Colson Baker—most of us know him as Machine Gun Kelly or just "mgk" these days—is a bit of a polarizing figure, right? People love to box him in. To some, he’s the "Wild Boy" rapper; to others, he’s the guy who "switched" to pop-punk because of a feud. But if you actually look at the Machine Gun Kelly movies list, a weirdly different picture starts to emerge. He isn't just a musician who shows up for a five-minute cameo to play himself. He’s actually putting in the work, even if the critics haven't always been kind about the results.
Honestly, the way people talk about his film career is usually just a reflection of how they feel about his music. If you hate the pink hair, you probably hated Good Mourning. But if you strip away the tabloid drama with Megan Fox and the public beefs, there’s a surprisingly busy filmography there. We’re talking about a guy who has shared scenes with Kevin Bacon, Sandra Bullock, and Pete Davidson.
The Directorial Debut That Everyone Roasted
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Good Mourning.
Released in 2022, this was Colson’s big swing as a director and writer, alongside his buddy Mod Sun. It’s a stoner comedy. Basically, it’s about an actor named London Clash (played by Baker) who gets a "good mourning" text from his girlfriend and spends the entire movie spiraling, thinking he’s been dumped.
Now, the critics absolutely nuked this thing. It famously sat at a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes for a while.
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"The script is lackluster to its very core," wrote Natalia Keogan for Paste Magazine.
Was it a cinematic masterpiece? Definitely not. But here’s what most people get wrong: it wasn't supposed to be The Godfather. It was a self-funded, chaotic project born out of a real-life panic attack Colson had when Megan Fox sent him a confusing text. He didn't know how to process it, so he wrote a movie about it. It’s essentially a 93-minute inside joke with cameos from Snoop Dogg (as a talking blunt), Danny Trejo, and Pete Davidson.
Taurus: When Reality Gets Too Close for Comfort
If Good Mourning was the goofy side, Taurus (also 2022) was the dark, uncomfortable flip side.
In this one, he plays Cole, a self-destructive rock star who is clearly on a one-way trip to a bad ending. It’s woozy, it’s bleak, and it’s very meta. Tim Sutton directed it, and he didn't pull any punches. You see Cole yelling at his assistant (Maddie Hasson), ignoring his kid, and chasing a fix while trying to record a hit.
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Critics were much more split on this one. Some called it a "cliché" rock star tragedy. Others, like David Ehrlich at IndieWire, gave it a B-, noting that at least it was a tale Baker lived to tell himself rather than letting someone else exploit his image.
The weirdest part? Megan Fox shows up in this movie too, playing his ex. Watching them play out a toxic relationship on screen when they were the "it" couple in real life felt... voyeuristic. It’s probably the most honest thing he’s ever done on film, even if it makes you want to take a shower afterward.
A Career of Stealing Scenes
Before he was the lead, Colson was the guy you’d see in the background of big movies and think, "Wait, is that MGK?"
- Bird Box (2018): Remember the guy who steals the car with the girl and disappears? That was him. He played Felix. It was a small role, but being in a massive Netflix hit helped legitimize him.
- The Dirt (2019): This might be his best performance. He played Tommy Lee in the Mötley Crüe biopic. He actually looked the part, learned the stick-spinning tricks, and captured that manic energy. Even the Crüe fans who usually hate rappers seemed to give him a pass on this one.
- Nerve (2016): He played Ty, the "villain" essentially, and he was surprisingly menacing. He has this lean, jagged energy that works really well for antagonistic roles.
- Big Time Adolescence (2019): He played Nick, a tattoo artist. It wasn't a stretch, but his chemistry with Pete Davidson felt genuine because, well, they are actually best friends.
Why the Movies Actually Matter
You might be wondering why a guy with sold-out world tours (like his 2025–2026 Lost Americana Tour) bothers with indie movies that make $5,000 at the box office.
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It’s about the "mgk" brand versus Colson Baker the human. He’s clearly trying to build a legacy that isn't just tied to a microphone. In One Way (2022), he played a wounded criminal on a bus, acting opposite Kevin Bacon. That’s a "real actor" move. He’s looking for validation in a world that usually doesn't give it to musicians.
The Reality Check:
Critics often say he's "just playing himself." And yeah, in Taurus and Good Mourning, he is. But in movies like Beyond the Lights or Captive State, he’s a character actor. He’s a guy who shows up, does the job, and doesn't demand the spotlight. That’s rare for a superstar.
How to Actually Watch His Best Work
If you want to skip the fluff and see if he can actually act, don't start with the stoner comedies.
- Watch The Dirt on Netflix. It’s fun, fast-paced, and he’s genuinely good in it.
- Check out Taurus if you’re in a "mood." It’s slow. It’s depressing. But it’s the most "Colson" he’s ever been on screen.
- Look for Nerve. It’s a great thriller anyway, and he plays a solid jerk.
The truth about Machine Gun Kelly movies is that they are a work in progress. He’s not an Oscar contender yet, but he’s also not a joke. He’s a guy using his fame to fund the stories he wants to tell, whether the world is ready for them or not.
Next time you see his name in the credits, try to forget the tabloid headlines for a second. You might actually be surprised by what you see.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Critics:
- For the haters: Watch The Dirt before you decide he can't act. His portrayal of Tommy Lee required more technical skill than people give him credit for.
- For the fans: If you're looking for Good Mourning, it’s mostly on VOD services like Prime Video or Apple TV. Don't expect a deep plot; just enjoy the chaos.
- For the curious: Keep an eye on his 2026 projects. As he transitions into his "Lost Americana" era, his film choices are likely to get grittier and less "pop."