Sam Rockwell’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actors tell stories as compelling as Sam Rockwell. Since the 1990’s, Rockwell has become an icon. Whether it’s police-officers, political leaders or astronauts facing dangers, Rockwell has portrayed many strong characters. Given the massive number of movies that he has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

It’s always challenging to face loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing family to face sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, she became the victim of a murder. No matter how hard my family tried, we couldn’t move on from a housekeeper that died. Angered by the injustice of the crime committed, I would wonder why my housemaid’s death was a case police never investigated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured loss impacting families as powerfully as “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. Released in 2017, Sam Rockwell’s Oscar-winning movie captured a mother seeking vengeance for her daughter’s death. In the greatest role of his career, Rockwell embodies a police officer that grows to care about a mother facing loss that’s a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a villainous cop. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a menacing side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Frances McDormand who is also excellent, Rockwell creates a powerful portrait of loss. For instance, the scene in which Officer Dixon beats up Welby in front of the whole town causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” Rockwell’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about vengeful women building billboards to protest deaths of daughter that are upsetting, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.

2. The Green Mile

Few books ever written about prisons that are hostile are as beloved as The Green Mile. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a professor admiring a book about prisoners facing damage. He would often speak fondly about a legendary piece of literature that shaped his identity. Shining a bright light in darkness, the book contributed towards his happiness. In 1999, Sam Rockwell did an extraordinary job of adapting the beloved book about hostile prisons in his movie “The Green Mile”. In the most psychotic role of his career, Rockwell embodies a mentally unstable prisoner trapped in hostile imprisonment facing despair. With “The Green Mile”, the actor took on his most villainous role. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his flair for portraying psychotic characters facing despair. For instance, the scene in which Wild Bill teases the prison guards facing despair through psychotic behaviour showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Green Mile” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about consequences of prison which would resonate with everyone. A great adaptation of a book about prisoners in the green mile that experience conditions that are hostile, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with a strong style whose timeless movies have left audiences with a smile.

3. Jojo Rabbit

The Holocaust is a historical disaster that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in ghettos. I cherished a Jewish teacher educating students about a genocide in which his people perished. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that was fascinated with the Holocaust, I adored “Jojo Rabbit”. Released in 2019, Sam Rockwell’s movie offered humorous takes on the historical mass genocide. In the most hilarious role of his career, Rockwell embodies a Nazi commander that participates in mass genocides causing despair. Rockwell has always been with one of those actors with a dark sense of humour, and his comedic talents are evident in “Jojo Rabbit”. For instance, the scene in which Captain Klenzendorf gives speeches to the youth of a Nazi camp encouraging them to participate in warfare is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Jojo Rabbit” a great movie about the Holocaust is its humour. It’s not easy to infuse humour into a genocide disaster, but the film succeeds. A gorgeous depiction of a gruesome genocide in which people died, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor whose films have left audiences satisfied.

4. Richard Jewell

Wrongful conviction has shaped my personality. During my childhood, my life changed when I was wrongfully accused of cheating on a science-fair project. Throwing a tantrum, a girl in my class accused me of plagiarism. Being shy, I couldn’t stand up to bullies making me cry. As someone haunted by memories of wrongful accusation in school, I adored “Richard Jewell”. Released in 2019, Sam Rockwell’s movie honoured a real-life American hero. In the most emotional role of his career, Rockwell embodies a dedicated lawyer seeking to assist a man experiencing despair. Rockwell has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions through his body language, and “Richard Jewell” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Watson Bryant comforts Richard Jewell after he is wrongfully accused is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Richard Jewell” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a powerful message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. 30 years after Richard was wrongfully convicted of bombings facing life imprisonment, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with strong commitment that has produced commemorated entertainment.

5. The Way Way Back

Shyness has shaped my personality. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a shy person. My shyness formed during adolescence shaping my life experience. As a teenager, I always preferred to engage in independent activities that didn’t require interacting with others. As someone recalling fond memories of being a shy teenager way way back in adolescence, I adored “The Way Way Back”. Released in 2013, Sam Rockwell’s movie offered an engaging depiction of a shy teenager discovering his identity. In the most joyous role of his career, Rockwell embodies a caring park supervisor that assists a shy teenager facing despair. Rockwell has a flair for stealing the show in supporting roles. For instance, the scene in which Owen bids farewell to Duncan after he leaves the town causing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Way Way Back” a classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships teenagers with shy natures face, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies audiences embrace.

6. Vice

When it comes to the most controversial vice presidents in American history, it’s worth discussing Dick Cheney. Elected under the George Bush administration, Cheney was a politician whose decisions didn’t please everyone. Some supported his policies, while others criticized his involvement in the war. In 2018, Sam Rockwell honoured the true story of the vice-president in his movie “Vice”. In the most political role of his career, Rockwell embodies a president that guided his nation amidst despair. As George Bush, Rockwell did an extraordinary job of portraying a president. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his powerful presence. Nearly 30 years after Dick Cheney became a powerful president in America, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

7. Seven Psychopaths

Sam Rockwell is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing psychopathic characters. Rockwell has built an image for playing tormented characters facing emotional damage. Rockwell’s strength for playing crazy psychopaths is clearly evident in his film “Seven Psychopaths”. Released in 2012, Sam Rockwell’s movie captured psychopathic gangsters. In the most deranged role of his career, Rockwell embodies a struggling actor that makes a living by kidnapping dogs facing fear. It’s a colourful role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his dark humour. Working alongside Colin Farrell who is also excellent, Rockwell created a powerful portrayal of a gangster facing resentment. As powerful portrait of criminals that are psychopathic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.

8. Moon

Space is a compelling setting that has often made for engaging movies.  Since aliens attacked spaceships in the 1980’s, space has often played a pivotal role in movies. In 2009, Sam Rockwell captured the enduring appeal of space as a setting where astronauts are destined to die soon in his movie “Moon”. In the most tragic role of his career, Rockwell embodies a disturbed astronaut carrying a heavy burden to bear. Rockwell has spent most of his career playing talkative characters with strong personalities. With “Moon”, however, the actor showcased rare subtlety as a silent astronaut. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase aptitude for expressing emotions through strong expressions. As strong as Sam’s desire to survive on the moon, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose timeless movies won’t be forgotten soon.

9. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

When it comes to the most celebrated television icons in American history, it’s worth discussing Chuck Barris. During the 1970’s, Barris was a renowned game show host that created the iconic television series “The Gong Show”. An icon with a charming personality, Barris left behind a legacy that’s lasting. In 2002, Sam Rockwell honoured the television icon with a dangerous mind in his movie “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”. In the most charismatic role of his career, Barris embodies a television icon seeking to organize a show about which audiences care. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing charismatic characters. A marvellous tribute towards a famous television icon with a dangerous mind, it’s a magnificent reminder about a one-of-a-kind actor that has left an enduring legacy behind.

10. Iron Man 2

Sam Rockwell hasn’t always made great movies with timeless stories to tell. While most movies the actor has made have been successful, others have fallen short of expectations. Unfortunately, “Iron Man 2” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2010, Jon Favreau’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Rockwell embodies a businessman that posed a threat for the starkly rich millionaire. Rockwell brought charisma to the role proving to be the bright spot of a bad movie. Despite being flawed, “Iron Man 2” is a reminder why Sam Rockwell is an actor audiences value.  As precious as suits made by Tony Stark, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his bright spark whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue dreams of film criticism leaving a lasting mark.