Age: 70
male
William James "Willem" Dafoe (born July 22, 1955) is an American actor. Known for his prolific career portraying diverse roles in both mainstream and arthouse films, he is the recipient of various accolades, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actor as well as nominations for four Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, four Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has frequently collaborated with filmmakers Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Lars von Trier, Julian Schnabel, Wes Anderson, and Robert Eggers. Dafoe was a founding member of experimental theatre company The Wooster Group. He made his film debut with an uncredited role in Heaven's Gate (1980). Dafoe's early career includes credits for The Loveless (1982), Streets of Fire (1984), and To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). He earned his first Academy Award nomination for the war drama Platoon (1986), followed by nominations for his roles in Shadow of the Vampire (2000), The Florida Project (2017), and the Vincent van Gogh biopic At Eternity's Gate (2018). He also gained acclaim and wide recognition for his roles as Jesus Christ in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and as the supervillain Norman Osborn in the superhero film Spider-Man (2002), a role he reprised in its sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007), and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). His other film appearance include roles in Mississippi Burning (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Wild at Heart (1990), Light Sleeper (1992), Body of Evidence (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), The English Patient (1996), Affliction (1997), New Rose Hotel(1998), Existenz (1999), The Boondock Saints (1999), American Psycho (2000), Auto Focus (2002), Finding Nemo (2003), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Inside Man (2006), Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007), Antichrist (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Nymphomaniac (2013), The Fault in Our Stars (2014), John Wick (2014), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Aquaman (2018), The Lighthouse (2019), Nightmare Alley (2021), Poor Things (2023), and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).
The film follows shy college student Barry Allen, a brilliant but socially awkward young man living in Central City. Barry studies forensic science while working part-time in the laboratories of the Central City Police Department. Barry lives with his supportive parents Henry Allen and Nora Allen, who encourage his scientific curiosity. At college, Barry’s closest friend is Hunter Zolomon, an ambitious criminology student fascinated by the psychology of villains. Zolomon idolizes the mysterious historian Eobard Thawne, who secretly researches Speed Force phenomena and acts as Zolomon’s mentor. Barry also spends time with his friendly neighbor Iris West, who attends the same college and dreams of becoming a journalist. One night while working late in the CCPD forensic lab, Barry analyzes experimental chemicals collected from various criminal investigations. During a massive storm, a bolt of lightning strikes the laboratory equipment, causing a catastrophic chain reaction that mixes the chemicals and releases enormous energy. The lightning strikes Barry directly, flooding his body with unknown power. Barry awakens to discover incredible new abilities—superhuman speed, accelerated reflexes, and heightened perception. Unaware that he has tapped into the cosmic Speed Force, Barry begins experimenting with his powers. Meanwhile, Eobard Thawne faces pressure from the board of S.T.A.R. Labs after a failed military contract involving an experimental human-enhancement serum. Desperate to save his reputation and research, Thawne tests the unstable formula on himself. The serum dramatically increases his speed and intelligence but fractures his mind, creating a violent alternate personality. During a public festival in Central City, Thawne murders the members of the S.T.A.R. Labs board, beginning a campaign of terror across the city. Excited by his powers, Barry initially uses them selfishly. He enters underground racing competitions to earn money and creates a simple costume to hide his identity. One night he refuses to stop a thief who steals money from the arena owner. Later that evening, Barry learns that the same thief has broken into his home and killed his mother, Nora Allen. Devastated, Barry pursues the criminal and accidentally causes his death, realizing his selfish decision indirectly led to his mother’s murder. Determined that no one else should suffer because of his inaction, Barry creates a red suit designed to withstand the friction of extreme speed and becomes The Flash, dedicating his life to protecting Central City. To remain close to the city’s investigations, Barry continues working with the CCPD using his forensic expertise. The department is led by the skeptical but determined Captain Darryl Frye Singh, who often clashes with the mysterious new vigilante known as the Flash. Meanwhile, Iris West begins investigating the appearance of the red-suited speedster and becomes fascinated by the hero saving people throughout the city. Thawne soon becomes fascinated with the Flash and attempts to recruit him as an ally. When Flash refuses, Thawne declares war on him. Their rivalry escalates through several battles across Central City, including a chaotic fight during a city parade and a brutal rooftop battle in which Flash is severely injured. Thawne’s obsession with destroying the Flash’s life eventually leads him to discover Barry’s secret identity after noticing Barry’s suspicious injuries. Now calling himself Reverse-Flash, Thawne kidnaps Iris West and forces the Flash into a cruel choice: save Iris or save a group of children trapped on a collapsing tram above the city bridge. Refusing to choose, Barry manages to save both with the help of brave citizens who stand up to Reverse-Flash. Enraged, Thawne lures Barry to an abandoned building for their final battle. Barry is severely injured but ultimately defeats Thawne. In a final attempt to kill him, Thawne activates a hidden trap, but Barry’s speed allows him to dodge the attack, causing the device to fatally impale Thawne instead. As he dies, Thawne begs Barry not to reveal his true identity. Barry brings Thawne’s body back to his laboratory, where Hunter Zolomon discovers them and mistakenly believes that the Flash murdered his mentor. This misunderstanding plants the seeds for Zolomon’s future hatred of the Flash. At Thawne’s funeral, Barry realizes that his life as the Flash will always place the people he loves in danger. Although Iris confesses her feelings for him, Barry refuses to pursue a relationship in order to protect her. The film ends with Barry fully accepting his responsibility as the Flash, racing across the skyline of Central City as the city’s new protector.
