If you saw a kid talking to fish in a massive aquarium back in 2018, you’ve met Otis Dhanji. Most people know him as the face of 13-year-old Arthur Curry in Aquaman. It was a massive breakout, sure. But honestly? That was just the tip of the iceberg for this Sydney-born actor. Since then, he’s swapped the orange scales for gritty Australian indies and supernatural horror hits that would make anyone sleep with the lights on.
He’s part of a new wave of Australian talent. They don't just stay in one lane. One minute he's in a big-budget DC blockbuster, and the next, he's navigating the awkward, painful realities of family dementia or running from demonic hands.
The Breakthrough: Aquaman and the DC Shadow
Let's be real. It’s hard to shake off a superhero origin story. In Aquaman (2018), Dhanji didn't have a lot of screen time, but he had the most important job: making us care about why Arthur Curry hates the surface world. That scene at the aquarium where the sharks crack the glass? That’s him. It’s a moment that launched a thousand memes, but it also showed he could hold his own against CGI chaos.
But Dhanji didn't just sit around waiting for a sequel.
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He stayed local. He worked on projects that felt human. He basically avoided the "child star" trap by picking roles that required actual emotional heavy lifting. While everyone else was asking when he'd put the trident back on, he was busy filming in the suburbs of New South Wales.
Otis Dhanji Movies and TV Shows: The Essential Watchlist
If you're looking to see what he's actually capable of beyond the blockbusters, you have to look at his more recent work. It's a mix of high-concept sci-fi and deeply personal dramas.
- Talk to Me (2023): This is the one. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. Now. He plays Daniel. It’s a terrifying A24 horror flick directed by the RackaRacka brothers. It’s not just "scary"; it’s a brutal look at peer pressure and grief. His performance is subtle, which makes the eventual chaos even worse.
- The Unlisted (2019): A solid pivot into TV. This was an ABC/Netflix collaboration where he played Timothy. It’s a dystopian sci-fi thriller for the "young adult" crowd, but it’s surprisingly dark. Think secret implants and government conspiracies.
- June Again (2020): This is a complete 180 from horror. He plays Piers, the grandson of a woman (Noni Hazlehurst) who has a brief moment of clarity from her dementia. It’s heartbreaking. It’s funny. It shows he can do the "family drama" thing without it feeling like a soap opera.
- On the Ropes (2018): A gritty miniseries set in the world of boxing. He had a smaller role here as Iggy, but it’s worth a watch to see his early range alongside legends like Keisha Castle-Hughes.
- Don't Make Me Go (2022): A road trip movie starring John Cho. Dhanji plays a supporting role, but the film itself is a tear-jerker about a father trying to connect with his daughter before a major surgery.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There's this weird assumption that if an actor starts in a superhero movie, they're "set for life" or only want to do big action. Dhanji seems to be doing the exact opposite. He's leaning into the Australian "new wave" of cinema.
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Working with Danny and Michael Philippou on Talk to Me was a huge signal. It told the industry he’s interested in filmmakers who take risks. He’s not chasing the franchise check; he’s chasing the "that was insane" reaction from the audience. Honestly, that’s how you build a long-term career.
The Belvoir Connection
Before the cameras even started rolling for DC, Dhanji was on stage. He was in the Belvoir St Theatre's production of Mortido. This matters because theater kids in Australia are built differently. They have a discipline that you just don't get if you start in commercials. It’s why he feels so grounded in June Again—he knows how to exist in a scene without needing an explosion behind him.
What’s Coming Next for Otis?
As of 2026, the buzz around him hasn't slowed down. There’s always talk about him returning to the DCU as a grown-up Aqualad or something similar, but he seems more focused on the indie circuit. Rumors often swirl about him joining more A24-style projects or prestige TV series.
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He’s at that age—early 20s—where the roles get significantly more complex. We’re moving past the "son" or "younger version" roles and into leading man territory.
How to follow his work properly:
- Watch 'Talk to Me' first. It’s the best representation of his current acting style.
- Check out 'The Unlisted' on Netflix if you want to see his range in a lead ensemble role.
- Keep an eye on Australian film festivals. Dhanji often pops up in short films and smaller indie features that don't always get a massive global marketing push but are usually high quality.
- Ignore the 'Aquaman' rumors. Until there's an official trade report from Deadline or Variety, most of the "Aqualad" talk is just fan casting. Focus on his actual filmography for now.
The guy has stayed remarkably low-key for someone who was in a billion-dollar movie. No public meltdowns, no over-exposure. Just a solid string of performances that keep getting better. That’s the kind of career you want to track.