Long before Tom Cruise became known as the ideal, unbeatable action hero of Hollywood, he was known for his impeccable acting across different genres. Having delivered countless unforgettable performances apart from his death-defying stunt sequences of recent years, one of his most outstanding performances has been in the 1996 sports comedy-drama film, Jerry Maguire.
Having moved on to more action and stunt-oriented roles, fans of the actor often recall the days when the actor gave more wide-ranging performances in different genres. But unknown to many, Cruise tapped into the same raw energy and charisma of Jerry Maguire in one of his underrated sci-fi flicks, Edge of Tomorrow.
Tom Cruise’s Underrated Sci-Fi Epic Role Showcases the Same Level of Finesse as Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise is one of the finest actors of all time, but lately, he has moved away from the dramatic roles of his early years that made him famous in the first place. Now known best for his adrenalin-inducing and action-packed performances, there was once a time when he was known for his iconic roles that dealt with everything from romance to drama and comedy.
However, tucked away in his recent filmography is his underrated sci-fi epic Edge of Tomorrow, which features the same level of nuanced and finesse acting as his award-winning Jerry Maguire. Starring as Major William Cage, we witness him transforming from an inexperienced, fearful character to a battle-hardened warrior as the tale progresses. His acting remains largely reminiscent of his vintage role, as Cage tries to convince everyone of the deadly threat they are about to face, similar to how Maguire struggles to make ends meet after losing all his clients.
His performance in the Emily Blunt-starrer film remains captivating from start to finish, containing the same level of emotional depth and authenticity that made Jerry Maguire such an iconic character. His acting chops in the sci-fi film are a testament to his versatility as an actor, and a reminder that even though he might be prominently known as an action star today, he still contains the charm and nuance needed to play complex and complicated characters like Jerry Maguire.
Tom Cruise’s Edge of Tomorrow Deserves a Sequel
Edge of Tomorrow is one of the best-rated Tom Cruise movies of all time and grossed about $370 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). An underrated film that perfectly blends, action, wit, and thought-provoking narrative into a seamless enticing experience, the film continues to amaze audiences and critics, yet leaves them with a lingering question: what next?
Given the film’s unique premise and the end of the time loop, the film’s end brings Cage and Rita Vrataski aka Emily Blunt together in the end even though Vrataski remains aloof of his identity. Although a satisfying end, the film’s plot is such that it can be developed into another compelling narrative.
While a potential sequel has been said to be in the works since the first film’s release, it has been consistently delayed. Thanks to the incredibly busy schedule of the film’s two leads and more issues, the film has not been able to come to fruition. However, Doug Liman recently revealed to the Empire Magazine that the sequel isn’t dead and the actors and director will potentially return for it sometime in the future.
Edge of Tomorrow is available to be streamed on Netflix.
