5 Best Sam Neill Movies That Prove He Was the Heart & Soul of Every Film He Graced

On July 13, the world said goodbye to Sam Neill, an actor who didn't need an Oscar to remain in audiences' hearts. He played professors, maniacs, heroes, and antiheroes with equal conviction and was equally at home in indie dramas and large-scale blockbusters.

We've compiled a list of five movies that best showcase his remarkable range and prove that he was a rare artist who could elevate any film simply by being in it.

1. 'The Piano', 1993

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

In the same year that Jurassic Park was released, another film starring Sam Neill came out that was completely different in scope and tone: Jane Campion's The Piano, which depicts the lives of settlers in New Zealand. The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and subsequently received eight Oscar nominations, winning three.

Neill assumed he would be offered the more flexible and familiar role of George, a sullen recluse who develops a strange love for a woman arriving from Scotland, but the role ultimately went to Harvey Keitel.

Campion envisioned Neill as a cold man Alisdair who, having married for convenience, is completely unable to connect with his wife, who has lost the ability to speak.

2. 'Event Horizon', 1997

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36%

In the near future, the crew of a ship on a rescue mission faces a variety of cosmic threats. Sam Neill plays Dr. Weir, a scientist who seems trustworthy to the viewers but gradually descends into madness.

The movie failed to recoup its production costs at the box office and received mixed reviews. However, as often happens, it acquired cult status as an underrated sci-fi gem after its VHS release, thanks in no small part to Sam Neill's performance.

3. 'Possession', 1981

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Despite Isabelle Adjani winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Andrzej Żuławski's Possession, the film remained largely overlooked until today. In the 1980s, it was banned in the UK and heavily censored in the US.

It was only after the release of a restored version that Possession gained a large following worldwide and, more recently, inspired a Hollywood remake. Regardless of its production and release history, Żuławski's horror about codependent relationships is a must-see for fans of Neill's work.

A spy named Mark, returns home after a lengthy assignment to discover that his wife, Anna, is cheating on him and wants a divorce.

After meeting her lover, Mark hires a private detective to monitor his wife's every move. Over time, Anna's actions become increasingly mysterious, and her behavior becomes more withdrawn and aggressive.

4. 'My Brilliant Career', 1979

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

My Brilliant Career, the directorial debut of Gillian Armstrong, was one of the first movies of the new wave of Australian cinema to gain international acclaim. The film's sudden popularity also boosted Neill's acting career.

Set in late 19th-century Australia, My Brilliant Career tells the story of Sybylla, a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer, but those around her believe her future lies in a successful marriage.

When the charming, wealthy landowner Harry enters her life, Sybylla must choose between accepting the traditional role of wife and retaining control of her own life.

5. 'In the Mouth of Madness', 1994

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%

In the Mouth of Madness is the pinnacle of John Carpenter's later work. It was a box-office flop in its year of release, but subsequently gained cult status. Although it is not an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's work, the film directly borrows the aesthetics of his writing.

The plot revolves around insurance investigator John Trent, who searches for the missing horror writer Sutter Cane. Cane's books are extremely popular and seem to drive anyone who reads them crazy.

A publisher wants to acquire the manuscript of Cane's next book, and Trent and his editor, Linda, track the writer down in a small New England town. There, the plots of his supernatural novels seem to come to life.