Jemaine Clement Movies Ranked Definitively
The Quirky Brilliance of New Zealand's Comedy Icon
Explore the definitive ranking of Jemaine Clement's best film roles, from cult vampire comedies to blockbuster animated hits and sci-fi adventures.
About Jemaine Clement
In the landscape of modern comedy, few figures possess a silhouette as distinct or a baritone as resonant as Jemaine Clement. The New Zealand native emerged from the underground Wellington scene with a brand of deadpan surrealism that redefined the archetype of the awkward outsider. While he initially captured the cultural zeitgeist through the rhythmic, self-deprecating neuroses of Flight of the Conchords, his evolution into a formidable big-screen character actor reveals a performer capable of oscillating between heartbreaking sincerity and flamboyant villainy.
What draws audiences to Clement is his uncanny ability to lean into the discomfort of a character without losing their inherent humanity. In his breakout cult classic What We Do in the Shadows, which he co-directed and wrote, he portrayed Vladislav the Joker as a centuries-old vampire grappling with lost glory. The performance was a masterclass in subverting gothic tropes with mundane domesticity, a feat that helped launch a global franchise. This specific comedic DNA, a mixture of high concept and low status, allows him to disappear into roles that would swallow a less grounded actor. Whether he is playing the ego-driven, leather-clad novelist in Gentlemen Broncos or the pretentious artist Kieran in Dinner for Schmucks, he finds the pathetic heartbeat within the caricature.
His vocal versatility has arguably made him one of the most sought-after voices in contemporary animation. He turned a bioluminescent coconut crab in Moana into a shimmering, glam-rock icon, delivering a performance so charismatic that his return for Moana 2 felt like a foregone conclusion. This specific brand of feathered or scaled menace also powered his turns in Rio and The Lego Batman Movie, where his comic timing is sharp enough to cut through even the most frenetic action sequences. He has mastered the art of being the most memorable part of a film, even when hidden behind pixels or heavy prosthetics, as seen in his transformation into the menacing Boris the Animal in Men in Black 3.
Yet, to pigeonhole him as a mere comedian would be to overlook the soulful gravity he brings to his independent work. In People, Places, Things, he navigates the fractured landscape of fatherhood and divorce with a vulnerability that feels stripped of his usual irony. This groundedness served as a bridge to his entry into massive blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water, where he played a scientist caught in a moral vacuum. Even in more whimsical fare like Thelma the Unicorn, Harold and the Purple Crayon, or his supporting turns in Brad's Status and Don't Make Me Go, there is an intelligence behind his eyes that suggests he is always in on the joke, yet deeply invested in the stakes.
Clement remains a rare commodity in Hollywood. He is an auteur who feels like a character actor, a musician who thrives in silent beats, and a comedian who understands that the funniest thing in the world is often a person trying very hard to be serious. He does not just inhabit films; he changes their atmospheric pressure, leaving behind a legacy of strange, beautiful, and deeply human misfits.
Eagle vs Shark
2007Love blossoms for Lily over double Meaty Boy burgers at mid-day when uber-computer nerd Jarrod comes in and leaves with free extra large fries. After gatecrashing Jarrod's party and proving her skills on the game console, Lily goes down to Jarrod's home town with him so he can settle an old score with a past school bully.
The Festival
2018After Nick's girlfriend dumps him, his best mate Shane has the perfect antidote to his break-up blues: three days at an epic music festival.
M3GAN 2.0
2025After the underlying tech for M3GAN is stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia, M3GAN's creator Gemma realizes that the only option is to resurrect M3GAN and give her a few upgrades, making her faster, stronger, and more lethal.
Gentlemen Broncos
2009A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
2024Inside of his book, adventurous Harold can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life.
Brad's Status
2017Although Brad has a satisfying career, a sweet wife and a comfortable life in suburban Sacramento, things aren't quite what he imagined during his college glory days. When he accompanies his musical prodigy son on a university tour, he can't help comparing his life with those of his four best college friends who seemingly have more wealthy and glamorous lives. But when circumstances force him to reconnect with his former friends, Brad begins to question whether he has really failed or if their lives are actually more flawed than they appear.
Don't Make Me Go
2022A terminally ill man and his teenage daughter embark on a road trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion. While there, he secretly hopes she can reunite with the mother who left them long ago.
Moana 2
2024After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
The Lego Batman Movie
2017A cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.
By voicing the Eye of Sauron, Clement pays homage to his geek-culture roots while contributing to the film's chaotic, cross-franchise humor. Even as a literal flaming eye, his distinct vocal gravity remains unmistakable and commanding.
Dinner for Schmucks
2010Rising executive Tim Conrad works for a boss who hosts a monthly dinner in which the guest who brings the biggest buffoon gets a career-boost. Tim plans on not attending until he meets Barry, a man who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. Barry's blundering but good intentions send Tim's life into a downward spiral, threatening a major business deal and possibly scuttling Tim's engagement to his fiancee.
As the hyper-sexualized artist Kieran, Clement steals scenes by leaning into his talent for portraying unearned confidence and artistic pretension. He effectively parodies the archetype of the peacocking intellectual with aggressive, physical comedy.
Thelma the Unicorn
2024Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.
Clement brings his signature subversive energy to the role of Vic Diamond, embodying the sleek hollowness of the music industry. His performance acts as a satirical anchor that elevates the film's commentary on celebrity and authenticity.
People, Places, Things
2015Will Henry is a newly single graphic novelist balancing being a parent to his young twin daughters and teaching a classroom full of college students, all the while trying to navigate the rich complexities of new love and letting go of the woman who left him.
This rare leading man turn allows Clement to trade his usual caricatures for a vulnerable, understated naturalism. It is a pivotal moment in his filmography that highlights his capacity for nuanced dramatic acting within the confines of an indie romantic comedy.
Rio
2011Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a macaw named Blu never learned to fly and lives a happily domesticated life in Minnesota with his human friend, Linda. Blu is thought to be the last of his kind, but when word comes that Jewel, a lone female, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and Linda go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap Blu and Jewel, but the pair soon escape and begin a perilous adventure back to freedom -- and Linda.
Taking on the role of Nigel the cockatoo, Clement weaponizes his deep baritone to create a villain defined by theatrical melodrama and Shakespearean delusions. He manages to outshine the colorful protagonists by infusing the character with a sharp, bitter edge.
Men in Black 3
2012Agents J and K are back...in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him - secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.
Clement is unrecognizable behind heavy prosthetics as Boris the Animal, shedding his deadpan persona for pure, menacing physicality. This role marked his transition into mainstream Hollywood as a formidable antagonist capable of genuine intimidation.
Despicable Me
2010Gru is a supervillain determined to prove he’s the greatest by stealing the Moon. To pull off his plan, he adopts three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—intending to use them as part of his scheme. However, as Gru bonds with the girls, his cold, villainous exterior begins to melt.
In his portrayal of Jerry the Minion, Clement leans entirely into phonetic absurdity and slapstick vocalizations. This early foray into major animation demonstrated his versatility in creating a global cultural phenomenon through non-verbal comedic timing.
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, learn the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
Navigating the technical demands of James Cameron’s sequel, Clement provides a grounded, cynical human counterpoint to the spectacle of Pandora. His portrayal of a morally compromised marine biologist adds a cold, intellectual layer to the blockbuster's environmental conflict.
Moana
2016In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
As the bioluminescent, treasure-obsessed Tamatoa, Clement transforms a brief villainous turn into the film's most psychedelic highlight. His glam-rock vocal performance proves he can dominate a high-budget Disney production through sheer charismatic eccentricity.
What We Do in the Shadows
2014Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
Clement anchors this mockumentary with a masterful blend of archaic aristocratic vanity and mundane domestic frustration. It remains the definitive showcase of his ability to find pathetic, soulful comedy within the supernatural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Jemaine Clement frequently stars in films that blend comedy with other genres like horror, animation, and science fiction. For example, "What We Do in the Shadows" combines comedy and horror, while "Moana" and "Despicable Me" merge comedy with family-friendly animation.
- Clement has lent his distinct voice to several major animated films including "Moana," "Despicable Me," and "Rio," showcasing his versatility in family-friendly projects. His work in these movies highlights his ability to engage broad audiences through animation.
- Jemaine Clement appears in science fiction-infused films such as "Men in Black 3," "Despicable Me," and "Avatar: The Way of Water." These roles demonstrate his adaptability across genres, seamlessly fitting into action-packed and imaginative storylines.
- Clement typically takes on significant supporting roles that often steal the spotlight due to his unique comedic timing and character depth. His lead role in "What We Do in the Shadows" is a notable example where he also co-wrote and co-directed, emphasizing his multifaceted talent.
- Recurring themes in Clement's movies include the exploration of outsider status, quirky humor, and surreal situations. This is evident in films like "What We Do in the Shadows," which humorously explores vampire life, and "People, Places, Things," which delves into personal struggles with a comedic tone.
- Clement has worked with acclaimed directors such as Taika Waititi in "What We Do in the Shadows" and James Cameron in "Avatar: The Way of Water." These collaborations have helped him shine in diverse cinematic landscapes, from indie comedies to blockbuster spectacles.
- In family-oriented movies like "Moana" and "The Lego Batman Movie," Clement's dry wit and distinctive vocal delivery are tailored to be accessible for all ages, balancing humor that appeals both to children and adults. This shows his skill in modulating his comedy to fit different audiences.
- In "What We Do in the Shadows," Clement not only stars but also contributed as a co-writer and co-director, making it a deeply personal project that highlights his full creative range. The film’s unique blend of mockumentary style, horror, and deadpan comedy makes it a standout in his career.
