Amazon’s ‘My Policeman’ Proves Harry Styles’ Charm Belongs on Stage, Not Film… For Now

Harry Styles’ acting in My Policeman—which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video—is not good.

I’m sorry. As someone who’s paid too much money to see Harry Styles in concert and as someone who loves to wax poetic about the power of fandom, it brings me no joy to report this. Believe me, I wouldn’t risk lighting my own Twitter mentions on fire if this wasn’t the truth. Harry Styles—a great performer, singer, songwriter, and pop star—isn’t a great actor. At least not yet. And honestly? That’s fine!

This isn’t to say Styles couldn’t, someday, with practice, become a good actor. Or maybe even a great one. But he clearly wasn’t ready for My Policeman, and director Michael Grandage (or the producer who held a gun to Grandage’s head) did Styles a disservice by casting him. Based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman stars Styles as a closeted policeman named Tom who falls into a secret, torrid love affair with a museum curator, Patrick (played by David Dawson) in 1950s England. Styles looks the part of a movie star, dashing in those Golden Age short shorts, collared shirts, and cozy sweater vests.

The right look goes a long way, and that, to a certain extent, helped keep him afloat in Don’t Worry Darling, another ’50s period drama. But My Policeman is a high-stakes, difficult role. It’s incredibly physical, including at least four intimate sex scenes. (They are tasteful, tender, and well-directed, but surely would make even the most seasoned actor uncomfortable.) It’s a heartwrenching, forbidden romance that hinges on, above all else, the chemistry between the two leads. And that, unfortunately, is where Styles falls short.

In a role that ought to be charming, magnetic, and compelling—given the way that Patrick gushes over “his policeman” in his diary entries—Styles is awkward, stilted, and wooden. Only so much of this can be explained as Tom’s fear and discomfort regarding his own sexuality. Dawson, a trained theater actor who was nominated for a  Laurence Olivier Award in 2007, gives and gives and gives. Styles is clearly trying, but he just can’t match Dawson’s effortless flirtatious energy. Rather than rooting for these star-crossed lovers, you find yourself wishing that Patrick—a fascinating, cultured man who has you leaning in with interest every time he’s on screen—would drop this boring cop already, and move on with his life.

It’s a complete 180 from Styles’ charismatic stage presence. Because if you’ve seen him live, you know that Styles does have that “lean in” magnetism. His charm is one of the reasons he’s such a huge star with such a rabid following. It’s not the sharp cheekbones or the floppy hair that launched him to fame. At least, not entirely. (If it were purely a beauty contest, Zayn Malik would be the most popular member of One Direction, no?) It’s the love and joy that Styles radiates. It’s his wide-eyed, non-judgmental wonder at his millions of adoring fans. It’s his easy acceptance—no, celebration—of the off-beat weirdos who lavish him with praise. And it doesn’t hurt that he looks great in a dress. You don’t get fans who organize a publicity tour on your behalf—because many were worried Amazon wasn’t giving My Policeman the promotion they felt it deserved—if you don’t have that “it” factor.

Perhaps that’s why the various Hollywood producers, agents, and executives responsible for pushing Styles in front of the camera thought his charm would translate to film. No one complained about his brief appearance in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, a movie where he looks good in a WWII uniform and barely had any lines. His Saturday Night Live appearance as a host in 2019 was a hit, delivering laughs from fans and casual viewers alike. (Perhaps Styles feeds off of a live audience?) Some unease set in after his jarring appearance in the bizarre Eternals after-credits scene. But lead roles in serious, Oscar-bait, buzzy films like Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman are very different beasts from brief cameo appearances and live sketch comedy. Styles, as far as I’m aware, has no formal acting training. Of course he wasn’t ready to play opposite a powerhouse like Florence Pugh, who is fresh off of an Academy Award and BAFTA nomination. Of course he’s not equipped to carry an intense gay love story about homophobia, repression, and denial.

Hollywood executives with dollar signs in their eyes have a long history of thrusting pop stars into films where they otherwise have no business being. Sometimes it works (Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez) and sometimes it doesn’t (Beyoncé, Mariah Carey). While Styles will surely be fine—those sold-out tour dates aren’t going anywhere—you can’t help but feel for him. Outside of his ever-loyal fanbase, public opinion hasn’t been on Styles’ side these last few months, thanks in part to the juicy celebrity drama surrounding his relationship with Don’t Worry Darling director Olivia Wilde. He could have used a win with My Policeman. But sadly, this movie isn’t the triumph fans were hoping for. Maybe someday, with more practice and training, we’ll see Styles at the Oscars. For now, though, his charm is better suited for the stage.