henry plays Dancarino, a roseate spoonbill who Vivo helps find a love of his own and later rescues Vivo from a snake. A musical comedy, Henry displays his musical theater background while effortlessly adding to the film's themes of family and love.
Crown Heights (2017) - 3.2
Adapted from an episode of the podcast 'This American Life', Crown Heights tells the story of Colin Warner, a man wrongfully convicted of murder, and his best friend Carl King's 21-year journey to prove Warner's innocence.
Starring Atlanta co-star LaKeith Stanfield as Warner, Henry plays Massup, a man whom Warner's friends think could have important information relating to Colin's case. In a small yet important role, Henry deploys his imposing frame and a convincing accent to scare off the inquisitors.
Family (2018) - 3.4
An offbeat comedy, Family takes place after brash workaholic Kate reluctantly agrees to babysit her niece Maddie for a day. However, the day becomes a week, and Kate struggles to grapple with Maddie being bullied and her increasing want to run away and become a Juggalo.
Henry has a ing turn in the film as Pete, Kate's friend with an interest in karate that helps her with the situation with Maddie. The indie's cast included Taylor Schilling (Orange Is The New Black), Matt Walsh (Veep), and Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live).
Widows (2018) - 3.5
An intricate heist thriller set in Chicago, Widows follows four women who attempt to rob a local politician to pay back a crime boss that was ripped off by their husbands who died during their getaway attempt.
Henry plays the crime boss in question, Jamal Manning, opposite Daniel Kaluuya in one of his best movies as his brother and haunting enforcer Jatemme. Portraying a calculated, cold character, Henry convincingly flaunts his dark side as a felon running to become a city alderman.
Bullet Train (2022) - 3.6
An action comedy from the creator of John Wick, Bullet Train revolves around a group of assassins who realize their assigned tasks have more in common than they realize. When they come into with each other, it becomes an all-out free-for-all as to who will achieve their objective.
Henry plays Lemon, one half a British sibling assassin duo hired by 'White Death', the world's largest crime syndicate. In a comedic yet serious role, Henry holds his own opposite stars such as Brad Pitt, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Joker (2019) - 3.9
An origin story of the infamous villain, Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a failing clown and stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity inspires a violent uprising against the establishment in Gotham City.
In a short but memorable scene opposite Joaquin Phoenix in his best performance, Henry portrays a clerk named Clark who is understandably unnerved by Fleck-turned-Joker. Perhaps more notably, Henry's Atlanta co-star Zazie Beatz appears in the film as Fleck's neighbor.
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) - 3.9
Barry Jenkin's directorial follow-up to Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk follows a pregnant young woman Tish who urgently attempts to clear the name of her incarcerated lover Fonny before their baby is born.
Henry appears as the ing character Daniel, who is able to give Tish an alibi for Fonny but is deemed unreliable due to his previous conviction. Other notable actors in the adaptation of James Baldwin's novel include Teyonah Parris (WandaVision), Colman Domingo (Euphoria), and Regina King in one of her best performances.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) - 4.4
Set in New York City, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse tracks Miles Morales as he becomes the new Spider-Man and has to stop Kingpin from destroying their universe. With the help of Spider-Men from other universes, Morales comes to not just with his mission, but with blending his new identity into everyday life.
Henry plays Jefferson Davis, Miles' cop father who disapproves of Spider-Man's vigilante escapades. In a heartwarming performance of familial struggle and acceptance, Henry brings life to the character in a way that elevates the story beyond average superhero fare. Alongside other remarkable performances, Henry's contribution to Into The Spider-Verse led to a win for Best Animated Film at the Oscars.
