When it comes to rising stars in Hollywood, some actors shine slowly but surely, building a portfolio that proves they’re more than just a passing face. Fred Hechinger is just such an actor.
Fred was born in New York City in 1999 and did not simply fall into the acting profession; he practiced early and he studied hard and he started making decisions that were able to demonstrate his diversity.
From heartfelt indie films to big-budget historical epics, he’s now one of the names to watch. So, if you’ve been asking yourself, “What are the must-watch Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows?” — this is your ultimate guide.
Let’s walk through Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows, one role at a time.
1. Eighth Grade (2018) — The Quiet Beginning
There is a little yet significant first step taken by all actors, and in the case of Fred, it was a role in Eighth Grade. His part, Trevor, is not a domineering figure and adds a touch of reality to the rough coming-of-age feel of the movie. It is the type of intro that makes you think–hey, here is a kid, who can fit into the story, and not poke himself to the fore.
2. Human Capital (2019) — Testing Emotional Depth
Just a year later, Fred moved into more serious territory with Human Capital. In this movie, he acted as Jamie Manning, an adolescent who found himself in a tale of class, greediness and gracelessness of human desires. It was a breakthrough in which he demonstrated he could cope with deep-layered drama and not only background roles.
3. News of the World (2020) — Sharing the Screen with Tom Hanks
Imagine being in your early 20s and already acting in a period Western alongside Tom Hanks. Fred did exactly that in News of the World. He acted as a supporting actor in the part of John Calley, which put him in a dusty town, wagon ride and frontier battles. Although he was not the main character, he made the film feel more like a texture and gave some hints about his capability to succeed in historical contexts.
4. The Woman in the Window (2021) — Stepping into Thriller Territory
By 2021, Fred was well prepared to put his toes into dark waters. His appearance in The Woman in the Window as Ethan Russell put him in the psychological thriller genre. The film was full of twists, paranoia, and suspicions and the performance of Fred gave the film a chilling element. It demonstrated that he was not scared of parts in which characters are at times morally ambiguous–or even to some degree disturbing.
5. The Fear Street Trilogy (2021) — Horror and Heart Combined
Horror isn’t easy. You have to scream and sound believable, look frightened without trying too hard and yet remain a human being in a supernatural mess of a story. In the Fear Street Trilogy of Netflix it has been nailed by Fred. He portrayed Simon Kalivoda in part one: 1994 and Isaac in part three: 1666.
The two parts provided him with an opportunity to test a vastly different period and atmosphere, which shows that he could withstand (or even not withstand) blood-soaked chaos and keep the viewers on their seat.
6. The White Lotus (2021) — A Breakout TV Moment
Any person who has watched season one of The White Lotus will probably refer to the character of Fred, the character of Quinn Mossbacher. Quinn begins as a clumsy, screen-obsessed teenager who is desperately stranded on a family holiday at a resort but is slowly evolving into one of the most empathetic and down-to-earth characters in the series.
His tender circle of self-discovery, with its background of satire and chaos, made the audience sympathize with him. It was the actual I have arrived moment of Fred.
7. The Underground Railroad (2021) — Historical Gravitas
Though it was not his biggest part, the role of young Arnold Ridgeway played by Fred impressed. The performance was burdened, clotted, and profoundly significant, and Fred gave subtlety to a character who was wrestling with hereditary brutality and ideology. It is another example of how he is ready to work with difficult content.
8. Pam & Tommy (2022) — A Wild Pop-Culture Ride
Having changed the gear entirely, Fred appeared in Pam and Tommy in the role of Seth Warshavsky. It was the talk of the town and Fred again showed that he can fit into the projects with an entirely different mood; it is a mixture of comedy, drama, and biopic. His appearance was an additional touch of lunacy to an already crazy tale.
9. Thelma (2024) — A Touch of Quirk and Comedy
Freud to 2024 and Fred collaborated with Daniel in Thelma, more a comedy and heart-warming movie. It gave him space to test his hand in something lighter and viewers could witness that he does not have to use seriousness and horror to be cute, funny and likable.
10. Gladiator II (2024) — The Epic Leap
It is the dream of every actor to shine in a big, movie-sized spectacle – and that is what Fred has achieved with Gladiator II. In playing Emperor Caracalla, he put himself in the shoes of a historical figure in a movie that portrayed big sets, battles, and politics. It was a job that required presence, confidence and gravitas and it unquestionably put him on the international stage.
11. Kraven the Hunter (2024) — Entering the Superhero Universe
Beginning with indie films to the world of epics, Fred then transitioned to the world of Marvel with Kraven the Hunter. As Dmitri Smerdyakov, the Chameleon, he welcomed the challenge of being included in a story about superheroes. This role is particularly something the fans are thrilled about because it opens up to the possibility of reoccurring roles in other future Marvel projects.
12. Smaller But Significant Indie Projects
While the big names grab headlines, Fred has also spent time in smaller films that allow him to stretch creatively:
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Italian Studies (2021)
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Butcher’s Crossing (2022)
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Hell of a Summer (2023)
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Pavements (upcoming)
These projects might not make a box office splash, but they’re often the kind of films where actors grow the most, experiment, and get noticed by critics.
| Title | Year | Fred Hechinger’s Role | IMDb Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
| News of the World | 2020 | John Calley | ~ 6.8/10 (IMDb) |
| The White Lotus (Season 1) | 2021 | Quinn Mossbacher | ~ 7.3/10 (for the series) (IMDb) |
| The White Lotus — Episode “The Lotus-Eaters” | 2021 | Quinn Mossbacher | ~ 8.0/10 (IMDb) |
| The White Lotus — Episode “Mysterious Monkeys” | 2021 | Quinn Mossbacher | ~ 7.7/10 (IMDb) |
| Kraven the Hunter | 2024 | Dmitri Smerdyakov / The Chameleon | ~ 5.5/10 (IMDb) |
| Thelma | 2024 | Daniel | ~ 7.0/10 (IMDb) |
Why Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows Stands Out?
Why is Fred Hechinger more than another youthful Hollywood actor? A few things:
- Diversity: He is able to shift easily between horror, comedy and historical dramas.
- Delicacy: His acting is more subtle than necessarily noisy.
- Smart Choices: He chooses to do things that would challenge him rather than pursue fame on his own.
- Growth: He appears to incorporate something new every year to his profession where he challenges himself in terms of roles.
The Best Starting Point Of Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows for New Fans
If you’re new to Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows and want to dip your toes in, here’s a mini-watchlist:
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The White Lotus — for his breakout TV role.
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Fear Street Trilogy — if you enjoy horror with heart.
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The Woman in the Window — for thriller vibes.
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Gladiator II — to see him in epic mode.
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Thelma — for a lighter, quirky introduction.
Final Thoughts: Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows
The Fred Hechinger movies and TV shows is not only impressive, it is varied. He has already addressed indie darlings, critically acclaimed television shows, horror cult classics even a role in a Marvel production at the tender age of 25. He is a kind of new breed of actors who is not shy of combining big blockbuster hit with small, intimate project.
It is like seeing one watching his career unfold, like a person taking a thread at a time and weaving a tapestry, each decision a fabrication, each thread a distinct addition. And, by the look of things, Fred Hechinger is just beginning with his present course.
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