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Jake Gyllenhaal, the handsome actor known for his mesmerizing blue eyes, long lashes, wavy brown hair, charming dimples, and captivating voice... his look is reminiscent of a prince straight out of a fairytale. In this article, we will present a compilation of the top 10 best movies starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
1. Donnie Darko (2001)
The first film on our list of Jake Gyllenhaal's best works is Donnie Darko. The movie follows the troubled character Donnie Darko (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), a teenager struggling with severe psychological issues, including sleepwalking. He narrowly escapes death when a jet engine crashes through his bedroom, barely missing him.
This young man encounters a mysterious and enormous creature disguised as a rabbit. The creature introduces itself as 'Frank' and informs him that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Under Frank's guidance, Donnie embarks on a series of troubling events.
Donnie Darko was the film that first brought Jake Gyllenhaal into the spotlight, establishing him as a rising young actor. Additionally, he won the 2003 Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance.
2. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Brokeback Mountain is a critically acclaimed film adapted from the short story of the same name by the talented Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx. The movie tells the poignant and beautiful love story of two men who navigate their relationship over many years while facing intense societal prejudice in the past century.
The main characters of the film, Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), first meet in the summer of 1963 when they are hired to work as shepherds. In a remote, isolated location, their initial care for each other gradually blossoms into a deep emotional connection. Despite their genuine love, they are unable to find a happy ending due to the extreme gender prejudices of the time.
Brokeback Mountain won the prestigious Golden Lion at the 2005 Venice Film Festival, along with three Academy Awards in 2006 for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score. It also took home the 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Screenplay, and Best Original Song.
The two lead actors of the film also received the Best Kiss award. Jake Gyllenhaal earned the Best Performance award at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards.
3. Zodiac (2007)
Next on the list is Zodiac, one of the most mysterious films directed by David Fincher. The movie, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, is inspired by one of the most enigmatic serial killer cases in American history. To this day, the true identity of the killer remains an unsolved mystery.
In this film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays the role of Robert Graysmith, a journalist who teams up with his colleague Paul Avery (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.) and Inspector Dave Toschi (played by Mark Ruffalo) in an effort to track down the elusive killer. The three of them work tirelessly together throughout the investigation to uncover the identity of the mysterious murderer.
The performances of Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo were key to the success of this renowned film.
4. Love & Other Drugs (2010)
This remarkable film is inspired by the pharmaceutical industry in the 1990s in the United States. During this time, medications began to be commercialized through advertising in magazines and on television programs.
The beautiful Anne Hathaway stars as Maggie Murdock, a young woman who tragically develops Parkinson's disease. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jamie Randall, a pharmaceutical sales representative.
The two characters meet and begin a romantic relationship. Jamie strives to build a strong connection with Maggie while also advancing his career in pharmaceutical sales.
Both Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal received high praise for their impeccable performances in this film. Hathaway's role earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while Gyllenhaal's performance was highly regarded by film critics.
5. Source Code (2011)
Source Code is considered one of Jake Gyllenhaal's successful films. It is a thrilling and innovative science fiction movie. In the film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Colter Stevens, a military officer on a special mission to use advanced technology to investigate a bombing on a subway train.
Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of Sean Fentress, a passenger on the train. He soon discovers that he is part of a scientific experiment known as Source Code, a cutting-edge technology that allows him to enter the bodies of victims in the final 8 minutes of their lives to uncover the bomber's identity.
Throughout the investigation, Officer Colter Stevens faces numerous challenges while uncovering the truth behind the bombings on the Chicago subway trains.
The film Source Code offers viewers a gripping story full of tension and unexpected twists. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers an outstanding performance as a man on a quest for the truth, racing against time. The movie delves into the multifaceted nature of reality and the possibility of altering fate.
6. Prisoners (2013)
This film stars the talented Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal and explores the theme of family relationships through a crime-driven and thrilling narrative.
The story begins with a mysterious disappearance during Thanksgiving. Two children, from the Dover and Birch families, vanish without a trace. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), a diligent investigator, identifies a suspect in the case but lacks sufficient evidence to make an arrest, forcing him to release the suspect on bail.
Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), the father of one of the missing children, decides to do whatever it takes for his child. He kidnaps the prime suspect and uses brutal methods of torture to force him to reveal the truth behind the kidnapping.
7. Enemy (2013)
The film centers around Adam, a university professor living a dull and repetitive life, teaching classes early in the morning and returning home late in the evening.
The strange turn of events begins when one day Adam watches a film and notices a man who looks exactly like him. Following clues, he discovers his doppelgänger, Anthony, an actor known for playing minor roles. This encounter leads Adam's life in a completely unexpected direction.
8. Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler is a crime thriller and psychological film directed by Dan Gilroy. In this film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom, a man who specializes in chasing sensational news stories in the Los Angeles area.
While searching for a job, the young Louis Bloom unexpectedly discovers that freelance journalism may be his ideal career. With the help of Nina (Rene Russo), the manager of a popular morning news channel, Louis quickly rises to fame in the world of news gathering.
However, not everyone in this field can maintain their integrity when they step into a dangerous and tempting path.
Jake Gyllenhaal's performance left a lasting impact on both audiences and critics. In preparation for his role as Louis Bloom, he lost over 20 pounds, showcasing his dedication and professionalism to the craft of acting.
9. Southpaw (2015)
Southpaw tells the story of a famous boxer who faces tremendous losses and strives to reclaim his career.
Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a renowned boxer known for his all-out aggressive style, never considering defense. His reckless approach to the ring made him the world champion, but it also cost him his wife, Maureen (Rachel McAdams).
This loss shattered Billy's hope, as he faced numerous defeats both in the ring and in his personal life, especially with regard to his young daughter.
To portray the boxer, Jake Gyllenhaal had to gain nearly 15 pounds and undergo intense training for six months to develop a muscular physique that matched his character.
This film delivers a poignant story about overcoming adversity and rebirth after life's failures. Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Billy Hope was powerful and emotionally stirring, showcasing his versatile acting ability across various genres.
10. Okja (2017)
Jake Gyllenhaal is well-known for taking on complex roles that challenge both his character portrayal and acting skills, which makes his performance in Bong Joon-ho's *Okja* both captivating and surprising for audiences. *Okja* is an adventure-action film that follows a young girl from South Korea as she sets out to rescue the genetically modified 'super pig' from being slaughtered.
Gyllenhaal plays a zoologist who sells his soul to the highest bidder, joining forces with actors such as Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano in this film. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Gyllenhaal delivers a performance that is simultaneously humorous, sincere, eerie, and unlike anything audiences have seen before.
This article has compiled the Top 10 Best Movies of Jake Gyllenhaal. Have a wonderful day!
