Image credit: Warner Bros., Miramax, The Weinstein Company, Amazon Studios, Magnolia Pictures, SPE, Annapurna Pictures, See-Saw Films
He's done everything from playing an introverted writer to a relentless emperor. But not all of his roles get the attention they deserve.
10. The Immigrant (2013) Back in the 1920s, the world seemed so much bigger. You have Ewa, a Polish immigrant, played by Marion Cotillard, arriving at Ellis Island with her sick sister. And then here comes Phoenix as Bruno Weiss, a burlesque manager with (you guessed it) questionable morals.
Ewa gets tangled in a world of entertainment and darkness. He offers her a gig, and she's drawn into the underbelly of NYC. However, with the promise of her sister's release from the Island's infirmary, Ewa remains entangled in Bruno's web.
9. You Were Never Really Here (2017) Joe's the man in this one—ex-military, trauma-ridden, and now working to rescue trafficked girls. His method? A hammer. The movie's rhythm is a lot like that—a pounding beat of violence, punctuated by stillness.
He gets a task to save a senator's daughter, but as he delves deeper, the waters get murkier. Conspiracy? Betrayal? It's all in there. As for Phoenix's Joe, well, you've never really seen someone quite like him.
8. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) The name's Callahan. John Callahan. After a car accident lands him in a wheelchair, this guy turns to drawing as therapy. And guess what? He's darn good at it.
But it's not all fun and doodles. John grapples with alcoholism, joining a support group led by (wait for it)… Donnie, played by our man Phoenix. It's a tale of addiction, recovery, and self-rediscovery. Who said that the path to redemption was straight and narrow?
7. Inherent Vice (2014) Joaquin's on the scene as Doc Sportello, a private investigator in the psychedelic 70s. A visit from an ex-flame sends him on a wild goose chase involving real estate tycoons, neo-Nazis, and uh, dentists? Every clue unravels a new conspiracy, and just when you think you've got it figured out, bam! Another curveball.
6. Two Lovers (2008) Brooklyn's the setting, and love's the game. Leonard, played by Phoenix, is torn between two women. On one hand, there's Sandra, the lovely and safe choice, introduced by his parents. On the other, there's Michelle, the charismatic neighbor with whom he forms an intense bond.
She's tied to another man, he's recovering from a broken engagement, and amidst the city lights and narrow alleys, their stories intertwine.
5. The Sisters Brothers (2018) Welcome to the wild, wild West! Ever heard of the Sisters brothers? That's right, they're not sisters; they're brothers. Charlie and Eli, guns for hire. Their newest gig? Hunting down a chemist who's got a formula for spotting gold.
As they trail their target across Oregon, the brothers find themselves questioning their choices. Shootouts, horse chases, gold rushes—it's the classic Western with a twist.
4. Mary Magdalene (2018) Ancient Judea, sandals, and biblical tales—Phoenix slips into the sandals of none other than Jesus Christ. Mary, played by Rooney Mara, is a woman misunderstood and out of place in her traditional society.
She encounters Jesus, and her life changes. Through her eyes, we witness miracles, teachings, and, eventually, the crucifixion. It's less about divine rights and more about human connections.
3. We Own the Night (2007) Flashy clubs, neon lights, and the roar of the 1980s—it's the NYPD versus the Russian mafia. At the center of it all is club manager Bobby Green (Phoenix), who prefers to remain neutral. But when his cop brother and father are targeted by the mob, Bobby has to pick a side.
Loyalties are tested, bullets fly, and familial ties are stretched thin. Crime, drama, and a dab of suspense—who could ask for more?
2. To Die For (1995) Turn on the spotlight; it's time for Suzanne Stone! This ambitious weather reporter, played by Nicole Kidman, wants to hit the big time. And what's standing in her way? Her husband.
Enter Phoenix as Jimmy, a teenager who gets entangled in Suzanne's web. She manipulates him and his friends into a plot to get rid of her hubby.
1. The Yards (2000) Railroads, corruption, and the shady underbelly of New York's Queens borough—The Yards is a tale of crime, family, and betrayal. Joaquin plays Willie, cousin to Mark Wahlberg's Leo.
Fresh out of prison, Leo wants to walk the straight and narrow. But when he gets sucked back into the world of railway corruption and sabotage, family loyalties are tested
