Timothée Chalamet’s Dylan vs. Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash—who Did It Better?

When it comes to playing music legends on the big screen, Timothée Chalamet and Joaquin Phoenix have both taken on some of the most iconic figures in music history: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, respectively. While both actors have earned widespread acclaim for their portrayals, the question remains: who nailed it better? Let’s dive into a comparison of their performances in A Complete Unknown (2024) and Walk the Line (2005).

Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown

Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated performances of 2024. Directed by James Mangold, the biopic focuses on Dylan’s early years in the 1960s when he moved to New York and revolutionized the music world. Chalamet, who has been preparing for this role for five years, fully immerses himself in Dylan’s mannerisms, voice, and unique style of songwriting​.

Chalamet’s portrayal is marked by his intense commitment to capturing Dylan’s restless energy and his growing discomfort with being pigeonholed as a folk singer. The actor spent months perfecting Dylan’s vocal style, with critics praising his ability to channel the singer’s charisma and complexity​. In A Complete Unknown, we see Dylan as a 19-year-old artist on the cusp of fame, and Chalamet brings that vulnerability and ambition to life with depth and authenticity.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash in Walk the Line

On the other hand, Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (2005) has set a high bar for music biopics. Phoenix spent months training his voice and learning to play guitar, and his dedication is evident in every scene. Walk the Line focuses on Cash’s tumultuous career, highlighting his struggles with addiction, love, and redemption. Phoenix’s performance was lauded for its emotional intensity and raw honesty, and he won multiple awards, including the Golden Globe and the Academy Award nomination for Best Actor​.

Phoenix captured the essence of Cash’s gruff yet tender personality, making the character feel both deeply human and larger-than-life. His performance is not just a mimicry of Cash’s sound but an exploration of his personal demons and his complex relationship with his own fame. The film’s musical scenes, especially Phoenix’s live performances of Cash’s songs, are some of the most memorable moments in the film.

Comparing the Performances

Emotional Depth and Characterization

Both Chalamet and Phoenix brought emotional depth to their roles, but their approaches were quite different. Chalamet’s Dylan is an introspective figure, navigating his rise to fame with a mix of wonder and frustration. The film’s focus on Dylan’s early years allows Chalamet to explore a young man on the brink of massive change, dealing with self-doubt and the pressure of expectation. His portrayal feels authentic in its rawness, reflecting the artist’s internal conflict during a turbulent time​.

In contrast, Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash is more grounded in personal struggle. Cash’s battles with addiction and his complex relationships are the crux of the film, and Phoenix dives deep into these aspects, making his Cash both tragic and triumphant. The emotional intensity Phoenix brings to the role, particularly in scenes of vulnerability, gives Walk the Line a lasting impact​.

Musical Authenticity

Both performances are heavily reliant on the actors’ musical abilities, but Phoenix’s commitment to performing his own music set a high standard. His renditions of classic Johnny Cash songs, such as Ring of Fire and I Walk the Line, were praised for their authenticity and emotional resonance​. Chalamet, while also trained to sing Dylan’s songs, faces a different challenge. Dylan’s unique vocal style, often characterized by a nasally tone and raw delivery, is hard to replicate. Chalamet’s voice captures Dylan’s essence, but the question remains whether it resonates with die-hard Dylan fans in the same way Phoenix’s Cash performance did.

Final Verdict: Who Did It Better?

Both Chalamet and Phoenix brought a remarkable level of dedication to their respective roles, and both performances are memorable in their own right. Phoenix’s Cash resonates deeply because of his raw emotional depth and musical authenticity. His performance is a tour de force, marked by vulnerability and power.

Chalamet, however, brings a youthful energy and complexity to Dylan, making his portrayal equally compelling. While Phoenix’s performance is perhaps more universally praised due to its emotional range and musical skill, Chalamet’s Dylan feels like a daring and necessary exploration of the artist at a defining moment in his life.

Ultimately, the comparison boils down to the type of biopic you prefer. If you seek a portrayal rooted in personal struggle and raw emotion, Phoenix’s Cash stands out. But if you want to see an actor tackle one of the most enigmatic figures in music with authenticity and youthful vigor, Chalamet’s Dylan is worth watching.