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Rafe Spall

Rafe Spall

Actor · Born March 10, 1983 (43) · East Dulwich, London, England, UK

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Rafe Joseph Spall is an English actor on both stage and screen. He is perhaps best known for his roles in BBC's The Shadow Line, Channel 4's Pete versus Life, One Day, Anonymous, and the Ridley Scott film Prometheus. He played writer Yann Martel in the 2012 film Life of Pi.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 10, 1983 (43)
From
East Dulwich, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 72 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 5% in 30 days

What are Rafe Spall's films like?

Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
27%
Survival
16%
Self
16%
Power
15%
Morality
15%
Society
8%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 8 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 16 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 22 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 18 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 13

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

26 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 12 of 26 analyzed roles.

Hero
12 of 26
Ally
4 of 26
Herald
3 of 26
Shadow
2 of 26
Trickster
2 of 26
Threshold guardian
1 of 26
Mentor
1 of 26
Shapeshifter
1 of 26
Show the 26 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
27
Dread
13
Melancholic
13
Contemplative
10
Romantic
8
Other
41

How their films linger

Thought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous8
  • Cyclical1
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rafe Spall's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rafe Spall's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

72 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Secret Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 5 episodes · as Stuart Henderson

  • Bait(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nigel

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Under Salt Marsh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eric Bull

  • Smoke(2025)

    Show 9 episodes · as Steven Burk

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • William Tell(2024)

    as Stauffacher

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Rich Flu(2024)

    as Toni

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The English(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as David Melmont

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Long Story Short(2021)

    as Teddy

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Salisbury Poisonings(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · as DS Nick Bailey

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Trying(2020)

    Show 40 episodes · Executive Producer · as Jason

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: Death of England: Michael (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Michael

  • Just Mercy(2019)

    as Tommy Champan

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Denmark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Herb

  • The War of the Worlds(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as George

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Men in Black: International(2019)

    as Agent C

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Stan & Ollie(2018)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom(2018)

    as Eli Mills

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Grandpa's Great Escape(2018)

    as Adult Jack (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Ritual(2017)

    as Luke

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • My Online Nightmare(2017)

    Show 5 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • National Theatre Live: Hedda Gabler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Brack

  • Acres and Acres(2016)

    as Singe

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Swallows and Amazons(2016)

    as Jim 'Captain Flint' Turner / Polski the Parrot

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Roadies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Reg Whitehead

  • The BFG(2016)

    as Mr. Tibbs

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Harry Price: Ghost Hunter(2015)

    as Harry Price

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Big Short(2015)

    as Danny Moses

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Sons of Liberty(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as John Hancock

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Get Santa(2014)

    as Steve

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Off the Page: Death of England (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Son

  • A Brilliant Young Mind(2014)

    as Martin Humphreys

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • What If(2013)

    as Ben

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The World's End(2013)

    as Young Man

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • I Give It a Year(2013)

    as Josh

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Life of Pi(2012)

    as Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Prometheus(2012)

    as Millburn

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Earthbound(2012)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Potter

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Anonymous(2011)

    as William Shakespeare

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Shadow Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 7 episodes · as Jay Wratten

  • One Day(2011)

    as Ian Whitehead

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Pete versus Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 11 episodes · as Pete Griffiths

  • SUS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Wilby

  • The Scouting Book for Boys(2009)

    as Steve

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Modern Life Is Rubbish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Liam

  • Desperate Romantics(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as William Holman Hunt

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Dennis Heymer

  • A Room with a View (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Emerson

  • He Kills Coppers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Frank Taylor

  • A Room with a View(2007)

    as George Emerson

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Get Off My Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Man

  • Grindhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Featured Ghost (segment "Don't") (uncredited)

  • Hot Fuzz(2007)

    as DC Andy Cartwright

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Dracula(2006)

    as Jonathan Harker

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Cracker: Nine Eleven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as DS McAllister

  • Wide Sargasso Sea(2006)

    as Edward Rochester

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • A Good Year(2006)

    as Kenny

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Last Drop(2006)

    as David Wellings

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Chatterley Affair(2006)

    as Keith

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Kidulthood(2006)

    as Lenny

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Romantics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as John Clare

  • Green Street Hooligans(2005)

    as Swill

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Rotters' Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sean Harding

  • Twisted Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Dominic

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Bassington

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Calcium Kid(2004)

    as Stan Parlour

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Legend of the Tamworth Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Crustie

  • Shaun of the Dead(2004)

    as Noel

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Lion in Winter(2003)

    as Prince John

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Spine Chillers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Out of Control (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Ray

  • Number 10 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 6 episodes · as Harry Douglas

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 71 of them dated from 2002 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

$1.3B worldwide

Highest rated

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Big Short (2015)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
20022026

Peak 2018 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 10 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 72: 70 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thProducing1 of 72: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 72: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

2000s27 · acting2010s33 · 32 acting · 1 crew2020s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 17% of 30 roles
030818

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2016, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Rafe Spall's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 37; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 48 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Rich Flu (2024)

84th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Rafe Spall's work okay for kids?

Across up to 25 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore19 titles8–87 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity25 titles6–64 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity19 titles24–85 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs19 titles15–66 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense18 titles15–79 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Rafe Spall work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rafe Spall's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Natascha Wharton shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers