A definitive ranking of Bill Skarsgård's 10 best films

Born into the most famous family of actors in Sweden, Bill Skarsgård was introduced to the industry from a young age, properly entering the scene at the age of 18. Now 31 years old, Skarsgård has garnered a number of renowned titles under his belt, ranging from Hollywood productions to Swedish cult films.

The beloved actor's latest endeavour boasts hotly anticipated Netflix series Clark, where he is in his element playing charismatic yet immensely devious Clark Olofsson, Sweden's most notorious criminal. Even though Skarsgård may be most known for his skilled portrayals of tormented and mischievous characters, the actor has proved to excel in pretty much any role given to him.

While we're waiting for Clark to hit Netflix on the May 5, below, a breakdown of Skardgård’s most acclaimed films to watch in the meantime.

Related: Bill Skarsgård gives us Stockholm Syndrome with his latest role

Adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel It, the 2017 film of the same name, portrays a gripping horror story of a group of kids who are forced to confront their wildest and worst nightmares as they fight against an evil shapeshifting clown called Pennywise (Skarsgård).

Directed by Andy Muschietti, the film was immensely popular, giving goosebumps to millions of viewers worldwide. In 2019, the horror-thriller was followed by a second part, It Chapter Two, where the children from the first part appear again as adults. The sequel was the highest-grossing horror film of 2019, and Skarsgård’s return to his terrifying and chilling character was widely praised.

The 2019 thriller-drama Villains gave us the first taste of Skarsgård taking a role of a devious robber, albeit not as proficient as his role later in Clark. Directed by Robert Olsen and Dan Berk, Villains is a story about two young thieves, Mickey (Skarsgård) and Jules (Maika Monroe), who run into difficulties during their first robbery and wind up breaking into another property. The house, however, is a hideaway of a serial killer couple, who are far more dangerous than Mickey and Jules. Villains has been celebrated especially for excelling in introducing mischievous characters who at the same time are eccentric and lovable.

A winner in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Nine Days is an ethereal and compelling film about the meaning of life. Directed by Edson Oda, the film follows human souls interviewed by a reclusive man called Will (Winston Duke), whose responsibility is to question the souls and decide who is the most suitable to be born. Skarsgård obtains a leading role of Kane, one of the souls desperate to be brought to life.

Released in 2011, a Swedish coming-of-age classic directed by Lisa Ohlin, Simon and the Oaks is based on a best-selling novel by renowned author Marianne Fredriksson, carrying the same name. Telling the story of Simon (Skarsgård), the film delves into the life of a bookish young boy, enjoying a calm and quaint childhood in an idyllic Swedish town, while the gloom of World War II descends over Europe. Even though Simon’s life may seem picture-perfect, he can’t help but feel different. As Simon discovers that he is adopted, he embarks on a journey to find his true self.

Another acclaimed Swedish coming-of-age film, Behind Blue Eyes is set in the stunning Swedish archipelago during the 1970s, following the life of a young Martin (Skarsgård) who scores a summer job working at a hotel. Gösta (Peter Dalle), the hotel manager, grows fond of Martin and takes the teenager under his wing, introducing him to shady business that Gösta is involved in. Directed by Hannes Holm, the film was released in 2010.

An acclaimed adaptation of the 19th-century literature masterpiece by Russian author Leo Tolstoi, Anna Karenina portrays the drama-fueled life of a young, affluent socialite and aristocrat Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley), living in Saint Petersburg. Directed by praised Joe Wright, the film was released in 2013. In the enthralling tale, Skarsgård acquired the role of Makhotin, a military captain who drifts in and out of Anna Karenina’s life.

Even though Skarsgård obtains a smaller role in the film, being part of the production is significant for the actor, considering he got to join an all-star cast including Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Scandi star Alicia Vikander.

A 2020 Netflix feature film by Antonio Campos, The Devil All the Time is based on a novel of the same title by Donald Ray Pollock. Set in a post-World War II backwoods town, the thriller-drama follows a young man's life, dedicated to protecting his loved ones from the violent world they live in. Packed with sinister characters, Skarsgård stars in the first half of the film, playing the part of William Russell, a Marine who returns home after serving in the Solomon Islands.

Joining the likes of Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland, Skarsgård's performance in The Devil All the Time cemented his status further in his ability to portray a grim, troubled character.

A 2011 Swedish drama directed by Ella Lemhagen, The Crown Jewels follows Fragancia Fernandez (Alicia Vikander), a woman who gets arrested for attempting to murder the son of a powerful factory owner (Skarsgård). As Fernandez is interrogated, her astonishing life story unfolds, introducing a modern fairy tale infused with romance and betrayal.

The only TV series on this list, Skarsgård was cast in another Stephen King on-screen work in Castle Rock (2018), where he obtained a significant part, playing “The Kid” in the first season. Created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, Castle Rock is a horror anthology series where King’s most famous stories intertwine.

Sweden’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film –category at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011, Simple Simon is a funny, warm and touching story about an 18-year-old Simon (Skarsgård) who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Living with his brother Sam (Martin Wallström), who looks after him, Simon’s life has to have a fixed schedule that gets deranged when Sam breaks up with his girlfriend, and Simon decides to find his brother a new girl. The film is directed by Andreas Öhman.