Timothée Chalamet possessed the same perspective movie star energy that Leonardo DiCaprio expressed in the ’90s and that James Dean harnessed in the ’50s — a youthful playfulness with boyish good looks and an organic charm. While Dean and DiCaprio sported blonde quiffs, piercing blue eyes, and an irresistible on-screen charisma, Chalamet, for all his undeniable albeit conventional good looks, always seemed to carry that dorkier, sillier side that has made him such a commercially viable marketing tool.

Update September 17, 2023: This article has been updated following recent developments in Timothée Chalamet’s career.

“No hard drugs and no superhero movies,” DiCaprio reportedly advised Chalamet during their first encounter, and while we can’t possibly comment on the former, Chalamet has so far adhered to the latter piece of guidance to the MCU’s dismay. Scheduled to star in two of the most eagerly-anticipated movies of 2023 and 2024, respectively, Wonka and Dune: Part Two, Chalamet is one of the most likable actors currently on the circuit, but what is it about Chalamet that makes so many people gravitate towards him?

A Future Industry Great
Warner Bros. Entertainment

After initially appearing in a string of television shows, including Homeland, the New Yorker got his feature debut in Jason Reitman’s Men, Women & Children before a career-making break in Christopher Nolan’s intellectual sci-fi movie Interstellar. But it was as Elio Perlman in director Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 coming-of-age drama Call Me By Your Name where Chalamet really secured his status as a breakthrough star in a breathtakingly mature performance, way beyond his years. That same year, he also played a role in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird.

Since then, his stock has skyrocketed, having become what many would consider a household name, landing key roles in Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York, Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, and Denis Villeneuve’s exceptional Dune. The Don’t Look Up star has exhibited his acting dexterity via a plethora of diverse characters, genres, and methods, from playing a closeted gay adolescent and King Henry V to a kind cannibal and a rebellious, drug-addicted young adult. Considering Chalamet is just 27 years old, he has developed quite a staggering repertoire and has already constructed a seriously accomplished portfolio.

Chalamet Redefines the Male Lead
Sony Pictures

Historically, Hollywood and Westernized culture have been governed by a patriarchal structure that treasures toxic masculinity, a social construct that hegemonies and controls the ways in which men behave, think, and are perceived. From Steve McQueen, Sean Connery, and John Wayne to Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, and Denzel Washington, traditional male leads typically embody these macho, red-blooded, emotionally disengaged characters. Armored exteriors, who are programmed to simply fight, protect, dominate, and use women for sexual gratification, are traits that speak to the emotionally detached, inherently misogynistic hunter-gatherer, which in this day and age is a considerably outdated worldview.

Even when taking another look at his movie Call Me By Your Name, it becomes evident that Chalamet has set a new, more modern, and inclusive path for male characters and actors. The very notion of the queer-themed movie is to elucidate the matter of intimacy, sexuality, and vulnerability, which has arguably managed to impact rigid societal norms, and the film has certainly touched a great number of people, considering that, to this day, it is still a topic of conversation.

Related: Timothée Chalamet’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score

Timothée Chalamet has helped reinvent the role of the lead male, both superficially and stylistically. His svelte figure is a departure from the gym-sculpted bodies of yesteryear and is instead more representative of the average man. Rather than the conventional approach of utilizing a stocky frame as a symbol of sexual prowess and a source of weaponry, his on-screen presence derives almost entirely from his demeanor. Similarly, his effeminate facial structure and floppy brown mop of hair gift him an unforgettable and intriguing edge, one that requires neither a beard nor a squared jawline.

As if the actor’s captivating, emotional intelligence and, as some would call it, angelic appearance weren’t enough, Chalamet causally adds another layer to his existence as a worldwide crush. While, by now, every soul is aware of Chalamet’s versatile talents, his upcoming movie Wonka reveals yet another forte of his. Starring in the prequel of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the actor not only gets to throw on all the colorful clothes but also seizes the opportunity to impress everyone with his dancing and singing skills. Considering that the director of the movie, Paul King, is beyond astonished by Timothée’s performance, fans are in for a treat. The decision to cast Chalamet as young Willy Wonka simply works, especially since the heartthrob appears to be a treasure box filled with talents.

Timothée Chalamet Grows by Embracing Vulnerability
MGM

In 2017’s Call Me By Your Name, 2018’s Beautiful Boy, and Luca Guadagnino’s recent release, Bones and All, Chalamet comes across as an actor who has allowed himself to completely succumb to vulnerability. His openness, honesty, and susceptibility to expressing feelings are both refreshing and a welcome deviation from the reserve of machismo. His emotionality places him at the mercy of the audience while simultaneously empowering him to regenerate himself on screen with each passing role.

Related: 8 Movies and TV Shows You Didn’t Realize Featured Timothée Chalamet

His popularity among female fans is, acting aside, undoubtedly down to the way in which he is both emotionally mature and able to convey varying degrees of complex feelings on-screen. Chalamet’s in-depth understanding of his emotional sphere has irrefutably led to an emphatic demonstration of his adeptness as a multidimensional actor and one of the most impressive up-and-coming talents in the industry. Predictably, the excitement around his rendition of Roald Dahl’s chocolate-loving maniac, Willy Wonka, reached fever-pitch when it was announced that he would be playing the iconic role that Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp had previously taken on.

While Chalamet has taken on numerous challenging roles and never fails to deliver an extraordinary performance, his portrayal of Paul Atreides in Dune stands out. The general thoughtfulness of the character, which is palpable from the very beginning, is aligned with Paul’s incredible emotional range, allowing for a profound connection between him and the audience. Clearly, Chalamet plays a significant role regarding the authenticity of his character. It is as though the actor carries his own vulnerability, deep-rooted desires, and compassion right onto the screen.

Chalemet’s Exciting Future
Warner Bros. Pictures

2023 was originally going to be the Winter of Chalamet, as he had Dune: Part Two set for release in November, with Wonka following right after in December. Yet due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strike, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to delay Dune: Part Two until March 2024. The studio is keeping Wonka on its original date.

Following the release of Dune: Part Two, Chalamet will star in A Complete Unkown, a biopic about Bob Dylan that will be directed by James Mangold. Mangold is just one of the many exciting directors Chalamet has found himself working with, as the actor has prioritized working with the top filmmakers in the industry over safe bets.

There is no doubt that Timothée Chalamet has achieved the high status of being the perfect internet boyfriend, but apart from all the previously mentioned reasons as to why his mere existence is so thrilling, maybe, after all, it is simply his “French-ness” that draws us in the most.