Top 10 Best Eddie Redmayne Movies

Nothing to criticize here: this is Redmayne at the peak of his abilities. As Stephen Hawking, he shows the physical decline without it ever becoming a gimmick; the mischievous twinkle in his eyes remains until the end. It's a masterclass in physical acting. Where he sometimes leans toward overacting in other films, he's painfully restrained and sincere here. Rightfully earned him that golden statue.

After years of sympathetic roles, he plays serial killer Charles Cullen here. The scariest thing about his performance is how normal and gentle he stays, even as the truth slowly comes to light. His confrontation in the interrogation room is one of the best scenes of his career. He shifts in seconds from pitiful friend to hysterical monster. Finally a role where his 'quiet' acting really gets under your skin again.

As the ice-cold hitman 'The Jackal,' he's a chameleon who effortlessly shifts appearance and accent. It's a relief to see him play a character with absolutely no need for sympathy. He's tight, deadly, and efficient. A strong comeback to serious, dark work after years of wizarding movies.

His portrayal of Lili Elbe is technically stunning, though the film's approach may feel somewhat dated viewed through a 2025 lens. Redmayne puts heavy emphasis on feminine gestures and the physical transformation. It sometimes feels a bit too 'performed,' as if you can watch him consciously thinking through every head movement and glance. Still, the emotional scenes with Alicia Vikander are rock-solid, and he makes the tragedy of Lili's struggle deeply felt.

In a cast full of loud personalities, Redmayne plays the stiff, intellectual Tom Hayden. He's the perfect counterpoint to the anarchistic Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen). This is Redmayne at his best: no prosthetics, no odd voices, just strong acting. He turns a somewhat dull bureaucrat into a man of principle you come to respect.

As Newt Scamander, he created an unorthodox hero: shy, socially awkward, and obsessed with animals. In this first film, it works disarmingly and freshly; it brought new energy to the Harry Potter world. To be fair: in the later installments, his stammering and whispering grew increasingly tiresome, and the character seemed to stall. But in this first entry, the magic, and his charm, was still fully present.

Marius is often the dullest character in the story, but Redmayne gave him a raw emotional charge. And surprisingly: he can actually sing, live on set no less. His rendition of 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' is an absolute highlight. You can see the grief physically tugging at his face as he sings. One of the few moments in the film where the live singing truly adds something.

Well, this one has to be included, if only as a warning. As villain Balem Abrasax, Redmayne makes... interesting choices. He whispers half his lines as if hoarse, only to suddenly scream out of nowhere. It's a performance so bizarrely bad it has achieved cult status. You spend the whole film wondering if no one on set dared to say, 'Eddie, tone it down.' It is entertaining, though.

Before becoming a superstar, he played the young, naive Colin Clark, who falls for Marilyn Monroe. He serves as the eyes of the audience here: innocent and full of admiration. It's not a role that demands attention, but that very modesty makes it beautiful. He gives Michelle Williams all the room to shine and forms a stable, warm foundation for the film.

An early, controversial role alongside Julianne Moore. As schizophrenic son Tony, he's trapped in a suffocating and incestuous relationship with his mother. It's an uncomfortable film to watch, and Redmayne already plays with that mix of vulnerability and underlying menace here. A dark gem for anyone wanting to see where his fascination with complex characters began.