Chase Stokes is finally hanging up the bandana. For years, he’s been the sun-drenched, treasure-hunting face of Outer Banks, but the transition from "YA heartthrob" to "serious actor" is a notoriously difficult tightrope to walk. It’s a gamble. Most fail. They stay stuck in the Netflix loop until the audience ages out.
Honestly, that’s not happening here.
Stokes is currently at the center of a massive career pivot. If you’ve been tracking his schedule, you know he isn't just sticking to the beach. He's diving into gritty romance and high-stakes military thrillers. The main event right now? Marked Men: Rule + Shaw.
What People Are Getting Wrong About Marked Men: Rule + Shaw
A lot of people think this is just another generic teen flick. It’s not. It’s actually based on the Marked Men book series by Jay Crownover, which has a massive, almost cult-like following.
In this one, Stokes plays Rule Archer. He’s a rebellious, fiery-tempered tattoo artist. Think less "pogue-on-the-run" and more "broken-guy-with-too-many-secrets." He’s paired with Sydney Taylor, who plays Shaw Landon, a pre-med student who is basically his polar opposite.
They’ve been friends for years, but one night changes everything.
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It’s messy.
The movie is directed by Nick Cassavetes. Yeah, the guy who did The Notebook. That’s a huge deal. It signals that this isn't just some low-budget streaming filler; it’s a heavy-hitting romantic drama with real pedigree behind the camera. It’s scheduled for a theatrical event release on January 22 and 23, 2025 (which, in our current timeline, just hit theaters or is hitting them right now depending on your time zone).
The chemistry between Stokes and Taylor is the engine here. If they don't sell the "opposites attract" tension, the whole thing falls apart. But early looks suggest Stokes is leaning into a much darker, more vulnerable energy than we ever saw from John B.
Moving Into the Trenches with Valiant One
If romance isn't your thing, Stokes is also pivoting into the action-thriller genre. Valiant One is the other big "Chase Stokes new movie" you need to have on your radar.
This is a complete 180.
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He plays Captain Edward Brockman. The plot is pretty tight: a U.S. Army helicopter crashes deep inside North Korean territory. Brockman isn't some Rambo-style hero, though. He’s a tech specialist. He’s a guy who usually sits behind a desk and analyzes data. Now, he’s forced to lead a group of non-combatants through the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while being hunted.
He stars alongside Lana Condor, who we all know from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Watching two "Netflix kids" lead a gritty military survival film is fascinating. Stokes actually went through legitimate military training for the role—working with former Navy SEALs to get the movement and weapon handling right. Director Steve Barnett wanted authenticity, not just Hollywood gloss.
Why This Shift Matters for His Career
- Genre Diversity: He’s moving from teen drama to R-rated military thrillers and heavy romance.
- Directorial Debut: He recently announced he’s directing I Told the Sunset About You. He’s not just an actor anymore; he's becoming a filmmaker.
- The OBX Exit: With Outer Banks Season 5 confirmed as the final season, these films are his "exit strategy" to ensure he has a career in five years.
The Reality of the "Chase Stokes New Movie" Hype
Is he going to be the next big movie star? Maybe.
The challenge is that the theatrical market is brutal right now. Valiant One and Marked Men are both smaller, mid-budget projects. They don't have the $200 million Marvel safety net. They rely entirely on his star power and the quality of the script.
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Marked Men targets the "BookTok" crowd, which is a smart move. That audience is incredibly loyal and they show up to theaters. Valiant One tries to capture the Sicario or The Covenant crowd—people who want tension and stakes rather than CGI explosions.
Stokes is playing the long game. He’s choosing roles that allow him to be "ugly," stressed, and complicated.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to catch these performances, you have to be quick. Marked Men: Rule + Shaw is doing a limited theatrical run through Fathom Events on January 22 and 23. This is a common strategy for book adaptations lately—get the superfans in the seats for a "special event" before it eventually hits a streaming platform.
For Valiant One, check your local listings for the January 31 release.
Keep an eye on his directorial project, I Told the Sunset About You, as well. It’s a coming-of-age thriller he’s producing with Monarch Media. It’ll likely be the true test of his creative vision beyond just being a face on a poster.
If you're still mourning the end of Outer Banks, these movies are the best way to see what the "post-John B" era looks like. It’s darker, it’s more mature, and it’s a lot more interesting than just another summer at the beach. Stay updated on his production company’s announcements, as that’s where the real "behind-the-scenes" news usually breaks first.