A Complete Unknown”: New Biopic Starring Timothée Chalamet Garners Attention

The newly released trailer for the upcoming biopic “A Complete Unknown,” featuring Timothée Chalamet in the role of music legend Bob Dylan, has sparked widespread discussion and mixed reactions online. Echoes of the 2007 satirical film “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” are already being noted by film enthusiasts, raising questions about the film’s approach to the biopic genre.

This film, directed by James Mangold, who is known for notable works such as “Logan” and “Ford v Ferrari,” has created substantial buzz since Chalamet was seen in New York in full Dylan attire earlier this year. However, the anticipation comes with apprehension as viewers question whether Mangold’s film will avoid the pitfalls of standard biopics that “Walk Hard” famously parodied.

Critics of traditional biopics often highlight issues like formulaic storylines, superficial acting, and clichéd era depictions. Initial impressions from the second trailer of “A Complete Unknown” have led some viewers to express concerns that it might fall into these clichéd patterns. One social media user commented, “I’ll never get over the fact that WALK HARD didn’t perma-kill the music biopic,” drawing a comparison to Baz Luhrmann‘s “Elvis,” which also includes a reference to “Walk Hard.”

Another concern among viewers pertained to actor Boyd Holbrook‘s portrayal of Johnny Cash, which one commenter described as being akin to a “Marvel cameo,” indicating surprise over its inclusion in the Dylan-focused narrative.

Despite these early criticisms, the film’s potential for success seems undiminished, given the commercial accomplishments of recent music biopics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which proved popular despite mixed reviews. Whether “A Complete Unknown” will break new ground or echo the familiar tropes of its predecessors remains to be seen as it approaches its release date.