Colin Farrell has been in movies for decades, but only recently has he been getting the recognition he deserves. Scoring his first Oscar nomination in 2022 and his first two Emmy nominations for his work on The Penguin, Farrell is finally receiving recognition for his acting work. He was actually predicted to win the Emmy for Best Actor in a Limited Series on numerous sites, including The Guardian and Deadline, but was overtaken by Stephen Graham for his work on Adolescence.
Farrell’s work on The Penguin won’t be the only time he will be up for awards. With projects like A Big Bold Beautiful Journey and Ballad of a Small Player set to release this year, he could very well receive more award recognition within the year. Even though he has only recently gotten acknowledged for his acting talent, he has starred in many incredible films throughout his career. From grounded superhero films to dark comedies, Colin Farrell has an array of excellent films that are bound to please most audiences.
Here are Colin Farrell’s 10 best movies to check out after his Emmy snub.
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (2022)
The Banshees of Inisherin is one of many collaborations Colin Farrell has had with writer/director Martin McDonagh. The film follows two best friends, Pádraic and Colm, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, who live on a remote island on the coast of Ireland. One day, Colm decides not to be friends with Pádraic anymore, which sparks a chain of events that leads to detrimental consequences for both of them.
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ Is Colin Farrell’s Highest Rated Movie
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival in September 2022, the film was immediately read with glowing praise, and eventually became Colin Farrell’s highest rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Receiving 96% of critics, the film earned Farrell his first Oscar nomination as well as the film earning eight other nominations. The film was praised for its clever dark comedy, unpredictable nature and its depiction of male friendship. Not only does it rank as Colin Farrell’s best reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes, but it ranks as the second highest-rated movie of 2022, only falling behind Top Gun: Maverick.
‘In Bruges’ (2008)
In Bruges was the first collaboration between Colin Farrell and Martin McDonagh. The film follows two hit men, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, who are forced to hide in Bruges, Belgium after a hit gone wrong. During their time of hiding, they experience the life and culture of Bruges while struggling to come to terms with what they want to do with their lives.
Collin Farrell Has Incredible Comedic Timing
In Bruges acted as one of Collin Farrell’s first ventures into comedy, and he proved to be a master of it with just one film. His delivery of McDonagh’s masterful and hilarious script made for some of the funniest sequences of the decade. From the absurd action sequences to its depiction of identity, In Bruges is an extremely original and well-executed comedy that is more than deserving of its Best Original Screenplay nomination at the Oscars.
‘Seven Psychopaths’ (2012)
Seven Psychopaths is Martin McDonagh’s second feature film and his second collaboration with Collin Farrell. The film follows a screenwriter, played by Farrell, who gets roped into a criminal underworld after two of his friends, played by Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell, kidnap a gangster’s dog. Once again a dark comedy, the film pokes fun at filmmaking through its crime-ridden screenplay and entertaining violence.
‘Seven Psychopaths’ Is Quentin Tarantino Done Right
The sense of humor, violent set pieces, and massive ensemble is extremely reminiscent of Tarantino films like Reservoir Dogs and Jackie Brown, but McDonagh brings his own style that individualizes itself for the iconic director’s filmography. Farrell once again captures McDonagh’s outlandish dialogue perfectly while simultaneously bringing empathy to his character. It may not have been as well received as McDonagh’s other films, but its quirky sensibilities and stellar cast make it a standout film that’s worth the watch.
‘Minority Report’ (2002)
Minority Report is the Steven Spielberg film that includes the most genres. Simultaneously blending sci-fi, action, mystery, and thriller elements, the film acts as an adaptation of the short story by Phillip K. Dick. It follows John, played by Tom Cruise, who works as a police officer for an organization known as “Preforce” that uses psychic technology to help stop crimes before they occur. John eventually becomes a person-of-interest for the organization after being framed for a future murder.
Steven Spielberg’s Most Ambitious Project Is a Roaring Success
Minority Report easily stands as one of the most ambitious films Steven Spielberg has ever made, and it is a miracle it turned out as well as it did. Tom Cruise is perfect as the man on-the-run, delivering on the action set-pieces while expressing a wide range of emotions through his character. Colin Farrell plays the detective role perfectly, acting as a bright spot in the Preforce organization that seeks truth over power. Scoring an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Editing, Minority Report stands as one of the biggest sci-fi epics of the 2000s and saw Spielberg and Cruise continue their collaboration with 2005’s War of the Worlds.
‘Horrible Bosses’ (2011)
Horrible Bosses was one of the breakout comedies of the early 2010s and included many modern icons in comedy. Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day, the film follows three friends who conspire a plan to murder their bosses after becoming tired of their cruelty toward them. As well as including A-list actors like Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and of course, Collin Farrell, the film playfully pokes fun at the working-class by coming up with many inventive and hilarious set pieces.
Colin Farrell Makes a Big Impact With Little Screen Time
The chemistry between Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day is one of the reasons Horrible Bosses became a box office success, but the supporting cast is equally compelling. Although he plays the boss with the least development and screen time, Collin Farrell leaves a big impact on the film, wonderfully portraying the snarkiness and selfishness of his character to an effective degree. The 2014 sequel may have been as successful, but Horrible Bosses stands as one of the best orignal comedies of the 2010s that continues to hold up today.
‘After Yang’ (2021)
After Yang is a melancholic sci-fi drama that marks the first collaboration between Collin Farrell and writer/director Kogonada. The film follows Jake, played by Farrell, as he attempts to fix his daughter’s android, played by Justin H. Min, after suddenly malfunctioning. During his time repairing the android, he reconciles with his current life and attempts to reconnect with them.
‘After Yang’ Sees Collin Farrell At His Most Vulnerable
After Yang perfectly executes the melancholic drama, using modern technology as a mechanism to view life from a different lens. Farrell is excellent as a father experiencing catharsis, having excellent chemistry with Min as he attempts to make things right with his family. Although the film doesn’t shy away from explaining its themes to the audience, it’s almost impossible not to fall for this heartwarming tale of love and connection.
‘Crazy Heart’ (2009)
Crazy Heart is an original music drama that scored Jeff Bridges his first Oscar win. The film follows Bridges as country singer Bad Blake, who’s slowly starting to fade from relevance. During this time, he begins to reconcile with his life while sparking a romance with a younger woman, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who simultaneously tests and inspires him.
‘Crazy Heart’ Is Less About the Music and More About the Characters
Although the music in Crazy Heart acts to coax Bad Blake into becoming a better person, the true element of his path of resilience is his connection with other characters in the film. Maggie Gyllenhaal was deserving of her Oscar nomination as a reporter who starts a romance with Bad Blake after attempting to write a story about him. Farrell is excellent as a country singer who Blake is envious of, but instead of solely having the two characters at odds, the filmmakers have the two learn from each other, which brings the films to grounded, emotional depths that make the film worthy of its numerous Oscar wins.
‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ (2017)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is one of Yorgos Lanthimos’ many collaborations with Collin Farrell. Also including Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan, and Alicia Silverstone, the film follows Steven, played by Farrell, a cardiovascular surgeon who sparks a friendship with Martin, played by Keoghan. Eventually, Martin becomes obsessed with Steven and forces him to make a sacrifice that will change his life forever.
‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ Pushed Barry Keoghan to Stardom
Yorgos Lanthimos’ signature style is all over The Killing of a Sacred Deer, a biting satire about an upper-class family that delves into extremely dark territory. Colin Farrell is great as a surgeon struggling to make a sacrifice, but it’s Barry Keoghan who stands out the most through his terrifying portrayal of a man who curses a family. The film not only put Keoghan on the map, but pushed him into A-list status as he went on to receive an Oscar nomination as well as star in an MCU project. The film may have its weird and quirky sensibilities, but it provides an experience that audiences won’t forget.
‘Widows’ (2018)
Widows was Steve McQueen’s long-awaited follow-up to the Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave and stars a stacked ensemble including Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Cynthia Erivo, and Robert Duvall. The film sees a group of four widows who plan to complete the heist that killed their four husbands in an attempt to forge a satisfying future. Based on a book of the same name, the film delves into themes of violence, grief, and corruption.
‘Widows’ Was Worth the Five-Year Wait
Critics and audiences were eager to see what Steve McQueen would do next after making one of the most honest and empathetic films about the slave experience, and the wait was far worth it for Widows. Confidently directed and sleekly produced, the film skillfully blends blockbuster entertainment with a thought-provoking message of the human response to trauma that continues to be timely. With an incredible ensemble and frenetic editing style, Widows further shows how Steve McQueen is one of the best filmmakers working today.
‘The Batman’ (2022)
Taking a grounded approach to Batman characters, The Batman sees Robert Pattinson take on the Dark Knight mantle in a detective-style thriller. It follows Batman as he tracks down a demented serial killer, the Riddler, who is targeting political figures in Gotham City. With the help of Commissioner Gordon, played by Jeffery Wright, Batman slowly starts to uncover the city’s corruption while coming to terms with his place in the city and the legacy he wants to leave behind. Colin Farrell plays The Penguin, a nightclub owner who is caught up in the underground mob in Gotham City.
‘The Batman’ Is One of the Best Comic Book Movies of the 2020s
The Batman was a huge success with critics and audiences. Receiving 85% with Rotten Tomatoes critics and a 4.0 on Letterboxd, the film was beloved by nearly everyone who saw it. The film also received three Oscar nominations, which is more than almost every comic book movie this decade. Taking influence from films like Se7en, The Batman is the most grounded adaptation of Batman yet, turning silly characters like the Riddler and the Penguin into menacing villains with a monstrous presence. Farrell is unrecognizable as the Penguin, with his tense performance as well as the stellar make-up work making for one of the best portrayals of that character seen on screen. With a sequel currently in development, The Batman stands as one of the best comic book movies of the 2020s.
The Penguin
4
/5
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Lauren LeFranc
- Writers
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Lauren LeFranc
- Franchise(s)
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Batman, DC Elseworlds
