Despite the fact that Killian Murphy began his career precisely with theatrical works and has a good track record, we will focus only on his activities in the cinema. The actor gained great fame after the release of the film "28 days later" - it was with this picture that his active employment on the big screen began. He played his first major role in the British mini-series "The Roads We Choose," directed by David Yates. In total, the actor took part in more than 50 films.
We suggest recalling the most interesting and most memorable films with Killian Murphy in the title role. His filmography is replete with a wide variety of genres: from melodramas and crime dramas to science fiction and military action films. Playing any role, whatever it may be, the actor each time manages to demonstrate first-class talent and a deep understanding of his character.
1. "On the Edge" (On the Edge, 2001)
Opens our movie list with Cillian Murphy starring the Irish drama "On the Edge". This picture was for the actor the first full-length work in which he managed to play the main protagonist.
After losing his father, 19-year-old Jonathan has a hard time. When he realizes that he is unlikely to be able to get out of severe depression, he decides to commit suicide. To do this, the guy accelerates his car and breaks off a high cliff, where he is surely expected to die. However, contrary to circumstances, Jonathan manages to survive. For attempting suicide, he is placed in a psychiatric hospital for several months. During his stay there, Jonathan suddenly comes to rather unexpected conclusions.
2. "28 Days Later" (28 Days Later ..., 2002)
The next movie is not only one of the best films starring Killian Murphy, but also one of the best works in the zombie horror genre. According to the plot, a terrible virus epidemic hit England, which infects people with a strange form of rabies. Soon, almost all residents turn into bloodthirsty and fast zombies who hunt for those who miraculously managed to stay alive.
The protagonist, a local guy named Jim, wakes up in the hospital 28 days after the outbreak. Puzzled by what is happening, he wanders through abandoned London in the hope of finding at least someone who could tell him what happened. Jim does not even suspect that from any moment he will face a real nightmare that will turn his whole life upside down.
3. "Breakfast on Pluto" (Breakfast on Pluto, 2005)
Quite an unusual comedy drama and one of Killian Murphy's most memorable starring roles. As a child, Patrick Braden understood that he was different from his peers: he loved spending his free time trying on women's dresses and applying makeup. And once Patrick raised a lesson about gender reassignment and this turned into a real disaster, which almost led to his shameful expulsion from school. Years passed and the hero grew into a young man, but he does not feel himself like that. Unable to fight the prejudices of a small Irish city, Patrick decides to move to London. Life in a large metropolis frees him from the fear of being himself. All Patrick wants is to find happiness and love, because he deserves it so much.
4. "The Wind That Shakes the Heather" (The Wind That Shakes the Barley, 2006)
One of the best roles of Killian Murphy, without a doubt, is the character Damien O'Donovan from the military drama "The Wind that Shakes Heather." The events of the picture take the viewer to the beginning of the 20th century, during the period of the struggle of Ireland for its independence. Everyone decides to oppose the British government - both a simple peasant and a noble gentleman. Damien, being a famous doctor, also decides to quit his career and join the rebellion. Together with him, his brother Teddy joins the fight. Together, the characters pass through fire and water, but everything changes when the island embraces a new difficult test - civil war. The brothers understand that they have yet another battle, but not shoulder to shoulder, but against each other.
5. The Hell (Sunshine, 2007)
A few years after the release of “28 Days Later,” Killian Murphy again has the opportunity to work with director Danny Boyle. “Hell” is a story about a small team of scientists who went on a space expedition to the fading sun. The purpose of the expedition is to deliver a powerful nuclear charge to a certain point, which, according to all estimates, should save the star from death. It turns out that mankind has already sent a ship called "Icarus-1" to the sun, but something went wrong and the connection with the first team broke.
The events of the film begin aboard Ikara-2, where the main characters are. The expedition is underway and it seems that this time luck will surely smile for humanity. However, unexpectedly, Ikar-2 begins to receive a stream of weak callsigns, which, as the team finds out, come from the missing Ikar-1. Heroes decide to make small changes to the established course in order to personally verify the discovered ship. Here is just the slightest mistake can be the beginning of a whole series of devastating consequences.
6. Sharp Visors (Peaky Blinders, 2013)
A fascinating series with starring Killian Murphy, which tells about everyday life in the criminal world of Birmingham after the war. Returning home, the Shelby brothers decide to organize their own gangster gang, later known as the "Sharp Visors". All the gang members chose Manchester style in their clothes and wore characteristic caps on their heads. The very name of the group came from the sharp blades that were sewn into the visors of these same caps.
Sharp Visors leader Thomas Shelby (Murphy) decides to attempt to legalize his business. At the same time, Inspector Chester Campbell intends to do everything in his power to clear the streets of Birmingham from crime. And first of all, he is going to do "Sharp Visors".
7. The Anthropoid (Anthropoid, 2016)
Another memorable major role in the filmography of Killian Murphy. The plot of the movie is based on the real story of the military operation of the same name, the purpose of which was to eliminate the ruthless politician Reinhard Heydrich. The power and unscrupulousness of this terrible man frightened even his own relatives. For its liquidation, a special operation was collected, which was called "Anthropoid". For its members, the elimination of Heydrich became a task of paramount importance. What is also important, the success of Anthropoid could have a positive effect on the mood of people and their faith in future victory. Two agents of the Czechoslovak resistance are sent to perform the operation, who have to do everything possible to rid the world of the third person of the Reich.
8. Dunkir (Dunkirk, 2017)
The latest to date is the work of the famous director Christopher Nolan and another worthy war film with Killian Murphy in the title role. Rather, in one of those, as in “Dunkirk” in the foreground plays a whole ensemble of talented and well-recognized actors. What is this movie about? About the miraculous salvation of more than three hundred thousand soldiers during the Dunker operation. The events of the film are presented in a slightly fragmented time period, but at the same time, they all somehow complement each other. The main story arc tells of British and Allied forces trying to evacuate from a beach surrounded by advancing enemy forces.