10 Times Comedic Actors Went Against Type (And Totally Pulled It Off)

7. Kristen Wiig And Bill Hader - The Skeleton Twins

Punch Drunk Love
Furnace Films

A film which produced two staggering performances for the price of one, The Skeleton Twins came out in 2014, and followed two depressed twins played by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig.

After Milo attempts suicide, he is reconnected with his estranged sister, Maggie, and the pair reminiscence about their lives and their family, coming to terms with their relationship and their mistakes.

A striking and compelling drama, Hader and Wiig are equally brilliant in their respected roles. Before the film's release, both actors were known for their stints on Saturday Night Live. Hader had had roles in Superbad, Paul, Tropic Thunder and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Wiig had starred in Knocked Up, Ghost Town, Date Night and Bridesmaids.

Their comedic credentials speaking for themselves thanks to SNL alone, both Hader and Wiig were surprise additions to the drama but managed to defy all expectations, playing their characters with wry humour and heartbreaking authenticity.

The Skeleton Twins makes for a stellar drama for plot alone, but Hader and Wiig elevate it to new heights.

In this post: 
Adam Sandler
 
First Posted On: 
Contributor

I get to write about what I love, so that's pretty cool. Every great film should seem new every time you see it. Be excellent to each other.