Kevin Costner has built a career on playing the everyman—the earnest dad, the blue-collar hero, the guy you'd trust with your car or your life. But in Molly's Game, he steps into a role that's anything but typical, and the result is a performance so powerful it demands a rewatch. Now streaming on Paramount+ this October, Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut is a crime thriller that gets an unexpected jolt of emotional depth from Costner's brief but unforgettable turn.
Costner plays Larry Bloom, the cold, demanding father of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), the real-life woman who ran one of the most exclusive high-stakes poker games in Hollywood. The film weaves between Molly's rise to power and her legal troubles, with flashbacks to her childhood under her father's harsh tutelage. Costner appears in only about 10 minutes of the film's 140-minute runtime, but he makes every second count.
A Supporting Role That Steals the Show
Costner isn't the lead here, but he might as well be. His presence looms over the entire film, much like other great supporting turns in crime thrillers that leave a lasting impression. In the '90s, Hollywood tried to make Costner an action star, but his strength was always in playing relatable, grounded characters. In Molly's Game, he taps into that everyman quality, but with a sharp edge that makes Larry Bloom both intimidating and heartbreaking.
The film's standout moment is the now-famous bench scene, where Larry confronts Molly after years of estrangement. He arrives as a "very expensive therapist," offering her a free session, and proceeds to deconstruct her psyche with brutal honesty. But as the scene unfolds, his armor cracks, and he ends up in tears, confessing his love in a line that's become iconic: "Trying to comprehend how much I love you would be like trying to visualize the size of the universe."
Why It Works
Costner's performance is a masterclass in restraint and vulnerability. He doesn't overact; he lets the silence and the subtle shifts in his expression do the work. Chastain has called it the best scene she's ever acted in, and it's easy to see why. The chemistry between them is electric, and it elevates the film's climax, giving Molly's final choices a weight they might not have otherwise had.
It's a reminder that sometimes the most impactful performances come in small packages. If you're looking for a crime thriller that's more than just twists and turns, Molly's Game is a must-watch. And with Costner's performance, it's a film that rewards repeat viewings. So this October, settle in on Paramount+ and see why this brief role is one of Costner's best.
