10 Best Movies of Cillian Murphy

Among the myriad of Hollywood actors gracing the screens of renowned films, it's a rare find to encounter an actor exuding a mysterious allure quite like the one we're about to discuss. The subject in question is none other than Cillian Murphy. Hailing from Ireland, he possesses the remarkable skill of a chameleon.

Cillian possesses the ability to fully embody a multitude of characters that filmmakers require, effortlessly immersing himself in these roles and thereby carving a brilliant niche for himself in the entertainment industry. From his extensive filmography, I've curated a selection of ten of his most captivating performances.

1. The Dark Knight - Batman Trilogy

It appears that the renowned director Christopher Nolan greatly values Cillian Murphy's participation in his films. This becomes evident as I list the movies in which Cillian collaborated with Nolan. Let's consider a specific film: Nolan cast Cillian in all three installments of The Dark Knight trilogy.

Cillian was tasked with portraying the character Jonathan Crane, also recognized as the formidable Scarecrow. Formerly a psychology professor, Crane took a criminal path following his dismissal. Over time, Crane evolved into a menace to Gotham City and a formidable adversary of Batman.

2. A Quiet Place Part II

This film, which effectively left me feeling anxious, features Cillian Murphy in a significant role as Emmett. Despite the catastrophic events caused by enigmatic monsters roaming around, he manages to maintain a peaceful life. However, when the Abbott family arrives, his life takes a dramatic turn.

Emmett is actually a close friend of Lee (John Krasinski) and Evelyn (Emily Blunt). Nevertheless, with the emergence of these monsters throughout the city, he chooses to seclude himself in an old factory. After spending years living in isolation there, Evelyn and her children eventually arrive, compelling Emmett to share the shelter he had come to call his own.

3. Inception

For those who enjoy intricate mystery narratives with suspenseful twists and are big fans of Cillian Murphy, I wholeheartedly recommend this film. It seamlessly blends both elements in a captivating manner. The movie centers around the pursuit of a criminal named Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Cobb executes his endeavors within the realm of the subconscious and dreams. As a response, law enforcement develops an advanced technology for sharing dreams known as Inception. Their objective is to thwart Cobb's ambitious plan of manipulating the mind of their primary target, Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy).

4. Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer undoubtedly falls into the category of films that I am confident will garner at least an Oscar nomination, given the remarkable quality of Cillian's acting, the intricately woven plot, and the superb depiction of characters and situations. In this movie, Cillian takes on the role of the Father of the Atomic Bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, complete with all his complexities.

From a young age, Oppenheimer displayed exceptional prowess in physics, prompting him to diligently pursue proficiency in other fields like mathematics. Once he achieved mastery in both fields, the US military approached him to contribute to the construction of the atomic bomb. Without giving heed to the ensuing risks, Oppenheimer willingly accepted the task.

5. Breakfast on Pluto

Feeling bored with Cillian's repertoire of 'dark' movie roles? If that's the case, I encourage you to consider watching this particular film. Breakfast on Pluto promises an unexpected twist that, I am confident, will further astonish you by showcasing Cillian's exceptional acting abilities. Departing from his typically intense persona, Cillian assumes the role of a remarkably tender character.

Meet Patrick (Cillian Murphy), who has endured maternal abandonment since his infancy. Placed in an orphanage by a priest who, unbeknownst to him, is his biological father, Patrick's evolution unfolds. As he grows, Patrick gradually grapples with a sense of confinement and eventually embraces the identity of Kitten, a transgender individual.

Experiencing societal non-acceptance due to his transgender identity, Patrick, who is also known as Kitten, resolves to depart from his hometown in search of his mother's whereabouts.

6. Broken

Having dabbled in various genres, Cillian is now venturing into the world of drama movies. In this new role, Cillian takes on the character of Mike. He's entrusted with the role of a beloved teacher to Skunk (played by Eloise Laurence), the movie's main character. Mike's presence adds a touch of vibrancy to Skunk's otherwise dull life.

However, Mike's choice to immerse himself in Skunk's reality lands him in a complex situation that will likely leave the audience perplexed. He finds himself swept into a maelstrom of issues within Skunk's family, conflicts with several other characters, and other intricately woven plots that are highly captivating.

7. Red Eye

The movie made by Director Wes Craven might make the audience so frustrated with Cillian's character that they'd want to pull his hair out. The reason behind this is that Cillian portrays a really bothersome character called Jackson Rippner. Besides being annoying, he's the mastermind behind various troubles, like keeping people hostage on a plane and trying to kill someone important.

The movie has a great concept, but the attempts of the hostage, Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams), to escape from the bad guy aren't very thrilling. Nevertheless, there are still some positive lessons to take from this film. One of these is the effective use of confined spaces on airplanes.

8. Anthropoid

Anthropoid is a film that offers a slowly unfolding story, gradually building up to a climactic moment that is perfectly timed. This movie is a definite recommendation, particularly for those who have an interest in World War II-themed films.

The plot revolves around the true events of a plot to assassinate a significant figure in the Nazi regime, Reinhard Heydrich. This daring assassination is undertaken by two Czechoslovakian soldiers, Jozef Gabčík (Cillian Murphy) and Jan Kubiš (Jamie Dornan), with the assistance of local resistance members.

While the assassination is successful, its aftermath triggers a ruthless response from the Nazis, resulting in the tragic deaths of thousands of Czechs and Slovaks.

9. The Wind That Shakes the Barley

This historical film is a personal favorite of mine due to its accurate portrayal of a conflict between two brothers during the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s.

The story centers around Damien O'Donovan (Cillian Murphy), a medical student. The narrative unfolds as Damien makes the choice to leave Ireland and head to London in order to continue his studies.

At the same time, his younger brother Teddy (Pàdraic Delaney) becomes involved with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Just before Damien's departure, he witnesses the execution of a friend. This traumatic event alters his plans, causing him to change his mind about going to London. Instead, he joins his brother Teddy, setting the stage for a tragic turn of events due to their differing political perspectives.

10. Sunshine 

Stories depicting global disasters sure capture our attention. This theme is evident in the movie Sunshine, where we're transported to the year 2057 and confronted with a grave dilemma: the impending threat of a second ice age due to the Sun's fading. As a result, scientists are confronted with the daunting challenge of reigniting the dying star at the center of our solar system.

In response, a daring mission is devised – a star bomb must be dispatched, with astronauts heading straight for the Sun to trigger the explosion. One of these astronauts is Capa (Cillian Murphy), a crucial member of the team.

Their vessel, the Icarus II, embarks on this daring journey. However, not long after leaving Earth, the Icarus II detects a distress signal of immense significance. What perilous situation are they about to encounter?

Cillian Murphy's filmography showcases his remarkable talent and versatility as an actor. He has adeptly taken on roles ranging from action-packed movies to emotionally charged dramas. The extensive list of movies discussed above serves as compelling evidence of Cillian's ability to immerse himself in diverse characters and genres, highlighting his dedication to the craft of acting.