Not many actors that gained fame years ago are as beloved as Jared Leto. Since the 1990’s, Leto has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s destructive drug users, transgenders or bold burglars, Leto has played many strong characters. Given the sheer number of films that 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. Dallas Buyers Club
Transgenderism has impacted my cousin’s identity. I remember forming bonds with a cousin that was secretly a transgender. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person that my entire family would admire. He would often enjoy engaging in feminine activities intended for women that made him the centre of attention. In a country that banned homosexuality, my cousin struggled to find social acceptance in a conservative Pakistani family. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured hardships faced by transgender people to fit in a club as powerfully as “Dallas Buyers Club”. Released in 2014, Jared Leto’s best movie captured the hardships transgender people faced during the 1980’s AIDS crisis. In the greatest role of his career, Leto embodies a transgender woman that carries a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Leto is one of those actors that has always shown commitment to transforming into characters through method acting, and his strengths are evident in “Dallas Buyers Club”. Working alongside Matthew McConaughey who is also outstanding, Leto created a portrait of a transgender activist that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rayon confronts her father informing him about her AIDS diagnosis causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dallas Buyers Club” Jared Leto’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about transgender people, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 40 years after Ron Woodroof overcome homophobic beliefs designing a club for LGBTQ communities battling terminal illnesses which were frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actor that has made timeless movies which are without a doubt worth celebrating.
2. Requiem for a Dream
Drug addiction is a painful process that causes people to face stress. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. I remember he would often show up late to class in a dazed and confused drug-induced state. His painful addiction to weed put him on a path to fail rather than succeed. As someone treasuring fond memories of a friend whose dream was to become a drug user, I adored “Requiem for a Dream”. Released in 2000, Jared Leto’s movie offered a powerful portrait of drug addiction causing lives to deteriorate. In the most emotional role of his career, Leto embodies a destructive drug addict that suffers from severe addiction causing despair. With “Requiem for a Dream”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a tortured drug addict. Working alongside Jennifer Connelly who is also amazing, Leto created a portrait of drug addiction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Harry is hospitalized for drug addiction that reaches its peak causing despair is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Requiem for a Dream” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about drug addiction which would resonate with everyone. A dark depiction of drug addiction, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with dedication whose movies deserve celebration.
3. Fight Club
Anxiety has shaped my personality. I remember facing pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with tense studies, I faced nervous breakdowns impacting my mental health adversely. As someone impacted by mental illness that has blown up, I adored “Fight Club”. Released in 1999, Jared Leto’s movie captured mental health. In the most psychotic role of his career, Leto embodied a violent criminal that becomes a member of a fight club association causing despair. It’s a physically demanding role that required the actor to perform intense fights. However, Leto succeeded tremendously. For instance, the scene in which Angel Face fights with the Narrator in the fight club causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the fight club in which the Narrator seeks to participate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made timeless movies with abilities to captivate which audiences appreciate.
4. House of Gucci
Gucci is a fantastic fashion company that my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a company designing clothes with a strong image. He always spoke fondly about a fashion company that shaped his identity. Fond of Gucci attire, he would always praise a business empire he grew to admire. In 2021, Jared Leto did an exceptional job of honouring the famous fashion company in his movie “House of Gucci”. In the most glamorous role of his career, Leto embodies the founder of a famous fashion company designing clothes people love to wear. Leto has spent most of his career playing serious characters in intense dramas. With “House of Gucci”, however, the actor showcased comic timing which audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Paolo introduces his fashion line of clothes to wear to his family is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “House of Gucci” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fashion which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the downfall of a fashion empire, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose films audiences admire.
5. Panic Room
Isolation has impacted my identity. Years ago, I was locked up in rooms for injuring my cousin in fights causing sorrow. I remember feeling terror when I was locked in a room by my mother. Driven towards insanity, I couldn’t cope with isolation that affected by ability to function effectively. As someone haunted by panic-stricken memories of being locked in a room, I adored “Panic Room”. Released in 2002, Jared Leto’s movie offered an engaging depiction of isolation. In the most anxious role of his career, Leto embodies a maniacal burglar that invades the house of a mother and daughter facing despair. Leto has always had a powerful voice that projects authority, and his strengths are evident in “Panic Room”. For instance, the scene in which Junior first invades the house causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Panic Room” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about isolation which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of families in isolated rooms facing panic, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has created a legacy that’s iconic.
6. American Psycho
Few books written about psychotic killers several years ago are as beloved as American Psycho. Since its publication in 1991, Bret Easton Ellis’ novel has become a celebrated piece of literature. In 2000, Jared Leto did an amazing job of adapting the book about psychotic killers in his movie “American Psycho”. In the most psychotic role of his career, Leto embodies an investment banker that becomes victim of serial killers causing despair. It’s a quirky role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing maniacal characters. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Leto honoured a legendary book about psychotic killers. As memorable as murders that Patrick Bateman has committed, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has made timeless movies which deserve to be celebrated.
7. Blade Runner: 2049
“Blade Runner” is a spectacular sci-fi film impacting my teacher’s identity. He often sought to explain why he loved a sci-fi film leaving him with tears in the rain. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher appreciating “Blade Runner”, I admired “Blade Runner: 2049”. Released in 2017, Jared Leto’s movie was a spectacular sequel that honoured the sci-fi classic. In the most villainous role of his career, Leto embodied a businessman seeking to murder replicants facing despair. Leto has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Blade Runner: 2049”, however, he showcased a villainous side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. As strong as K’s desire to become a blade runner, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
8. Chapter 27
John Lennon is a legendary singer I have always regarded with affection. A musician constructing timeless melodies, Lennon built a lasting legacy. However, in 1980 the musician’s life ended when he was tragically assassinated. In 2007, Jared Leto did an admirable job of depicting the musician’s assassination in his movie “Chapter 27”. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Leto embodies the notorious killer that murdered a musician causing despair. It’s a transformative role that found the actor gaining humongous weight to portray a character. As Mark David Chapman, Leto did an amazing job of portraying a notorious killer. Nearly 30 years following the tragic assassination of John Lennon causing trauma, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made commemorated movies which attract audiences to the Cinema.
9. Mr. Nobody
Jared Leto is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing psychotic characters. Leto has built an image of being an actor that excels at playing characters facing emotional damage. Leto’s strength for playing mentally disturbed characters is clearly evident in his movie “Mr. Nobody”. Released in 2009, Leto’s movie captured a young boy facing mental catastrophe. In the most tragic role of his career, Leto embodies a young boy forced to choose between his parents facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his strength for playing psychotic characters. Leto showcased talent for conveying strong emotions through expressions rather than words. As strong as Mr. Nobody’s desire to discover his identity, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies audiences love dearly.
10. Suicide Squad
Jared Leto hasn’t always made great movies that glow. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Suicide Squad” falls into the latter category of movies which is flawed. Released in 2016, Leto’s comic-book blockbuster was a disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Leto embodied a legendary comic-book villain evoking fear. Leto brought maniacal energy to the Joker standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “Suicide Squad” is a flawed movie, it showcased Leto’s long-lasting legacy. As strong as bonds between the suicide squad, it’s a commemorated reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences awed whose memorable movies that are rarely flawed I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema I applaud.
The Film Buff 