English thespian Ralph Fiennes is one of the best actors in modern cinema. While perhaps most famous for his villainous roles as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise and Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, he has navigated through myriad characters and genres throughout his career. His authenticity and versatility as a performer have remained untouched. If there’s an actor that filmmakers can always rely on, it’s Ralph Fiennes.
Naturally, as Fiennes’ latest film Conclave is getting rave reviews (including for Fiennes as Best Actor), we went through the actor’s catalog of his best features. We invite you to take a look at Ralph Fiennes’ best films as the hype grows for what could be the film that lands him an Academy Award after three nominations.
The Menu
- Release Date
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November 18, 2022
- Runtime
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106 minutes
- Director
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Mark Mylod
- Writers
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Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
In The Menu, one of the world’s most famous chefs, Julian Slowik, invites a select group of people to a remote island where he will serve a specially designed menu. The problem is that Slowik’s preparations are, literally, to die for.
A Man Who Was Only Passionate About Food
In one of the finest dark comedies in recent years, Fiennes gives life to an unforgiving genius whose only goal was to teach the world a valuable lesson. Slowik is an unpredictable monster that represents the answer to gastronomy’s toxic environment. And he answers with a few fascinating kills that’ll make you think before leaving a bad restaurant review.
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‘Red Dragon’ (2002)
Red Dragon tells the story of a retired FBI agent who’s convinced to come back to the force because he can help them catch a serial killer known as the “Tooth Fairy.” For this he will have to confront a very special psychologist and the man who tried to eat him, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Standing Against Hannibal Lecter
We don’t give Red Dragon enough credit because it’s a fairly inferior entry to The Silence of the Lambs. Nevertheless, Fiennes’ interpretation of Francis Dolarhyde, aka the Tooth Fairy, is a superb portrayal of a sick man who’s seemingly unable to stop killing. This is one of Fiennes’ most underrated roles.
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‘The Constant Gardener’ (2005)
The Constant Gardener tells the story of Justin Quayle, a diplomat whose wife dies under mysterious circumstances. Quayle does some digging and finds that Tessa may have been the victim of a conspiracy related to a very powerful and dangerous drug trial.
One of Fiennes’ Most Underrated Features
Fiennes’ Quayle is sadly overshadowed by Rachel Weisz’s Academy Award-winning performance. However, the actor’s grounded portrayal of a grieving man is spotless. The Constant Gardener is a very underrated adaptation of John le Carré’s novel, and one of Fiennes’ unseen gems.
9
‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Schindler’s List takes viewers to Europe during World War II as Hitler starts the Nazi holocaust. Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party, realizes the terror of the Third Reich and instantly begins recruiting members of the Jewish community from concentration camps in order to save them from impending extermination.
One of Steven Spielberg’s Best Villains
Fiennes as Amon Göth is the best villain in Spielberg’s filmography, and undoubtedly, one of the actor’s finest performances. Göth’s sadistic nature is perfectly accomplished by a young Fiennes whose only goal was to embody the devil in a Nazi uniform. It was a performance so remarkable that it landed the actor a nomination for Best Supporting Actor (the year of Tommy Lee Jones’ controversial win for The Fugitive).
8
‘Quiz Show’ (1994)
Quiz Show follows the true story of Charles Van Doren, a game show contestant who rises to prominence when he unexpectedly wins against Herb Stempel, a player who’s clearly wiser. It doesn’t take long for a Congressional attorney to start digging and what he finds is a network indulging in game-fixing for profit.
An Incredible True Story
One of Fiennes’ best movies is also one of the few that many people haven’t seen. Robert Redford’s riveting drama is based on the scandals involving a 1950s game show, and while most critics loved it (97% score on Rotten Tomatoes), its performance at the box office wasn’t as good.
7
‘Skyfall’ (2012)
In Skyfall, the MI6 secret spy James Bond faces a ruthless supervillain, who seems to know a lot about M, the service chief Bond is extremely loyal to. Another agent, Gareth Mallory, could replace her, as she’s accused of failing to do what’s best for the agency, but being terminated from MI6 isn’t her only issue.
Bond’s Best Modern Film
Not only is Skyfall the best James Bond film in modern times, it actually tops classics like Goldfinger. Fiennes is not as prominent in the film, but he’s part of the supporting cast that makes Skyfall one of the most compelling entries in the Bond-verse. The end is heartbreaking and something you’re not ready for.
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6
‘The Reader’ (2008)
The Reader follows Michael Berg, a German lawyer who reminisces about the time when he was a teenage boy, and he fell in love with the much older Hanna. Years later, he sees Hanna is standing trial for being a Nazi, but she’s hiding a secret that could set her free.
The One That Received Hate
The Reader is a very compelling and misunderstood movie. It stars Fiennes alongside Kate Winslet, who won an Academy Award for her performance in the film. Unfortunately, the film was accused of Holocaust revisionism, and of portraying a very controversial sexual relationship. Nevertheless, it is actually an excellent feature film.
5
‘Strange Days’ (1995)
In Strange Days, a future society has come up with a device that can record memories and can make other people feel that memory. Fiennes plays Lenny Nero, a former police officer turned black marketer who unravels a conspiracy involving his ex-girlfriend and the entire LAPD.
An Excellent Cyberpunk Film
We dare you to find a sci-fi film as underrated as Strange Days. Kathryn Bigelow delivers a futuristic thriller with incredible performances and a mind-bending plot that’ll actually make you think. Unfortunately, the film bombed at the box office, and it buried Bigelow’s career during the 1990s.
4
‘The English Patient’ (1996)
The English Patient
- Release Date
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December 6, 1996
- Runtime
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162 Minutes
- Director
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Anthony Minghella
- Writers
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Michael Ondaatje, Anthony Minghella
The English Patient tells the story of a British nurse who starts taking care of a disfigured man who has no recollection of who he is. Eventually, she learns of his past, and viewers are treated to the true story of László Almásy, an important historical figure of the mid-20th century.
No One Can Deny the Value of This One
Even if not many remember seeing it (or like to say they do), this is a very good movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. The English Patient is a fairly controversial Best Picture Oscar winner of the 1990s because, as time passed, everyone began expressing their disregard for it. Trust us on this one: it’s a superb drama that deserves a rewatch. You can stream The English Patient on Paramount+.
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‘Spider’ (2002)
Spider
- Release Date
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November 6, 2002
- Runtime
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98 minutes
- Writers
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Patrick McGrath
- Producers
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Catherine Bailey, Charles Finch, Hannah Leader, Jane Barclay, Luc Roeg, Martin Katz, Samuel Hadida, Sharon Harel-Cohen, Simon Franks, Victor Hadida
One of Fiennes’ most underrated films is also one of David Cronenberg’s. Spider is an unsettling, quiet masterpiece that has slid under the radar but deserves a reappraisal. The film follows the shy, titular character Dennis (nicknamed ‘Spider’) who has been released from a mental institution despite his ongoing schizophrenia. At his new halfway house, he bgins to confuse his dark, present reality with his tramatic past.
2
A Haunting Portrayal of Schizophrenia
Alongside Clean, Shaven, Spider is one of the greatest depictions of schizophrenia on film. The fragmented and foreboding style of the film absolutely helps, but it’s Fiennes’ ingenious performance that takes viewers inside the world of a tortured man in a sick society. Spider is available to rent or buy on Apple TV or Prime Video.
1
‘Conclave’ (2024)
2024’s mystery drama Conclave sees Cardinal Thomas Lawrence as he leads a team in charge of electing a new pope. The problem is that Lawrence starts to do some digging into the backgrounds of the different candidates, and what he finds isn’t exactly pretty.
The One That Could Land Him the Win
Given that the film is relatively new, we won’t spoil the ending. You must only know that Fiennes’ portrayal of the religious leader is his best in recent years. It’s still too early to announce it, but the odds are in Fiennes’ favor this upcoming award season. Conclave is streaming on Peacock and available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and other platforms.
