If you asked anyone five years ago what they thought of Simon Rex, you’d probably get a shrug and a "Wait, the guy from Scary Movie?" Or maybe a mention of his rap alter-ego, Dirt Nasty. He was the quintessential "that guy" of the 2000s—a former MTV VJ with a messy history and a knack for playing the lovable, slightly dim-witted hunk in parody films. Honestly, his career seemed destined for the "where are they now" bargain bin.
Then Sean Baker called.
The 2021 film Red Rocket didn't just change the Simon Rex movie list; it blew it up. Suddenly, the guy who spent years getting slapped by ghosts in spoof movies was winning Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards. It’s one of those rare Hollywood pivots that actually worked. Since then, his filmography has transformed from a collection of "guilty pleasures" into a legitimate run of prestige indie dramas and high-concept thrillers.
The Red Rocket Shift: When Everything Changed
Before we get into the deep cuts, we have to talk about Red Rocket. If you haven't seen it, go find it on Netflix. It is uncomfortable, hilarious, and deeply human. Rex plays Mikey Saber, a washed-up adult film star who slinks back to his small Texas hometown with nothing but a suitcase and a lot of bad ideas.
Director Sean Baker apparently saw one of Simon’s Vine videos years ago and thought, "That’s my guy." He wasn't wrong. Rex brings a manic, desperate energy to Mikey that few actors could pull off without making the character totally unwatchable. He manages to be a "likable asshole," which is a hard needle to thread.
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The critics went wild. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association named him Best Actor. He was suddenly rubbing elbows with Oscar winners. For a guy who once lived in a shipping container in Joshua Tree because he thought his career was "in the toilet," it was a massive vindication.
The Early Days: Parodies and Cult Classics
You can't appreciate the new stuff without looking at where he started. The early Simon Rex movie list is a time capsule of early-2000s absurdity.
- Scary Movie 3 & 4 (2003, 2006): This is where most people first met him. Playing George, the aspiring rapper/farmer, he held his own alongside comedy legends like Anna Faris and Leslie Nielsen.
- Superhero Movie (2008): He played the Human Torch. It’s silly, it’s dated, but it showed he had the comedic timing to handle the rapid-fire spoof genre.
- Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th (2000): His film debut. He played a character named Slab O'Beef. That basically tells you everything you need to know about the first decade of his career.
He also had a solid run on TV during this era. Most millennials remember him as Jeff from What I Like About You, playing opposite Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth. He was the "hot guy" who was surprisingly good at being the butt of the joke.
The 2024-2026 Renaissance: From Blink Twice to Americana
If Red Rocket was the spark, the last couple of years have been the fire. Rex has moved into what I call the "unpredictable character actor" phase. He’s no longer just the lead; he’s the guy you bring in to add flavor to a weird ensemble.
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Blink Twice (2024)
In Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, Rex plays Cody. It’s a psychological thriller that’s a far cry from his MTV days. He fits perfectly into the unsettling, high-society atmosphere of the film, proving he can do "menacing" just as well as he does "goofy."
Americana (2025)
This one is a neo-Western that just hit streaming services like STARZ recently. It’s a gritty crime story set in South Dakota involving a stolen Lakota Ghost Shirt. Rex plays Roy Lee Dean, sharing the screen with Sydney Sweeney and Paul Walter Hauser. It’s a dark, violent intertwining of lives, and Rex’s performance is lean and grounded.
Everything’s Going to Be Great (2025)
Premiering at Tribeca before a limited release in mid-2025, this comedy-drama saw Rex working with heavy hitters like Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney. He played a character named Kyle. While the movie itself got mixed reviews (some called it a "domestic tall tale"), Rex’s presence in a cast of that caliber shows how much his industry standing has risen.
Upcoming Projects to Watch
The Simon Rex movie list is still growing. He’s booked and busy for the rest of 2026.
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- Easy’s Waltz: Directed by Nic Pizzolatto (the guy behind True Detective), this is a Vegas-set drama. Rex is starring alongside Al Pacino and Vince Vaughn. Working with Pacino is the ultimate "you’ve made it" badge.
- The Prince: A Cameron Van Hoy project that has been generating buzz in the indie circles for late 2026.
- Magic Farm: A smaller indie where he plays a guy named Dave. It’s these types of roles that keep his "indie darling" status alive.
Why We Still Care About Simon Rex
Honestly? It’s the comeback story. We love a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. Rex has been open about the fact that he’s just happy to be here. He’s gone from adult films to MTV, to rap, to being the king of spoofs, to being a desert-dwelling "has-been," and finally to being a respected actor.
His filmography is a weird, jagged line that makes no sense on paper, but perfectly reflects the chaos of the entertainment industry. He’s proof that if you stay in the game long enough and keep your sense of humor, the right role will eventually find you.
Next Steps for the Simon Rex Completist:
If you want to see the full range of his transformation, start with Scary Movie 3 for the nostalgia, then immediately jump to Red Rocket to see the growth. Finally, check out Americana on STARZ to see where he’s at right now. It’s a wild ride.