John Abraham: Master of Brooding Patriotic Roles

Buzz Feed

23-05-2025

Some actors do romance. Some do comedy. And then there's John Abraham—who does brooding while saving the country in slim-fit suits like he was born for it. He doesn't yell. He doesn't flinch. He just walks in, stares intensely, and next thing you know, the enemy has surrendered, and he still hasn't said more than five words.
Whether he's dodging bullets or dodging feelings, these are the films where John Abraham proves you don't need to smile when you're busy saving the country.
1. Madras Cafe (2013)
This was John's entry into the serious, no-nonsense intelligence guy universe. Set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war, he plays a RAW officer investigating a political conspiracy. The vibe? Gritty journalist meets shadowy agent. His emotional range might be "grim to grimmer," but somehow that makes the danger feel very real. Also, shoutout to the minimal dialogue—because why talk when your stare says 'I'm about to uncover state secrets'?
2. RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter (2019)
In case one identity wasn't intense enough, here he's three people at once—Romeo, Akbar, and Walter, and all three of them are equally tortured. As a bank employee-turned-undercover spy in Pakistan, John blends into different lives while maintaining a steady 'I haven't felt joy in years' energy. No loud heroics here, just slow-burn patriotism and some excellent wig work.
3. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018)
Nuclear testing has never looked this emotionally restrained. John leads a top-secret mission to conduct India's nuclear tests under the radar of the CIA and international satellites. He's basically multitasking national security, workplace politics, and existential fatigue, all while wearing the most serious expressions in Rajasthan's heat. You'll cheer when the bomb goes off, but you'll feel something when he quietly watches it happen.
4. Batla House (2019)
Based on the controversial real-life police encounter, John plays an officer under scrutiny from every direction: the media, the courts, his own guilt. His weapon here isn't just a gun, it's the brooding monologue and well-timed eye contact. You'll find yourself Googling the real story just to double-check how much of this intensity is based on facts (spoiler: a lot of it is).
5. Force (2011)
John goes full alpha here as a narcotics officer who believes feelings are a liability, until he falls in love and his world falls apart. Cue the emotional backstory, the tragic loss, and a sudden, very personal reason to punch everyone in sight. This was early brooding John—raw, ripped, and just discovering the power of an emotionally tortured bicep.
6. Attack (2022)
If you've ever wondered what happens when you give John Abraham AI upgrades, this is it. He's India's first super-soldier—think Iron Man meets silent treatment. Even as a part-robot, he stays true to form: minimum emotion, maximum focus. The tech might be futuristic, but his expression still says, 'I miss the old days when threats were just across the border.'
7. Satyameva Jayate (2018)
The subtlety dial is turned all the way down for this one, but the message is loud and shredded: John plays a vigilante setting corrupt officials on fire, literally. Between dramatic speeches about justice and gym breaks, he manages to deliver a version of patriotism that's more shirtless than diplomatic. And yet, it works. Because if anyone can make rage look noble, it's him.
8. The Diplomat (2025)
This is brooding 2.0—John in full suit-and-tie mode, working behind closed doors, dealing with geopolitical landmines instead of real ones. He's calm, well-groomed, and visibly burdened by secrets he can't share. Fewer chase scenes, more scenes where he glares at someone across a mahogany table and they just know they've made a mistake.
So the next time someone says John Abraham doesn't 'do' range, remind them that it takes serious range to play the same serious man in 8 different ways. Especially when each one could take down a threat, save the country, and still make it to dinner in a suit.