Max Thieriot’s best movies and TV shows prove that the star of Fire Country, SEAL Team, and Bates Motel was a great actor from a young age. Born in California in 1988, Max Thieriot began his career as a child in family films in the early 2000s but quickly made a name for himself playing emotionally complex characters. From psychological thrillers to action thrillers, he’s one of those actors who seems to elevate every project he’s in. He found success as a teenager in films like The Pacifier and Nancy Drew, but his career took off with darker, more mature roles as an adult.
What makes Max Thieriot so compelling to watch is the emotional depth and quiet intensity he brings to every performance. Whether he’s playing a firefighter with a troubled past, a war-hardened SEAL, or Norman Bates’ estranged brother, there’s always something simmering beneath the surface. He’s become a staple on network television and continues to develop his talents behind the camera. For fans of smart drama and thoughtful acting, Max Thieriot’s best movies and TV shows are a must-read.
Chloe (2009)
Max Thieriot as Michael Stewart
Directed by Atom Egoyan, Chloe is a gripping psychological thriller about infidelity, manipulation, and fractured relationships. The story centers on Catherine (played by Julianne Moore), a woman who hires a prostitute, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried), to test her husband’s loyalty, but things spiral dangerously out of control. Max Thieriot plays Michael Stewart, Catherine’s teenage son, who is caught in the middle of an emotional storm. Despite being a supporting role, Thieriot brings a raw vulnerability to Michael that stands out. His scenes deepen Chloe’s emotional depth, providing a glimpse into the damage caused by adult betrayal. He is particularly compelling opposite Julianne Moore, with Thieriot’s performance giving Michael a troubled yet sympathetic presence that showcases a more nuanced side to his acting range. While not his most prominent role, Thieriot’s emotional honesty earns Chloe a place among Max Thieriot’s best films and TV shows.
Jumper (2008)
Max Thieriot as 15-year-old David Rice
Before Hayden Christensen’s adult David Rice teleported across continents in Doug Liman’s Jumper, Max Thieriot laid the emotional groundwork as young David discovered his abilities. In this sci-fi adventure about people who can “jump” from place to place in the blink of an eye, Thieriot’s screen time is brief, but his performance is crucial. He plays a bullied teenager who first discovers his powers, setting in motion the chain of events that drives the entire film. Thieriot captures the wonder, fear, and rebellion that comes with discovering unimaginable abilities. His version of David is a repressed frustration and despair, which makes the character’s leap – literally and figuratively – all the more thrilling.
The transition from Thieriot’s performance to Christensen’s adult David is seamless, thanks to the emotional groundwork Thieriot lays from the get-go. With Liman’s deft direction and a fast-paced, globe-trotting plot, Jumper is a popcorn movie with a unique premise. Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson round out the cast, but it’s Thierot’s brief but memorable introduction that gives the story its human edge. For fans who’ve followed his early roles, this remains a defining moment in Max Thieriot’s best films and TV shows.
Disconnect (2012)
Max Thieriot as Kyle
In Henry Alex Rubin’s thought-provoking 2012 drama Disconnect, Max Thierot plays Kyle, a troubled teenager drawn into the dark side of internet culture. Disconnect weaves together several related stories, exploring how technology can alienate and ruin lives. Thierot stars alongside Jason Bateman, Andrea Riseborough, and Alexander Skarsgård in a film that is both touching and socially significant. Kyle is a runaway who is lured into an adult webcam operation, and Thieriot plays him with haunting sincerity. Kyle in Disconnect has always been a risky role for Max Thieriot, and he delivers it brilliantly, showing the pain, confusion, and despair that comes with it.
Whether he’s navigating dangerous blazes or unresolved personal drama, Max Thieriot gives Bode a layered humanity that keeps audiences hooked. What makes Fire Country so standout is its mix of pulse-pounding action and deeply personal storytelling. The cast – including Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, and Diane Farr – is top-tier, but Thierot is the heart of the series. With its strong ratings and fan devotion, Fire Country doesn’t just earn a spot – it undisputedly takes the top spot among the best Max Thieriot movies and TV shows.
