There’s already so much that can be said aboutJoaquin Phoenixand the various roles he’s taken on over the decades, and the man himself isn’t even 50 yet. Beginning his career in the 1980s as a child actor, he’s worked at a steady pace ever since, and has proven himself capable of thriving in large-scale blockbusters and smaller, more intimate independent films.There’s seldom a genre he can’t excel in, it seems, and he’s often one of the best elements of any movie he appears in.
He’s frequently held up as one of thegreatest actors of the past couple of decades, and as such, selecting his very best movies can be a difficult task. Joaquin Phoenix’s filmography is filled with fascinating and oftentimes offbeat titles, suggesting he’s also worth celebrating as an actor who’s continually willing to challenge himself and take on increasingly surprising roles. What follows is a ranking of some of his best performances/films, beginning with the good and ending with the great.
25’I’m Still Here' (2010)
Director: Casey Affleck
I’m Still Hereis now held up as abold, potentially divisive, and ultimately compelling mockumentary, but back when it was released, it was the sort of film that was so unusual that peopledidn’t entirely know what to make of it. Itstars Joaquin Phoenix as a fictionalized version of himselfwho claims he’s done with acting and wants to make a dramatic career change: becoming a hip-hop musician.
It unfolds as an awkward and intentionally strange mockumentary, with Phoenix in character in such a dedicated way that even the unbreakableSacha Baron Cohenwould have to be impressed.I’m Still Herefooled and baffled enough people to make quite a stir upon release, and thankfully, it did turn out to be something of a feature-length joke, as the 10+ years worth of compelling Joaquin Phoenix movies released in its wake ultimately show.
I’m Still Here
Watch on Hulu
24'8MM' (1999)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Even if8MMmight have its flaws as a movie, it’s hard to deny the fantastic cast it has, what withNicolas Cagein the lead role, plus supporting performances from the likes of Joaquin Phoenix,Peter Stormare,and the lateJamesGandolfini. Cage plays a surveillance specialist, with Phoenix appearing as his kind of sidekick (naturally, a streetwise one), with the pair getting wrapped up in a conspiracy, thanks to a mysterious - and potentially dangerous - reel of film.
It’s a mystery/thriller that goes to some very dark places, and also functions like a compelling psychological drama, with its exploration of obsession and paranoia making it comparable to the (admittedly superior)Francis Ford Coppolamovie,The Conversation(1974).8MMis still worth checking out for fans of this kind of film, or fans of any number of its cast members, because it does deliver when it comes to hard-edged thrills and persistent suspense.
Rent on Apple TV
23’Irrational Man' (2015)
Director: Woody Allen
It’s not entirely unfair to call numerousWoody Allenmovies “familiar,” because the filmmaker has made dozens over the last few decades, and seems to enjoy revisiting familiar themes, narratives, and characters. Few people would labelIrrational Mana particularly great Woody Allen movie, but it does see the directorreturning to the crime genre(this worked for him in films likeManhattan Murder MysteryandMatch Point), and the cast is pretty impressive, too.
Joaquin PhoenixandEmma Stone- two of the most popular and acclaimed American stars in recent years - lead said cast, with the premise ofIrrational Manlooking at the risky relationship between a philosophy professor and one of his students.Things spiral out of control in somewhat interesting ways throughout, with Phoenix and Stone committing enough to ensureIrrational Manis more than watchable for the duration of its runtime.
Irrational Man
22’Quills' (2000)
Director: Philip Kaufman
Philip Kaufmanhas had a rather eclectic career as a writer/director, including being one of the credited writers forRaiders of the Lost Arkand directingthe excellent (and long) historical epicthat isThe Right Stuff. His most unusual single film, however, might beQuills, which seems to have been forgotten to time, to some extent, despite being relatively well-received and having a cast filled with big names (principally,Geoffrey Rush,Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, andMichael Caine).
Quillsrevolves around the controversial French writer known asMarquis de Sade, taking historical liberty while being more focused on exploring taboo topics over depicting a more traditional life story. It’s an odd and disturbing movie, and in all honesty, might be best left to people who know what they’re in for… though it has to be said,Phoenix is very good here in one of his earliest offbeat and genuinely challenging roles(one of many, as subsequent years would ultimately go to show).
21’Buffalo Soldiers' (2001)
Director: Gregor Jordan
WhileBuffalo Soldiersisa well-made and compelling war movie, it’s certainly not a conventional one. Its plot does concern those belonging to and associated with the military, but it’s also something of a dark comedy and a crime movie, considering Phoenix’s character - the protagonist - is effectively pulling off various criminal activities to great success within wartorn Germany in 1989. That being said, the Cold War is drawing to a close, and with it, the lucrative black market is similarly in danger of vanishing.
It’s an overall daring approach to take for a war movie, given that the vast majority - whether they’re being anti-war or aiming to show heroism - take themselves seriously. It wasperhaps made and released at the wrong timeto truly succeed on a wide scale, but those willing to give a satirical war movie (one that stars Phoenix at his slimiest) with an unusual tone a shot might want to checkBuffalo Soldiersout.
20’The Village' (2004)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Whether or not you loveM. Night Shyamalan’sbrand of mystery/thriller movies, you have to admit that he has a unique style and has found solid success with at least several of them.The Villagemight not rank among Shyamalan’s very best, but it’s also far from one of his worst, telling an intriguing story about an isolated village filled with inhabitants who live in fear of strange creatures that seem to exist in the woods that surround the titular locale.
For better or worse,The Villageis one of those Shyamalan films that has a twist towards the ending, and one that, in the eyes of many, either makes or breaks the whole thing. However, twist aside (and it can be difficult to put the twist aside, sure),The Villagehas a mysterious set-up that’s at least engaging, a strong atmosphere overall, and compelling performances from the likes ofBryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix,Adrien Brody, andSigourney Weaver.
The Village
19’Parenthood' (1989)
Director: Ron Howard
It took until the 1990s (maybe even the early 2000s) for Joaquin Phoenix to become a truly acclaimed and popular actor, but as mentioned before, his earliest credits date back to the 1980s. Perhaps the most notable film he appeared in during this decade wasParenthood, a family comedy/drama with an ensemble cast (that evenincluded an also youngKeanu Reeves), allrevolving around the ups and downs of those living their lives in a comically dysfunctional family.
Beyond Phoenix and Reeves, the cast also included plenty of people who were more well-established at this point in time, including the likes ofSteve Martin,Mary Steenburgen,Dianne Wiest,Jason Robards, andRick Moranis. Phoenix was credited as “Leaf Phoenix” here (his actual name for a while,before he changed it back to Joaquin), and gives a strong performance here for someone his age as the troubled and withdrawn nephew of Steve Martin’s character (who’s essentiallyParenthood’sprotagonist).
Parenthood
18’Napoleon' (2023)
Director: Ridley Scott
For proof that Joaquin Phoenix is still willing to give big - and unexpected - performances decades into his career, one doesn’t need to look further thanNapoleon. This 2023historical epic fromRidley Scottis one of many movies that aims toconvey this larger-than-life figure from history, with Joaquin Phoenix playing the titular character over numerous years and various large-scale battles, though much of the film also opts to focus on Napoleon’s rocky marriage to his first wife, Josephine.
It might not be one ofRidley Scott’s very best movies(and also not the best collaboration between him and Phoenix, it has to be said), butNapoleonstill impresses, thanks to thelead performances from Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, and also because of its massive battle sequences. More divisive is the film’s comedic tone and willingness to depict Napoleon Bonaparte as something of a clown at times, a decision that may entertain some viewers while irritating others.
17’The Yards' (2000)
Director: James Gray
The first of several collaborations between Joaquin Phoenix and filmmakerJames Gray,The Yardsisa gritty and gripping dramaabout the struggles one man (played byMark Wahlberg) faces when he gets out of prison and finds himself looking for work. Phoenix plays one of this man’s associates, and helps him find work within a company that has a history of corrupt practices and links to various criminal groups.
It’s safe to callThe Yardssomething of a slow burn, and while it might not engross quite as much as the later James Gray + Joaquin Phoenix films, it’s still very good overall. Itbenefits from a strong supporting castthat includes the likes ofCharlize Theron,James Caan,andEllen Burstyn, while succeeding in looking at real-life issues regarding crime, corruption, and the general struggles of life that remain sadly relevant to this day.
Watch on Hoopla
16’We Own the Night' (2007)
James Gray and Joaquin Phoniex re-teamed in 2007, and the resulting film,We Own the Night, was up thereas one of that year’s best releases. LikeThe Yards, this film can also be characterized as a crime drama, and has a plot that sees members of a family - principally, two adult sons and their father - get entangled with, as well as endangered by, associates of the Russian mafia.
This film, as was the case withThe Yard, also happens to star Mark Wahlberg, with Phoenix and him doing a commendable job of playing brothers wrapped up in a difficult situation. As far as crime/gangster movies go,We Own the Nightisn’t exactly one of the most explosive out there, but it’s got a quiet, searing intensity that proves slowly absorbing as things go on, and is well-acted enough thatyou may find yourselfsufficiently entertained for two hours by appreciating the performances alone.
