Though James Spader is best known for his recent turn as Raymond Reddington in The Blacklist, the actor has starred in many iconic movies that deserve more recognition. The past few decades have seen Spader rise to prominence with voice work in Avengers: Age of Ultron. However, in the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000s, Spader took on many independent projects in a variety of genres that demonstrated his range as a performer. More often than not, Spader is cast as an unscrupulous character, which allows him to play the villain and have fun with his projects.
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James Spader’s best movies and TV shows often push boundaries and lean into territory that other films would typically shy away from. Erotic thrillers and intense romantic connections are where Spader shines, as he has a magnetism and enduring chemistry with all his co-stars. One of the major breakthroughs of his career, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, exemplifies the unique charisma that defines his career. Combined with his skills as a character actor and commitment to his roles, any movie that includes Spader has something to recommend to a wide variety of audiences.
You are watching: 10 Underrated James Spader Movies That Are Worth A Watch
10 The Music Of Chance (1993)
Directed by Philip Haas
Based on the novel of the same name, The Music of Chance pairs Spader with Mandy Patinkin, with Spader playing the gambler Pozzi, who pulls Patinkin’s unassuming Nashe into his scheme. After losing everything to two older rich men, Pozzi and Nashe are forced to work off their debt by building an ancient stone wall for the men. Trapped in servitude, Pozzi and Nashe respond differently to their predicaments, with Pozzi acting violently and rashly and Nashe seemingly taking the events in stride.
Spader has the most emotional role, and he and Patinkin play off each other well as foils who are forced to complete the Sisyphean task of building the wall.
The world the men enter in The Music of Chance seems to be a liminal space, with the isolating narrative inviting both the men and the audience to start feeling the confines and frustrations of the situation. Spader has the most emotional role, and he and Patinkin play off each other well as foils who are forced to complete the Sisyphean task of building the wall. As the film progresses, the viewer becomes entrenched in the uncanny surrealism of Philip Haas’ The Music of Chance.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Music of Chance (1993) |
100% |
88% |
9 Secretary (2002)
Directed by Steven Shainberg
Secretary (2002) Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
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*Availability in US
Secretary (2002) explores the complex relationship between a dominative lawyer, played by James Spader, and his submissive secretary, portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The film addresses themes of power dynamics and self-discovery within an unconventional romantic setting. Directed by Steven Shainberg, the narrative delves into the psychological intricacies of the main characters, setting it apart from traditional romantic dramas.
Director Steven Shainberg Release Date September 20, 2002 Cast James Spader , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Jeremy Davies , Patrick Bauchau , Stephen McHattie , Lesley Ann Warren Runtime 107 Minutes
The offbeat and erotic romantic comedy Secretary is a cult classic that features some of Spader’s best work as E. Edward Grey, the corporate businessman who becomes involved with his secretary, Maggie Gyllenhaal. The secretary, Lee Holloway, quickly becomes just as infatuated with Grey as he is with her, and they embark on a BDSM relationship, which fulfills them romantically and sexually. Both the nature of the relationship and the name Grey make it one of the best movies like Fifty Shades of Grey, and clearly inspired the later film.
Alongside its subversive subject matter, Secretary also stands out because of its stylistic visual choices that lean into surrealist territory. The performances from Gyllenhaal and Spader balance the comedy of the film’s script while simultaneously taking their desires and needs seriously. Additionally, it’s enjoyable to see Spader taking on the romantic lead for once, even if it’s in a non-traditional way. The way the characters are free to live as they please and their decisions are celebrated makes Secretary transcend the other rom-coms of its era.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Secretary (2002) |
78% |
82% |
8 True Colors (1991)
Directed by Herbert Ross
Before Spader and Patinkin collaborated on The Music of Chance, they worked together on True Colors, with John Cusack in the main role alongside Spader. In True Colors, Spader and Cusack play a pair of best friends who meet in college but go on opposite paths in the world of politics. Tim (Spader) is the good guy who wants to work for the Department of Justice, and his college roommate, Peter (Cusack), becomes a corrupt politician. Already at odds in their personal lives, their difference in morality and ambition deteriorates their friendship.
The world and corruption of U.S. politics play a significant role in
True Colors
, but this mainly serves as a backdrop for an exploration of the power of friendship.
Though True Colors didn’t receive great critical or audience acclaim, it’s still interesting to see Spader cast as the upright moral character, contrasted with Cusack, who had played the teenage heartthrob many times before. The world and corruption of U.S. politics play a significant role in True Colors, but this mainly serves as a backdrop for an exploration of the power of friendship. Tim and Peter see how far they can push each other before their relationship is lost forever.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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True Colors (1991) |
44% |
45% |
7 White Palace (1990)
Directed by Luis Mandoki
White Palace RDramaRomance
White Palace is a romantic drama directed by Luis Mandoki. The film stars Susan Sarandon as a working-class waitress and James Spader as an affluent young widower. Their lives become entwined in an unexpected romance, challenging societal norms and their personal beliefs. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships across socio-economic divides.
Release Date October 26, 1990 Writers Glenn Savan , Ted Tally , Alvin Sargent Cast Susan Sarandon , James Spader , Jason Alexander , Kathy Bates , Eileen Brennan , Steven Hill , Rachel Chagall , Corey Parker Director Luis Mandoki Runtime 103 Minutes
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In an interesting twist on the classic formula popularized by The Graduate, White Palace is a more sensitive and heartfelt addition to the genre. Susan Sarandon and Spader both have plenty of experience in the erotic romance genre, with Sarandon starring in Bull Durham with Kevin Costner in 1988. In White Palace, Nora (Sarandon) and Max (Spader) have an age gap, but they quickly connect over their mutual losses and embark on a relationship that brings them joy and comfort.
White Palace is a great example of a romance movie where an older woman dates a younger man, and in the classic fashion of the genre, their differences in where they are in life keep them apart. Much of White Palace tackles the concept of the “yuppy” in the 1980s and early 1990s and how Max chafes against the ideals of his upper-middle-class friends and lifestyle. While it isn’t a perfect film, its happy ending and moral conclusions make it relevant for contemporary audiences.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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White Palace (1990) |
50% |
62% |
6 Mannequin (1987)
Directed by Michael Gottlieb
Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy star in Mannequin as the mannequin-maker, Jonathan, and his muse, Emmy, who comes to life through his love of his work. The movie explores the love of art and artistry with the enduring adoration that a work of art enjoys, especially from its creator. Despite its unexpected fantasy premise, Mannequin has many moments of humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Spader plays Mr. Richards, one of the antagonists who tries to prevent Jonathan from succeeding in making his art.
It’s a campy addition to Spader’s filmography and has been recognized as a cult classic in the years since its release.
The bumbling and comically evil Mr. Richards is a classic Spader villain, and it’s clear that the actor is having fun acting because of the silly premise. Though Mannequin isn’t as well remembered today, it performed well thanks to McCarthy’s connection to The Brat Pack and Cattrall’s later fame. It’s a campy addition to Spader’s filmography and has been recognized as a cult classic in the years since its release.
Kim Cattrall is best known for her role as Samantha in
Sex and the City
.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Mannequin (1987) |
20% |
55% |
5 Bad Influence (1990)
Directed by Curtis Hanson
Bad Influence RThriller
Bad Influence is a psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson. The film stars Rob Lowe as Alex, a charming but menacing drifter, and James Spader as Michael, a meek and unassertive businessman. Alex’s influence draws Michael into a web of manipulation and crime, jeopardizing his career and relationships. The movie explores themes of identity, power, and the dark side of human nature.
Director Curtis Hanson Release Date March 9, 1990 Writers David Koepp Cast James Spader , Rob Lowe , Lisa Zane , marcia cross , Rosalyn Landor , Kathleen Wilhoite , Tony Maggio , Palmer Lee Todd Runtime 99 Minutes
Though Spader isn’t technically part of the group of actors labeled The Brat Pack, he did rise to fame alongside many of them and starred in movies with them, like in Bad Influence. Though John Hughes’ Pretty in Pink is one of his most famous projects, Bad Influence was a darker and more serious film. He’s paired with Rob Lowe, and both actors demonstrate strong chemistry as their relationship turns from genial to combative. Spader’s Michael is characterized as the weaker of the two, with Lowe’s Alex being the titular bad influence.
As Bad Influence progresses, the movie quickly revels in its thriller narrative, and the more Michael and the audience realize that Alex isn’t someone to be trusted. Though there are moments of melodrama in Bad Influence, both Spader and Lowe’s commitment to the intensity of their characters make the story believable. The only reason that Spader is characterized as the underdog in Bad Influence is because he plays next to Lowe, who embodies the archetypal bad boy even more.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Bad Influence (1990) |
65% |
51% |
Related The Best Movie From Every Member Of The Brat Pack
Each member of the Brat Pack shined in a particular movie of their career, & while some of them occurred in the 1980s, others had a career beyond.
1
4 Supernova (2000)
Directed by Walter Hill, Jack Sholder, & Francis Ford Coppola
The box office bomb Supernova stars Spader Nick Vanzant alongside Angela Bassett as Dr. Kaela Evers. Nick and Kaela work and live onboard a medical spaceship that travels through the universe, answering the calls of people in distress. Supernova begins with the ship Nightingale 229 malfunctioning right when the ship is in trouble and in the path of a cloud of debris. However, Supernova isn’t just a disaster space movie, as one of the people they rescue turns out to have dangerous ulterior motives.
If there’s one reason to revisit
Supernova
, it’s for the interesting stylistic approach to the science fiction genre that has become a time capsule of the early 2000s.
If there’s one reason to revisit Supernova, it’s for the interesting stylistic approach to the science fiction genre that has become a time capsule of the early 2000s. Unfortunately, Supernova suffered many problems behind the scenes due to issues beyond the creative team’s control. Despite this, Spader and the cast do their best with the script and manage to create a project that deserves some reevaluation. There’s an interesting heart to the story that could be revisited one day as part of a potential reboot.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Supernova (2000) |
11% |
17% |
3 Dream Lover (1993)
Directed by Nicholas Kazan
Dream Lover is yet another erotic thriller starring Spader with Mädchen Amick of Twin Peaks and Riverdale joining him. They play Ray and Lena, a married couple whose domestic bliss is interrupted by the web of lies that Ray catches Lena in. The meet-cute that made Ray fall in love with Lena isn’t what it seems, and her intentions for Ray and his money are much more nefarious than he realizes. Dream Lover is a great continuation of the genre of sadistic yet romantic games that unfold onscreen.
Though it underperformed at the box office, Dream Lover works well not only because of Spader but also Amick’s performance. Her character becomes increasingly sinister as the movie progresses. The amount of violence in Dream Lover is surprising, but it’s balanced by the sensual scenes between Spader and Amick, which are steamy and well-choreographed. When watching Dream Lover today, there are dated elements, but there’s also a stylistic intrigue that keeps the audience engaged.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Dream Lover (1993) |
57% |
39% |
2 The New Kids (1985)
Directed by Sean S. Cunningham
The New Kids RDramaDocumentaryHorrorThriller Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
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Not available
*Availability in US
Director Sean S. Cunningham Release Date January 18, 1985 Writers Stephen Gyllenhaal , Brian Taggert Cast Shannon Presby , Lori Loughlin , James Spader , John Philbin , David H. MacDonald , Vince Grant Runtime 89 minutes
Lori Laughlin, best known for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House, joins Spader early in both their careers in the cult 1980s horror movie The New Kids. Shannon Presby and Laughlin play Loren and Abby McWilliams, a pair of siblings who have to move in with their aunt and uncle and transfer school districts. Spader is Eddie, a local gang member who targets Abby and proves himself to be a violent and dangerous enemy.
Eddie is one of the darkest characters that Spader has ever taken on, as he goes to extreme lengths to hurt the other characters.
Though the film didn’t receive strong reviews, it has a surprisingly memorable cast and is in conversations with the anxieties surrounding the disruption of the nuclear family that were prevalent in the 1980s. Eddie is one of the darkest characters that Spader has ever taken on, as he goes to extreme lengths to hurt the other characters. His fate is one of the more graphic moments in the story. The setting of the amusement park does bring something interesting and compelling to the story.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The New Kids (1985) |
40% |
48% |
Related 10 Underrated 1980s Horror Movies You Should Definitely Check Out
While ’80s horror is best known for endless slasher sequels and body horror movies, there is a lot more to the decade’s underrated releases.
1 Wolf (1994)
Directed by Mike Nichols
Wolf RHorrorDramaRomance
Wolf, directed by Mike Nichols and released in 1994, stars Jack Nicholson as Will Randall, a middle-aged book editor who undergoes a transformation after being bitten by a wolf. Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Laura Alden, a woman entangled in Randall’s evolving circumstances. The film blends elements of horror and drama, exploring themes of primal instincts and corporate rivalry. James Spader and Kate Nelligan play pivotal supporting roles.
Director Mike Nichols Release Date June 17, 1994 Writers Jim Harrison , Wesley Strick Cast Jack Nicholson , Michelle Pfeiffer , James Spader , Kate Nelligan , Richard Jenkins , Christopher Plummer , Eileen Atkins , David Hyde Pierce Runtime 125 Minutes
Spader plays a secondary role in Wolf, which stars Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer alongside a stellar cast of classic actors. Stewart Swinton is Spader’s character, the foil to Nicholson’s Will, who attempts to steal Will’s position at their publishing company and has an affair with his wife. It’s a classic character for Spader, who is often typecast as the sleazy confidant who betrays his friends. However, there’s a supernatural element in Wolf that leads each of the characters to slowly transform into a creature of the night, beginning with Will.
Though the fantasy elements of Wolf are somewhat of a departure for James Spader, the movie isn’t a traditional werewolf flick, as the transformation into the wolf is seen as a form of empowerment for the fading Will. The juxtaposition of the fearsome nature of the wolf with the strict corporate world that Will and Stewart operate in makes Wolf a timely piece for the mid-’90s. Wolf goes down in history as a modern iteration of the monster movie, with some amazing performances to elevate it.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Wolf (1994) |
62% |
43% |
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Category: Entertainment