In honor of the Oscar-winning Cillian Murphy, and for today’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, I invite you to open a bottle of stout and recommend 5 surprisingly best movies of the handsome and talented actor.
Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor won his first Oscar last week, making him the first Irish actor to win an Oscar. He won an Oscar for his role as Robert Oppenheimer, the creator of the atomic bomb, in Christopher Nolan’s film ״Oppenheimer.״
Cillian Murphy has accumulated an impressive repertoire of films in which he has acted, and one famous series that made him a household name: Peaky Blinders.
On a personal note, I must proudly say that I am a fan of Murphy even from his older and lesser-known films which we will further discuss later on. So here are my recommendations for the best 5 movies starring Cillian Murphy:
In 5th place: “Watching the Detectives” (2007)
“Watching The Detectives” is a cute indie comedy/romance film starring Cillian Murphy and Lucy Lu. Murphy plays a quirky video store owner immersed in detective fiction. It was released in 2007 and Murphy’s style in the role is effortlessly cool as befits the 2000s, with a mix of vintage and casual wear, reflecting his character’s personality. This movie does not deserve an Oscar if I’m being honest, but it is a light film that is fun to watch. Cillian is handsome and adventurous, Lucy Lu is gorgeous and unpredictable, and it’s a great option for a relaxed Friday night.
4th place: Red Eye (2005)
“Red Eye” is a psychological thriller where Cillian Murphy stars as a chilling villain. Without spoilers: the movie follows Lisa (Rachel McAdams) and Jackson (Cillian Murphy) who meet at check-in on the flight and even sit next to each other off the flight. Murphy’s style in the role is sleek and sophisticated, reflecting his character’s manipulative charm. With sharp suits and intense gaze, Murphy captivates audiences, making his character’s menace all the more palpable.
3rd place: In time (2011)
In the movie: “In Time,” the concept of money has passed from the world, and in its place the currency is time. As a police replacement, Cillian Murphy plays a “timekeeper” who pursues Justin Timberlake’s character in the action/sci-fi film. Time Keeper’s clothes are uniform, so throughout the film, you will see Cillian Murphy in the futuristic “matrix” look with a long black leather jacket.
2nd place: The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006)
We are moving towards the first two places. This film is a historical drama that tells the story of two brothers in the 1920s. They fight a guerrilla war in the Irish people’s war of independence against the British army. The film’s costume design plays a significant role in reflecting the historical context and societal norms of the time.
Traditional Irish clothing such as tweed jackets, flat caps, and shawls are prominently featured. It emphasizes the characters’ connection to their cultural heritage and the harsh realities of rural life.
The best and most surprising movie of Cillian Murphy: Breakfast On Pluto (2005)
This film is perhaps the least known, and certainly the most surprising choice. At first, you will not be able to recognize that it is the same actor who plays the masculine and tough Thomas Shelby. However, I promise you that you will fall in love with the character of “Kitten.” A transgender young woman in the 70s who leaves the small Irish town for the big city of London, on a quest to find her mother. A touching film, where Cillian Murphy breaks boundaries and displays impressive and believable acting abilities.
Kitten’s style is mesmerizing to me, so I’ll let the pictures speak for me:
There are many other successful films starring or with the participation of Cillian Murphy, but these are the best in my opinion. I hope I managed to surprise you with my choices.
I wish everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day, get out there and celebrate!
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