Why Isn’t Dane DeHaan A Star Yet?

If you don’t know Dane DeHaan‘s name, you definitely know his face. The 31-year-old actor has been delivering nuanced, interesting performances for years, but he’s yet to catch on as a household name. Luc Besson‘s summer blockbuster Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets might finally change this, but the fact that DeHaan, with his unique looks and high-caliber talent, hasn’t reached stardom yet, is puzzling.

DeHaan first gained widespread attention after appearing in found footage sci-fi thriller Chronicle back in 2012. The film, directed by Josh Trank, received positive reviews and was the perfect stepping stone for a then-unknown DeHaan to take Hollywood by storm – and initially, it seemed like he might. DeHaan demonstrated that he could bring a unique sense of vulnerability, honesty, and intrigue to a sci-fi flick with many moving parts, and it’s likely that it propelled him towards joining the all-star cast behind Lawless, in which he played a small but memorable role. His first real chance to shine, however, came in The Place Beyond the Pines, a crime drama film from Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance.

If you don’t want The Place Beyond the Pines spoiled for you, stop reading now. To discuss DeHaan’s impact on the film as a whole, some big plot points have to be dropped. It’s a strange, impressive, epic movie, one that leaves you thinking for days after – and DeHaan’s performance plays a big role in that. At the beginning, the film centers on two very different men; Luke (Ryan Gosling) a motorcyclist who turns to crime to support his infant son, and Avery (Bradley Cooper), an ambitious cop willing to do just about anything to touch greatness. The duo’s paths inevitably cross in a tragic manner that leaves Luke dead and Avery a liar, and in the film’s third act, we fast-forward fifteen years to meet the men’s sons, Jason (DeHaan) and A.J. (Emory Cohen).

As Jason, Luke’s son, DeHaan is absolutely breathtaking. He’s sad, a loner, desperate to discover the true identity of his late father. When he does, the unraveling he undergoes is nothing short of compelling. DeHaan plays the conflicting desires for revenge and answers and peace with an emotional nakedness that’s nearly impossible to find in actors his age. He easily holds his own opposite Cooper and the rest of the cast, and every moment he’s on screen, it’s impossible not to get lost in those expressive baby blues. That DeHaan wasn’t showered with awards for his performance remains astounding, but he didn’t stop there.

After Pines, DeHaan appeared (and often stole the show) in a handful of successful indie flicks like Kill Your Darlings, Devil’s Knot, Life After Beth, and more, and even played a small role in Lincoln. He took on his first blockbuster as Harry Osborn/The Green Goblin opposite Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and it seemed only natural that this would be the beginning of DeHaan’s time in the spotlight. He went on to play icon James Dean in Life with a fresh, fascinating take on the late actor, appeared in Terrence Malick‘s experimental Knight of Cups with a ton of big stars, and demanded our attention in stunning indie romance Two Lovers and a Bear. So why isn’t he a star? There are a few reasons, none of which make a ton of sense. It could be timing, it could be the industry saturation of young male leads, it could be his unique physical attributes that don’t make him a go-to leading man. These reasons, however, are becoming less and less legitimate as DeHaan demonstrates his rare gift in every single role he takes on.

The career trajectory that DeHaan has experienced seemed to parallel that of many others who shot to the A-list; a few stellar indie films, big blockbusters, and suddenly, a consistent demand for his appearance. While these ingredients didn’t necessarily push him as far ahead as one might expect, the reliable work done by DeHaan has proven time and time again that he’s a force on screen. He’s had a few flops here and there, and perhaps this has contributed to his lack of momentum – A Cure For Wellness shockingly came and went as if it never happened. Luckily for DeHaan (and us!), studios are continuing to bet on him – and by doing so, he’ll hopefully be propelled to the stardom he so deserves.