Irish actor Cillian Murphy made his acting debut in 1997 and has since gone on to perform in numerous critically praised TV and film roles. Murphy is quite well-liked despite being private about his life. This is because of the remarkable parts he has played, which range from horrifying, evil characters to heroic figures.
Murphy possesses a unique talent for expressing himself. He can effortlessly project his voice with vigor and enthusiasm, captivating his audience. However, he also knows the art of subtlety, seamlessly transitioning into moments of introspection where he conveys a myriad of emotions solely through his facial expressions and mannerisms.
Cillian Murphy’s Impressive Range of Films
Let’s deep dive into the wide range of Cillian Murphy movies and TV shows that encompass various genres, styles, and characters, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Perrier’s Bounty (2009)
Ian Fitzgibbon, a well-known director of English and Irish black comic crime plays, directed the Irish independent film Perrier’s Bounty. Murphy co-stars in a bizarre and shockingly violent film with Brendan Gleeson and Jim Broadbent about a young man named Michael McCrea (Murphy) who has to pay back a criminal lord named Darren Perrier (Gleeson) within a certain amount of time or risk breaking two bones.
Along with the impressive supporting cast, Domhnall Gleeson also makes an appearance in Perrier’s Bounty, which makes the unoriginal tale entertaining to watch. Murphy is almost ashamed to be beating people, in contrast to his Peaky Blinders portrayal, and his glum, depressed delivery creates an intriguing contrast.
Breakfast on Pluto (2005)
Murphy’s role of Patrick/Patricia “Kitten” Braden in Breakfast on Pluto won him his lone Golden Globe nod. In the movie, Kitten is a transwoman who lives in 1970s Dublin. After being in foster care, Kitten embarks on a quest to learn more about herself as she searches for her birth parents and deals with the Troubles in Northern Ireland (a turbulent period that occurs in the backdrop).
It is undoubtedly a moving film since Murphy gives Kitten a lot of sadness and optimism. Breakfast on Pluto has drawn criticism for using a cisgender actor in the starring role ever since it was first released.
Anthropoid (2016)
Anthropoid, which adapts the little-known historical account of Reinhard Heydrich, stars Murphy and Jamie Dornan as one of the two main assassins of “Operation Anthropoid”—Jozef Gabk. The planning portion of the movie takes up around half the running time, but after the attack starts, it picks up steam since there are numerous rising conspiracies.
Additionally, there is a feeling of dread and panic, particularly as the Nazi dictatorship targets the tiny Czech town of Lidice. It’s a very exciting movie, and Murphy and Dornan are perfectly cast as spies organizing the most important operation of their lives.
Red Eye (2005)
Red Eye by Wes Craven is a taut thriller that benefits from Rachel McAdams in one of her best performances and Murphy. Hotel manager Lisa Reisert (McAdams) and a charming man named Jackson Rippner (Murphy) fly together, and Jackson turns out to be the commander of a terrorist group. He gets Lisa to exchange a US politician’s rooms in order to position the politician for assassination.
Murphy is properly evil as he first gives a false sense of security before tearing down the front and reveals his frightening nature, similar to his position in The Dark Knight Trilogy. It is thrilling and tense while also being quite fun. It gets all the points to be the best Cillian Murphy movies and TV shows.
The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006)
Murphy’s part in The Wind That Shakes the Barley is intimate because he was born in Cork, Ireland. The Irish War of Independence and the ensuing Irish Civil War are both depicted in the historical fiction film. County Cork resident Damien O’Donovan (Murphy) joins the IRA and battles in the Civil War both alongside and against his brother.
The film chooses to focus on a period of time rather than one specific person to demonstrate how the Irish wars and revolutions affected everyday citizens. The main factor in the film winning the Palme d’Or was Murphy’s powerful and outstanding performance.
Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012)
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Nolan’s Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale is one of the more well-liked superhero franchises. Murphy played the antagonist Scarecrow in Batman Begins, which is where it all started. When the same mixture is used on Murphy’s Scarecrow, who employs a fear toxin to mentally control Gotham’s residents, Murphy gets to play up a menacing Dr. Crane. The Scarecrow’s frequent reappearances are welcome comic-book moments in films that are known for their realism. Seeing how Nolan’s Batman adversaries remain a threat even after they are “defeated” gives the series a more authentic sense.
Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
After premiering on the BBC, Netflix acquired Peaky Blinders. Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, the boss of the “Peaky Blinders” criminal group, is portrayed by Murphy in the title role. Tommy Shelby begins as a part-time bookmaker in Birmingham in the 1920s and eventually becomes a Labour MP in England. The story of Tommy and the Shelbys is woven with real-life people and occasions.
Over the course of six seasons, Murphy finds a way to fully embody Tommy at both the happiest and most difficult times of his life. Tommy Shelby is referred to as “The Devil” in Peaky Blinders, and because to Cillian Murphy’s performance, the claim comes off as more of a literalization than a slur.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
The bereaved Evelyn Abbott discovers herself alone with two young teens, a defenseless newborn son, and no place to hide after learning the frailty of the supposedly invulnerable creatures. The Abbotts muster up every last ounce of strength to flee their now-burned-to-the-ground farm and set out on a perilous trek to reach civilization now, 474 days after the all-out alien onslaught in the 2018 film A Quiet Place. The tenacious survivors are forced to travel into eerily calm, inhospitable region in the hopes of a miracle since they are determined to spread beyond the bounds. The enemy, though, is everywhere this time.
Cillian Murphy Upcoming Projects
After the massive success of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Murphy takes on the dual role of producer and actor in Small Things Like These. The film is based on the award-winning historical novel penned by Irish writer Claire Keegan.
The storyline revolves around Bill Furlong, a coal merchant hailing from a small Irish town (portrayed by Murphy). During a routine delivery to a convent, Bill stumbles upon a haunting secret that compels him to confront not only his own past but also the hidden truths of his entire town.
Summing it up!
These are only a few of the many outstanding films and television programs that Cillian Murphy has acted in. He is an accomplished actor who has brought to life a variety of personalities. He has delighted and inspired audiences all around the world with his performances, and he will undoubtedly remain a significant player in Hollywood for many more years to come.
