Jason Sudeikis has built a career on playing the affable everyman—the guy you'd grab a beer with, the coach who believes in you, the dad who makes you laugh. His Emmy-winning turn as Ted Lasso cemented that image, but long before he was coaching AFC Richmond, Sudeikis took a sharp detour into darkness. In the 2017 sci-fi thriller Colossal, now streaming on Paramount+, he sheds his nice-guy persona to play one of the most unsettling villains of his career.
The film stars Anne Hathaway as Gloria, a struggling writer whose life is spiraling. After her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) kicks her out, she retreats to her hometown, where she reconnects with childhood friend Oscar (Sudeikis). He offers her a job at his bar, and for a while, it seems like a sweet reunion. But when a giant monster starts wreaking havoc in Seoul, Gloria discovers a bizarre connection between her own actions and the creature—and Oscar, it turns out, has a monster of his own.
The 'Nice Guy' Villain
Oscar is a textbook example of the 'Nice Guy' trope—a character who hides his insecurities behind a mask of charm. Sudeikis plays him with a disarming smile that slowly curdles into something sinister. He's the kind of guy who compliments you while subtly putting you down, who offers help but expects loyalty in return. It's a performance that feels prescient, especially given how this trope has become a staple in recent psychological thrillers.
What makes Oscar so terrifying is how believable he is. He's not a cartoonish villain; he's the guy you might actually know. He resents Gloria for leaving their small town and achieving success, and he can't stand that his own life feels small. As Gloria tells him, "You hate yourself. You can't stand that your life feels so small." It's a line that cuts to the core of his character.
Sudeikis at His Scariest
The film's best scene doesn't involve kaiju at all. It's a quiet moment at the bar where Oscar, Gloria, and Tim are talking. Oscar pulls out a massive firework he's been saving for years, and as he tells a nostalgic story, the tension builds. He clears the room, and you realize he's about to set it off inside—just to prove he's in control. It's a Hitchcockian moment of dread, and Sudeikis plays it with a chilling calm.
For fans of Ted Lasso's own villain, this is a fascinating contrast. Sudeikis proves he can be just as compelling when he's not the good guy. And for those who love a good psychological thriller, Colossal is a must-watch.
With Colossal now available on Paramount+, it's the perfect time to revisit this underrated gem. Sudeikis's performance is a reminder that even the nicest guys can have a dark side—and that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones we least expect.
