It wasn’t to be for Colin Farrell at this year’s Oscars, following a fantastic performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. The award for Best Actor went to Brendan Fraser, but Colin Farrell’s role will stick long in the memory.
It’s perhaps his best performance yet, in what has been a career with plenty of ups and downs, with the star struggling with alcoholism at various points, getting help and his career back on track.
He’s one of a number of Hollywood A-listers who have struggled with addiction but come out the other side to inspire millions and produce some of their best work following treatment. But what are the best Colin Farrell movies out there?
After a stellar 12 months for Farrell, we run down our favourites from the Irishman…
In Bruges (2008)
In Bruges is a dark comedy directed by Martin McDonagh, in which Colin Farrell plays the role of Ray, a hitman who is sent to Bruges, Belgium with his partner Ken, played by Brendan Gleeson, after a job goes wrong. The film is a masterpiece of black humor, with Farrell delivering a pitch-perfect performance as the guilt-ridden, yet sarcastic Ray. The film was critically acclaimed and won Farrell a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
Phone Booth (2002)
This tense thriller, directed by Joel Schumacher, sees Colin Farrell plays the role of Stu, a publicist who becomes trapped in a phone booth by a sniper who threatens to kill him if he hangs up. The film is a gripping psychological drama that showcases Farrell’s acting range and his ability to captivate audiences with his intense performances. Despite being set in a single location, Phone Booth manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The Lobster (2015)
Dark comedy, The Lobster, is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, in which Colin Farrell plays the role of David, a man who is sent to a hotel where he must find a romantic partner within 45 days, or else be turned into an animal of his choice. The film is a surreal and thought-provoking exploration of love, relationships, and societal norms, with Farrell delivering a nuanced and captivating performance that earned him critical acclaim.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
From the same team behind In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin brings Farrell and Gleeson back together in a wonderfully funny, yet dark movie all about friendship. The movie was nominated for a total of nine Oscars, although didn’t win any, but has earned critical acclaim, and Farrell’s performance has been lauded.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a psychological horror film, with Farrell joining up with director Lanthimos once again. Colin Farrell plays the role of Steven, a successful surgeon who befriends a teenage boy named Martin, played by Barry Keoghan. The film is a disturbing and unsettling exploration of guilt, morality, and revenge, with Farrell delivering a haunting and intense performance that earned him critical acclaim. The film was also nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.
