Pedro Pascal’s Lesser-Known Films: Five You Might Skip

Pedro Pascal has built a reputation for himself through a string of memorable performances, recently earning a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in The Last of Us. Yet, not every project in his filmography has been met with the same enthusiasm. Amongst his many successes, there are a handful of titles that have failed to capture the imagination of audiences and critics alike. Here, we take a look at five such films that, while featuring Pascal’s talents, are often regarded as rather forgettable.

Office Antics and Vampires: Bloodsucking Bastards (2015)

In 2015, Pascal took on the role of Max in Bloodsucking Bastards, a horror-comedy directed by Brian James O’Connell. The story follows Evan, whose mundane office life is upended when his colleagues begin transforming into vampires. Pascal’s portrayal of the villain is competent, but the film itself doesn’t quite stand out when compared to his more impressive work. The critical response was mixed, with a 68% rating from critics and a less favourable 49% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, while IMDb users gave it 5.7 out of 10. It’s a light watch, but hardly essential viewing for those interested in his career.

Sequels and Diminishing Returns: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) & The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Pascal’s turn as Agent Whiskey in Kingsman: The Golden Circle saw him join a star-studded cast in the second instalment of the popular spy action series. Despite the film’s ambition and energetic set pieces, many felt it lacked the originality and spark of its predecessor. The critics’ consensus summed it up rather neatly:

Kingsman: The Golden Circle offers more of everything that made its predecessor so much fun, but lacks the original’s wild creative spark.

With a 51% critics’ score and 64% from audiences, it’s a passable sequel, but not one that lingers in the memory.

Similarly, The Equalizer 2 (2018) paired Pascal with Denzel Washington in a vigilante thriller. Pascal played Dave York, an antagonist whose presence added tension but couldn’t quite elevate the film above its predecessor. Critics noted:

The Equalizer 2 delivers the visceral charge of a standard vigilante thriller, but this reunion of trusted talents ultimately proves a disappointing case study in diminishing returns.

With middling reviews and a sense of déjà vu, it’s another entry that doesn’t quite do justice to Pascal’s abilities.

Star Power, Little Spark: The Bubble (2022) & The Great Wall (2016)

The Bubble (2022), directed by Judd Apatow, assembled an impressive cast including Pascal as Dieter Bravo. Set during a pandemic lockdown, the film follows a group of actors attempting to finish a dinosaur action sequel while quarantined. Despite the promising premise and notable names, the end result was widely criticised. The Rotten Tomatoes verdict was blunt:

Meandering and mostly unfunny, The Bubble gums up an all-star cast with hackneyed gags about showbiz and pandemic life.

Audience reviews were equally scathing:

Don’t be fooled by all the funny people in the cast — The Bubble is two largely laugh-free hours you’ll never get back.

With a 20% critics’ score and 30% from viewers, it’s a rare misfire for all involved.

Finally, The Great Wall (2016) saw Pascal alongside Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe in a fantasy action epic set in ancient China. The plot, involving mercenaries and monstrous invaders, promised spectacle but delivered little substance. Critics remarked:

For a Yimou Zhang film featuring Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe battling ancient monsters, The Great Wall is neither as exciting nor as entertainingly bonkers as one might hope.

Despite its visual ambition, the film was met with lukewarm responses, earning 35% from critics and 42% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reflecting on the Forgettable

While these films may not represent the highlights of Pascal’s career, they offer a glimpse into the varied choices actors make along the way. Whether you’ve seen them or are simply curious, these titles are often left off the must-watch list for a reason. Still, every actor has a few missteps, and these are just a handful from an otherwise impressive body of work.