Kevin Hart Turns Comedy Into Dramedy: Here Are Five Films Where the Comedian Took on Serious Roles

Publish date: 2024-05-08

Kevin Hart has been in the headlines for weeks for a variety of reasons. Around Christmas 2023, he was suspected of cheating on his current wife, Eniko Hart. Then he caught wind of a scandalous interview from one of his former assistants, whom he later served with a lawsuit for defamation and extortion.

Next, his comedy career was verbally attacked by Katt Williams in another bombshell interview, followed by Williams asking Hart’s ex-wife, Torrei Hart, to join him on tour. Now folks are discussing his latest role in the Netflix movie “Lift,” which has sparked criticism online from many who can’t seem to tap into his more serious and dramatic roles. 

“We want you to be funny n—a. you aint no Thespian, wrote one person on X, while another said, “I see Kevin hart and a plane on a poster and I automatically know that’s something I shouldn’t be watching.”

The last post was a reference to Hart’s lead role in “Soul Plane” alongside Snoop Dogg, Sofía Vergara, and fellow comedians such as Sommore, Mo’Nique, Tom Arnold, the late John Witherspoon, and more. 

But according to Hart, these serious roles align more with his plans for the future of his career. 

‘’The biggest discovery is that I enjoy being serious just as much as I enjoy the space and place of funny’’ he told Forbes earlier this month. 

“Also having fun at the job, when you can show up at work and be excited, that means that you’re gonna get out of it what you’re putting into it,” he continued. “The more serious role, the leading man, the guy being the mastermind, putting the pieces together, and letting the team around feed of that energy, that was a new space to play in, and it is a space I don’t think Im gonna stop playing in anytime soon.”

No idea why Kevin Hart think he's Denzel Washington. Between this and that shit with Wesley Snipes. Im bout sick of this nigga. We want you to be funny nigga. you aint no Thespian 😂 https://t.co/FmzS6O83tt

— Da'3Varion Tahtesterone (@leo_vaughn) January 18, 2024

“Lift” has a few comic moments, but it separates Hart from his normal comedy roles such as “Night School,” “Get Hard,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” 

The film, produced by his company, Hartbeat Productions, and directed by F. Gary Gray, follows Hart as Cyrus, the head honcho of a team of expert thieves in Venice, Itlay. After successfully pulling off a fake kidnapping, the group is propositioned by local authorities to steal gold from a sinister named Lars Jorgensen, played by Jean Reno, in exchange for avoiding time in prison. Viewers also see him in a few fights where he holds his own and others scenes as he falls in love with a woman after a week-long rendevous in Paris.

Here are five films or series that showcase Hart’s acting capabilities beyond comedy

Fatherhood with Kevin Hart is such a good movie.

He does pretty good in dramatic roles.

— You like choir music? I like choir music. (@VirgoJ24) September 5, 2022

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