Colin Farrell’s career has followed a very interesting path. The actor has become a critical darling over recent years. It is a significant change following an early career as a bad boy in the industry. Films like Daredevil promised a particular kind of actor that studios could easily sell to audiences. 2008 is the year that changed everything for the actor professionally and personally, thanks to director Martin McDonagh. Their first collaboration In Bruges launched his career in an entirely different direction.
Farrell’s career has morphed into one of attending film festivals and receiving standing ovations for acclaimed work. Not all of his later career decisions have been winners, but they show commitment to keeping viewers surprised. His successes stem from filmmakers who see his true acting ability. Once Farrell picked roles that played to his strengths, a different kind of actor was born. Instead of a Hollywood heartthrob, he became someone that could be taken seriously. McDonagh’s direction and screenplay showed his talents in a new light.
Colin Farrell Plays to His Strengths
New Line Cinema
There has been considerable maturity on and off-screen showcasing his acting ability. Each role has been chosen carefully, focusing on indie titles. It was in the following years that Farrell was consistently working. In Bruges reminded audiences and critics that he could be more than a heartthrob. 2009’s Jeff Bridges film Crazy Heart showed that Farrell could be incredibly subtle. This also showed the dramatic heft that he was capable of and what audiences did not expect.
2011’s comedy Horrible Bosses allowed Farrell to dig into a more comedic side of himself. Playing the character of a cocaine-addicted boss saw him play with broad comedic elements. Besides a balding cap and fat suit, the performance was like watching an entirely different performer. The film was met with a mixed reception, but there was a common love for his performance. Audiences enjoyed seeing Farrell being funny, and it seems he enjoyed it. A year later, another funny opportunity came knocking at his door.
Seven Psychopaths allowed Farrell to go back to the filmmaker that started his resurgence, Martin McDonagh. He plays a struggling screenwriter who inadvertently gets involved in a dog kidnapping plot. The disheartened and disheveled character was a perfect counterbalance for In Bruges. Seven Psychopaths gave him a chance to be someone unsure of his abilities. It was a role that offered Farrell the opportunity to play against the “handsome leading man” persona. Years followed with a focus on many kinds of roles in a variety of projects. Now, he has found a balance between blockbusters and independent films.
Recent years have given Farrell a chance to deliver in all kinds of roles. These could be smaller indie films like The Lobster or blockbusters like The Batman. As the classic villain, The Penguin, he delivers a nuanced take on an over-the-top comic role. Buried under effective prosthetics, he is unrecognizable. Being unrecognizable was never the intention, but it added to the character’s twisted ego. A varied range of roles suggests a bright future for the underrated star. He has finally been given the opportunity to deliver on audiences’ expectations.
The Future is Bright
Searchlight Pictures
The future of Colin Farrell’s career is ripe with cinematic opportunities. This year alone has shown the range he is capable of. Projects like The Batman were met with such praise that audiences wanted more. Now he has the chance to play The Penguin in a limited series format. Farrell told Collider that the first episode is “tasty and unusual,” explaining that this will be unexpected.
His current career path follows the classic trope of “expecting the unexpected.” If 2021 was any indication, audiences never know what he will do next. Farrell’s ambitious choices in 2022 show commitment to working with talent. Besides McDonagh, recent works have put him alongside director Ron Howard and Kogonada. Each of these directors shares a common thread in Farrell’s later career. Every role is designed to look past his “handsome leading man” looks.
His future as an actor is focused on roles that can show a full range of emotions. Besides a future like The Penguin, Farrell has other projects on the horizon. Reteaming with Rachel Weisz from The Lobster, the actor looks to go back to a television role. Farrell has managed to find a niche in more obscure projects. His career arc from “leading man” to “Indie film darling” shows a metamorphosis as a performer. Instead of focusing on high quantities of work, the focus is on quality.
Watching Colin Farrell’s career evolve over recent years has been a delight. Coming from rocky beginnings, his filmography has gone through vast changes. Early performances like Bullseye in Daredevil and Alexander promised a certain kind of actor. Those roles were tentpole projects limiting his true abilities. Working with directors like McDonagh and Yorgos Lanthimos expresses range in choosing projects. It is difficult to decipher what he will do next, but one thing can be proven. Colin Farrell is one of the most underrated actors working in the industry today.
