Ranking Paul Mescal's biggest roles by how much they left fans sobbing

Paul Mescal is set to return to the silver screen in Ridley Scott's epic, alongside Hollywood heavyweights Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

The sequel to the popular 2000 film starring Russell Crowe, Gladiator II features Mescal as a character that is notably different from his previous ones.

After rising to fame in Three's romantic drama, Normal People, the Irish actor has taken on emotional roles that have prompted fans to share social media posts joking about his tendency to portray heart-broken characters.

He even played a melancholic character in his ex-girlfriend Phoebe Bridgers' music video for her sombre single, Savior Complex.

Ahead of his Colosseum debut, here are Paul Mescal's most heart-wrenching roles ranked.

5. God's Creatures

Landing in last place but by no means an easy watch, is this 2022 psychological drama directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer.

The synopsis reads: "A mother tells a lie for her beloved son that rips apart their family and close-knit Irish town - ultimately testing her own sense of right and wrong."

While the film centres on heavy themes such as isolation, Mescal's role as Brian is less emotionally impactful compared to the actor's other dramatic performances.

4. Foe

The collaboration between Saoirse Ronan and Mescal in Foe promised a memorable film from the Irish actors. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver and received a sour 24% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The synopsis reads: "Hen and Junior's quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal."

Despite its negative reception, Foe benefits from its talented leads who beautifully express the sorrow of lost love; you may not cry, but it will evoke a tear or two.

3. All of Us Strangers

We've firmly stepped into sobbing territory. Mescal's project with fellow Irish actor Andrew Scott drew plenty of attention from the stars' devoted followings and the duo did not disappoint.

The synopsis reads: "One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life.

"As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before."

All of Us Strangers largely explores grief and Scott and Mescal's performances elevate its emotional stakes to the next level.

The pair share various upsetting scenes, one of which has been clipped and turned into a TikTok sound where fans have been sharing their distraught reactions to the film. If you didn't catch it in cinemas, count yourself lucky because you'll need a box of tissues for this one.

2. Normal People

In second place comes Mescal's acclaimed TV debut. If this list had been compiled three years ago, Normal People would have easily topped it.

The synopsis reads: "Marianne, a teenager, is bullied by her peers at school while Connell enjoys popularity. As their relationship develops, complications take root."

Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Marianne, the love interest to Mescal's Connell.

Based on Sally Rooney's novel of the same name, the limited series garnered a large following for its raw portrayal of teenagerhood and mental illnesses. According to a Reddit poll, a majority of viewers cried "more than once" while watching.

1. Aftersun

Claiming the victory is Aftersun, a bittersweet coming-of-age drama set during a father and daughter's summer holiday.

The synopsis reads: "Twenty years after their last holiday at a fading vacation resort, Sophie reflects on the rare time spent with her loving and idealistic father Calum.

"At 11 years old, as the of adolescence creeps into Sophie's view, Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. Sophie's recollections become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship, as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn't."

Mescal received his first Academy Award nomination for his role as Calum, which was truly deserved.

The character struggles with depression and confronts his internal sadness while on a sunny holiday with his daughter. The back and forth of Calum's emotions make it almost impossible for viewers to leave the film dry-eyed.

Writer and director Charlotte Wells partially based the film on her life, which makes the drama more relatable and even more distressing.

Gladiator II will be released in cinemas on November 15.