Cillian Murphy is quickly becoming a household name, especially after his role in Oppenheimer. While many are just now recognizing him as a major star, he’s consistently delivered impressive performances for years. Looking at his career, it’s clear he’s always been willing to take chances, whether in big-budget films or smaller, lesser-known projects – consistently proving his range as an actor. Interestingly, he doesn’t seem to have chased mainstream stardom, instead choosing roles that offer a real challenge. He truly excels in complex stories that require both powerful emotion and subtle control.
Here’s a ranking of 7 of Cillian Murphy’s best movies, from least to most impressive. This list really shows why he’s become such a highly regarded actor. It’s not just about his talent – he consistently surpasses expectations in every role.
7) Inception
You generally know what you’re getting with a Christopher Nolan film: quality, a bit of complexity, and strong acting – and Cillian Murphy’s performance delivers all of that. In Inception, he truly shines, bringing the emotional core to the story, even though Leonardo DiCaprio’s character is the lead. Murphy plays Robert Fischer, a wealthy young man forced to deal with his father’s past within a carefully constructed dream. It’s through the character’s vulnerability that the film really connects with you.
Though now a leading actor in Hollywood, Cillian Murphy needed a breakthrough role, and Inception provided it. He perfectly portrays Fischer’s vulnerability, convincingly showing the character’s emotional pain and fear of following in his father’s footsteps. However, despite being crucial to the film’s success – it’s hard to imagine the story working without him – Inception still features Murphy in a supporting capacity. It’s a more understated performance compared to some of his other work.
6) Anthropoid
Often overlooked, especially in Cillian Murphy’s filmography, is the gripping spy thriller Anthropoid. The movie details the incredibly dangerous plot to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a key Nazi leader, and powerfully portrays the mental toll it takes on those involved. Cillian Murphy, alongside Jamie Dornan, plays Jozef Gabčík, a soldier central to the operation, and the film closely follows his training, inner struggles, and the mission itself. It’s a relentlessly tense experience where every choice could mean life or death – a quality that earns it high praise, even though some viewers find the pacing or dialogue slow.
Cillian Murphy is a captivating actor, and his performance in Anthropoid is exceptional. He carries the film with a quiet intensity, making you feel the weight of his character’s fear and duty in every moment. Even if you’re not familiar with the historical event the movie portrays, Murphy’s acting alone makes it worthwhile. This role is significant because it’s one of the first times he’s been the clear center and driving force of a film – a powerful, nuanced, and consistently compelling performance.
5) Sunshine
While not widely discussed, Sunshine is a thought-provoking film hampered by a divisive ending. However, Cillian Murphy’s performance is a standout. He plays Robert Capa, a physicist on a desperate mission to restart the sun and save Earth. This premise creates a tense and intellectually stimulating story. Murphy skillfully portrays the character’s blend of scientific logic and the understandable anxiety of such a high-stakes, potentially fatal, endeavor, making the film feel both realistic and emotionally impactful.
What really struck me about this director is his ability to make you feel the weight of impossible choices – like, should humanity be saved or not? – all while keeping the characters deeply human. I felt this powerfully in Sunshine long before seeing his incredible work in Oppenheimer, where he conveys so much inner struggle with just a look. Sunshine was the first time I was truly captivated by that same quiet intensity, and it made me want to see everything he’d ever done. However, while it’s a fantastic film, I think most people remember the stunning visuals of the Sun itself more than the actors’ performances, and that’s why it doesn’t quite reach the very top of my list.
4) The Wind That Shakes the Barley
In this film, Cillian Murphy delivers a performance quite different from his usual roles. He plays Damien O’Donovan, a doctor who gives up his profession to fight for Irish independence, only to become caught up in the brutal realities of the Civil War. The story powerfully depicts how the conflict divides families and pits friends and brothers against each other. The film doesn’t shy away from the harshness of war, presenting it without glamour or easy heroism. Murphy’s portrayal is strikingly realistic; he embodies a complex character full of conflicting emotions – anger, fear, and guilt – avoiding the typical ‘perfect hero’ often seen in historical films.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a deeply emotional film, and Cillian Murphy delivers a powerfully intense performance that truly sets the mood. It’s one of his most challenging and demanding roles, yet it hasn’t received much recognition outside of Europe. He fully commits to the character, demonstrating his talent for playing complex and morally gray figures. This performance showcases the full extent of his dramatic abilities, even if many viewers don’t realize it.
3) 28 Days Later
Fans of zombie and thriller films are likely familiar with 28 Days Later. It was the movie that made Danny Murphy a well-known actor, and rightfully so. He plays Jim, a man who wakes up from a coma to find London deserted and overrun by a virus that turns people into violent, zombie-like creatures. Murphy brilliantly portrays Jim’s initial shock and disorientation. The story follows Jim as he struggles to survive and find others amidst the chaos. What’s great is that he doesn’t play a typical action hero; he’s just an average person completely unprepared for this nightmare, and that’s what makes his performance so compelling.
What sets this film apart from typical horror is Murphy’s performance, which brings a much-needed human element to what could have been a simple story of chase scenes and violence. While he’d hinted at his talent in previous roles, 28 Days Later really showcased his abilities to a wider audience, solidifying his place in the genre. His portrayal of Jim is powerful, raw, and completely believable, making him the iconic face of a franchise that fans adore. It’s likely the film wouldn’t have become so influential without his contribution.
2) Breakfast on Pluto
Cillian Murphy’s performances are known for being powerful, daring, and fully committed, often involving choices that challenge him as an actor. In the film Breakfast on Pluto, he takes on a particularly surprising role: Kitten Braden, a young transgender woman on a journey to find herself, love, and a sense of belonging. The movie portrays her struggles with prejudice, violence, and feeling like an outsider as she attempts to create a chosen family from the people she meets. It would have been easy to portray this character with clichés or over-the-top theatrics, but Murphy avoids that entirely, bringing a sense of joy, charisma, and genuine vulnerability to the role without seeking sympathy.
This film mixes dramatic, funny, and romantic moments, and the lead actor handles these changes seamlessly. Breakfast on Pluto is a quirky and heartwarming story that also reveals a surprising depth in Murphy’s acting abilities. As a result, it deserves its high ranking – the role requires immense emotional, artistic, and technical skill. Murphy doesn’t simply portray the character of Kitten; he truly becomes her. Even viewers who aren’t fans of the film acknowledge the performance’s bravery and sensitivity.
1) Oppenheimer
No other film deserved the top spot more. Cillian Murphy doesn’t simply play Oppenheimer; he completely embodies the character, creating a performance that is both captivating and unsettling. The film traces Oppenheimer’s life, from his early academic success to the overwhelming guilt and scrutiny he eventually faces. Given the immense weight of the story, the role demanded an exceptional actor, and Murphy delivers brilliantly. He uses subtle cues – a faraway look, long pauses, a shaky breath – to portray a man haunted by his own choices. It’s a performance that’s powerful on a large scale, during moments of political drama, but also deeply moving in its portrayal of the vulnerable man beneath the public image.
Cillian Murphy delivers a remarkably realistic and emotionally resonant performance in Oppenheimer, capturing the character’s joy, heartbreak, and immense guilt in a way that truly affects viewers. This role was a turning point in his career – a massive, heartbreaking, and captivating portrayal. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning an Oscar and, crucially, earning Murphy his first Best Actor award. It’s a standout performance in recent cinema and a must-see for everyone.
Do you enjoy Cillian Murphy’s work? What’s your favorite movie he’s been in? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-06 03:12