The success of Barry Keoghan movies has allowed his career to skyrocket in recent years. Keoghan started his career as a critically acclaimed young Irish actor working on movies in his home country. These movies picked up notice thanks to festival appearances and he soon branched out into the United States, where he was able to slowly start to show his worth by working alongside some acclaimed directors before eventually picking up roles in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Universe (DCU).
Since coming into Hollywood and hitting the mainstream, he has worked alongside directors like Christopher Nolan, David Lowery, and Martin McDonagh. He also gained a lot of attention from mainstream fans when he picked up a role in the MCU movie Eternals. While the movie was one of the MCU’s lower-rated releases and didn’t set the box office on fire, he could possibly return down the line as the Eternal hero Druig. He also had a minor role in the DCU movie The Batman, where he took on the role of Joker, the most infamous villain in that film’s world. However, the best Barry Keoghan movies don’t always deal with superheroes.
10 Eternals (2021)
While the movie was one of the MCU’s worst when it comes to critical reviews, there is also a lot to love about Eternals. The biggest of Barry Keoghan movies, Eternals was directed by Chloe Zhao, who created a beautiful and often meditative film in the world of superheroes. Keoghan played the Eternal Druig, a godlike being whose powers are to make anyone do what he tells them to. When he decides the world needs someone like him to stop them from destroying each other, he leaves the team and sets off to live on his own. Druig survived the movie, so he could be back when the Eternals return to the MCU.
9 The Batman (2022)
Keoghan took on the iconic role of Joker in a few scenes of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, setting him up for a potentially huge future in the franchise. While James Gunn has taken over the DCU with Peter Safran, Reeves’ Batman movies will remain on track for production in a separate universe that Gunn described as Elseworlds, which means outside the DCU continuity. With Joker showing up in The Batman. Keoghan could always return in the next movie, which will be a sequel to the critically acclaimed first installment.
8 Calm With Horses (2019)
A tense crime film, Calm with Horses, also known as The Shadow of Violence, is about a former boxer turned organized crime enforcer named Arm who is asked by the head of the family to kill someone. Barry Keoghan plays the role of Dymphna, a member of the crime family and friend of Arm. The character is complex but violent, and Keoghan’s often subtle portrayal of the figure grounds him in reality. He is intimidating but has deeper layers to him, which the actor communicates beautifully in this, one of the best Barry Keoghan movies.
7 American Animals (2018)
In American Animals, Barry Keoghan plays the role of Spencer Reinhard, a college student who, along with his friends, discovers that they can make a fortune by stealing rare books from their library. The film is based on a true story, and the heist they come up with would be almost impossible to pull off. Keoghan excellently plays the part of the struggling art student that does not think things through enough, making this ridiculous plan and execution of the crime feel as if the audience is watching the actual people who did it.
6 ’71 (2014)
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Set in Belfast, ’71 centers on a British soldier who has been separated from his unit in the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The story focuses on him trying to find a way back home, seeking the help of various groups nearby. Barry Keoghan plays Sean, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who is hesitant about the choices he is asked to make. Through Keoghan’s performance, the character’s inner conflict is evident, and he plays an important role as the story moves forward, making him integral in this, one of the best Barry Keoghan movies.
5 The Green Knight (2021)
The Green Knight is a film adapted from a fourteenth-century poem, which tells of Gawain, a knight of Camelot who tests his courage by taking a journey to almost certain doom. Plenty of Arthurian tales deserve the Green Knight treatment, and Barry Keoghan’s performance in The Green Knight helps to bring the world to life. While he does not take up an extensive amount of screen time, his character plays an important role in Gawain’s journey. As Scavenger, Keoghan displays his acting talents to make the character feel real, further immersing audiences into the fascinating world constructed in the film. The movie was met with widespread acclaim for nearly every aspect.
4 The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)
One of the most disturbing Barry Keoghan movies, The Killing of a Sacred Deer is about a terrible decision a father must make after a past transgression comes back to haunt him. Barry Keoghan plays the role of Martin Lang, the main source of conflict in the film. The character is mysterious and chilling, and Keoghan’s portrayal is a major reason why many audiences had such a terrifying experience. Keoghan’s range as an actor is on full display as Martin enacts his sense of justice upon this man. The movie was in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
3 Dunkirk (2017)
Widely considered to be one of the best Christopher Nolan and Barry Keoghan movies, Dunkirk is about the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk in France. A highly regarded movie, Dunkirk has an excellent cast that includes Barry Keoghan as George Mills, a boy who joins two others in their effort to assist soldiers off the beach. Though he does not speak extensively in the film, certain events surrounding George illustrate some of the horrors of the situation, and Keoghan does a fantastic job in the role he plays. The movie had eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
2 Chernobyl (2019)
While not technically one of the best Barry Keoghan movies, the critically acclaimed Chernobyl is one of the best HBO miniseries ever made. It revolves around the disaster that occurred at the titular nuclear power plant, as well as the actions and inaction taken by authorities in the aftermath. Keoghan portrays Pavel Gremov, a liquidator draftee who has been brought in to assist in the cleanup operation. From the exceptional performance given by Keoghan, it is clear that Pavel feels in over his head in the chaotic environment surrounding the disaster. The ministries picked up 19 Emmy nominations, winning three of them.
1 The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022)
Nominated for Best Picture, The Banshees of Inisherin was one of the best critically acclaimed Barry Keoghan movies and picked up a lot of attention during awards season. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the movie is about two lifelong fans who find themselves at a standstill when one of them decides to end their friendship. Kroghan plays Dominic, a young man whose father abuses him. The movie received exemplary reviews, sitting at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also a hit during awards season, picking up eight nominations. While it didn’t win an Oscar, it was Barry Keoghan‘s first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.