Summary
I’m thrilled about howJosh Hartnetthas returned to the spotlight over the past few years. Hartnett’s well-received and celebrated comeback began in 2023 when he starred alongside Aaron Paul in one of the most celebrated episodes ofBlack Mirrorseason 6 titled “Beyond the Sea”. Hartnett starred as David Ross in the Black Mirror episode, which takes place in an alternate version of 1969.Hartnett and Paul playing astronauts inBlack Mirroris just about all I needed to strap infor the exceptional episode, which plays out more like a movie with a lengthy runtime of one hour and nineteen minutes.
Hartnett then doubled down on his big return to acting in 2023 by starring alongside Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture winnerOppenheimer, which doesn’t get much better than that. Hartnett portrayedErnest Lawrence, a real-life American physicistand a colleague of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Hartnett, who rose to fame after appearing in major blockbusters and cult classics such asHalloween H20: 20 Years Later,The Virgin Suicides,Pearl Harbor,andBlack Hawk Down,recently made a surprisecameo inThe Bearseason 3, one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television.
Josh Hartnett’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
Josh Hartnett has had a lengthy career in Hollywood despite taking a hiatus from acting. But he’s officially back, and these are his best movies.
Josh Hartnett’s The Bear Cameo Creates A New Summer TV Show & Movie Pattern
Hartnett’s latest projects have been critically-acclaimed summer releases
Josh Hartnett may have found a new modern-day formula for success with his four latest projects. After starring in an episode of the popular and critically acclaimedBlack Mirrorseason 6 in 2023, Hartnett followed suit and guest starred inThe Bearseason 3 in 2024. Then,Oppenheimerwas released on June 16, 2025 which created the unforgettable box office feud “Barbenheimer”, and Hartnett is set to star in another summer blockbuster in 2024.M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thrillerTrapreleases on August 2, 2024and should continue Hartnett’s streak of starring in celebrated films and television shows.
Hartnett’s acting career took a turn when he chose to focus on independent projects as opposed to big studio-driven films and television series. 2007’s30 Days of Nightwas one of the final mainstream blockbusters that Hartnett starred in before emerging as Ethan Chandler in the celebrated Showtime seriesPenny Dreadful. Hartnett had been laying relatively low before taking on a supporting role in2021’sWrath of Mandue to a last-minute circumstance as a favor to Guy Ritchie. This led to Hartnett starring in another Ritchie feature, 2023’sOperation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, and inserted him back into the Hollywood spotlight.
I’m Obsessed With Josh Hartnett’s New TV Show Cameo
Josh Hartnett’s latest televsion credit comes as a major surprise in a new pivotal role that he has a great chance to reprise in future seasons.
Josh Hartnett’s Trap Role Has To Continue A Great Part Of His Movie & TV Show Comeback
Trap should be a box office hit in August 2024
WithThe Bear,Oppenheimer, andBlack Mirrorall being highly acclaimed, it sets the expectations higher for Hartnett inTrap. M. Night Shyamalan continues to make highly protibale films even thought not all of them are necessarily great or critically acclaimed. For example, 2023’sKnock at the Cabinmade $54 million against a budget of $20 million, while 2021’sOldmade $90 million worldwide against a budget of $18 million.2019’sGlass, which received a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 37%, made an astonishing $247 millionagainst a budget of only $20 million.
While it would be outstanding if Hartnett could elevate Shyamalan’sTrapto being one of his most critically acclaimed movies in years,there’s little doubt that the summer thriller will still be profitable regardless of its Rotten Tomatoes score. I would be shocked if Hartnett’s modern renaissance was suddenly cut short because ofTrap.Shyamalan’s recent films have still held up critically even though they aren’t as noteworthy as his past works such asSignsandThe Sixth Sense.Traphas the added benefit of Hartnett’s revitalized star power, which should give it a boost in a relatively light August box office.
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Josh Hartnett’s New Career Trend Makes Me Really Excited For Summer 2025
Hartnett has a great chance of reprising his role in The Bear season 4
At this rate, Josh Hartnett could become one of the most bankable summer movie and TV stars of the summer.Hartnett is already attached to the upcoming filmFight or Flightdirected by James Madigan, which is currently in post-production. The celebrated actor also has a great opportunity to reprise his new role as Frank inThe Bearseason 4 since his character is getting married to Gillian Jacobs' Tiff, the ex-wife of series regular Richie, played by Emmy winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach. WithThe Bearconsistently releasing in June, I’m confident thatJosh Hartnettwill appear in at least one episode next season, meaning he’ll just have to find another summer blockbuster to star in to keep the cycle going.
Trap
Cast
Trap is a film by writer-director M. Night Shyamalan under his Blinding Edge Pictures label. The film is part of a deal struck with Warner Bros for him to direct and produce several films under their banner.
