There are actors who play the leads that we can’t help but root for, and there are others who are just as effective as villains that we just can’t help but root for. And then there are those like Domhnall Gleeson, who can, at one point, portray characters as a hopelessly romantic time traveler in It was time and then go on to take on the role of ruthless First Order officer General Hux in the Star Wars universe.
Gleeson has proven time and time again that he is capable of delivering dynamic performances in a variety of roles. And since we love to explore actors and their best screen appearances, this seems like a golden opportunity to check out some of Domhnall Gleeson’s best movies.
About Time (2013)
On his 21st birthday, Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) learns a secret that will change his life: the men in his family can travel back in time and relive important moments from their past. But it’s not all fun and games, as there are some important rules and consequences if they are broken.
What makes Richard Curtis’ 2013 romantic comedy It was time one gem of a film is Domhnall Gleeson’s take on the stock character. He is charming, believable, and easy to support in his search for the secret to love, life, and happiness. It also helps this film play out as an emotional thrill ride.
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Ex-machine (2015)
After winning a contest to spend a weekend at the estate of eccentric CEO Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac), programmer Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) realizes things are not what they seem with the latest experiment of his. boss.
Alex Garland, who previously worked as a screenwriter, made his directorial debut with the 2015 sci-fi thriller, former machine. Gleeson, once again playing the common man, is absolutely brilliant in his conversations with Ava (Alicia Vikander in one of his best roles), an advanced android whose abilities defy logic and reason.
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Brooklyn (2015)
After coming to America in search of a better life, Irish immigrant Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is forced to return home, resulting in a life-changing decision in which there are no real winners or losers.
One of four critically acclaimed films starring Domhnall Gleeson to be released in 2015, John Crowley’s brooklyn it’s right up there with any of Gleeson’s other roles. His portrayal of Jim Farrell, the warm, suave and charming suitor who awaits Ellis at home, is often overlooked, but should be at the top of the list.
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The Revenant (2015)
Frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is attacked by a grizzly bear in the Dakotas and left for dead by trapper John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), setting off an emotional and painful rebirth story in which the hero is motivated by revenge.
The 2015 epic by Alejandro Iñárritu, the reborn, It’s mostly remembered for the terrific performances from DiCaprio (who won his first Oscar) and Hardy, but the supporting cast is just as remarkable. Such is the case with Domhnall Gleeson, who is absolutely perfect as the leader of the group, Andrew Henry.
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Frank (2014)
After essentially making his way in an up-and-coming band on the cusp of fame and fortune, Jon Burroughs (Domhnall Gleeson) finds himself forming an unusual bond with the group’s lead singer, a mysterious man named Frank (Michael Fassbender). ) who he is never seen without a large papier-mâché mask covering his head.
One of the A24 movies streaming for free on Plex, Lenny Abrahamson’s 2014 comedy, Frank, it is also one of the most interesting of the group, and of Gleeson’s career. The way Gleeson carries himself in this peculiar role is something else and again shows the complexity of his range as an actor.
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True Value (2010)
Following the death of her father, 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) decides to hunt down his killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).
The 2010 remake of the Coen Brothers true grain It’s one of the best westerns of the modern age, and like the great westerns of yesteryear, it’s got an incredible cast. Domhnall Gleeson is among the greats with his portrayal of a hapless outlaw who changes his mind too late and steals the show every time he appears on screen.
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 and 2 (2010 – 2011)
The last two installments of the Harry Potter The movie franchise ends with a bang as “The Boy Who Lived” (Daniel Radcliffe) takes on Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) to protect Hogwarts (and the world) from total destruction, no matter the cost.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was split into two films, sees heroes and villains from the Wizarding World in a final showdown, including the Weasleys’ older brother Will (Domhnall Gleeson). Though he’s not one of the main leads in the story, it’s always nice to see Gleeson’s character swoop in with a helping hand.
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Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015)
Years after the Battle of Endor, the successor to the Galactic Empire, the First Order, makes its presence known just as new hope emerges from the wastelands of a desert planet, beginning their own hero’s journey.
people like to insist Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakensbut one thing that cannot be denied is Domhnall Gleeson’s portrayal of the iron-fisted First Order officer, General Hux, with his terrifying yet commanding speech at Starkiller Base that is nothing short of brilliant.
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Made in the USA (2017)
Renegade pilot Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) gets the job of a lifetime when he’s recruited by the CIA to fly a dangerous mission that lands him in a big mess of trouble.
Doug Liman’s 2017 biographical action drama, Made in USA, features one of Tom Cruise’s most unhinged characters and also one of Domhnall Gleeson’s most dangerous performances. The actor is amazing as Seal’s CIA handler, who will do anything to help the agency and the country.
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Calvary (2014)
After receiving a confession from an unknown man who says he will kill him in seven days, Father James (Brendan Gleeson) spends what could be the last week of his life contemplating his life and threat while going about his normal business.
One of the most surprising scenes from John Michael McDonagh’s 2014 drama, Calvary, It arrives when the priest meets Freddie Joyce (Domhnall Gleeson), a murderer who can’t remember where he left his last victim. Young Gleeson is remarkable in his portrayal of a deranged cannibal, so much so that he feels like a three-dimensional human being rather than a character on screen.
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Although we’ve talked about 10 great movies, this barely scratches the surface of Domhnall Gleeson’s body of work and doesn’t include some of his great shows like black mirror, Runeither Catastrophe. And then there’s the 2022 TV show entry, The patient, that looks incredibly promising.
