Top 10 Coolest Things About Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy has built a career that blends sharp choices with sustained collaboration, moving seamlessly between independent films, prestige TV, and studio blockbusters. He’s worked with some of the most celebrated directors around, often returning for multiple projects that showcase different sides of his range. From breakout horror to historical epics and complex thrillers, his roles tend to anchor ambitious storytelling. Here are ten stand-out milestones—focused on the work itself—that show why he’s such a compelling screen presence.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) – the transformative lead performance that won major awards

Murphy portrays J. Robert Oppenheimer, carrying a dialogue-dense biographical drama almost entirely on his shoulders. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role, marking a career-defining achievement. The film was written and directed by Christopher Nolan and adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography ‘American Prometheus’. Its theatrical release became a global box-office phenomenon and reaffirmed large-format cinema as central to the movie’s impact.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022) – the long-running series that made him a global TV lead

As Thomas Shelby, Murphy headlined six seasons of the BBC/Netflix crime saga created by Steven Knight. He received top-tier awards recognition for the role, including a BAFTA Television nomination for Leading Actor. The series expanded internationally via streaming, bringing its stylized period world and Murphy’s performance to a massive audience. A follow-up film has been publicly discussed by the creators, underscoring the franchise’s continued momentum.

’28 Days Later’ (2002) – the breakout that reinvented zombie-horror for a new era

Under director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, Murphy starred as Jim, awakening in a deserted London after a viral catastrophe. The production famously filmed early-morning city sequences to capture empty streets, creating an unforgettable opening. Its critical and commercial success revitalized interest in fast-moving infected antagonists across genre cinema. The film’s popularity significantly raised Murphy’s international profile.

‘Inception’ (2010) – the ensemble sci-fi heist that deepened a key collaboration

Murphy plays Robert Fischer, the heir whose subconscious becomes the stage for a multilayered heist. The film combined practical effects with complex narrative structures and won multiple Academy Awards in technical categories. Its worldwide box-office success cemented Nolan’s recurring ensemble, with Murphy returning to work with the director many times. The performance added a grounded emotional thread to a high-concept thriller.

‘Batman Begins’ (2005) – the audition that led to an unforgettable villain across a trilogy

Murphy originally screen-tested for Bruce Wayne before being cast as Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as Scarecrow. He reprised Crane in subsequent entries of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, creating connective tissue across the series. The role showcased his ability to deliver intelligence and menace without heavy prosthetics or CGI. His participation helped define the grounded, psychological tone of the rebooted franchise.

‘Dunkirk’ (2017) – the war epic that prioritized realism and tension

In Nolan’s depiction of the Allied evacuation, Murphy appears as a traumatized survivor whose condition reflects the human cost of the operation. The film emphasized practical effects, large-format cinematography, and minimal dialogue to convey scale and urgency. It earned multiple Oscars in editing and sound, disciplines crucial to its immersive design. Murphy’s work fits into an interlocking structure that cross-cuts land, sea, and air timelines.

‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (2021) – the high-pressure thriller that expanded a hit franchise

Murphy joined Emily Blunt under writer-director John Krasinski, playing Emmett, a hardened survivor whose choices drive key plot turns. The production was completed before a wide theatrical rollout that became a benchmark for post-shutdown moviegoing. Extensive location work in upstate New York and detailed sound design were central to its suspense. Murphy’s addition broadened the series’ world-building beyond the original family.

‘Breakfast on Pluto’ (2005) – the awards-recognized lead in a Neil Jordan dramedy

Murphy stars as Patrick “Kitten” Braden, a transgender woman searching for identity and belonging across Ireland and the UK. The performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Neil Jordan’s film adapts Patrick McCabe’s novel, blending period detail with music-driven storytelling. It demonstrated Murphy’s commitment to character-driven roles outside mainstream genre work.

‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ (2006) – the Cannes-winning Irish historical drama

Murphy leads Ken Loach’s depiction of the Irish War of Independence and ensuing civil conflict. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, one of cinema’s highest honors. Shot on location with naturalistic direction, it emphasizes authenticity in dialect and period detail. Murphy’s role anchors a narrative about resistance, loyalty, and the cost of political upheaval.

‘Sunshine’ (2007) – the cerebral sci-fi that paired him with physicists behind the scenes

Reuniting with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, Murphy plays the physicist aboard a mission to reignite the sun. To prepare, he consulted with scientists—including physicist Brian Cox—on mannerisms and technical accuracy. The production combined studio work with practical sets that emphasized claustrophobic realism. The film has since become a reference point for science-forward space dramas.

Share your favorite Cillian Murphy moment in the comments and tell us which role you’d add to this list!