Rory Culkin is a vibe. If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember him as the asthmatic kid in Signs or the quiet lead in Mean Creek. But honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Rory Culkin TV shows lately, you are missing out on one of the weirdest, most intense career pivots in modern television.
He isn't just "the other brother" anymore. While Kieran is crushing it as Roman Roy and Macaulay is, well, a legend, Rory has quietly carved out a niche playing the kind of people you’d be terrified to meet in a dark alley—or even a well-lit living room. He’s become the go-to guy for "unsettling."
The Under the Banner of Heaven Transformation
Let's talk about Samuel Lafferty. If you watched the FX limited series Under the Banner of Heaven, you saw Rory basically disappear. He plays one of the Lafferty brothers in a story about fundamentalist Mormonism and a brutal double murder.
It's a heavy watch. Rory’s performance is twitchy, bearded, and genuinely frightening. Most actors play "intense" by yelling. Rory does it by staring. There's a specific scene where he’s spewing scripture with this guttural, manic energy that makes your skin crawl. He’s not just playing a character; he’s embodying a very specific kind of religious zealotry that feels dangerously real.
The show itself is a sprawling, 7-episode investigation into faith and violence. While Andrew Garfield gets the top billing (and he's great), the show wouldn't work without the brothers. Rory brings this raw, unhinged quality to Samuel that anchors the darker side of the narrative. It’s arguably his best work on the small screen.
That One Scene in Swarm (You Know the One)
Then there’s Swarm.
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Amazon’s psychological horror-comedy about a stan-culture serial killer is already bizarre. But Rory’s guest spot in the first episode? It basically broke the internet for a week. He plays Marcus, a one-night stand who wakes up the next morning and offers the protagonist a bowl of strawberries while he's completely, 100% naked.
It was a total "jumpscare" moment for most viewers.
The scene was actually inspired by a real-life story from Donald Glover. Apparently, Glover once had a girl over, and after they hooked up, he stood there with a bowl of cherries trying to be sweet, and she was just… not into it. Rory plays that awkwardness to perfection. It’s funny, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s very "Rory." He has this way of making even a bowl of fruit feel like a high-stakes psychological event.
Black Mirror and the Art of the Cult Leader
In 2023, Rory popped up in the Black Mirror episode "Beyond the Sea." If you haven't seen it, it's the one with Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett as astronauts in an alternate 1969.
Rory plays Kappa.
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Kappa is the leader of a Charles Manson-style cult. He’s a technology-hating radical who breaks into a home and commits an absolutely horrific act of violence because he thinks the "replicas" (robot clones) are an affront to nature.
Even though he’s only in the episode for a short time, his impact is massive. He’s soft-spoken but utterly lethal. It’s a recurring theme in Rory Culkin TV shows: he doesn't need forty minutes of screen time to dominate the conversation. He shows up, makes everyone profoundly uncomfortable, and leaves a trail of emotional (or literal) wreckage behind.
A Quick Breakdown of Other Notable Appearances
He’s been a busy guy. You’ve probably blinked and missed him in a few of these, but they’re worth the revisit:
- Waco (2018): He played David Thibodeau, one of the few survivors of the Branch Davidian siege. This was a more sympathetic role, showing his range outside of just "the scary guy."
- Halston (2021): He played a young Joel Schumacher. Yes, that Joel Schumacher (the director). He’s an assistant to Ewan McGregor’s Halston, and you get to see him play a creative, ambitious, and slightly more grounded character.
- Castle Rock (2018): He appeared as Willie in the Stephen King-inspired anthology. It’s moody, atmospheric, and fits his aesthetic perfectly.
- Sneaky Pete (2017-2018): He had a brief but memorable run as Gavin.
Why 2026 is a Big Year for Rory
Right now, Rory is filming a new project for Apple TV+ that sounds like it’s going to be huge. It’s an untitled thriller based on the Joona Linna novels by Lars Kepler.
If you like Nordic noir, you know this is going to be dark.
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He’s starring alongside Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz. Rory is playing a character named Karl, a "twitchy idealist" (his specialty) working at a high-security psychiatric institute. He’s tasked with looking after one of the most dangerous inmates, played by Stephen Graham. Given the source material, expect a lot of tension and probably a few more of those "how is he doing that with his eyes?" moments.
The "Culkin Factor" and What’s Next
People often try to compare the brothers, but it’s a bit of a waste of time. Rory has leanings toward the avant-garde. He picks projects that feel like indie films even when they're on major streaming platforms. He’s not looking for the Avengers paycheck; he’s looking for the script that lets him be a weirdo in the corner of the room.
If you’re looking to dive into his filmography, start with Under the Banner of Heaven. It’s the most "complete" version of what he does best. If you want something shorter, watch his Black Mirror episode.
How to Keep Up With His Career
If you want to catch his upcoming work, keep an eye on Apple TV+ later this year. The Lars Kepler adaptation is being directed by Tim Van Patten, who did The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, so the pedigree is top-tier.
Also, look for his 2024/2025 indie projects like Dead Money and the short film Dear Shop Girl. He tends to balance big-budget TV with tiny, strange movies that most people never see. That’s the beauty of his career—you never quite know where he’s going to show up next, but you know it won’t be boring.
To get the most out of his performances, watch for the subtle physical choices. He often uses his posture or the way he holds his hands to tell you more about the character than the dialogue ever could. It's a masterclass in "less is more" acting.
Check out the following steps to stay ahead of his next big moves:
- Monitor Apple TV+ Announcements: The "Joona Linna" project is currently the one to watch for 2026.
- Binge the Anthology Hits: If you missed his episodes of Swarm or Black Mirror, those are the best entries for high-impact, short-form Rory Culkin.
- Explore the 2018-2022 Backlog: Waco and Under the Banner of Heaven provide the best look at his ability to handle long-form character arcs.