The Ultimate Ranking of Domhnall Gleeson's Top 10 Movies

Brendan Gleeson, a renowned character actor, has passed on his talent to his son, Domhnall Gleeson. Domhnall has proven himself to be equally brilliant and has gained popularity through his roles in the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises. Despite his success in these blockbuster series, Domhnall is primarily recognized as a character actor rather than a lead. His credibility has been further enhanced by his appearances in esteemed shows like Black Mirror and Run. However, Domhnall's film work is equally impressive. Below is a ranking of his best movies.

10. 'American Made'

(2017)

Image via Universal Pictures

American Made depicts the astounding true tale of Barry Seal (Tom Cruise), an enigmatic narcotics transporter working for the CIA during the 1980s. This movie showcases Tom Cruise's exceptional portrayal of an atypical lead character, diverging from his usual repertoire of more empathetic roles.

9. 'Unbroken'

Despite Cruise's impressive portrayal of a more nuanced personality, it is Gleeson's captivating performance as the enigmatic CIA agent Monty Schafer that steals the show. Schafer skillfully weaves a captivating web of mystery that poses a challenge for Seal in establishing effective communication.

(2014)

Universal Pictures

Incontrovertible

Following a perilous airplane accident during World War II, celebrated Olympian Louis Zamperini endures an agonizing 47-day odyssey in a lifeboat alongside two comrades, until he is apprehended by the Japanese navy and forcibly transported to a detainment facility for prisoners of war.

Angelina Jolie's 2014 film Unbroken presents a remarkable true story through a nuanced historical drama, with Brendan Gleeson delivering a more heroic performance. Inspired by the life of Louis Zamperini (played by Jack O'Connell), a former Olympic athlete, the film chronicles Zamperini's capture by Japanese forces during World War II.

In the early stages of the film, Zamperini, along with his comrades Phil (portrayed by Gleeson) and Mac (played by Finn Wittrock), is shot down and must survive on a raft. The chemistry between O'Connell, Gleeson, and Wittrock heightens the authenticity of these scenes.

8. 'A Futile and Stupid Gesture'

(2018)

Netflix

The inception of the renowned comedic publication National Lampoon is humorously depicted in A Futile and Stupid Gesture. The film tells the story from the point of view of Douglas Kenny (Will Forte), one of the co-founders. Although Kenny tragically passed away at the young age of 27, the audience gets to see an older version of the character (Martin Mull) reflecting on his experiences.

7. 'Goodbye Christopher Robin'

Gleeson portrays Henry Beard, Kenny's steadfast companion and collaborator, adding depth to the film's dynamic humor by showcasing how their differing comedic perspectives influenced the distinctive style of National Lampoon. Despite his supporting role, Gleeson delivers a standout performance in this movie.

(2017)

Christopher Robin

A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

Simon Curtis' Goodbye Christopher Robin granted Gleeson a rare opportunity to portray a protagonist; he takes on the role of A.A. Milne, the beloved author of children's literature who is most famously recognized for creating Winnie the Pooh, in this 2017 biopic. The film cleverly draws parallels between Milne's personal life and the events depicted in his stories. Despite Milne's tumultuous life, which was marked by tragedy and the post-traumatic stress disorder he suffered after serving in World War I, the film highlights how his writing brought joy to countless readers. Gleeson's performance is skillfully delicate and nuanced, effectively showcasing Milne's resilience and his ability to find hope within himself.

6. 'About Time'

(2013)

About Time

Tim, a 21-year-old, discovers his ability to time travel and alter events in his life. However, his pursuit of finding a girlfriend and improving his world proves to be more challenging than he anticipated. In the 2013 film "About Time," actor Gleeson showcases his most charming and romantic side. The movie portrays Tim Lake, who learns the art of time travel from his father James, played by Bill Nighy. Initially taken aback by this revelation, Tim utilizes his father's secret to enhance his relationship with his girlfriend Mary, portrayed by Rachel McAdams, eventually becoming engaged to her.

Despite the story's sci-fi elements, the genuine chemistry between Gleeson and McAdams creates an authentic portrayal of real relationships. Interestingly, the film ultimately encourages viewers to seize the present moment and avoid dwelling on the past.

5. 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

(2015)

Image via Lucasfilm

Walt Disney Pictures presents Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).

Amidst the emergence of a new peril in the galaxy, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, a former stormtrooper, must unite with Han Solo and Chewbacca in their quest to find the sole beacon of hope for restoring harmony.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens had the responsibility of introducing a new set of villains to Star Wars enthusiasts. In a unique twist, the film portrayed an intriguing version of "evil". General Hux, portrayed by Gleeson, characterizes an arrogant and spiteful troublemaker lacking practical expertise. Hux's obsession with proving his superiority over Kylo Ren takes precedence over his actual goal of defeating the Resistance.

Interestingly, the rivalry between Hux and Ren turned out to be an unexpectedly comical element in both Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

4. 'The Revenant'

(2015)

20th Century Studios

The Revenant

A frontiersman participating in a fur trading expedition in the 1820s battles to stay alive after being attacked by a bear and abandoned for dead by his own comrades. In the 2015 revenge thriller film, The Revenant, the moral contrast between characters is made evident. The protagonist, Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), is portrayed as seeking justified vengeance, as his son was ruthlessly killed by the villainous John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Captain Andrew Henry, portrayed by Gleeson, is a character with shades of gray, initially agreeing to leave Glass behind while he is wounded but ultimately aiding in the pursuit of Fitzgerald once his crimes are exposed.

Gleeson effectively transforms Henry into a compassionate figure, torn between his desire to save Glass and his realization that a sacrifice must be made to safeguard his comrades.

3. 'Brooklyn'

(2015)

20th Century Studios

Brooklyn demonstrates that films centered around a "love triangle" can be successful when the characters and their relationships are portrayed in a genuine manner. The story revolves around Eilis Lacey, a young Irish girl who relocates to New York City and develops feelings for Tony Fiorello, a charismatic Italian man. During a visit to Ireland, Eilis encounters Jim Farrell, a single man who becomes romantically interested in her.

Despite the fact that Eilis is ultimately destined to be with Tony, Jim's romantic advances towards her do not feel undeserved. Under different circumstances, it is possible that Eilis and Jim could have been together.

2. 'Frank'

(2014)

Image via Element Pictures

Frank

Jon, a young aspiring musician, realizes he's taken on more than he can handle when he becomes a member of an eccentric pop band led by the enigmatic and mysterious Frank.

"Frank" is an unconventional film that explores the depths of artistic inspiration and the peculiar mindset of musicians. Gleeson plays the role of Jon Burroughs, a musician in the making, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic frontman of the band, Frank played by Michael Fassbender. Frank's constant donning of a paper-mache head intrigues and frustrates Jon simultaneously.

The film provides a fascinating exploration of fan culture. Jon grows increasingly confrontational when Frank refuses to disclose his peculiar artistic method. While the film incorporates moments of comedy, it ultimately delves into a more somber path as the mental health struggles of both Frank and Jon come to light.

1. 'Ex Machina'

(2015)

Image via A24

Ex Machina is a film that follows the journey of a young programmer who is chosen to take part in a revolutionary test involving synthetic intelligence. His task is to assess the humanoid A.I.'s ability to exhibit human-like traits, making it a groundbreaking experiment.

Caleb Smith, brilliantly played by Gleeson in Alex Garland's 2015 science fiction thriller Ex Machina, serves as the ideal audience surrogate. He is a programmer hired by his employer Nathan Bateman (portrayed by Oscar Isaac) to partake in a "Turing Test" and evaluate the individuality of the AI program named Ava (played by Alicia Vikander).

As Nathan's actions become more mysterious and Ava becomes increasingly self-aware, Caleb finds himself torn between loyalty to his employer and his growing affection for the enigmatic artificial being. Gleeson masterfully brings Caleb's moral dilemma to life, captivating the audience.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate Domhnall Gleeson's acting skills and versatility. His ability to portray a wide range of characters, from the enigmatic CIA agent in American Made to the steadfast companion in A Futile and Stupid Gesture, is truly remarkable.

In particular, I enjoyed his performances in About Time and Ex Machina. In About Time, Gleeson's portrayal of a young man who discovers he has the ability to time travel is both charming and heartwarming. In Ex Machina, he delivers a standout performance as a programmer who becomes suspicious of the artificial intelligence he is testing. Overall, I believe Domhnall Gleeson is a talented actor with a bright future ahead of him, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.