Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved recognition of Joel Edgerton. Since the 1990’s, Edgerton has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s gifted serial killers, MMA fighters or political leaders, Edgerton has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Gift
Bullying has shaped my identity. As far as I can remember, I have always been a victim of grim bullies that have treated me in an inconsiderate manner. Several years ago, I was insulted by a mean blogger online causing sorrow. Recently, I found it hard to forgive a mean cyberbully that harassed me online. He would often insult me by criticizing my writing in ways that were demeaning. I felt humiliated whenever he insulted my movie reviews leaving me emotionally devastated. A destructive bully, he became a person that was impossible to forgive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how bullying can cause a lifelong rift between people as powerfully as “The Gift”. Released in 2015, Joel Edgerton’s best movie captured consequences of bullying. In the greatest role of his career, Edgerton portrayed a gifted man that seeks vengeance against a school bully causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most memorable role. Edgerton has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions through monologues, and “The Gift” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Jason Bateman who is also amazing, Edgerton created a compelling portrait of bullying. For instance, the scene in which Gordo refuses to accept forgiveness from Simon for his bullying causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Gift” Joel Edgerton’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most psychological thrillers which are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about consequences of bullying which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of bullying causing lifelong consequences leading marriages to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a larger-than-life actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate by making commemorated movies audiences appreciate.
2. Warrior
As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my brother. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that loved playing soccer. Born with a strong physique of a warrior, he enjoyed playing soccer every week. An awe-inspiring athlete, he was always praised for having strong feet. As someone treasuring a brother that sought to become a famous sports player, I adored “Warrior”. Released in 2011, Joel Edgerton’s movie depicted broken bonds between brothers. In the most athletic role of his career, Edgerton played an MMA fighter facing broken bonds with his brother causing despair. It’s a truly tricky role that required the actor to transform into a fighter, but Edgerton succeeded. Working alongside Tom Hardy who is also amazing, Edgerton created a portrait of an MMA fighter that’s compelling. For instance, the final scene in which Brendan seeks to repair his bond with his brother Tommy in a UFC fight causing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Warrior” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about fighters, it tackles themes everyone can relate to. As strong as Brendan’s desire to be a fighter, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made movies which audiences treasure.
3. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book that shaped my teacher always loved dearly. I remember an English teacher that grew up to treasure the book as timeless pieces of literature. He would love discussing a book about mysterious millionaires about which he came to deeply care. In 2013, Joel Edgerton honoured the book about millionaires facing tragedy in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. In the most villainous role of his career, Edgerton portrays a millionaire that discovers his wife is having an affair causing despair. With “The Great Gatsby”, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also amazing, Edgerton honoured a great book about millionaires. For instance, the scene in which Tom exposes the truth about Gatsby causing him to face a fit of rage causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great adaptation is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. A great adaptation of a beloved book about a grand millionaire, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a great career through making unforgettable movies about which audiences deeply care.
4. The Green Knight
Medieval knights are grand figures that always fascinated my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that grew up to treasure medieval knights in literature. He would always love telling tales about medieval knights in history that shaped his identity. Shining a bright light in darkness, medieval knights contributed to his happiness. As someone treasuring bright memories of a grandfather that loved seeing medieval knights fight, I adored “The Green Knight”. Released in 2021, Joel Edgerton’s movie honoured a beloved book about knights. In the most fantastical role of his career, Edgerton portrayed a lord that guides a medieval knight facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a fantastical character. Working alongside Dev Patel who is also outstanding, Edgerton honoured literature. For instance, the scene in which the Lord gives Gawain advice seeking to prepare him for his fight is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Green Knight” a medieval masterpiece is its broad appeal. Unlike most movies about medieval knights, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Gawain’s desire to become a knight that’s medieval, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced memorable movies which audiences consider special.
5. Zero Dark Thirty
Terrorism has shaped my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when my family faced bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. A terrifying act of terrorism, the bombing was a shock to the system. Through a miracle, my family survived the worst disaster in the world imaginable. As someone haunted by a terrorist attack causing tragedy, I adored “Zero Dark Thirty”. Released in 2012, Joel Edgerton’s movie captured the real-life hunt for Osama Bin Laden. In the most political role of his career, Edgerton portrayed a Navy SEAL solider facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his strength for playing action heroes. Working alongside Jessica Chastain who is also amazing, Edgerton created a portrait of terrorism that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Graystone leads his squad into Bin Laden’s home causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Zero Dark Thirty” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 15 years after Osama Bin Laden was hunted down for crimes he committed, it’s a bold reminder about an actor whose movies deserve to be appreciated.
6. Loving
When it comes to the most inspiring couples in American history, it’s worth discussing the Loving family. During the 1960’s, Richard and Mildred Loving were a couple that fought for interracial marriage. The Loving family forever changed racial laws in America. In 2016, Joel Edgerton honoured the inspiring real-life couple in his movie “Loving”. In the most courageous role of his career, Edgerton portrayed a real-life activist that fought for interracial marriage facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing an activist that’s well-known. Working alongside Ruth Negga who is also amazing, Edgerton honoured the Loving family. Nearly 50 years after a loving family forever changed laws of race, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has produced memorable movies which audiences embrace.
7. It Comes at Night
Joel Edgerton has always excelled at playing anxious characters that face tension. Edgerton has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Edgerton’s strength for playing conflicted characters that have barriers to fight is clearly evident in his movie “It Comes at Night”. Released in 2017, Trey Edward Shults’ horror movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most frightening role of his career, Edgerton portrays a huntsman struggling to protect his family in a world of fear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters. Working alongside Riley Keough who is also amazing, Edgerton created a horror movie that’s compelling. A captivating portrait of isolation, it’s a compelling reminder of an actor whose movies deserve celebration.
8. Black Mass
Few gangsters in American history have built a legacy as strong as Whitey Bulger. During the 1970’s, Bulger got away with committing crimes without being caught by police authorities. A frightening gangster, Bulger built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2016, Joel Edgerton honoured the gangster committing mass murder in his movie “Black Mass”. In the most menacing role of his career, Edgerton portrayed an FBI officer seeking to catch a gangster causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Edgerton honoured an iconic gangster in history. Nearly 60 years after Whitey Bulger committed crimes stunning the FBI, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that has produced memorable movies which always satisfy.
9. Boy Erased
LGBTQ communities are rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has long held a history of building barriers against queer people that are misunderstood. In 2018, Joel Edgerton honoured a community that’s been erased in his movie “Boy Erased”. In the most controversial role of his career, Edgerton portrayed the leader of a gay conversion program causing queer teens to face despair. It’s a sensitive role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Edgerton honoured the LGBTQ community. A powerful portrait of conversion therapy causing gay teens to face a painful price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies which are worth celebrating today.
10. Bright
Joel Edgerton hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies that the actor has made have been celebrated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Bright” falls in the latter category. Released in 2016, David Ayer’s comic-book blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Edgerton portrayed a monstrous orc cop in a city facing despair. Edgerton used motion-capture technology to create a unique character, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Bright” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Edgerton’s enduring legacy. A bright depiction of barriers orc cops fight, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies earning the spotlight whose timeless films I will forever treasure for inspiring me to write movie reviews on my website.
The Film Buff 