Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the most lauded actors of his generation, has captivated audiences with his unparalleled method acting and transformative performances. His diverse filmography spans a wide range of genres and eras, with several films ranked highly on IMDb. Below, we present a comprehensive look at the top-rated IMDb movies featuring Daniel Day-Lewis and analyze why each film has become a critical and cultural milestone.
1. There Will Be Blood (2007)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
“There Will Be Blood,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson showcases Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, a ruthless oil prospector. This performance won him his second Academy Award for Best Actor. The film is a dark meditation on ambition, greed and the consequences of power. Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Plainview is both commanding and terrifying drawing viewers into a complex psychological character study.
Key Elements:
- Transformation: Daniel Day-Lewis’s transformation into Plainview stands as one of the most iconic performances in modern cinema.
- Intensity: His embodiment of the character’s intensity and volatility is unrivaled, making every scene unforgettable.
- Cinematic Excellence: Both the cinematography and the score elevate the film, with its landscapes and soundtrack further amplifying the sense of isolation and ambition in the film.
2. Lincoln (2012)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Directed by Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln” features Daniel Day-Lewis in the role of Abraham Lincoln during the final months of the president’s life. This role earned him his third Academy Award for Best Actor, making Day-Lewis the only male actor in history to win three Oscars in the Best Actor category. His meticulous preparation for the role combined with his dedication to authenticity, allowed him to bring Lincoln’s character to life in ways previously unseen on screen.
Key Elements:
- Historical Accuracy:Daniel Day-Lewis extensively researched Lincoln, even adopting the president’s rumored higher-pitched voice.
- Emotional Depth: His performance emphasizes Lincoln’s moral struggles and leadership during a pivotal time in U.S. history.
- Collaborative Direction: Spielberg’s direction, paired with Day-Lewis’s performance makes this film an epic historical drama.
3. My Left Foot (1989)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
“My Left Foot” is the biographical drama that brought Daniel Day-Lewis his first Academy Award for Best Actor. He plays Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who learns to paint and write with his only controllable limb—his left foot. Day-Lewis’s commitment to the role was so intense that he spent the entire shoot in a wheelchair, refusing to break character.
Key Elements:
- Method Acting: This role firmly established Day-Lewis as a leading method actor.
- Emotional Power: His depiction of Brown’s frustrations and triumphs is raw and moving, offering a window into the artist’s life.
- Cultural Impact: The film brought wider attention to both Day-Lewis and to the real-life story of Christy Brown.
4. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
In “The Last of the Mohicans,” directed by Michael Mann, Day-Lewis plays Nathaniel Hawkeye, a white man raised by Native Americans during the French and Indian War. The film is a sweeping historical drama filled with action and romance. Day-Lewis underwent rigorous physical training for the role including learning how to live in the wilderness and handle 18th-century weaponry.
Key Elements:
- Physicality: His physical transformation for the role is as notable as his emotional performance.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The film touches on complex themes of colonialism, identity and loyalty with Day-Lewis embodying the tension between different cultures.
- Epic Scope: Mann’s direction and the stunning cinematography make this one of the most visually impressive films in Day-Lewis’s career.
5. Gangs of New York (2002)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
In Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York,” Day-Lewis plays Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, a brutal gang leader in 19th-century New York. His performance as the antagonist to Leonardo DiCaprio’s protagonist is menacing and unforgettable. The film received numerous Academy Award nominations and Day-Lewis’s performance was praised for its intensity and meticulous attention to character detail.
Key Elements:
- Villainy Redefined: Bill Cutting is one of the most menacing characters ever portrayed by Day-Lewis.
- Character Study: Day-Lewis dives deep into the psychology of the character, exploring the nuances of violence, patriotism and power.
- Scorsese Collaboration: The partnership between Scorsese and Day-Lewis makes this film a powerful historical epic.
6. Phantom Thread (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
In what Daniel Day-Lewis has called his final performance, “Phantom Thread” sees him play Reynolds Woodcock, a perfectionist fashion designer in 1950s London. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film is a tense psychological drama about love, obsessionand control. Day-Lewis’s performance is meticulous, echoing the character’s exacting standards and emotional complexity.
Key Elements:
- Final Role: This film marks Day-Lewis’s final acting role before his retirement.
- Subtlety and Grace: His portrayal of Woodcock is masterful in its subtlety, balancing obsession with vulnerability.
- Critical Acclaim: The film was a critical success, solidifying Day-Lewis’s status as one of the greatest actors of all time.
Daniel Day-Lewis’s filmography is a testament to his unparalleled skill, dedication, and ability to immerse himself completely into his characters. With each performance, he has raised the bar for what can be achieved in the art of acting, earning a place among the greatest actors in cinematic history. His films, celebrated on IMDb and beyond, continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.