My Favourite Ethan Hawke Films of All-Time

Not many actors have made movies audiences talk about like Ethan Hawke. Since the 1990’s, Hawke has become an icon. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, corrupt police-officers or religious preachers, Hawke has portrayed several memorable characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Boyhood

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s futures. As far back as I remember, I’ve always shared powerful bonds with my father. During my childhood, I formed strong bonds with a father that made me feel understood. Despite being separated by barriers of long-distance, I have always maintained strong relationships with a father offering me valuable guidance. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles fathers play shaping the childhood of kids are powerfully as “Boyhood”. Ever since its release in 2014, Ethan Hawke’s movie has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. In the greatest role of his career, Hawke embodies a father witnessing his child grow up over 12 years about whom he comes to deeply care. This is Hawke unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most commemorated role. It’s a challenging role that required the actor to play a character aging over several years, but Hawke succeeded tremendously. Hawke is one of those actors that has excelled at communicating emotions through monologues, and “Boyhood” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Ellar Coltrane who is also excellent, Hawke creates a bond between a father and son that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Mason Sr. bonds with his son discussing his love for movies on a camping trip is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Boyhood” Ethan Hawke’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of fathers guiding boys growing over 12 years of childhood, it’s a compelling reminder about an actor whose movies are treasured in Hollywood.

2. Before Sunrise

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl with dreams of marriage. We always got along well sharing a love for art that bonded us together. However, fate caused our relationship to deteriorate. When my family immigrated towards Canada, I lost touch with a girl that I had always appreciated. As someone treasuring fond memories of a crush I grew up to idolize, I loved “Before Sunrise”. Released in 1995, Ethan Hawke’s film offered an engaging depiction of a short-term romance between lovers. In the most romantic role of his career, Hawke embodies a man that engages in an affair. Hawke is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing philosophical characters that deliver monologues, and “Before Sunrise” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Jesse and Celine first meet discussing their favourite hobbies on a train is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Before Sunrise” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about romantic relationships that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful portrait of romantic relationships between lovers occurring before sunrise, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a celebrated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to surprise making movies that audiences idolize.

3. Before Sunset

Emotional reunions between lovers are often rare. Several years ago, I fell in love with a pretty girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, fate caused our relationship to deteriorate. After we parted ways, I would often hope that I would one day reunite with a girl I fell in love with at first sight. Sadly, the reunion I hoped would happen never materialized into reality. As someone treasuring fond memories of a girl that’s hard to forget, I loved “Before Sunset”. Released in 2004, Ethan Hawke’s movie captured a couple reuniting after years of separation. In the most reflective role of his career, Hawke embodies a writer that’s thrilled to reunite with a lover rekindling a past romantic affair. Hawke has always excelled at playing talkative characters with a love for conversations, and “Before Sunset” showcased his strengths as a performer. For instance, the scene in which Jesse and Celine reunite following years of separation is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Before Sunset” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about romance that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful portrait of romantic relationships occurring before sunset, it’s a brilliant reminder of a celebrated actor that has managed to get a huge following by producing movies that are impossible to forget.

4. Dead Poets Society

Teachers are inspiring figures that have shaped my identity. I recall an English teacher that inspired me to become a writer. I grew up to cherish a teacher that made me believe there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish. His wisdom motivated me to pursue film criticism. As someone treasuring memories of an English teacher that shaped my identity, I loved “Dead Poets Society”. Released in 1989, Ethan Hawke’s movie honored teachers shaping students’ identities. In the most poetic role of his career, Hawke embodies a student that grows to care about iconic professors. Hawke has spent most of his career playing talkative characters engaging in conversations. With “Dead Poets Society”, however, the actor showcased subtlety playing a student with a quiet nature. For instance, the scene in which Todd faces a breakdown after he discovers Neil’s death is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dead Poets Society” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about teachers that would resonate with everyone. A touching tribute to teachers that lead students to seize the day, it’s a strong reminder of a great actor that thrives given chances to play strong characters in films worth celebrating today.

5. Training Day

Police officers that put lives in danger have always fascinated my brother. I vividly remember forming strong bonds with a brother that once had dreams of becoming a police officer. He would often speak fondly about cops that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that was fascinated with cops solving murders every day, I loved “Training Day”. Released in 2001, Ethan Hawke’s movie examined the lives of corrupt police authorities in crime-riddled cities. In the most heroic role of his career, Hawke embodies a cop whose strong moral principles conflict with fellow agents causing despair. Hawke has always excelled at communicating emotions through his powerful voice, and his strengths are evident in “Training Day”. For instance, the scene in which Jake first meets his police trainer Alonzo in a cafe is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Training Day” a great cop movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the danger of corrupt cops which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of corrupt cops seeking to train, it’s a riveting reminder about a celebrated actor that has managed to gain a massive following by making movies that entertain.

6. Before Midnight

Divorce is a devastating process that causes families to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt experience a broken marriage causing damage. I recall the night when she had a argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. As someone haunted by memories of a broken marriage that occurred before midnight, I adored “Before Midnight”. Released in 2013, Ethan Hawke’s final film in the Before trilogy brought the beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. In the most emotional role of his career, Hawke embodies a man stuck in a marriage that faces despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotions. A beautiful portrait of a broken marriage before midnight, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that has gained spotlight making movies about emotional topics hidden in plain sight.

7. First Reformed

Religion is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about religion. Filmmakers find it challenging to make movies about religion because they risk offending viewers. In an industry that has formed negative views about religion, it’s worth praising “First Reformed”. Released in 2017, Ethan Hawke’s movie offered a powerful portrayal of religion. In the most serious role of his career, Hawke embodies a tormented church pastor that experiences despair. It’s a sensitive role that gave the actor opportunities to demonstrate emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. A powerful portrait of conflicted church pastors that question their faith in religion, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor whose memorable movies are worthy of celebration.

8. Predestination

Time travel is a tricky concept that’s challenging to execute in movies. In order for any film about time travel to be successful, it needs to strike a balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a complicated balance most movies are rarely able to achieve. However in 2014 Ethan Hawke tackled the complicated concept of time travel with success in his movie “Predestination”. In the most thought-provoking role of his career, Hawke embodies an agent embarking on a time travel mission to prevent a future bombing causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor the opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing action heroes driven to achieve a mission. A terrific portrait of agents embarking on a mission of time travel, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor whose memorable movies audiences consider to be special.

9. Reality Bites

Ethan Hawke is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing talkative characters. Hawke has built a reputation for being an actor that thrives playing characters that love to engage in a conversation. Hawke’s strength for playing characters that love to discuss their rights is clearly evident in his film “Reality Bites”. Released in 1994, Ethan Hawke’s movie captured lives of college graduates discussing their worldviews. In the most talkative role of his career, Hawke embodies a college graduate that loves to discuss worldviews with roommates It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for creating compelling characters through dialogue. A powerful portrait of graduates whose expectations clash with reality, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great actor whose timeless movies audiences regard highly.

10. Maudie

When it comes to the most inspiring artists in the world, it’s worth discussing Maud Lewis. Born in Nova Scotia, Lewis experienced countless hardships throughout life. Nevertheless, she never gave up her lifelong love of painting becoming an artist in her community. In 2017, Ethan Hawke did an exceptional job honouring the true story of the Canadian painter in his film “Maudie”. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Hawke embodies an abusive husband mistreating his wife in ways that aren’t fair. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunities to step out of his comfort zone by playing an unlikeable character. As strong as Maud’s love for art, it’s a riveting reminder about a smart actor whose commemorated movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue dreams of film criticism holding a special place in my heart.