Think You've Seen All of Ryan Gosling's Best Work? These 5 Hidden Gems Say Otherwise
He shines here just as much as he does in multi-million-dollar blockbusters.
Ryan Gosling is one of Hollywood's most versatile actors today: he played Ken in Barbie, the Driver in Drive, and a jazz musician in La La Land.
His charisma and ability to select projects have made him a favorite among critics and viewers alike. But if you think you've seen all his major films, we bet you haven't.
5. 'Only God Forgives', 2013
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%
Following the success of Drive, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn decided he could do whatever he wanted – and he was right. If you thought Drive was light on dialogue, Only God Forgives can practically be considered a silent movie.
Ryan Gosling plays Julian, a Bangkok-based Muay Thai club owner and drug trafficker from a family of criminals. Following his brother's death, Julian's mother demands blood for blood.
4. 'The Place Beyond the Pines', 2012
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
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Luke is a motorcycle stunt rider who makes a living performing dangerous feats for crowds. When he arrives at the annual summer fair, he learns that his ex-girlfriend, Romina, has given birth to a son – a child he never knew existed.
Determined to provide for the boy, Luke decides to rob a bank – a move that ends in tragedy. The responsibility for Romina and her child now falls to Avery Cross, the police officer who shot and killed Luke during the arrest.
3. 'Lars and the Real Girl', 2007
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
In this movie, Ryan Gosling plays an ordinary man with an anxiety disorder who begins to lose his grip on reality – he declares a recently purchased sex doll to be his fiancée.
Unwilling to upset Lars, his family tolerates his bizarre relationship because to him, it is entirely real.
Gosling portrays this character with absolute conviction, avoiding even a hint of crude physicality. Once and for all, Gosling proves that he can be both funny and deeply moving on screen.
2. 'Blue Valentine', 2010
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Dean fell head over heels in love with Cindy the moment he first saw her. Nothing seemed to be able to stand in the way of their passion, not even a child from another man.
Five years later, however, romance had given way to routine problems, daily arguments, and accusations. In an attempt to save their marriage, the couple spent a night at a hotel, but their growing resentment threatened to tear their family apart forever.
This poignant story about the fading of love hits close to home, and the largely improvised performances of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams lend the on-screen action a remarkable sense of realism.
1. 'Half Nelson', 2006
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
In the drama by Ryan Fleck, Ryan Gosling plays Dan Dunne, a middle school teacher who is struggling with drug addiction.
As the story progresses, Dan forms a bond with a student named Drey who accidentally discovers his secret. Dunne initially appears to be a charismatic and inspiring figure – his colleagues genuinely like him, and his students always look forward to his classes.
Yet Dunne's soul is filled with darkness and despair. He experiences profound, unending anguish, chronic depression, and thoughts of suicide.
