'The Penguin' and 4 Other Best Criminal Dramas Starring Colin Farrell, Ranked by IMDb
These projects prove that Colin Farrell is one of the best actors of his generation.
Colin Farrell is a versatile actor who can play a romantic hero or a supervillain, but he is especially convincing in crime dramas.
Farrell has a special gift – he makes criminals into human beings with their own pain, history, and, oddly enough, morality. This list showcases five of the actor's finest crime roles, ranging from modern film noir to gripping thrillers.
5. 'Phone Booth', 2002
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
In Phone Booth, Colin Farrell plays Stu, a cynical and selfish ad executive who has made enemies and earned a reputation as one of New York's most dishonest agents during his short career.
One day, Stu walks into an ordinary phone booth to make another call to his mistress, unaware of what is about to happen. He often uses pay phones to avoid arousing his wife's suspicions when she checks his phone bill.
But today, everything changes – Stu barely has time to finish his call when he receives an incoming call. When he picks up, he discovers that he is in the sights of a professional sniper who will definitely not miss if he pulls the trigger.
4. 'Sugar', 2024
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
The series follows private detective Sugar as he takes on the mysterious disappearance of a famous Hollywood producer's granddaughter.
Colin Farrell masterfully portrays Sugar, a cinephile detective with a keen eye for detail who knows more than he lets on and is far more complex than he initially appears.
Sugar drives around the city in a vintage convertible, never removes his white shirt and stylish charcoal suit, and treats animals and people in need exceptionally well.
3. 'In Bruges', 2008
IMDb Score: 7.9/10
On Christmas Eve, two Irish hitmen arrived in the quiet Belgian city of Bruges to hide out for a couple of weeks among the picturesque landscapes and colorful museums. It wasn't their decision to make, though – their boss sent them there.
Whether to reflect on their actions or for a more sinister reason, one thing is clear: they need to lie low and await further instructions.
In the meantime, they can enjoy the Belgian architecture and perhaps even experience a Christmas romance with a local beauty.
2. 'The Penguin', 2024
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
The Penguin follows Oswald Cobb, also known as the Penguin, as he rises to the top of Gotham City's criminal hierarchy. Colin Farrell, who played the character in Matt Reeves' The Batman, reprises the role.
Farrell's transformation is impressive – it's virtually impossible to recognize him in the Penguin's bulky, scarred frame. The series picks up a week after the movie's finale.
The plot centers on the Penguin's struggle for power following Carmine Falcone's death. His main rival is Sofia Falcone, the late boss's daughter who was recently released from Arkham Asylum.
1. 'True Detective', 2014-...
IMDb Score: 8.8/10
The second season of the anthology series True Detective, created by Nic Pizzolatto, follows several officers from different police departments.
One of them is Raymond Velcoro, a corrupt cop who finds himself indebted to local crime boss Frank after a series of horrific events.
To repay this favor, Velcoro performs unpleasant tasks, often involving the elimination of undesirables, while simultaneously trying to retain custody of his son after a divorce.
