Pete Davidson has managed to disappear in plain sight, with the comedian looking almost unrecognisable while filming his upcoming crime thriller Tommy Karate in New York. His long dark hair, curtain bangs and piercing blue contact lenses have transformed his familiar face so dramatically that fans were quick to compare the eerie new look to the mysterious 'Thin Man'.
The transformation was spotted in behind-the-scenes photographs from the set on 25 August 2026, where Davidson was dressed completely as his character. While the bizarre makeover left some fans stunned, it is all part of his attempt to portray real-life mobster Thomas Pitera, whose violent history has inspired the film.
Pete Davidson's Dramatic New Look
Davidson's usual short hair and casual style were nowhere to be seen as he stepped onto the New York set wearing a long, dark wig and striking blue contacts. The combination gave him a noticeably colder appearance and made the 32-year-old actor difficult to recognise at first glance.
Pete Davidson, (23 cm), ex-namorado de Ariana Grande, aparece irreconhecível em novas fotos. pic.twitter.com/NSUTEcndTu
— StagePop (@stagepopbr) August 27, 2026
His outfit added even more to the character, with Davidson wearing a black bomber jacket featuring 'Okinawa' across the front and a red Japanese Oni mask on the back. He completed the look with a black button-up shirt with a bird print, black trousers and red trainers.
Fans Roast His Creepy Blue Eyes
The unusual makeover did not take long to become social media fuel, with fans reacting more strongly to Davidson's new appearance than perhaps the actor expected. Several commenters focused on his piercing blue eyes and unsettling expression, turning the transformation into a string of blunt jokes.
Among the reactions were comments such as 'and me thinking it couldn't get any worse', while another person wrote, 'He was never hot but he got worse'. One particularly savage reaction summed up the mood with, 'Baby thats the creep thin man!'
Baby thats the creep thin man! pic.twitter.com/bY49MpVNvu
— MarvelBoy (@ThiccyRicky92) August 27, 2026
Davidson Embraces His Darkest Role
Behind the internet jokes is a much more serious acting challenge, as Davidson is playing Thomas Pitera, a convicted Bonanno crime family enforcer known as Tommy Karate because of his Japanese martial arts training. Pitera was convicted of multiple murders in 1992 and remains incarcerated at USP Big Sandy in Kentucky.
The film draws from Philip Carlo's non-fiction book The Butcher: Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath. Directed by Justin Chon, the project also features Camila Mendes, Paul Walter Hauser and Simon Rex, with Hauser portraying the DEA agent involved in the investigation.
Davidson Has Spent Years Bringing the Film Together
For Davidson, Tommy Karate is far more than another acting job.
He has reportedly spent more than three years developing the project and previously described the story as 'the greatest mob story never told', signalling just how personally invested he is in getting it made.
Davidson is also serving as a producer through his North.Five.Six banner, while Chon has said the film aims to approach the gangster genre from a contemporary perspective.
The production therefore gives Davidson an opportunity to move firmly beyond the comedic image that made him famous.
His Career Is Moving Beyond His Comedy Image
The Tommy Karate role arrives during a particularly busy period for Davidson, who has been expanding his work across film, television and other projects. Earlier in 2026, he launched The Pete Davidson Show, an original video podcast filmed from his home garage and featuring relaxed conversations with celebrity guests.
He has also appeared in The Pickup and Riff Raff, while other projects including That Time We Met and How to Rob a Bank are adding to his growing screen workload. His Tommy Karate transformation now suggests he is determined to show audiences a considerably darker side of his acting range.
See Pete Davidson’s wild transformation for ‘Tommy Karate’ movie https://t.co/05QMZIc4DK pic.twitter.com/vbVr5IHO5W
— Page Six (@PageSix) August 27, 2026
The Creepy Transformation Has Already Done Its Job
There is no confirmed release date yet for Tommy Karate, but Davidson's first major character reveal has already created plenty of attention online. He first teased the role on Instagram on 23 July, joking that 'Petey'z all growns up now' before showing himself as the mobster.
With the wig, blue eyes and intimidating wardrobe now fully visible, Davidson has effectively vanished behind the character. Whether audiences eventually praise the performance or remain stuck on the 'Thin Man' comparisons, one thing is already clear: Pete Davidson does not look like Pete Davidson anymore.
