Brenton Thwaites first made a name for himself on the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away (Channel 7, 1998–), which has served as a launching pad for many homegrown acting talents. Over the years, the show has helped launch the careers of stars like Heath Ledger, Melissa George, Isla Fisher, Chris Hemsworth—and yes, Brenton Thwaites too. He portrayed Stu Henderson in 57 episodes, marking one of his earliest major roles, though it wasn’t actually his first experience with acting. Even before that, Brenton Thwaites had already begun honing his craft, enrolling at the North Queensland Academy of Dramatic Art when he was just 16.
While balancing his studies in finance and acting at Queensland University of Technology, Brenton Thwaites made his film debut in the indie feature Charge Over You (2010). After graduating, he quickly gained momentum, landing a lead role in the Australian teen drama series SLiDE (Fox 8, 2011). That performance caught attention and soon after, Brenton Thwaites was cast in Home and Away, prompting his move to Sydney.
His transition to international projects began with Blue Lagoon: The Awakening (Lifetime, 2012), a TV remake of the beloved 1980 classic The Blue Lagoon. In this romantic survival drama, Brenton Thwaites stepped into the shoes once worn by Christopher Atkins, playing the male lead opposite Indiana Evans—another alum from Home and Away. It was a pivotal moment in his career, signaling his readiness for broader audiences.
But it was 2014 that truly marked Brenton Thwaites’ breakthrough year. With no fewer than six films set for international release, he emerged as a rising star across multiple genres. He appeared in the chilling horror film Oculus and the mind-bending sci-fi thriller The Signal. Around the same time, Brenton Thwaites took on the charming role of Prince Phillip in Disney’s lavish live-action reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (1959), titled Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie in the iconic title role.
Not stopping there, Brenton Thwaites also delivered a strong performance in the gritty prison crime drama Son of a Gun, sharing screen time with veteran actor Ewan McGregor. He further showcased his range by headlining The Giver, a young adult science fiction adaptation based on the classic novel. In that film, he starred alongside heavyweights like Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges, and even shared scenes with pop superstar Taylor Swift, who made her big-screen debut in the movie.
From humble beginnings on an Aussie soap to walking red carpets in Hollywood, Brenton Thwaites has steadily built an impressive and diverse filmography—all while staying grounded and focused on his craft.
So, when it comes to Brenton Thwaites’s filmography, there’s quite a range in terms of critical reception. If you’re looking at the numbers, Brenton Thwaites’s highest rated movie so far is We Bury the Dead from 2024 — a solid entry that really showcased his growth as an actor. On the flip side, Brenton Thwaites’s lowest rated film tends to be Gods of Egypt, which came out back in 2016. While it had its visual flair, the movie didn’t resonate well with critics or audiences. Still, it’s interesting to see how Brenton Thwaites has evolved over the years, bouncing back with more compelling roles. Definitely makes you appreciate the journey Brenton Thwaites has taken in his career.