One of Hollywood’s greatest modern legends, Joaquin Phoenix has appeared in a slew of creative and critically successful films - for instance, he had lead roles in the blockbusters To Die For and Gladiator - and although his career might have progressed a little bit slower during this decade compared to previous ones, he still found time to appear in quite a few great films, stealing the spotlight with his sharp but transparent emotion and eager wittiness.
So today, we’re going to rank ten of the films he appeared in over the 2010s, according to IMDb’s user-based ratings system, to obtain a definitive understanding of his most stunning performances.
I’m Still Here (2010) - 6.2
In the 2010 mockumentary I’m Still Here, Phoenix plays a fictionalized version of himself who retires from his successful acting career to pursue his dream of becoming a hip hop legend. While the film is sometimes a bit confusing and awkward - especially when it shows us the more unbecoming aspects of Phoenix’s fictional life - even stranger is the fact the Joaquin Phoenix actually faked this persona, in real life, for nearly two years in order to create the film.
In the end, whether or not the satire on Hollywood’s handling of celebrities is your cup of tea, Joaquin Phoenix’s raw creative talent carries the production beyond its more messy-to-navigate elements.
The Immigrant (2013) - 6.6
The 2013 historical drama The Immigrant is almost perfectly suited for its leads, Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix, as the director of the film admitted he had written it for them specifically. It follows a nurse named Ewa (Cotillard) and her sister Magda, who have immigrated to the United States in the midst of the civil war occurring in Poland, their country of origin. After Magda is quarantined in New York City, however, the English-speaking Ewa accepts a proposition from Bruno, a Jewish pimp, to become a prostitute in order to make enough money to free her sister. The Immigrant was based on the lives of its director’s grandparents and thus was a very personal subject for him, so he handled the social commentary with care and produced a gripping, brilliant melodrama with some great performances.
Irrational Man (2015) - 6.6
The 2015 drama film Irrational Man tells the story of a depressed psychology professor (Joaquin Phoenix) who discovers for the first time a sense of purpose and meaning in his life - when he, in a bizarre and sudden display of vigilante justice, decides to kill the unethical Judge Spangler, a man he’s never met, after overhearing the plight of a woman who lost custody of her children because of the judge’s dishonorable actions. The film has some good moments, especially between Phoenix and his co-star, Emma Stone - and it also features some inspired direction from famed cineaste Woody Allen.
Inherent Vice (2014) - 6.7
The 2014 period drama Inherent Vice, based on a book of the same name, is a stoner-themed murder mystery following a hippie detective (Phoenix) who encounters some of the strangest and most dangerous figures in Los Angeles while investigating the disappearance of his former lover and her affluent boyfriend. Critics praised the film’s writing and performances, highlighting Phoenix’s in particular, and gave special attention to the film’s complex countercultural themes and specifically odd brand of humor, with several outlets naming it as one of 2014’s best films.
You Were Never Really Here (2017) - 6.8
Phoenix stars in the 2017 psychological thriller You Were Never Really Here, which takes a look into the disturbing and twisted world of human trafficking as it follows a hitman traumatized by childhood abuse who has made it his duty to discover and destroy traffickers. He faces his biggest challenge yet he’s hired by a state senator to find the man’s kidnapped daughter, coming in contact with forces more corrupted and unspeakable than any he’s encountered before. Critics pointed out that Phoenix delivered a realistic, personal performance (which he won the Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actor award for) and that the film’s combination of fast-paced thrills and complex witticisms render it a uniquely thought-provoking experience.
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018) - 6.9
The 2018 comedy-drama biopic Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot is based on the eponymous memoir by John Callahan, and follows the life of the quadriplegic cartoonist (portrayed by Phoenix), as he learns he can use controversial, even taboo humor as an outlet for his opinions and occasionally, his vents - conquering alcoholism and finding love in the midst of his sorrows. Despite occasionally confusing the viewers with somewhat mixed messages, the film highlights the highs and lows of life in a very relatable way, accentuated by Phoenix’s emotional performance.
The Sisters Brothers (2018) - 7.0
2018’s western film The Sisters Brothers follows the titular siblings, assassin duo Eli and Charlie Sisters (portrayed by John C. Reilly and Phoenix respectively) as their wealthy boss sends them to kill a man who has discovered a revolutionary method of finding gold - but in the spirit of a dark comedy, the Brothers run into a steady stream of ridiculously-executed difficulties along the way.
The film was praised for its steady mix of comedy and drama, as well as for the performances of the two leads - becoming the rare western that brings originality to the genre.
The Master (2012) - 7.2
Phoenix starred in the 2012 drama film The Master, as a World War II veteran who begins moving up the ranks in an underground religious movement that’s practices border on cultish. Both Phoenix and his co-star Amy Adams were heavily praised for their powerful, convincing performances - with Adams receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - and the film’s tone, cinematography, and score also resonated with critics, leading to this challenging pic being reviewed as one of Phoenix’s best.
Her (2013) - 8.0
Phoenix presented filmgoers with yet another vivid performance in the sci-fi drama Her, as a man who falls in love with a virtual assistant (similar to Siri), played by Scarlett Johanssen.
Critics loved the film, praising its wry humor, original concept, and actors - while audiences noted it explored themes of love and technology in a way similar to the massively successful TV anthology series Black Mirror. It was another hit for Phoenix, as well as being the first time he was widely recognized as one of the most talented and versatile actors in the business.
Joker (2019) - 8.7
The way Joaquin Phoenix revisualized a famed blackguard in his 2019 film Joker is probably what you clicked on this article hoping to see a reference to - it’s no secret that his groundbreaking portrayal of the DC villain has been revered by critics as genius and was one of the key factors that led to the film becoming a billion-dollar hit. In case you didn’t know, Joker takes a unique look into the backstory of one Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who becomes an anarchistic supervillain known as the Joker.
The film got a positive reaction from critics, but was even more well-received by audiences, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time and bolstering Phoenix’s reputation heading into the next decade.
