With 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 'Deep Cover' Might Be Orlando Bloom’s Best Role Since Middle-earth

Orlando Bloom, best known for his iconic roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings, has delivered a performance in Deep Cover that is turning heads — and not just because of his swashbuckling past. This new Prime Video comedy-thriller has given Bloom a rare opportunity to showcase his comedic chops, and critics seem to agree it might be his finest work in years.

In Deep Cover, Bloom plays Marlon Swift, an aspiring actor struggling to find work who, alongside an improv teacher and an awkward IT guy, gets roped into a police sting operation targeting counterfeiters. What starts as a small-time assignment quickly escalates into a perilous dive into the criminal underworld.

What makes Bloom’s role particularly enjoyable is his ability to poke fun at the very image that has defined his career for so long. Marlon Swift is a parody of the method actor trope — sharing a first name with Marlon Brando, the character’s dedication to his craft borders on the absurd. Bloom, often cast in more serious, heroic parts, embraces this self-aware comedy with surprising ease. Unlike some comedic leads who aim to steal the spotlight, Bloom blends seamlessly into the ensemble, playing off the chemistry with Bryce Dallas Howard and Nick Mohammed to deliver a performance that is as charming as it is hilarious.

While Deep Cover boasts a clever premise and sharp writing, it’s Bloom’s turn that truly anchors the film. This role allows him to step outside the shadow of Legolas and Will Turner, revealing a side of his talent that many fans — and perhaps Bloom himself — haven’t seen often enough.