My Favourite Domhnall Gleeson Movies of All-Time

Not many actors have achieved appreciation of Domhnall Gleeson. Since the 2000’s, Gleeson has become an Irish icon. Whether it’s galactic leaders, wilderness survivors or time-travelling lovers, Gleeson has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies 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. About Time

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s future. As far as I can remember, I’ve always appreciated my father. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that was fascinated with time travel causing damage. Through his strong fascination with time travel, my father inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the positive impact fathers have on children over time as powerfully as “About Time”. Released in 2013, Domhnall Gleeson’s best movie captured the impact of time travel on romantic relationships. In the greatest role of his career, Gleeson portrays a lovesick man that uses time travel to begin a romantic affair causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: charming, funny and emotional in his most memorable role. Gleeson is best known for his serious roles in intense dramas. With “About Time”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a lover impacted by time travel. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Rachel McAdams who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of time travel that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tim uses time travel to spend one last day with his father when he learns about his illness causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “About Time” a masterpiece is its encompassing appeal. Unlike most movies about time travel that are targeted towards an intellectual audience, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of making the most of time which will resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of time travel that causes doomed romantic relationships to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate by producing movies which audiences celebrate.

2. Brooklyn

Immigration is an intense process that impacted my identity. I recall with nostalgia joyous memories of the time when my family immigrated to Canada. The decision to immigrate forced me to separate from beloved companions that I had grown to appreciate. As someone impacted by the challenges of immigration, I adored “Brooklyn”. Released in 2015, Domhnall Gleeson’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about Irish immigration. In the most romantic role of his career, Gleeson portrays an Irish native that begins an affair with an immigrant girl facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor the chance to showcase his talent for playing characters with Irish identities. Working alongside Saoirse Ronan who is also amazing, Gleeson captured immigration that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jim Farrell gets a letter from Eilis causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Brooklyn” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. An incredible portrait of Irish women that immigrated, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be appreciated.

3. The Revenant

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals with strong commitment to survive disaster as powerfully as “The Revenant”. Released in 2015, Domhnall Gleeson’s movie captured a fur trader’s journey of survival. In the most anxious role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a fur trader seeking to survive in wilderness causing despair. It’s a physically demanding role that required the actor to play a fur trader. However, Gleeson pulled it off. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured fur traders. For instance, the scene in which Andrew discovers that Hugh Glass has been mauled by a bear causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Revenant” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Hugh Glass’ desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of a remarkable actor that has made memorable movies which audiences consider special.

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars is a spectacular franchise that shaped my teacher’s identity. I remember by teacher loved a franchise about galaxies in danger. He adored a franchise about starry galaxies that made him feel happy. His classroom was decorated with large posters of a franchise that he appreciated. In 2015, Domnhall Gleeson honoured the iconic science-fiction franchise in his movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. In the most villainous role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a menacing general facing despair. With “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the actor showcased a villainous side audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Adam Driver who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured a sci-fi series. For instance, the scene in which General Hux seeks to prepare troopers for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” a great movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Star Wars movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be Star Wars fans to appreciate it. A phenomenal tribute towards a franchise created a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose memorable movies deserve to be celebrated today.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry Potter is a magical series that I’ve always loved dearly. Harry Potter is a magical book series that shaped my identity. I grew up appreciating J.K. Rowling’s book series that gave me a love for reading. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting a powerful spell with timeless stories to tell. In 2010, Domhnall Gleeson honoured the magical series in his movie “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”. In the most magical role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a wizard participating in warfare causing despair. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing heroes in positions of power. Working alongside Emma Watson who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured J.K. Rowling’s literature. For instance, the scene in which Bill Weasley reveals the heartbreaking news that Mad-Eye Moody has died causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” a fantasy masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. A commemorated farewell towards wizards casting a spell, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that always has strong tales to tell.

6. American Made

Few drug smugglers in American history are as renowned as Barry Seal. During the 1980’s, Seal was a drug smuggler that engaged in criminal activities. A criminal with a clever mind, Seal left a lasting legacy behind. In 2017, Domhnall Gleeson honoured the American drug smuggler that made headline news in his movie “American Made”. In the most comical role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a CIA officer that engaged in criminal activities causing despair. It’s an adventurous role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured a drug smuggler in American history. A dazzling tribute towards a dangerous drug smuggler, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced memorable movies which audiences treasure.

7. Ex Machina

Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in the world today. A.I. has become a machine with dangerous that aren’t always seen. The dangers posed by A.I. causing a dilemma is explored in the film “Ex Machina”. Released in 2014, Domhnall Gleeson’s movie captured artificially intelligent robots. In the most eccentric role of his career, Gleeson portrays a programmer that falls in love with an intelligent robot causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a technical character. Working alongside Alicia Vikander who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of A.I. that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of artificially intelligent robots causing a dilemma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma whose timeless movies are always worth seeing in the Cinema.

8. Frank

Domnhall Gleeson has always excelled at playing conflicted characters facing tension. Gleeson has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Gleeson’s strength for playing characters that are frank is clearly evident in his movie “Frank”. Released in 2014, Lenny Abrahamson’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most offbeat role of his career, Gleeson portrays a musician that joins a strange pop band causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters. Working alongside Michael Fassbender who is also amazing, Gleeson created a musician that’s compelling. As precious as the giant fake head Frank loves to wear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a career making movies about which audiences care.

9. Goodbye Christopher Robin

When it comes to beloved cartoon characters that children value, it’s worth discussing Winnie the Pooh. Since his creation in the 1920’s, the teddy bear has appeared in several memorable movies. In 2017, Domhnall Gleeson celebrated the cartoon character children value in his movie “Goodbye Christopher Robin”. In the most imaginative role of his career, Gleeson portrayed the legendary author that created a cartoon bear about which children care. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary author that’s well-known. Working alongside Margot Robbie who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured a cartoon character that’s inspiring. A wonderful tribute towards Winnie the Pooh, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has manfuctured memorable movies which audiences value.

9. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Domhnall Gleeson hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, J.J. Abrams’ final Star Wars blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a war general facing despair. Gleeson brought menace to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Rise of Skywalker” is the weakest Star Wars movie, it honoured Gleeson’s legacy. As strong as Rey’s desire to discover her identity in the galaxy, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a strong legacy making memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn film criticism dreams into reality.