Why Quinn From The Predator Looks So Familiar

The long-running Predator franchise has been defined in some ways by its inconsistency. The original 1987 Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, set a high bar that none of its follow-ups have met. Almost every iteration has attempted to find a unique angle, or at least a new setting, for the story of man versus an unstoppable extraterrestrial sport hunter, but the results are hit or miss.

As such, it wasn't a huge surprise when the most recent entry in the series, 2018's The Predator, received a lukewarm reception from critics. The movie delivered on its action sequences and menacing presence of its titular villain, but featured a chaotic and confusing ending that required some explanation, possibly due to the extensive reshoots that occurred late in the filming process.

However, the film did manage to put together a strong cast to face off against the Predator. Stars such as Olivia Munn, Trevonte Rhodes, and Jacob Tremblay helped build an ensemble that sold the human side of The Predator's story. That ensemble was led by Boyd Holbrook, playing Quinn McKenna, who you might not know by name, but probably looks familiar. 

Here are some of the films from which you might recognize Boyd Holbrook.

While it took some time for Boyd Holbrook to make it to a leading role in a major film, his first credited appearance was in the 2008 Best Picture nominee Milk. Boyd landed a small role as Harvey Milk's real-life friend Denton Smith after sending a screenplay to director Gus Van Sant (via Document). While starting a career in an acclaimed film was undoubtedly a boost, it would still be years before Holbrook found his footing in the industry.

After playing some unnamed parts on TV and even appearing uncredited in 2011's The Oranges, Holbrook landed his first prominent role in a big-budget film in 2013's The Host. That 2013 sci-fi romance misfire memorably featured Saoirse Ronan as a young woman, Melanie, involved in a love triangle with Ian (Jake Abel) and Wanda, the alien spirit that had possessed Melanie's body. 

Unfortunately, Holbrooks character, Kyle, doesn't get to dive into that mess. Kyle meets his demise when trying to assassinate the Wanda-Melanie entity as revenge for two of his friends' deaths. While The Host unsurprisingly didn't receive the same sort of accolades that Milk did, it did help position Holbrook to star in films such as The Predator down the line.

David Fincher's 2014 thriller Gone Girl is a complex, fast-moving film in which the missing Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) is far more in control of the situation than her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) or the public ever know. After leaving behind a bloody crime scene behind that implicates Nick in her murder, Amy disappears into the Ozarks with freshly dyed hair and a stack of cash to start a new life.

However, Amy's carefully plotted escape starts to unravel when she encounters Greta (Lola Kirke) and her boyfriend, Jeff (Boyd Holbrook), who notices her disguised appearance and plan to rob her. Jeff breaks into Amy's room and steals the money that she was hiding, assured that Amy will not involve the authorities as she is clearly on the run. Jeff's theft of Amy's funds set up Gone Girl's shocking ending.

In Gone Girl, Holbrook leans a little more on a Southern sleaze than he exhibits in many of his roles and comes across as genuinely dangerous while remaining likable. Holbrook's ability to express both parts of his character's personality, even with minimal screen time, such as in Gone Girl, is one of the qualities that makes him familiar even when appearing in wildly different movies.

Turns in multiple films that received Oscar recognition helped Boyd Holbrook establish himself in Hollywood, but the actor's big breakthrough came on a smaller screen. In 2015, Holbrook appeared as main character and narrator Steve Murphy on Narcos, the success of which helped make Holbrook a far more recognizable figure in the industry.

The first two seasons of Narcos tell the story of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and his pursuit by DEA agents Murphy and Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal). Both seasons drew praise from critics and helped establish Netflix as a destination for the kind of prestige programming more often associated with HBO at the time. 

Despite the show's positive critical reception and Holbrook's starring role, the actor left the show ahead of season 3 as the show's focus shifted following Escobar's death at the end of season 2. Holbrook's clean-cut portrayal of the levelheaded Murphy was a steady presence for the first two seasons, but the producers were eager to explore the Narcos world outside Columbia as the show transitioned to Narcos: Mexico.

While Holbrook landed some excellent roles in the decade after he appeared in Milk, he made his highest-profile appearance before The Predator in 2017's Logan. In the dark sendoff to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Holbrook played Donald Pierce, the head of security for the Reavers, a group dedicated to the destruction of remaining mutants everywhere.

Holbrook leans into his southern accent while portraying the cybernetically-enhanced Pierce as he ruthlessly hunts down a world-weary Logan. Holbrook makes the most of the role, alternatively glowering and cackling as he pursues Logan and the children he is helping. While Pierce meets his deserved end before the movie's close, managing to hold his own opposite Hugh Jackman's final portrayal of Wolverine is no easy feat for any actor. Holbrook's simultaneously charismatic and menacing depiction of an obsessed antagonist helps make his character stand out in a movie full of memorable characters and moments.