Domhnall Gleeson is one of the busiest young actors working in Hollywood today. Ever since making his feature film debut in the 2005 horror film Boy Eats Girl, Gleeson has amassed nearly fifty big and small screen credits over the course of fifteen years. Taking a page out of his father Brendan Gleeson's playbook, Domhnall has done small indie films outside of Hollywood as well as major blockbuster fare.
As we all hunker down and search for new programs to watch, all eyes turn to Gleeson's new HBO TV series Run, costarring Merrit Weaver. Before the show premieres on April 12th, here are Domhnall Gleeson's 10 Best Movies, According to IMDB.
Unbroken (2014) 7.2/10
In the harrowing true survival story Unbroken, Gleeson plays one of three U.S. soldiers who survive a sudden plane crash in the vast Pacific Ocean. The Angelina Jolie directed film was nominated for three Oscars, including one for Best Cinematography for the great Roger Deakins.
Once soldiers Louis (Jack O'Connell), Phil (Gleeson) and Mac (Finn Whitrock) survive the crash, they struggle to find land on a small life raft. Their human spirit triumphs through hope, courage, and unimaginable perseverance.
Calvary (2014) 7.4/10
Let's be clear. Calvary is Brendan Gleeson's hour to shine. Domhnall's father takes center stage as an Irish clergyman whose faith is severely tested following a slew of physical threats.
With his life in danger, Father James (Brendan) goes about his business as usual. When that fails him, he looks inward to find salvation. Domhnall is down the call-sheet aways as Freddie Joyce, a ruthless killer who eats his female victims.
Brooklyn (2015) 7.5/10
In the heartwarming tale of immigrants' love, Brooklyn, a young Irish woman (Saoirse Ronan) must decide whether to stay in the U.S. in order to pursue true love or return to her homeland to be with her family.
Gleeson plays Jim Farrell in the film, an Irish lad who courts Eilis (Ronan) once she temporarily returns to Ireland. Jim takes her mind of the New Yorker Tony (Emory Cohen) for just long enough to know she's making a mistake. In the end, Eilis must ignore what's in her head and follow her heart. The film earned three Oscar nods.
True Grit (2010) 7.6/10
Although he hasn't much screen time as Moon (the Kid), Gleeson got to work with the peerless Coen brothers on their 2010 adaptation of True Grit. The film earned a whopping 10 Oscar nominations but didn't win a single award.
The film follows Mattie Ross, a precocious young girl out to avenge the death of her father. She recruits the one-eyed drunk Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a sloppy bounty hunter, to find the man called Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). With the help of Texas Ranger LaBeouf (Matt Damon), Mattie and Rooster scour the west on an adventure of a lifetime.
Ex Machina (2014) 7.7/10
Ex Machina is likely the movie that introduced Gleeson to mainstream audiences. Well, until Star Wars, that is.
When Caleb (Gleeson), an idealistic computer programmer is recruited to spend a weekend with eccentric scientist Nathan (Oscar Isaac), he has no idea what's in store for him. After a warm welcome by the offbeat Nathan, it is revealed that Caleb has been chosen to partake in a radical experiment involving a lifelike A.I. robot called Eva (Alicia Vikander). Things go haywire, naturally, and a spooky tale of sci-fi/horror ensues!
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) 7.7/10
While it's true Gleeson got into the Harry Potter franchise a bit late, it's all about quality over quantity when it comes to the Deathly Hallows!
With that scorching head of red hair, it doesn't take a genius to guess that Gleeson plays a relative of Ron Weasley. Indeed, as Bill Weasley, Gleeson plays a pure-blood English wizard who graduated Hogwarts in 1989. Following the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, Bill developed wolflike senses before marrying Fleur in 1997.
About Time (2013) 7.8/10
In the running for the best time traveling romance film ever made is About Time, in which Gleeson plays Tim Lake, a man who learns he can traverse the 4th dimension at the age of 21.
Upon learning of his newfound ability, Tim goes back in time to make sure he gets a chance with a girl, which he thinks will change his life for the better. He meets and courts a sweet but insecure young lady named Mary (Rachel McAdams), who reciprocates his romantic feelings. But of course, the time travel throws a wrench into their existence until Tim can work out all of the kinks once and for all.
Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) 7.9/10
You know you've made it as a big-time Hollywood actor after being cast in a Star Wars blockbuster. For Gleeson, he earned such a distinction as General Hux in the 2015 reboot The Force Awakens.
The J.J. Abrams' film earned positive buzz from the moment he began releasing teaser footage for the film. What plays like a giant best-of redo of the original Star Wars (1977) gave audiences the exact thrills that were sorely lacking in Chapters 1-3 under the direction of George Lucas. In total, the film garnered five Oscar nominations.
The Revenant (2015) 8.0/10
2015 was a banner year for Mr. Gleeson. He not only appeared in the 4th highest-grossing film of the year (The Force Awakens), but he also played a key role in the Best Picture Winner as well!
Indeed, as Captain Andrew Henry, Gleeson was put in charge during the rugged escapade through the American frontier in 1823. One fellow trapper High Glass is mauled by a bear, Henry urges his men to leave him behind and forge ahead. Glass haunts the men like a specter after recovering and mounting a vicious revenge campaign on those who left him for dead. The film won three Oscars in total, including the ever-elusive Best Actor for Leo DiCaprio!
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) 8.1/10
All good things must come to an end. As such, the gravity of an industry shifting, the game-changing, blockbusting ten-year franchise was given a huge celebratory send-off.
In Deathly Hallows Part 2, just about every narrative strand that wasn't already sewn up is neatly tied together. As Harry, Ron and Hermoine end their quest to raze Voldemort's magical Horcruxes - the items which grant him immortality - the entire film leads towards one epic, show-stopping battle. The film tallied three Academy Award nods.