Taron Egerton has made a name for himself as a versatile actor, particularly in crime dramas, blending intense emotional range with gripping performances. From box office disappointments to critically acclaimed hits, Egerton’s roles in this genre reveal his growing prowess. This ranking explores his crime dramas, examining their reception and impact, highlighting the best and worst works in his filmography through the lens of their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
7. ‘Billionaire Boys Club‘ (2018): A Misstep in True Crime Portrayal
‘Billionaire Boys Club‘ dramatizes a real-life Ponzi scheme orchestrated by wealthy young men in 1980s Los Angeles. Egerton plays Dean Karny, a close associate of Joe Hunt, portrayed by Ansel Elgort. Despite a cast that includes Emma Roberts and Jeremy Irvine, the film suffered harsh critical backlash, with only a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics dismissed it as an unsuccessful attempt to mimic the style of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ failing to find a consistent tone. Despite its high budget, it was a commercial failure and garnered the Barry L. Bumstead Award at the 2019 Razzies, highlighting its poor performance at the box office.
6. ‘Robin Hood‘ (2018): An Action Film that Missed Its Mark
In this retelling of the classic tale, Egerton takes the lead as Robin of Loxley, supported by Jamie Foxx and Ben Mendelsohn as key characters. Directed by Otto Bathurst, the film attempted to refresh the Robin Hood legend but fell short, scoring only 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics panned the movie for its sluggish pacing and uninspired plot, describing it as a “lazy action–movie cliché.” It also struggled financially and attracted several Razzie nominations, including Worst Picture and Worst Supporting Actor, reflecting its reception as a significant disappointment in Egerton’s career.
5. ‘Legend’ (2015): Strong Performances Amid Mixed Reviews
In ‘Legend,’ Egerton appears as Teddy Smith in a biographical drama about the notorious Kray twins, infamous gangsters in mid-20th century London. The film features Tom Hardy in a dual role and blends crime with intense character studies. While critics gave the film mixed reviews, praising Hardy’s transformative performance, the storytelling drew some criticism for lack of clarity and momentum. Egerton’s role complemented the strong ensemble cast, which included Emily Browning and Christopher Eccleston. ‘Legend‘ earned Hardy multiple acting awards, demonstrating the film’s focus on powerful individual performances over plot cohesion.
4. ‘Smoke‘ (2025): A Dark and Gripping New Series
Produced by crime novelist Dennis Lehane, ‘Smoke‘ is a recent television crime drama released on Apple TV+ exploring the complex investigations of serial arson cases. Egerton stars as Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator grappling with his past as a former firefighter. The show has drawn praise for its slow-building suspense and strong cast chemistry, including performances by Jurnee Smollett and Greg Kinnear. Drawing from the 2021 podcast ‘Firebug,’ ‘Smoke‘ presents layered storytelling and psychological tension, earning modestly positive reviews with a 73% Tomatometer score.
3. ‘She Rides Shotgun’ (2025): A Compelling Story of Redemption and Danger
‘She Rides Shotgun‘ has quickly become one of Egerton’s most celebrated crime dramas, with an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and even higher audience approval. Directed by Nick Rowland and based on Jordan Harper’s novel, the film follows Nate McClusky, recently released from prison, as he tries to protect his young daughter Polly from deadly gang threats. Ana Sophia Heger co-stars, delivering emotionally charged performances alongside Egerton. The movie’s mix of gritty suspense and heartfelt drama resonates strongly, establishing it as a standout thriller of 2025.
2. ‘Carry-On’ (2024): High-Stakes Christmas Thriller
In this action-packed thriller set on Christmas Eve, Egerton plays Ethan Kopek, a TSA officer caught in a tense hostage situation when a mysterious traveler, played by Jason Bateman, threatens his pregnant girlfriend. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, ‘Carry-On‘ blends relentless suspense with holiday tension. Often compared to ‘Die Hard’ for its cat-and-mouse dynamic, the film became one of Netflix’s most-watched English-language movies shortly after release. It holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Egerton earned a Critics’ Choice Super Awards nomination for Best Actor in an Action Movie.
1. ‘Black Bird’ (2022): A Critically Acclaimed Crime Masterpiece
At the top of the list is ‘Black Bird,’ a six-part Apple TV+ miniseries co-created with Dennis Lehane, showcasing Egerton as James Keene, a prisoner who strikes a deal with the FBI to befriend an alleged serial killer. The series is adapted from a memoirsthat explores the psychological and emotional complexities of their interaction. It features standout performances, including Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall and memorial appearances from Ray Liotta. With a remarkable 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, critics acclaim ‘Black Bird’ for its character-driven narrative, evoking comparisons to ‘The Night Of.’ The show received multiple Emmy nominations and wins, while Egerton earned a BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actor, cementing the series as a career highlight.
Egerton’s Place in the Crime Drama Landscape
Taron Egerton’s journey through crime dramas reflects a mixture of risk-taking and growth. While early entries like ‘Billionaire Boys Club‘ and ‘Robin Hood‘ were met with harsh criticism and commercial failure, his later works demonstrate a maturity and depth that captivate audiences and critics alike. Collaborations with acclaimed creators like Dennis Lehane and formidable ensemble casts have propelled Egerton to the forefront of the genre, showcasing his intense and restless energy fitting for tense, emotionally complex roles.
As ‘Smoke‘ and ‘She Rides Shotgun‘ show, Egerton continues to explore darker, more psychologically driven characters, suggesting his upward trajectory in this genre is secure. Looking ahead, fans and critics anticipate more performances that blend the anxious and conflicted tones exemplified in his best work, solidifying his standing as a must-watch star in the evolving world of crime dramas.
