IfJake Gyllenhaalhad to be described using just one word, that word would be underrated. Since the ’90s, Gyllenhaal has consistently churned out many great performances after making his big-screen debut with the 1991 comedyCity Slickers.
With films such asNightcrawler, Enemy,andBrokeback Mountainunder his belt, it comes as a bit of a surprise that Gyllenhaal only has one Oscar nomination to his name. Despite the lack of acknowledgment from the Academy’s side, Gyllenhaal has continued to charm and entertain fans and critics with his choice of films and his immense range of versatility in them. Here are some of his best movies, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10The Sisters Brothers (2018) - 87%
Set against the backdrop of the Gold Rush,The Sisters Brothersfollows two brothers Eli (John C. Reilly) and Charlie (Joaquin Phoenix), who are hired to assassinate a chemist. As the brothers make their way into the Northwest, they come face-to-face with the dangers of the land and seek out Detective John Morris’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) help to track down the chemist.
The Sisters Brothersstarts out as a very black-and-white film in terms of the moral fabric of the characters before infusing them with complexities and shades of gray, making it a meditation onthe act of violence and the motivation behind it.
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9Donnie Darko (2001) - 87%
Donnie Darkowas one of the early films that really put the spotlight on Gyllenhaal. A haunting film that takes the audience down an absurd rabbit hole,Donnie Darkois basedon a strange subject, made even stranger and more impactful by Gyllenhaal’s eerie performance. A cross between a psychological thriller and a sci-fi film, the film touches on various subjects, from hallucinations to the existence of alternate universes, and does so in a dark and twisted way.
8Brokeback Mountain (2005) - 88%
Ang Lee’sBrokeback Mountainrevolves around the delicate, star-crossedlove story of two cowboysliving on a ranch. Owing to the nature of the film, many lead actors like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio were offered the film before Gyllenhaal and Ledger, but they opted out of the project due to its sensitive subject.
Apart from doing wonders at the box office,Brokeback Mountainwon three Academy Awards (Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score) out of eight nominations. The film also serves as the only Oscar nomination ever received by Jake Gyllenhaal.
7Zodiac (2007) - 90%
Based on the decades-long investigation into the Zodiac Killer, David Fincher’s film is scarily accurate and taut, as it was adapted from Robert Graysmith’s novels. Having worked the case extensively for years, Graysmith’s source material includes small yet impactful details which are present and reflected in Fincher’s film.
Gyllenhaal plays the role of Graysmith, who was working as a political cartoonist at the time and became obsessed with the Zodiac killer’s messages and murders. A cult-classic thriller that’s as unsettling as it is entertaining,Zodiacshould be on everyone’s watch list, regardless of their affinity to the genre.
Related:Every David Fincher Movie, Ranked
6Stronger (2017) - 90%
While he’s cheering for his girlfriend as she runs in the Boston Marathon, Jeff (Jake Gyllenhaal) is knocked unconscious by a bomb. When he wakes up, he’s in a hospital and is told that he’ll have to get both his legs amputated. As Jeff comes to terms with the trauma of the blast, he also digs deep to describe the suspect of the blast,forcing himself to relive the trauma again and again. Based on the unbelievable true story of Jeff Bauman,Strongerpaints a hopeful picture of the spirit of humanity in its darkest hours.
5Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) - 90%
The final film in the phase three of the MCU, and Gyllenhaal’s first appearance in the franchise, the film sees Gyllenhaal play the role of Mysterio in it. Despite being a bit overwhelmed on the first day of the shoot, Gyllenhaal grew into the role and blossomed into one of the most complex and layered villains in the MCU.
Related:Best MCU Villains from Phase 4, Ranked
4October Sky (1999) - 91%
October Skywas one of Gyllenhaal’s first major roles. Based on true events, the filmis a moving tale of a young man, Homer Hickam (Gyllenhaal), who braves society and his surroundings to pursue his dream of building rockets after being inspired by the first Russian satellite launch.
Much like Hickam,October Skyalso marks an impressive breakout role for Gyllenhaal, as he rose to the opportunity and proved his potential as a leading man.
3Source Code (2011) - 92%
Duncan Jones’sSource Codeis a hybrid cross betweena time loop filmand a sci-fi thriller. The film stars Gyllenhaal as a soldier who’s sent back in time to relive a train bombing, again and again, to identify the bomber and stop him. Jones’ high-concept film provides a fresh take on the genre, intricately mixing elements of action and sci-fi, producing a crowd-pleasing hit that has people still talking about its ending.
2Wildlife (2018) - 94%
Wildlifeis an extremely underrated film that fires on all cylinders, from performance to writing to direction. Directed by Paul Dano and co-produced by Gyllenhaal and Dano,Wildlifeis a touching piece of cinema that exploresthe trials and tribulations of marriageand the loss of individuality it causes on some occasions. Paul Dano’s directorial debut is a tender, gorgeous, and melancholic experience that leaves its mark on the viewer long after the credits have rolled.
1Nightcrawler (2014) - 95%
WithNightcrawler,Gyllenhaal had his Christian Bale moment, completely transforming himself physically for the part. In one of his best performances, Gyllenhaal seeps into the character of Lou Bloom, a desperate journalist who goes to hideous heights to be the first person to break the news, and does so without remorse, regret, or respect for society.
A Neo-noir cult classic,Nightcrawleris a testament to Gyllenhaal’s immense range and versatility, ashe plays Lou with a creepy aurathat has an impending sense of evil lurking underneath it.
