My Favourite Casey Affleck Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Casey Affleck. Since the 1990’s, Affleck has become a strong icon. Whether it’s grieving janitors, detectives inspecting murders or political leaders, Affleck has played several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 llist isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Manchester by the Sea

It’s challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became victim of grim murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t move on from the painful loss of a housekeeper that tragically died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured loss causing people to face grief as powerfully as “Manchester by the Sea”. Ever since its release in 2016, Casey Affleck’s Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. In the greatest role of his career, Affleck embodies a grief-stricken janitor struggling coping with heartbreaking family tragedies causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Affleck has spent most of his career playing strong characters in control of emotions. With “Manchester by the Sea”, however, he showcased emotional vulnerability audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Michelle Williams who is also amazing, Affleck created a portrait of grief that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lee Chandler reunites with his wife Randi several years after the tragic accident causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Manchester by the Sea” Casey Affleck’s greatest movie is its message. It delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about grieving janitors struggling dealing with the heartbreaking loss of family members in Manchester causing mourning, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor whose engaging movies are definitely worth celebrating.

2. Good Will Hunting

Therapists are powerful figures that had a positive impact on my personality. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a therapist that delivered an inspiring message. When I was diagnosed with anxiety, I began seeing a psychologist offering therapy. An inspiring role model, he made me believe it was possible to achieve goals I was hunting. As someone treasuring heartwarming memories of a therapist that shaped my well-being, I adored “Good Will Hunting”. Ever since its release in 1997, Casey Affleck’s movie has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. In the most youthful role of his career, Affleck embodies a delinquent struggling to find clear direction in a city that’s a burden to bear. With “Good Will Hunting”, Affleck showcased his aptitude for playing characters from his home country. For instance, the scene in which Morgan spends valuable time bonding with his brother about whom he has grown to care in bars is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Good Will Hunting” a coming-of-age classic is its message. The film delivers a universal message about the importance of finding one’s purpose which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Will Hunting’s desire to overcome trauma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma whose timeless films attract audiences to the Cinema.

3. Gone Baby Gone

Child abduction is a painful process that causes parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in grocery stores which were humongous. I remember my mother searching the store for my brother. Fearful he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her devastated. As someone haunted by an incident in which my brother was almost gone, I adored “Gone Baby Gone”. Released in 2007, Casey Affleck’s movie captured the hardships that parents whose children go missing go through. In the most emotional role of his career, Affleck embodies a bold detective inspecting child abductions in a city facing despair. Affleck has always had an aptitude for playing tormented characters, and “Gone Baby Gone” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Patrick uncovers child abduction causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gone Baby Gone” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of child abductions causing families to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that audiences appreciate.

4. Interstellar

Fathers are inspirational figures which impact children’s futures. As far as I can remember, I’ve always admired my father. An inspiring role model, he has motivated me to achieve dreams. However, career has affected our relationship forever. Focused on career, my father hasn’t always been available when I need him the most. As someone treasuring memories of my father, I adored “Interstellar”. Released in 2014, Casey Affleck’s blockbuster captured interstellar space travel separating fathers from children. In the most angry role of his career, Affleck embodies a short-tempered farmer that is separated from his estranged father. Affleck has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Interstellar”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a son with complex emotions. For instance, the scene in which Tom throws a temper tantrum when he’s reminded of his estranged father showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Interstellar” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships estranged children face separated from parents in space, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences embrace.

5. Oppenheimer

Bombings are intense incidents that shaped my personality. At an early age, my family faced bomb blasts causing emotional damage. Through a sheer miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster in the world imaginable. I felt grateful for my family’s miraculous survival. However, the tragic aftermath of bombings stayed with me forever. As someone haunted by frightening bomb blast disasters that changed my life forever, I loved “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Casey Affleck’s Oscar-winning movie depicted the life of Oppenheimer. In the most political role of his career, Affleck embodies an army commander that becomes involved in bombings causing despair. Despite appearing in the movie for a short scene with limited screen-time, Affleck left a lasting impression. For instance, the scene in which Colonel Pash interrogates Oppenheimer about his role in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about trauma which would impact everyone. 80 years after an iconic inventor designed an atomic bomb proving catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor whose celebrated movies are loved by the public.

6. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

When it comes to the greatest western books that readers have adored, it’s worth discussing The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Since its publication in 1983, Ron Hansen’s book has become a literary classic. In 2007, Casey Affleck honoured the book in his movie “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”. In the most villainous role of his career, Affleck embodies a real-life outlaw that commits an assassination causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Affleck honoured a legendary book. As memorable as murders committed by Robert Ford, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has poured his soul into every role whose films audiences have adored.

7. A Ghost Story

Casey Affleck is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing grief-stricken characters. Affleck has built an image for playing characters facing damage. Affleck’s strength for playing grieving characters is evident in his movie “A Ghost Story”. Released in 2017, David Lowery’s movie depicted a ghost haunting a family. In the most supernatural role of his career, Affleck embodies the ghost of a deceased husband haunting a woman facing despair. It’s a strange role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a supernatural character. Working alongside Rooney Mara who is amazing, Affleck captured trauma. A fantastic portrait of ghosts causing families to face despair, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actor that has built an impressive career by making commemorated movies about which audiences care.

8. The Old Man & the Gun

When it comes to the most notorious bank robbers in American history, it’s worth discussing Forrest Tucker. During the 1970’s, Tucker got away with escaping prisons without attracting police. A criminal with a terrifying track record, Tucker built a legacy that’s legacy. In 2018, Casey Affleck honoured the criminal with a gun in his movie “The Old Man & the Gun”. In the most intense role of his career, Affleck embodies a police officer seeking to catch a criminal causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing dedicated heroes on a mission. Working alongside Robert Redford who is also amazing, Affleck honoured a con-artist. 60 years after Forrest Tucker got away with robbing banks without a price to pay, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose films deserve to be celebrated today.

9. Our Friend

Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. A sensitive subject matter, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2019 Casey Affleck tackled terminal illness successfully in his movie “Our Friend”. In the most tragic role of his career, Affleck embodies a grieving man whose wife is diagnosed with Cancer causing despair. It’s a role that gave Affleck a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing grieving characters. Affleck showcased bravery by tackling a sensitive topic with a sense of humour. A touching portrait of terminal illness, it’s a terrific reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies which are treasured in the entertainment business.

10. Ocean’s Eleven

Few films ever made about casino robberies have earned the recognition of “Ocean’s Eleven”. Ever since its release in 2001, Steven Soderbergh’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. In a star-studded cast filled with several notable actors, Casey Affleck stood out the most. In the most mischievous role of his career, Affleck embodies an intelligent thief planning casino robberies causing despair. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown in his career before. Although “Ocean’s Eleven” is far from a perfect movie, it remains a reminder of Affleck’s legacy. As strong as Danny Ocean’s desires to rob a Las Vegas casino, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to follow my dreams of film criticism years ago.