My Favourite Willem Dafoe Movies of All-Time

Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Willem Dafoe. Since the 1980’s, Dafoe has become an icon. Whether it’s lighthouse keepers, comic-book villains or world-famous painters, Dafoe has portrayed many strong characters. Given the number of movies he has made, 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. Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a school teacher that loved the web-swinging superhero. A huge comic-book nerd, he always deeply appreciated a hero that made him feel heard. He would always speak fondly about a hero whose great powers came with great responsibilities shaping his identity. In 2002, Willem Dafoe did an extraordinary job of bringing the superhero to the big-screen in his movie “Spider-Man”. In the greatest role of his career, Dafoe embodies a psychotic villain evoking fear that causes Spider-Man to face despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, menacing and emotional in his most memorable role. Dafoe has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Spider-Man”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by showcasing a villainous side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also excellent, Dafoe embodied a legendary comic-book villain fans admire. As the Green Goblin, Dafoe did an exceptional job of portraying a legendary comic-book villain. For instance, the scene in which Norman Osborn transforms into the psychotic Green Goblin evoking fear following a failed scientific experiment is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man” Willem Dafoe’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles universal themes that would resonate with everyone. It managed to turn an invincible superhero into an ordinary person with flaws that everyone could relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a comic-book film about a superhero whose great powers come with great responsibilities that are challenging, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a long-lasting legacy whose movies are worth celebrating.

2. The Lighthouse

Isolation has impacted my identity. At an early age, I faced isolation with severe consequences causing emotional damage. Several years ago, I was locked up in a room for injuring my cousin in fights causing sorrow. I remember feeling palpable terror being locked up in a room putting my mental health in danger. Driven towards insanity, I couldn’t cope with isolation affecting my ability to function effectively. Few films I’ve seen have captured the terror of being isolated in a house as powerfully as “The Lighthouse”. Released in 2019, Willem Dafoe’s movie captured isolation faced by lighthouse keepers in the 19th Century. In the most psychotic role of his career, Dafoe embodies a lighthouse keeper facing isolation causing despair. Dafoe has always had an aptitude for delivering monologues in movies, and “The Lighthouse” showcased his talents. Working alongside Robert Pattinson who is also excellent, Dafoe creates a compelling portrait of isolation. For instance, the scene in which Wake delivers a comical monologue accusing Thomas of being fond of his lobster is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lighthouse” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a powerful message about isolation which would resonate with everyone. An incredible portrait of hardships faced by lighthouse keepers that are isolated, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated.

3. Platoon

War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle that admired veterans with courage. He grew up to value movies that captured the hardships which WWII soldiers went through. As someone treasuring an uncle that adored wars which won’t be forgotten soon, I loved “Platoon”. Released in 1986, Willem Dafoe’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the Vietnam War. In the most psychological role of his career, Dafoe embodied a tormented veteran facing warfare causing despair. As Sergeant Elias, Dafoe captured the trauma faced by soldiers in the Vietnam War through his body language. For instance, the scene in which Elias is shot to death causing his comrades to face despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Platoon” one of the greatest war movies ever made is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the consequences of war which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of the Vietnam War to appreciate it. Nearly 80 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that made memorable movies which deserve to be appreciated.

4. Poor Things

Feminist women with strong personalities have always inspired me. Several years ago, I bonded with a girl in school that sought to become a feminist hero. I grew up to value a girl with a feminist worldview that made my dreams come true. In a prejudiced country that pushed women aside, she always showcased pride. As someone treasuring a girl that gave me greater understandings of women, I adored “Poor Things”. Released in 2023, Willem Dafoe’s Oscar-winning movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a fantastic feminist book. In the most strange role of his career, Dafoe embodies a renowned surgeon that designs a child-like woman. It gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a facially deformed neurosurgeon. For instance, the scene in which Godwin bids tearful goodbyes to Bella causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Poor Things” a literary masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic adaptation of a famous feminist book about curious women seeking to conquer obstacles that are dangerous, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose movies audiences consider precious.

5. At Eternity’s Gate

Vincent Van Gogh is a prestigious painter that inspired my friend several years ago. In elementary school, I formed a friendship with a girl that loved Van Gogh deeply. Drawn towards art, she would always speak fondly about a painter that held a precious place in her heart. Through her love for Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, she gave me a lifelong appreciation for an artist I’ve grown to value. In 2018, Willem Dafoe did an extraordinary job of portraying the iconic painter artists appreciate in his film “At Eternity’s Gate”. In the most artistic role of his career, Dafoe embodies a troubled painter that faces a painful burden to bear. It isn’t easy to portray the personality of a legendary painter in history, but Dafoe succeeded immensely. For instance, the scene in which Vincent Van Gogh expresses his love for art sharing his passion for painting with a priest showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “At Eternity’s Gate” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a powerful message about the value of painting as a commemorated art form that can change lives. A precious as Vincent Van Gogh’s art, it’s a riveting reminder of a smart actor whose commemorated movies have held a precious place in every movie-goers’ heart.

6. The Last Temptation of Christ

Willem Dafoe has always been one of those actors that isn’t afraid of tackling controversial subject matters. Dafoe has built an image of being an actor with courage that thrives playing characters that face damage. Dafoe’s strength for tackling controversial subjects is evident in his film “The Last Temptation of Christ”. Released in 1988, Willem Dafoe’s controversial movie depicted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the most courageous role of his career, Dafoe embodies a messianic religious figure facing a painful burden to bear. It’s a provocative role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary religious figure. As powerful as Jesus Christ’s crucification, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor with an unwavering dedication whose unforgettable movies are worthy of celebration.

7. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Few filmmakers have earned recognition of Wes Anderson. With their witty dialogue, quirky characters and compelling storytelling, Anderson’s commemorated movies have earned a massive following. Anderson has always had an eye for casting great actors in his movies. In 2014, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker by casting Willem Dafoe in his movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. In the most comical role of his career, Dafoe embodies a ruthless hitman that carries a heavy burden to bear. Dafoe has spent most of his career playing serious characters. With “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, however, the actor showcased rare aptitude for comedy. A grand portrait of a Budapest hotel, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with commemorated stories to tell whose strong movies cast a magical spell.

8. The Florida Project

Poverty is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided impoverished communities whose lives are misunderstood. However, in 2017 Willem Dafoe depicted the controversial subject with respect in his movie “The Florida Project”. In the most caring role of his career, Dafoe embodies a hotel manager seeking to care for poverty-stricken families that are a burden to bear. Dafoe has spent most of his career playing eccentric characters with strong personalities. With “The Florida Project”, however, the actor took steps out of his comfort zone by playing a humane hotel manager. Dafoe showcased subtlety audiences hadn’t seen before. A fantastic portrait of families which experience poverty in Florida, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actor whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

9. The English Patient

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about English soldiers are patient, it’s worth discussing The English Patient. Following publication in 1992, Michael Ondaatje’s book has become legendary literature readers value. In 1996, Willem Dafoe did commendable jobs of adapting the beloved book about patient soldiers in his Oscar-winning movie “The English Patient”. In the most tragic role of his career, Dafoe embodies a vengeful Canadian operative that’s tortured for a crime he didn’t commit causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. A beautiful adaptation of a book about patient English soldiers whose dreams vanish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor whose memorable movies audiences cherish.

10. American Psycho

Willem Dafoe hasn’t always made great movies achieving stardom. While most movies the actor has made have been successful, a few have proven to be disappointing. Unfortunately, “American Psycho” falls into the latter category. Released in 2000, Mary Harron’s movie offered a mediocre adaptation of a beloved book. In the most forgettable role of his career, Dafoe embodies a detective investigating serial killers causing despair. Dafoe brought charisma to the role proving to be the bright spot of a problematic movie. Although “American Psycho” is a flawed movie, it remains a reminder of Willem Dafoe’s lasting legacy. As strong as Patrick Bateman’s desire to be an American psycho, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to follow my dreams of film criticism several years ago.