Netflix’s ‘Nobody Wants This’ proves that Adam Brody has always been rom-com leading man material. Here are his best movie and TV roles.
October 1, 20240
Brody as Dave Rygalski in “Gilmore Girls.”
The CW
For years, “Gilmore Girls” fans have debated and ranked who Rory Gilmore’s (Alexis Bledel) most suitable match was on the series. Although Brody doesn’t play one of her suitors, he does have a brief, nine-episode arc in season three as Dave Rygalski, Lane Kim’s (Keiko Agena) love interest.
His awkwardness and romantic efforts (like reading the Bible in one night so he and Lane could go to prom together), easily win her and fans over.
Unfortunately, Brody didn’t last long on the show because he ended up booking what would become his true breakout role on “The O.C.”
“The O.C.”
Adam Brody as Nikolai Wolf in “Jennifer’s Body.”
20th Century Studios
Brody portrays Nikolai Wolf in “Jennifer Body,” the cult classic 2009 horror comedy starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. In the film, he plays the front man of an indie band named Low Shoulder that kidnaps the titular character and sacrifices her to Satan so they can become rich and famous (“Satan is our only hope,” he explains during the memorable sacrifice monologue).
Brody doesn’t sing for real in the movie. But he delivers a convincing performance complete with black eyeliner, drawing comparisons to The Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers circa the band’s “Mr. Brightside” era.
“New Girl”
Adam Brody as Tim in “Life Partners.”
Black Sheep Entertainment
Brody plays the leading man who shakes up a codependent female friendship in the 2014 romantic dramedy “Life Partners,” which coincidentally stars his real-life wife and “Gossip Girl” alum Leighton Meester.
The film centers on two friends named Paige (Gillian Jacobs) and Sasha (Meester), whose close dynamic is challenged when Paige begins a serious relationship with a sweet, nerdy dermatologist named Tim (Brody).
“Ready or Not”
Adam Brody in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.”
Warner Bros. Pictures
Brody flexes his superhero muscles in the “Shazam!” movies, released in 2019 and 2023 as part of the DC Extended Universe. The actor stars as the adult, super-powered version of young Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer). Brody plays the role with ease, earnestness, and child-like enthusiasm. It seems like a natural extension of his comic-book-obsessed “O.C.” character, and Seth Cohen would be proud.
“Promising Young Woman”
Adam Brody as Seth Morris in “Fleishman Is in Trouble.”
Hulu
In the Hulu miniseries based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s New York Times bestseller of the same name, Brody plays Seth Morris, an old college friend of Jesse Eisenberg’s Toby Fleishman. The pair reconnect as the titular character navigates newly single life after getting divorced.
Although Seth is a supporting character, Vox praised Brody for making the most of his screen time while Vanity Fair called him “weary and wonderful.”
