Not many actors possess the charisma of Idris Elba. Since the 1990’s, Elba has become an African-American icon. Whether it’s American gangsters, military commanders or political leaders, Elba has portrayed several 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 a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Beasts of No Nation
Child soldiers whose lives are in danger always fascinated my teacher. I remember a psychology professor that was fascinated with African child soldiers experiencing danger. I recall with nostalgia he was interested in child soldiers in Africa. He would strive to educate students about struggles experienced by child soldiers whose lives deteriorate. My teacher believed movies were art that couldn’t honour child soldiers whose lives were torn apart. Few films I’ve seen have captured tension faced by African child soldiers without nations as powerfully as “Beasts of No Nation”. Released in 2015, Idris Elba’s best movie captured child soldiers in war-torn countries. In the greatest role of his career, Elba played a menacing military officer seeking to prepare children for warfare in countries facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and scary in his most iconic role. Elba has spent most of his career playing bold heroes with great nature. With “Beasts of No Nation”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing an evil military commander. Working alongside Abraham Attah who is also amazing, Elba captured African child soldiers. For instance, the scene in which the officer is first introduced seeking to prepare Agu for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Beasts of No Nation” Idris Elba’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies set in Africa, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It gives a bold message about war which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need be familiar with African history to appreciate it. Nearly a decade after the release of a film about African child soldiers that are beasts with no nation, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with dedication whose movies are worthy of celebration.
2. The Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is a spectacular superhero team that always inspired my brother. I remember my brother was once a huge fan of a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. He would always applaud a squad that he felt wasn’t flawed. In 2021, Idris Elba honoured the iconic squad in his movie “The Suicide Squad”. In the most comical role of his career, the actor portrayed a supervillain seeking to save the world from despair. Elba has always been an actor with a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic talents are clearly evident in “The Suicide Squad”. Working alongside Margot Robbie who is also amazing, Elba created a superhero blockbuster that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Bloodsport delivers an emotional speech seeking to prepare the squad for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Suicide Squad” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a squad committing suicide, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made movies leaving audiences satisfied.
3. Pacific Rim
Kaiju are dangerous monsters that always impressed my grandfather. I remember my grandfather adored monsters putting the fate of the world in grave danger. He would always love watching movies about Kaiju monsters that destroyed cities. Fond of Kaiju, he spoke fondly about monsters that he grew up to value. In 2013, Idris Elba honoured the grim monsters in his movie “Pacific Rim”. In the most heroic role of his career, Elba portrayed a soldier seeking to survive a doomsday Kaiju monster apocalypse causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Charlie Hunnam who is also outstanding, Elba created a portrait of monsters that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Marshal Stacker delivers a rousing speech seeking to prepare soldiers for monster warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Pacific Rim” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most monster movies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of Kaiju monsters, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate making movies which audiences value.
4. The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is a classic animated movie that changed my outlook. During my childhood, I grew up watching a classic animated movie about animals that are misunderstood. I always enjoyed movies about animals with bare necessities that shaped my identity. In 2016, Idris Elba honoured the iconic animated film about jungles with a scary look in his movie “The Jungle Book”. In the most frightening role of his career, Elba portrayed a terrifying tiger seeking to murder a human boy in a jungle causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating compelling characters through motion-capture technology. Through stunning motion-capture, Elba recreated one of the most iconic villains in animation history. For instance, the scene in which Shere Khan hunts down Mowgli seeking to kill the human boy causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Jungle Book” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike the original animated movie targeted to children, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Mowgli’s bonds with animals in the jungle, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced movies that audiences consider to be special.
5. Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers are an awe-inspiring superhero team that my friend always loved dearly. I remember a friend that admired a superhero team saving the world from grave danger. He would always marvel in astonishment at a superhero team he considered to be special. In 2018, Idris Elba honoured the iconic superhero team facing an infinity war in his movie “Avengers: Infinity War”. In the most heroic role of his career, Elba portrayed a superhero participating in tense warfare causing despair. Elba has always excelled at playing Heimdall throughout the MCU’s trajectory of movies. With “Avengers: Infinity War”, however, the actor brought out an emotional vulnerability to the hero that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Heimdall sacrifices his life to save the world causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Infinity War” a comic-book classic is its message. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans only, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. An awe-inspiring tribute towards a groundbreaking team reaching an endgame, it’s an amazing reminder of an actor making unforgettable movies achieving fame.
6. Star Trek: Beyond
Star Trek is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that has built a lasting legacy. With its awe-inspiring special effects, colourful characters and strong storytelling, the series has earned a huge following. In 2016, Idris Elba honoured the series about galaxies that are beyond in his movie “Star Trek: Beyond”. In the most transformative role of his career, Elba portrayed a villainous alien facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating a compelling motion-capture character through his voice. Working alongside Simon Pegg who is also amazing, Elba honoured a series about galaxies that are frightening. A spectacular tribute towards a science-fiction franchise about galaxies experiencing darkness, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has become a celebrated icon in the entertainment business.
7. Molly’s Game
Few women have built successful careers in poker that bloom like Molly Bloom. During the early 2000’s, Bloom became a poker player when she created her own game. Bloom’s rule-breaking games attracted attention of police authorities. In 2017, Idris Elba celebrated the icon that achieved fame creating her own game in the film “Molly’s Game”. In the most authoritative role of his carer, Elba portrayed a real-life lawyer that assisted Molly overcome lawsuits causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an attorney that’s well-known. Working alongside Jessica Chastain who is also amazing, Elba honoured a poker player whose legacy is lasting. 20 years after Molly Bloom became an iconic poker player, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making movies which audiences treasure.
8. The Harder They Fall
Over the past decade, the western genre has faced a decline in quality. With their old-fashioned themes, cartoonish characters and mindless violence, most westerns have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has faced a downfall, it’s worth praising “The Harder They Fall”. Released in 2021, Idris Elba’s movie offered a unique reinvention of the western genre. In the most commanding role of his career, Elba portrayed a cowboy seeking to save a doomed town from a sheriff causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Regina King who is also amazing, Elba created a western that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of cowboys that fall, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making memorable movies which are easy for audiences to recall.
9. American Gangster
Idris Elba has always excelled at playing emotional characters facing trauma. Elba has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Elba’s strengths for playing characters under intense pressure is clearly evident in his movie “American Gangster”. Released in 2007, Ridley Scott’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Elba portrayed a gangster engaging in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters under pressure. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Elba created a gangster drama that’s compelling. An astonishing portrait of gangsters in America, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
10. Cats
Idris Elba hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Cats” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, Tom Hooper’s musical was a catastrophic disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Elba portrayed a theatrical cat composing melodies that people love to hear. Elba brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Cats” is a bad movie, it honoured Elba’s enduring legacy. As strong as the cats’ desire to prepare for the Jellicle Ball, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to enthral making timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that’s easy to recall.
The Film Buff 