The narrative relies entirely on dark comedy and absurdity
Over the past decade, Riz Ahmed has built a comprehensive career across film and television.
Known for his versatile roles, the British actor frequently tackles characters navigating intense physical, psychological, or societal challenges.
Ahmed’s latest project is the Prime Video series Bait, which sees him play struggling actor Shah Latif, whose life spirals out of control after an audition for the role of James Bond.
The show emphasises his willingness to explore different genres, shifting from heavy drama to sharp comedy.
For fans who enjoyed seeing him in Bait, here are seven films and TV shows worth watching.
Four Lions
Chris Morris’ BAFTA-winning dark comedy shifts Riz Ahmed into the realm of political satire.
He takes on the role of Omar, the ringleader of five highly incompetent young Muslim men from Sheffield who attempt to orchestrate a suicide bombing.
The narrative relies entirely on dark comedy and absurdity, balancing Omar’s domestic scenes alongside his wife and son against straightforward slapstick comedy.
Key moments include Omar demanding his friend be “frogged” in the boot of a car, and Faisal (Adeel Akhtar) testing explosives on a bird.
Ahmed anchors the satirical material with a consistent deadpan delivery, playing the serious-faced, Yorkshire-accented fundamentalist who presents no actual threat to society.
Sound of Metal
Darius Marder’s drama offers a grounded look at physical affliction and addiction recovery.
Built upon the framework of an unfinished Derek Cianfrance docudrama about a real-life musical duo, the film stars Riz Ahmed as Ruben Stone.
Ruben is a heavy metal drummer whose hard-won sobriety is tested when he rapidly begins to lose his hearing.
The narrative relies on gritty realism rather than melodrama, focusing heavily on Ruben’s integration into the deaf community.
Ahmed delivers a nuanced performance that explores the intersection of addiction and disability, utilising American Sign Language to expand his character’s emotional communication on screen.
The Night Of
The Night Of follows Nasir Khan, an American-Pakistani college student whose life changes when he goes home with a woman one night, only to find her brutally stabbed the next morning.
Ahmed won an Emmy for his performance, offering shy dialogue in earlier episodes before hardening his softer edges in later prison scenes.
Beyond its distinct visual depictions of nighttime New York City, the HBO crime drama functions as a detailed critique of the American justice system.
The project also features a strong supporting cast, notably including John Turturro as a defence attorney who spends his days in court treating severe foot eczema with Crisco and Saran Wrap.
Nightcrawler
Dan Gilroy’s directorial debut examines the murky, nocturnal industry of Los Angeles crime journalism.
While Jake Gyllenhaal earned significant critical attention for his intense portrayal of freelance photojournalist Lou Bloom, Ahmed provides the narrative’s central point of contrast.
He plays Rick, Lou’s easily manipulated, previously homeless assistant.
As Lou’s drive to capture exclusive crime scene footage escalates, the audience watches Rick recognise the vanishing line between neutral observer and active participant.
Ahmed utilises a subtle, nervous energy that highlights Gyllenhaal’s sociopathic character, steadily cranking up the tension in this neo-noir psychological thriller.
The Long Goodbye
As well as starring in, Riz Ahmed stepped behind the camera as a co-writer alongside Aneil Karia for this emotive short film, which won him an Oscar.
Exploring alienation and racism faced by people of colour in Western countries, the story begins with a British Asian family preparing for a wedding.
The narrative pivots sharply as armed right-wing rioters storm their neighbourhood, initiating a chaotic and fast-paced second act.
Scored by tracks from Ahmed’s 2020 concept album of the same name, the short dissects Britain’s post-Brexit cultural divides.
Given the ongoing media discussions surrounding migration and race, the film addresses relevant political themes regarding how different demographics are treated during times of conflict.
Encounter
What initially presents itself as a standard sci-fi alien invasion story shifts into a psychological thriller under Michael Pearce’s direction.
Riz Ahmed takes the lead as Malik Khan, a paranoid ex-Marine who believes he is fighting a covert war against insect-like extraterrestrial parasites.
Attempting to protect his two young sons, played by Lucian-River Chauhan and Aditya Geddada, Malik embarks on a frantic cross-country road trip.
Ahmed bypasses exaggerated emotional displays, delivering an internalised portrait of a veteran battling severe psychological trauma.
Despite receiving mixed reviews regarding its overall effectiveness as a sci-fi thriller, the film utilises Ahmed’s grounded performance to build a consistent sense of dread.
Mogul Mowgli
Drawing from his musical background, Ahmed co-wrote and stars in this BAFTA-nominated feature directed by Bassam Tariq.
He plays Zed, a British Pakistani rapper who is on the verge of a career breakthrough when he is struck down by a life-changing illness.
Mogul Mowgli explores themes of cultural identity and inherited trauma, heavily featuring hallucinatory imagery of the India-Pakistan partition alongside evocative writing from essayist Saadat Hasan Manto.
Ahmed incorporates his documented interest in Islamic art into the narrative, and his character performs lyrics taken from his actual discography, adding a layer of biographical authenticity to the project.
Riz Ahmed’s career reflects a deliberate selection of roles that span a wide variety of genres and thematic concerns.
From satirical comedies and experimental shorts to intense psychological thrillers, he consistently takes on projects that examine complex human conditions.
With other projects including Venom, Rogue One and Jason Bourne, his work frequently blends cultural commentary with character-driven storytelling, establishing a distinct presence in modern film and television.
Whether watching a comedy or drama, Riz Ahmed’s filmography offers a comprehensive look at an actor willing to explore the boundaries of his craft.
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