Top 6 Must-See Movies Starring Oscar Isaac

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1. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

2. Drive (2011)

3. Balibo (2009)

4. At Eternity's Gate (2018)

5. Ex Machina (2015)

6. A Most Violent Year (2014)

1. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) is a dark comedy directed by the renowned Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan. The film portrays a week in the life of Llewyn Davis, a talented folk musician trying to navigate the challenges of survival in New York City. During this week, viewers see a gifted artist struggling to find stable housing, earning meager income from performances in small venues, and battling for musical success.

Upon release, the film received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Starring Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake, and Adam Driver, Inside Llewyn Davis earned nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Awards in 2014.

Inside Llewyn Davis is undoubtedly one of the greatest films of the 2010s and an essential entry in the music movie genre. It also helped propel Oscar Isaac to new heights in his career, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor (2013).

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Tomatometer Rating: 92%

Audience Rating: 74%

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

2. Drive (2011)

Drive (2011) is a gripping crime drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The screenplay, adapted by Hossein Amini, is based on James Sallis's 2005 novel of the same name. With a straightforward plot and a runtime of just over an hour and a half, the film makes a lasting impact on anyone who watches it. The movie features a talented cast including Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, and, of course, Oscar Isaac.

The story follows a Hollywood stuntman (played by Ryan Gosling) who doubles for actors in high-speed chase scenes. His life is as quiet as that of any lesser-known actor—living in a small apartment and falling for his neighbor. However, his side job involves driving getaway cars for criminals. When a job goes awry, he finds himself caught up in a dangerous crime that threatens his life and his love interest's safety. The only way to protect them both is to speed through the streets at full throttle.

Before its release in September 2011, Drive premiered at various film festivals, including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it received rave reviews. Refn won the award for Best Director. Many critics have since named Drive one of the best films of 2011, including the National Board of Review. The film also garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing at the 84th Academy Awards.

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Tomatometer Rating: 93%

Audience Rating: 79%

Drive (2011)

3. Balibo (2009)

Balibo (2009) follows the journey of a disillusioned journalist, Roger East (played by Anthony LaPaglia), who travels to East Timor in 1975 to investigate the deaths of the Balibo Five during Indonesia's invasion of the country. Oscar Isaac portrays the young José Ramos-Horta, who would later win the Nobel Peace Prize and become the second president of East Timor. Although his role is supporting, Isaac's performance earned him both critical acclaim and recognition, including an AFI Award for 'Best Supporting Actor' in 2009 from the Australian Film Institute. The film was released in Indonesia in 2009 at the Jakarta International Film Festival and had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival on July 24, 2009, at the Hamer Hall of Melbourne.

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Tomatometer Rating: 100%

Audience Rating: 80%

Balibo (2009)

4. At Eternity's Gate (2018)

At Eternity's Gate (2018) is a biographical drama that delves into the final years of the life of artist Vincent Van Gogh. The film dramatizes a controversial theory proposed by biographers Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, suggesting that Van Gogh's death may not have been a suicide.

Directed and co-edited by Julian Schnabel, the film's screenplay was written by Schnabel, Jean-Claude Carrière, and Louise Kugelberg. Willem Dafoe stars as Van Gogh, with Rupert Friend, Oscar Isaac, Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Niels Arestrup rounding out the cast.

The film had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2018. It was released in theaters in the United States on November 16, 2018, by CBS Films and later streamed on Netflix in France on February 15, 2019. The film also had a theatrical and VOD release in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2019, by Curzon Artificial Eye. The movie received generally positive reviews and was nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Tomatometer Rating: 78%

Audience Rating: 64%

At Eternity's Gate (2018)

5. Ex Machina (2015)

Ex Machina (2015) is a British-American independent science fiction film written and directed by Alex Garland. The cast includes Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac.

The story follows Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a young programmer who is invited to spend a week with Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the CEO of the tech company Caleb works for. Caleb is asked to participate in a Turing Test, where he interacts with a highly advanced humanoid robot capable of human emotions, intelligence, and even sexuality, which leads to unexpected consequences.

Oscar Isaac delivers a standout performance, portraying a cold, indifferent, and ambitious scientist with a touch of alcohol addiction. His nuanced expressions as a lonely, hollow, intelligent, and incredibly wealthy man add depth to the film, making him a key highlight of the movie.

The film, with a budget of $15 million, became one of the best independent films of the first half of 2015 and received widespread acclaim from critics.

IMDb Rating: 7.5
Tomatometer Rating: 92%
Audience Rating: 86%

Ex Machina (2015)

6. A Most Violent Year (2014)

A Most Violent Year (2014), directed by J.C. Chandor, premiered as the opening film of the AFI Fest on November 6, 2014, before being released in theaters on December 31, 2014. Despite critical acclaim, the film struggled at the box office, grossing only $12 million against a production budget of $20 million.

Set in the winter of 1981, the story follows an immigrant family trying to build a business in New York while being pushed to the brink by the violent and corrupt times they live in. Oscar Isaac delivers a standout performance as the lead, portraying a man trying to grow his business while facing constant threats from violence and corruption. His powerful portrayal earned him the title of Best Actor in 2014.

The film's gripping narrative, compelling performances, and captivating cinematography earned it the title of Best Narrative Feature by the National Board of Review in 2014.

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Tomatometer Rating: 90%

Audience Rating: 69%

A Most Violent Year (2014)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plot of Inside Llewyn Davis and what challenges does the main character face?

Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of a struggling folk musician in New York. Llewyn Davis faces housing instability, minimal earnings from performances, and the struggle for musical success. The film explores his emotional and financial hardships in a tough city environment.

How did Drive (2011) impact the career of Ryan Gosling and other key cast members?

Drive (2011) cemented Ryan Gosling's reputation as a leading man in Hollywood, with his intense performance as a stunt driver. The film's success also raised the profile of its cast, including Oscar Isaac, Bryan Cranston, and Christina Hendricks, becoming a defining moment in their careers.

What is the historical significance of Balibo (2009) and Oscar Isaac's role in the film?

Balibo (2009) is a historical drama about the deaths of five journalists during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor. Oscar Isaac plays José Ramos-Horta, a key political figure in East Timor, whose portrayal garnered critical acclaim, adding depth to the film’s impact on global awareness.

What is the central theme of At Eternity's Gate (2018) and how does Oscar Isaac contribute to the film?

At Eternity's Gate (2018) explores the final years of Vincent Van Gogh's life, including the theory that his death was not a suicide. Oscar Isaac plays the role of Paul Gauguin, contributing to the film's emotional depth with his nuanced performance in this biographical drama.

How does Oscar Isaac's performance in Ex Machina (2015) elevate the film’s exploration of artificial intelligence?

In Ex Machina (2015), Oscar Isaac plays Nathan, a cold and calculating tech CEO. His performance adds complexity to the film’s exploration of artificial intelligence, human emotions, and ethical dilemmas, making his character a pivotal element in the philosophical narrative of the movie.

What challenges do the characters face in A Most Violent Year (2014) and how does Oscar Isaac's performance enhance the story?

A Most Violent Year (2014) portrays an immigrant family trying to build a business amid rampant corruption and violence in 1981 New York. Oscar Isaac’s compelling portrayal of a man struggling to maintain integrity in a morally corrupt world brings emotional weight and depth to the film.

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