Image via A24
One of Sebastian Stan’s slept-on films is awakening audiences everywhere, as a recent mystery film featuring the Marvel Cinematic Universe mainstay is a streaming sensation years after its premiere. A24’s crime thriller, Sharper, cut its way through the competition to become a hit among Apple TV+ subscribers.
Per Collider, Sharper, which Apple TV+ released in 2023, is one of the streaming service’s best-performing movies globally. The film ranks in the top 10 in over 15 countries, garnering particular success across Europe in countries such as Bulgaria and Lebanon.
Directed by Emmy-winner Benjamin Caron, Sharper stars Oscar-winning actor Julianne Moore, who also produced the feature-length project. Sharper also stars Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow, Ozark‘s Darren Goldstein and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves actor Justice Smith.
Presented in nonlinear vignettes chronicling each of its central characters, Sharper sees Stan play Max, a con artist known for pulling off elaborate schemes and acquiring huge sums through his deceit. Per the synopsis, Sharper takes a «look at the deceitful world of crime where people try to make sense of the ruthless manipulations and power struggles surrounding them.» Max, as it turns out, is revealed to be the son of Moore’s character, Madeline, a con artist who takes on various Manhattan-based billionaires. Madeline is the girlfriend of wealthy businessman, Richard Hobbes, played by Lithgow. However, Madeline and Max eventually discover during their game of lies that some of their associates are playing them.
Unlike Stan’s other notable film release in 2023, the critically panned Ghosted, Sharper cut deep enough with viewers to get a solid 63% critical rating and a 73% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film received a one-week limited theatrical release before landing on Apple TV+.
Sebastian Stan Has Featured Prominently in the MCU This Year
Image via Marvel Studios
Following his Academy Award-nominated turn in the controversial Donald Trump film, The Apprentice, Stan returned to the MCU to reprise his long-time role as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: Brave New World. Stan’s cameo as Barnes in the superhero blockbuster confirmed the character’s new role as a member of the U.S. Congress. Barnes returned for the MCU’s Phase Five finale, Thunderbolts*, which saw him become the de facto leader of the eponymous group of antiheroes, later revealed to be the New Avengers.
Stan will once again portray Barnes in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, which has been in production across the U.K. since the spring. Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, will see several heroes go toe-to-toe with Robert Downey Jr.’s big bad, Doctor Doom.
Fans can stream Sharper via Apple TV+. Meanwhile, Brave New World is now streaming on Disney+, while Thunderbolts* hits Disney’s streaming service on Aug. 27.
