As one of the most popular and talented actors of his generation Jake Gyllenhaal carries a specific name value rivaled by very few of his contemporaries. He also seems to fall by the wayside at award ceremonies. Best Supporting Actor for Brokeback Mountain (2005) remains the only Oscar nomination of Gyllenhaal’s career, and when you see the sheer quality of the films that followed, you’ll be amazed that none of them have earned him more recognition.
He’s a really special talent, having worked with some of the best directors the industry has to offer. And sure, some of his more celebrated roles — or at least well-known roles — came in the 2000s, eh Donnie Darko (2001), the above Brokeback Mountain (2005) and David Finchers zodiac (2007). However, the last full decade in Hollywood history is perhaps the best that Gyllenhaal has to offer.
And while some of these films may feature better performances from Gyllenhaal than those that may be featured higher up, this list will stick to the quality of the projects themselves. All in all, these are the top ten Jake Gyllenhaal movies of the 2010s, ranked.
10 enemy
entertainment one
With Enemy (2013) Jake Gyllenhaal played two roles, two different characters: one named Adam Bell, the other named Anthony Clair. And that’s essentially the plot – at least on the surface. Two guys who are exactly the same physically, despite wildly different personalities and a lack of genetic correlations.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this underrated psychological drama nails it in every way imaginable – witty dialogue, calculated camerawork, gorgeous editing and heartfelt performances (particularly from Gyllenhaal and co-star Melanie Laurent). The film’s intriguing premise is far from the only facet worth noting, despite what the mediocre reception and lackluster box office numbers would imply.
9 The Sisters Brothers
mirror release
With Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly, The sisters brothers (2018) is a western based on the novel of the same name by Patrick deWitt. The plot follows two brother-sisters (Charlie, played by Phoenix, and Eli, played by Reilly) as assassins hunting two guys (played by Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed) during the California Gold Rush.
He tries recklessly at times to mix comedy with poignant moments, but his two pairs of actors still manage to carry the film on horseback in an entertaining way. And although the film dares others in tone and falls a bit short, the occasional break with genre conventions leads to a wild, wild journey through the West.
8 Okay
Plan B entertainment
South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho’s science fantasy adventure film follows the adventures of a young girl who raises a giant genetically engineered pig. It’s an absurd premise, but if you know anything about the director’s filmography, you’ll be intrigued nonetheless.
In this Netflix original production called OK yes (2017), Jake Gyllenhaal (as a supporting character) appeared with a particular extravagance that quite polarized critics. But again, this list ranks the films themselves, not Gyllenhaal’s performance. And ultimately, OK yes may not be among Bong Joon-ho’s or the American actor’s best, but it’s still a solid project, coming in at number six here.
Related: 12 Best Original Netflix Movies, Ranked
7 Spider-Man: Far From Home
Released by Sony Pictures
Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this web-slinging sequel could likely rank higher on several fans’ lists. However, it doesn’t quite live up to the timelessness of other superhero films from the era. Everyone plays well, from Tom Holland as Spider-Man to Zendaya as Mary Jane Watson. And of course Jake Gyllenhaal – here he plays Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio.
Mysterio, one of Peter Parker’s most famous adversaries, was portrayed almost perfectly by Gyllenhaal. To be honest, it was a highlight of the film, since nothing particularly stands out Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) from a narrative perspective. It’s an average, high-quality MCU film, and for that, it comes in at number seven.
6 Stronger
Lionsgate Movies
This is one of those dramas that tugs at your heart in consistently unexpected ways due to its tandem focus on comedy, though this pairing can lead to harrowing edits from time to time. And considering its storyline, you wouldn’t exactly expect it to result in a matchup from heaven. But for the most part, despite the film’s lack of continuity, it manages to have a fun dynamic. And that’s partly thanks to the work of director David Gordon Green, well known for his early comedy films Pineapple Express (2008) and his recent horror stints such as Halloween (2018).
Stronger (2017), however, focuses largely on emotional resonance. It follows the real-life story of Jeff Bauman, a man whose legs were lost in the Boston Marathon bombings, as he attempts to walk again while juggling the increasingly stressful dynamics of his personal life. His relationship with his family, his ex-girlfriend and even himself. It’s a really moving piece and Gyllenhaal plays it with absolute perfection.
Related: Best David Gordon Green Movies, Ranking
5 source code
summit entertainment
Although it brought in both money at the box office and awe from critics, Source code (2011) seems to have been increasingly underestimated over the years. Directed by Duncan Jones, the story follows US Army pilot Captain Colter Stevens (played by Gyllenhaal) who is tasked with a dangerous mission by Air Force Captain Colleen Goodwin (played by Vera Farmiga). After a train explosion, Jones is sent into a digital recreation of the incident to identify the terrorist who detonated the bomb.
It’s an intelligent and intriguing sci-fi flick that convinces with its premise alone, not to mention its gripping action sequences and alluring performances. And all these superlatives culminate in an exciting overall package with a science fiction backdrop. It is undoubtedly worth a watch.
4 wildlife
IFC films
Based on Richard Ford’s 1990 novel of the same name, this drama starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal marks the directorial debut of acclaimed American actor Paul Dano. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Zoe Kazan, and their efforts won over critics unlike few other films on this list.
It follows the characters of Mulligan and Gyllenhaal as their marriage falls apart amid an outbreak of wildfires near the border between Canada and their home state of Montana. Plus, her 14-year-old son is forced to cope with this sudden lifestyle change alongside his parents – a storyline that makes for great achievements across the board. While wildlife (2018) only grossed $4 million at the box office, there’s no denying its quality in the end.
3 end of watch
Open Street Movies
Written and directed by David Ayer, this cop action thriller stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two Los Angeles cops working in South Central. And what’s worth noting right off the bat here is that on its surface, end of the watch (2013) has many tendencies of a buddy cop film. The two leads share brilliant chemistry with witty back-and-forth dialogue, and their performances are spot on.
But the overall package also included brilliant documentary-style camerawork that produced a level of realism that few films have since reproduced. For all of these reasons and more, it’s absolutely captivating from start to finish. Definitely worth a visit if you haven’t already.
2 night owls
Open Street Movies
Sure, while this might be his best performance of the decade, that doesn’t necessarily make it the highest-quality film. But that said: Moth (2014) comes in second, so it feels a bit redundant to throw out a genuine critique with endless superlatives. After all, the film has a whopping 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and made decent money when it came to ticket sales.
Perhaps the biggest story here is that Gyllenhaal has been nominated for best actor at all but the most important awards ceremony: the Oscars. Writer-director Dan Gilroy, however, received acclaim for his screenplay at the Academy Awards, and while it fell short, his tale of a stringer (Gyllenhaal starring) who sells violent footage to a local news station deserves unending praise. Now and for many decades to come.
1 prisoner
Warner Bros. Pictures
Released the same year and by the same director as Enemy, Denis Villeneuve has teamed up once again with Gyllenhaal for what may be their biggest project to date. He appears here in prisoners (2013) as Detective Loki, who has never failed a case and is currently leading the search for two missing girls. And sure, there’s a simple argument that Jake performed the better Moth.
But make no mistake: his mannerisms, his verbal tics, his stone-cold demeanor that suddenly switches to playing out the emotions his current suspect is exuding — all of these tendencies helped propel this intense psychological thriller along with other performances of the A class. The ensemble cast alone is impressive: Hugh Jackman, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo and Paul Dano. And the many twists and turns of the plot will have you speculating the meaning of it every month, let alone a second, after a first viewing.
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