Not many actors attract audiences to the theatre like Michael Fassbender. Since the 1990’s, Fassbender has become an icon. Whether it’s sadistic slave owners, drug dealers or tech innovators, Fassbender has portrayed several 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. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed long-lasting relationships with a friend that took great interest in slavery. I remember he was a friend that grew up to treasure slavery as an important subject matter. He always made great effort to educate people about the slave trade. He believed movies were an inferior art which could never capture a historical tragedy that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the harrowing realities of the slave trade in American history as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Michael Fassbender’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of depicting slavery in American history. In the greatest role of his career, Fassbender embodies a despicable slave owner carrying a burden to bear whose mere presence evokes fear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in the most memorable role of his career. It’s challenging portraying a despicable slave plantation owner without any humanity, but Fassbender succeeded tremendously. Fassbender has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through his voice, and “12 Years a Slave” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Master Epps questions Solomon Northup about his whereabouts in anger demonstrated the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” Michael Fassbender’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of slavery in American history that caused lives to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose memorable movies audiences appreciate.
2. Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is a legendary entrepreneur that has always inspired me. As far as I remember, I have admired the Apple co-founder. During high school, I became fascinated with an entrepreneur whose technology I considered cool. Jobs’ strong determination to succeed constructing Apple always impressed me. Despite his tragic battle against Cancer, Jobs never lost his lifelong passion for creating technology that changed the world forever. In 2015, Michael Fassbender did an extraordinary job portraying the world-famous entrepreneur creating technology on the big-screen in his film “Steve Jobs”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Fassbender embodies a real-life entrepreneur that designed revolutionary technology about which people have come to care. Fassbender is one of those actors that has always had a powerful screen presence, and his strengths are evident in “Steve Jobs”. Not only does Fassbender bear a resemblance to Steve Jobs, but he captures the founder’s personality. For instance, the scene in which Jobs loses his temper shouting at employees for a voice demo that isn’t working properly is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Steve Jobs” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about sacrifices involved in forming a business that would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute towards a successful entrepreneur creating a lasting legacy doing his jobs effectively, it’s a commemorated reminder about an actor whose memorable movies are treasured in the film industry.
3. Shame
Sex addiction is a painful process that causes people to face stress. During my childhood, I formed friendships with a kid that suffered from sex addiction which was misunderstood. He would often practice masturbation without concern for consequences. A porn addict, he couldn’t resist the temptation to visit websites that were dirty. As someone recalling a companion suffering from sex addiction causing shame, I appreciated “Shame”. Released in 2011, Michael Fassbender’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the grim realities of sex addiction on the big-screen. In the most courageous role of his career, Fassbender embodies a sex addict that suffers from an addiction that’s severe causing his life to face despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actor to perform scenes of nudity but he succeeded. For instance, the scene in which Brandon is confronted by his sister about his sex addiction showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Shame” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about addiction that would resonate with everyone. Despite its harrowing subject matter, it’s a movie that absolutely demands to be seen for Fassbender’s extraordinary performance alone. A phenomenal portrait of sex addiction, it’s a spectacular reminder about an awe-inspiring actor whose timeless movies deserve celebration.
4. Inglorious Basterds
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject that fascinated my teacher. Several years ago, I was taught about the mass genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He always took great pride educating students about a mass genocide in which his people tragically died. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a glorious teacher that taught me about the Holocaust through wise words, I loved “Inglorious Basterds”. Released in 2009, Michael Fassbender’s movie did an excellent job of depicting an inglorious mass genocide in history. In the most villainous role of his career, Fassbender embodies a ruthless Nazi commander committing atrocities that cause despair. Fassbender has always had the rare ability to express emotions through his expressions without speaking a single word, and “Inglorious Basterds” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Lieutenant Archie Hicox is confronted by Nazi commanders in a bar is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a universal message about trauma impacting everyone. A grand depiction of an inglorious mass genocide, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor whose memorable movies have never lost ability to leave audiences satisfied.
5. X-Men: Days of Future Past
X-Men is an excellent franchise that my grandfather has always loved dearly. I remember a grandfather that loved the X-Men franchise. A comic-book nerd, he adored a film series that made him feel heard. Every Summer, I would look forward to going to the theatre to watch X-Men movies with my grandfather. We adored all the X-Men movies but our favourite film was always “X-Men: Days of Future Past”. Released in 2014, Michael Fassbender’s movie did an excellent job of introducing time travel into the iconic comic-book franchise. In the most heroic role of his career, Fassbender embodies a superhero that embarks on a journey of time travel to overcome fear. Fassbender has always excelled at playing Magneto, but in “Days of Future Past” he brought out an emotional side to the superhero audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Magneto has a tense argument with Charles Xavier accusing him of abandoning the X-Men is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Days of Future Past” an extraordinary comic-book movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An extraordinary tribute towards a superhero team that’s excellent, it’s a riveting reminder of a strong actor with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.
6. Fish Tank
Teenage years are a formative time in life when everyone faces fears. I vividly remember the time when I was a teenager. Looking back in reflection, it wasn’t a time of happiness. I was anxious about failing classes, being bullied and finding social acceptance from my peers in school. As someone reminiscing fond memories of teenage years that I will always thank, I adored “Fish Tank”. Released in 2009, Michael Fassbender’s movie depicted troubled teenage girls searching for identity. In the most unusual role of his career, Fassbender embodies an old man that falls in love with a 15 year-old girl. Despite the huge age gap in the romance, Fassbender excels in a role that allows him to showcase his natural charisma. A powerful portrait of adolescence, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor whose movies always attract a huge audience.
7. Hunger
Michael Fassbender is one of those actors that has always shown a strong commitment to playing characters. Since his career began several years ago, Fassbender has adopted an approach of method acting. Fassbender’s strength as a method actor is clearly evident in his film “Hunger”. Released in 2008, Steve McQueen’s movie found the actor playing a prisoner going on a hunger strike putting his life in grave danger. In the most demanding role of his career, Fassbender embodies a prisoner going on a hunger strike that faces despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actor lose weight, but he succeeded tremendously. A heartbreaking portrait of hardships faced by IRA prisoners that endured hunger strikes putting lives in danger, it’s a heartfelt reminder of an actor whose movies audiences treasure.
8. The Killer
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have achieved recognition of David Fincher. A world-famous filmmaker, Fincher has made unforgettable movies. With their disturbing themes, stunning visuals and phenomenal acting, Fincher’s films have earned a huge following. In 2023, Fincher showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Michael Fassbender in film “The Killer”. In the most psychopathic role of his career, Fassbender embodies a psychotic killer committing murders that evoke fear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his intimidating screen presence. Fassbender used cold expressions to paint a compelling portrait of a ruthless killer. As memorable as crimes that the killer has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a commendable actor whose unforgettable movies definitely deserve to be celebrated.
9. The Light Between Oceans
It’s challenging to face a broken marriage. Years ago, I witnessed my aunt face divorce that caused sorrow. I recall the night when she had an argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. Following the separation, it was hard for my aunt to move on. As someone haunted by memories of separations, I loved “The Light Between Oceans”. Released in 2016, Michael Fassbender’s movie depicted a deteriorating marriage in the 19th Century. In the most emotional role of his career, Fassbender embodies a lighthouse keeper whose marriage faces despair. Working alongside Alicia Vikander who is also excellent, Fassbender crafts a strong portrait of a broken marriage. A magnificent portrait of a broken marriage, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor whose memorable movies always deliver a meaningful message.
10. X-Men: First Class
Few supervillains created several years ago are as beloved as Magneto. Following introductions in the 1960’s, Magneto has been portrayed several times by various actors in movies. In 2011, Michael Fassbender did an exceptional job portraying the first-class villain in his blockbuster “X-Men: First Class”. In the most villainous role of his career, Fassbender embodies a menacing mutant evoking fear. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunities to showcase intimidating presence. As Magneto, Fassbender did an excellent job portraying a commemorated comic-book character created years ago. As strong as Magneto’s desire to be a member of a first-class team, it’s a riveting reminder of a supreme actor with extreme talent whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue my film criticism dream.
The Film Buff 
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