10 years ago, Walton Goggins delivered a fun, villainous performance in a forgotten action comedy. Beginning his acting career in the 1990s, Goggins has starred in many movies and TV shows throughout the years. The start of Goggins’ career saw the actor in predominantly small roles, and it wasn’t until he portrayed Shane Vendrell in The Shield that he gained attention.
Today, Goggins is best known for the TV characters he’s played in series like Justified, The Righteous Gemstones, and most recently, The White Lotus. Goggins’ various movie and TV roles throughout his career highlight his range as an actor, but there’s one character archetype he thrives in more than the others.
Walton Goggins Plays Laugher In American Ultra
In 2015, Goggins played the role of secondary antagonist Laugher in Nima Nourizadeh’s American Ultra, a mishmash of genres anchored by Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart’s leading performances. The film follows Eisenberg’s stoner character Mike Howell after he discovers he’s a sleeper agent part of a confidential government program.
When agents from a rival program are sent to kill Mike, Goggins’ character enters the picture. As Laugher, Goggins doesn’t have much screentime, but he makes the most out of what little scenes he has. Hired by Topher Grace’s Adrian Yates, Laugher’s sole purpose in the film is to eliminate Mike by any means.
Laugher’s mindset is unyielding and driven by violence, and Goggins perfectly embodies the character’s unhinged nature. Goggins is evidently comfortable amid American Ultra‘s combination of action and comedy, leaning into the over-the-top violent nature of the film and his character.
However, Goggins also infuses just enough pathos into Laugher, making him a surprisingly memorable villain despite his limited presence. Goggins’ ability to make a lasting impression as a secondary antagonist in a film as busy as American Ultra goes to show just how great he is in villainous roles.
Walton Goggins Is Often At His Best Playing A Villain
Not only did Goggins first gain attention as an actor with his role in FX’s The Shield, but the series also established him as someone unafraid to take on villainous roles. As Goggins continued to portray one villain after another in TV and film, it became clear that this character archetype is where he does best as an actor.
Goggins’ deep and distinct voice and his ability to effortlessly counterbalance sinister tendencies with charm have made him a captivating antagonist on screen. From Boyd Crowder in Justified to Billy Crash in Django Unchained, Goggins has the ability to be both outright despicable and a villain audiences can’t help but root for.
American Ultra
5/10
- Release Date
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August 19, 2015
- Runtime
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95 Minutes
- Director
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Nima Nourizadeh
