Over the past two decades, Cillian Murphy has risen from a relatively underrated actor into a globally recognized movie star.
Handsome, slender, and with a twisted sense of darkness hiding behind his eyes, Cillian has quickly earned the adoration of audiences in his career thus far.
Cillian Murphy attending the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England on May 14, 2023 (Credit: Yui Mok / PA Images / INSTARimages)
With each new role, Cillian Murphy seems to gain more traction in the industry, fine-tuning his craft and garnering acclaim from fans and critics.
Before He Was a Star
Cillian Murphy was born on May 25, 1976, in the suburban village of Ballintemple in Cork, Ireland. Despite the common misconception, his name is pronounced as “kill-ian” rather than “sill-ian,” although you’d be forgiven for making the mistake.
Cillian Murphy at the premiere of Breakfast on Pluto during the AFI Fest 2005 in Hollywood, California on November 13, 2005 (Credit: Darrell Graham / Startraksphoto)
In his childhood, Cillian performed well in school but had little interest in sports, which were prominently featured at his primary school. Instead, he discovered unmatched joy in the arts, especially when he started appearing in stage plays at the Corcadorca Theatre Company in his hometown.
While in college, Cillian aimed to study law and potentially become an attorney, but he stopped after a single semester. Instead, he spent most of his time rocking out with his band, cleverly called The Sons of Mr. Green Genes.
Despite being offered a record deal, Cillian instead started to focus on acting to pick up dates and meet new women, but his talent quickly pushed him into the limelight.
Cillian’s career took off like a rocket after making his feature film debut in the 2001 film Disco Pigs, based on the 1996 stage play that he also starred in. Over two decades later, this 47-year-old actor is one of the most respected actors in modern filmmaking.
Cillian Murphy arriving at the 19th Annual BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, California on November 4, 2010 (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Although Cillian Murphy’s height is only 5ft 7 ¾ inches (172.1 cm), which is shorter for movie stars, you won’t find him worried about it. In fact, despite his stardom, Cillian chooses to live a very private life, with no personal publicist or stylist to speak of.
Cillian Murphy’s 8 Best Movies and TV Shows Ranked
Whether featured in superhero stories, gripping historical dramas, or anything else, Cillian Murphy can’t seem to miss. With that said, let’s count down his best roles in both movies and television.
This list of Cillian Murphy’s best movies and TV shows is ranked according to the Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score. The aggregate score is based on hundreds of reviews from top critics around the globe including journalists, online personalities, and more.
8. Batman Begins (2005) – 84% Score
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Batman Begins was a risky reboot of the iconic superhero franchise, as the series had simmered down with 1997’s goofy Batman & Robin film.
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in the 2005 superhero film Batman Begins (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Opting for a blatantly dark and gritty approach and aimed at adults and adolescents rather than kids and teens, Batman Begins centers around Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) as he reclaims Gotham City from two insidious supervillains.
Showcasing his ability to play a menacing but intelligent antagonist, Cillian Murphy plays the role of Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as The Scarecrow.
Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in the 2005 superhero film Batman Begins (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
As a deranged psychologist, who dabbles with dangerous chemicals, Scarecrow brews up a concoction to send Gotham into a frenzied state of fear.
At 29 years old, Cillian presents his character with effective juxtaposition, appearing mild-mannered and intelligent as Dr. Crane, but unleashing his true madness when behind the mask of the Scarecrow.
Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in the 2005 superhero film Batman Begins (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
It makes sense that Cillian had this duality down pat, as he originally auditioned for the lead role of Batman, but he still impressed Nolan enough to earn his supporting role.
7. Inception (2010) – 87% Score
Inception is yet another collaboration between director Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy, and it was the first movie outside of the Batman franchise that the two partnered up on.
Cillian Murphy as Robert Fischer in the 2010 science fiction action film Inception (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Continuously complex and existing as an endless mental puzzle, Inception follows a crew of thieves who rob people of their thoughts and ideas by sneaking into their dreams. The film follows through with the premise as well, delivering thrilling action, impressive special effects, and countless plot twists.
Holding court in an ensemble cast that includes the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and more, Cillian Murphy excels in yet another supporting role.
Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb and Cillian Murphy as Robert Fischer in the 2010 science fiction action film Inception (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Appearing throughout the film, Cillian plays Robert Fischer, the affluent heir to his father’s massive business and one of the primary targets of the team of dream thieves.
Hilariously, much like in Batman Begins, Cillian spends a major portion of the movie with a bag over his head, becoming a bit of an inside joke between the actor and the director.
Cillian Murphy suited up at the premiere of Inception held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2010 (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
6. 28 Days Later (2002) – 87% Score
Written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later is a harrowing film that chronicles the aftermath of a horrifying virus that spreads across the United Kingdom. Experienced primarily through the perspective of Jim (played by Cillian Murphy), a naïve survivor, who wakes up from a coma 28 days after the start of the virus, the film is highly regarded as one of the best horror films ever made.
Cillian Murphy as Jim in the 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
There are a lot of things to love about 28 Days Later including the musical score, the character-driven drama, and the freakishly fast zombies. However, Cillian Murphy’s performance truly stands out above all else, as the actor perfectly displays a feeling of utter hopelessness and loss in unspeakable circumstances.
From the haunting opening sequence to the triumphant bloody end, Cillian Murphy shows why he was destined to become a star at just 26 years old. Without a doubt, 28 Days Later is easily one of the best performances of Cillian’s career, and it’s the movie that put him on the map.
Cillian Murphy as Jim in the 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
5. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) – 90% Score
Cillian Murphy may be a leading man in Hollywood blockbusters now, but even once he hit the big leagues, it seems like he never forgot his roots.
Fresh off his success in Batman Begins, Cillian starred in The Wind That Shakes the Barley, an Irish-produced indie film that holds significant weight. Set during two Irish wars in the 1920s, the movie follows brother Damien and Teddy O’Donovan, as they attempt to find hope despite the unfolding terror.
Cillian Murphy as Damien O’Donovan in the 2006 war drama film The Wind That Shakes the Barley (Credit: Cover Images)
Enjoying a spot in the lead role for a change, Cillian Murphy plays Damien O’Donovan, a man who is forced into duty after witnessing firsthand the horror of war.
The film must’ve meant a lot for the actor, as the story centers around Cillian’s home of Cork County, Ireland. In short, The Wind That Shakes the Barley was a huge hit in Ireland, and it immediately became the most successful short film ever released in the country.
Cillian Murphy at the premiere of The Wind That Shakes the Barley during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, on September 7, 2006 (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)
4. A Quiet Place Part II (2021) – 91% Score
Written and directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place Part II is a sci-fi horror film and the follow-up to Krasinski’s beloved directorial debut.
Set soon after the events of the film, the sequel follows widow Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and her children as they continue to survive in a world full of deadly alien creatures. With the enemies hunting through sound alone, it’s a truly thrilling movie that leaves very little breathing room.
Cillian Murphy as Emmett in the 2021 post-apocalyptic horror film A Quiet Place Part II (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
A Quiet Place Part II doesn’t change much to the formula, but it adds a few fresh characters to flesh out the world and the story.
Of those new characters, Cillian Murphy’s Emmett was the most praised, offering another perspective from a parent who has lost everything. Sympathetic, yet hardened by the terrible experiences of his life, Emmett does everything he can to help Evelyn and her children reach safety.
Cillian Murphy in an all-black ensemble at the world premiere of A Quiet Place Part II held at the Rose Theatre at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on March 8, 2020 (Credit: Erik Nielsen / Media Punch / INSTARimages)
Funnily enough, Cillian Murphy was apparently a huge fan of the original movie and even wrote a congratulatory letter to John Krasinski, but he decided against sending it. We can only imagine how excited he was to work on the sequel when he landed the role.
3. Dunkirk (2017) – 92% Score
If there’s a distinguishable trend in Cillian Murphy’s filmography, it’s that he likes to work with Christopher Nolan and doesn’t mind dabbling in historical drama. Those two worlds collided with the release of Dunkirk, the 2017 war epic written and directed by Christopher Nolan and set during World War II.
Mark Rylance as Mr. Dawson and Cillian Murphy as Shivering Soldier in the 2017 historical war film Dunkirk (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Although split into several interconnected sequences, the movie primarily focuses on the trouble surrounding Dunkirk, a small commune located in the north of France. The film features a celebrated ensemble cast that includes Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Barry Keoghan, and more.
In an interesting change of pace, Cillian Murphy doesn’t appear as a hero or a villain, but rather as a cowardly unnamed man only known as the “Shivering Soldier.”
Tom Glynn-Carney as Peter and Cillian Murphy as Shivering Soldier in the 2017 historical war film Dunkirk (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
During the film’s “middle” section, a group of civilian boat captains head to sea on a rescue mission and encounter Cillian’s character freezing in the water. Refusing to return to battle, the Shivering Soldier’s fear results in more violence.
Despite his character lacking a proper name, Cillian gives it his all in the role, which is easily one of the standout performances among the highly talented cast.
2. Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022) – 93% Score
Created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders is a crime drama set in Birmingham, England during the post-war 1920s. The show follows the exploits of the eponymous “Peaky Blinders” gang, shepherded by their fearless and always-smoking leader, Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy). Across the show’s six seasons, the gang put a stranglehold on their local territory and attempt to expand their reach, becoming international villains with tremendous power.
Promotional shot for Peaky Blinders featuring Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby (Credit: BBC Studios)
Although Cillian Murphy most commonly appears in blockbuster movies, Peaky Blinders was largely responsible for the actor’s success in becoming a household name. Appearing ever-dapper and fiercely masculine at 36 years old, his portrayal of Thomas Shelby has granted Cillian a mysterious image of well-dressed danger. It’s well-earned, too, as the actor showed incredible dedication while filming the show.
According to the series creator, Cillian Murphy smoked nearly 3,000 herbal cigarettes while portraying Thomas Shelby during the first two seasons alone, which is roughly 150 packs.
Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby in the British period crime drama television series Peaky Blinders (Credit: BBC Studios)
1. The Dark Knight (2008) – 94% Score
Co-written and directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight is a superhero sequel that needs little introduction. Breaking into the top 5 highest-grossing films of all time and as the recipient of five Academy Award nominations, this Batman follow-up broke box office records left and right, leaving audiences and critics stunned.
The film largely focuses on Batman (Christian Bale) as he tries to stop the demented clown supervillain Joker (Heath Ledger) from destroying Gotham City.
Heath Ledger as Joker in the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
While Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, and many of the other cast members have been widely celebrated for their roles, Cillian Murphy also made some major waves despite his brief screen time.
In The Dark Knight, Cillian returns as Dr. Crane/Scarecrow and tries to beat the caped crusader one last time. Although brief, Cillian’s scene is the first time an actor has reprised a role as a Batman villain in the entire film franchise.
Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)