Not many actors have left a mark on Hollywood as strong as Jason Clarke. Since the 1990’s, Clarke has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s survivors of disasters, corrupt police officers or political leaders, Clarke 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 favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
The Planet of the Apes is a a spectacular science-fiction franchise that always impressed my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia great memories of a grandpa that admired a franchise about apes facing trauma. Fond of Caesar, he grew to treasure a classic series about apes experiencing danger. In 2014, Jason Clarke honoured the series about dangerous apes in his movie “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”. In the greatest role of his career, Clarke portrayed a humane survivor seeking to survive a planet where apes face despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Clarke has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a complex character. Working alongside Andy Serkis who is also outstanding, Clarke honoured a classic series about apes that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Malcolm attempts to negotiate a deal with Caesar to prevent warfare causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” Jason Clarke’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the apes franchise, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about apes seeking to survive on a doomed planet, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has managed to net a humongous fan following by manufacturing memorable movies that are impossible to forget.
2. First Man
Neil Armstrong is a strong astronaut that always inspired my mother. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a mother that adored a great astronaut that broke barriers for NASA. I remember my mother would swoon over an astronaut that achieved the feat of landing on the moon. She grew up to embrace the first man to land on the moon in space. In 2018, Jason Clarke honoured the first man to land on the moon in his movie “First Man”. In the most conflicted role of his career, Clarke portrayed a renowned astronaut that participated in a failed space mission causing despair. Clarke has always had an aptitude for playing anxious characters intense pressure, and “First Man” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Clarke honoured a astronaut that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Ed White is killed in a tragic space mission causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “First Man” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies set in space, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with NASA’s history to appreciate it. Nearly 60 years after Neil Armstrong changed the world by being the first man to walk on the moon, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies won’t be forgotten soon.
3. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher has always found easy to appreciate. Ever since it was published, The Great Gatsby is a book that my teacher has cherished. Drawn to the green light, he would always love discussing a book that gave him greater insight. In 2013, Jason Clarke did an exceptional job of adapting the book about millionaires seeking prosperity in his film “The Great Gatsby”. In the most villainous role of his career, Clarke portrayed a lower-class worker that seeks vengeance against a millionaire for the death of his wife causing despair. Clarke has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes. With “The Great Gatsby”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a villain. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Clarke honoured an iconic book published years ago. For instance, the scene in which Wilson becomes aware that Gatsby has killed his wife 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 celebrated book about a grand millionaire, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a commemorated career through making unforgettable movies about which audiences care.
4. Oppenheimer
Bombings are intense incidents that shaped my personality. At an early age, my family faced trauma when we experienced bomb blasts causing emotional damage. Through a miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster in the world imaginable. As someone haunted by bomb blast disasters that changed my life forever, I loved “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Jason Clarke’s Oscar-winning movie honoured a bomb inventor. In the most intense role of his career, Clarke portrayed a political advisor that interrogated Oppenheimer about his role in warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Cillian Murphy who is also amazing, Clarke honoured an iconic inventor. For instance, the scene in which Roger questions Oppenheimer about his role in warfare during interrogation is one of the finest moments of the actor’s carer. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. 80 years after an inventor designed an atomic bomb proving catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor whose movies are loved by the public.
5. Zero Dark Thirty
Osama Bin Laden is a dangerous terrorist leader that fascinated my brother. I recall with nostalgia memories of a brother that was fascinated with a terrorist leader that destroyed America. He would often strive to educate my family about a terrorist that caused lives to deteriorate. In 2012, Jason Clarke honoured the terrorist leader in his movie “Zero Dark Thirty”. In the most political role of his career, Clarke portrayed a real-life journalist that tortured terrorists for information causing despair. It’s a sensitive role that required the actor to perform gruesome torture scenes but he succeeded immensely. Working alongside Jessica Chastain who is also amazing, Clarke honoured an iconic terrorist. For instance, the scene in which Dan interrogates terrorists for vital information about Bin Laden causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Zero Dark Thirty” a great terrorism movie is its perspective. In an industry that regards the Middle East with fear, the film provided a balanced portrayal of terrorism that’s rare. Nearly 15 years after Osama Bin Laden was hunted down for crimes he had committed, it’s a strong reminder about an actor whose timeless movies deserve to be appreciated.
6. The Devil All the Time
Few books ever written about crime occurring all the time are as beloved as “The Devil All the Time”. Since its publication in 2011, Donald Ray Pollock’s book has become a classic. In 2020, Jason Clarke honoured the iconic crime book in his movie “The Devil All the Time”. In the most psychotic role of his career, the actor portrayed a serial killer committing mass murders in a town facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Sebastian Stan who is also amazing, Clarke honoured a commemorated book about crimes. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about religious violence, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong presence that has made movies which have always attracted a huge audience.
7. Everest
Mount Everest is a great mountain that has always fascinated me. I have always been fascinated with a mountain causing disaster that puts lives in grave danger. As someone with a fascination in Everest, I enjoyed “Everest”. Released in 2015, Jason Clarke’s movie captured individuals that survived Mount Everest. In the most tragic role of his career, Clarke portrayed a real-life survivor that managed to climb a mountain causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong characters in positions of power. Working alongside Jake Gyllenhaal who is also amazing, Clarke honoured a real-life mountain team. A powerful portrayal of frightening mountain survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences consider to be special.
8. Lawless
Prohibition is a painful time in American history when people suffered from alcohol addiction. During the 1930’s, bootlegging gangs fought over alcohol production. These gangs built a lasting legacy by fighting over booze people were drinking. In 2012, Jason Clarke depicted the lawless era in his movie “Lawless”. In the most violent role of his career, Clarke portrayed a gangster seeking to control alcohol production during an era causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong masculine characters with authority. Working alongside Tom Hardy who is also amazing, Clarke honoured a troubled time in American history. A larger-than-life portrait of a disturbing time period when alcohol was lawless, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which are flawless.
9. Mudbound
When it comes to the most profound novels ever written about racism, it’s worth discussing Mudbound. Since its publication in 2008, Hillary Jordan’s book has become a literary classic. In 2017, Jason Clarke honoured the profound book about racism in his movie “Mudbound”. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Clarke portrayed a wealthy landowner that mistreats African-American domestic servants causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a cruel slave owner. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also amazing, Clarke honoured a classic book about racism. A profound adaptation of a beloved book about racism, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing compelling characters with wisdom in unforgettable movies which have achieved stardom.
10. Serenity
Jason Clarke hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Serenity” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, Steven Knight’s crime thriller was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Clarke portrayed a ruthless gangster engaging in a life of crime causing despair. Clarke brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Serenity” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Clarke’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Karen’s desire to overcome domestic abuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable films making headline news which I will forever treasure for inspiring my passion of writing movie reviews.
The Film Buff 
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