Cillian Murphy’s Favorite Movies: ‘Scarecrow,’ ‘La Haine,’ and More Films the ‘Oppenheimer’ Actor Loves

For most of his young life, Cillian Murphy wanted to be a musician. Strumming away on his guitar and hammering on piano keys, the eventual “Oppenheimer” star wouldn’t shift his focus to acting until his early twenties. Murphy gained a larger following in film and on TV than from theater, although he has appeared on stage throughout his career and as recently as 2019.

The Irish actor frequently enjoys roles showcasing his live performance skills and musical talents; see “Disco Pigs,” “Watching the Detectives,” and “Breakfast on Pluto.” Still, the transition to acting initially left Murphy with a bit of imposter syndrome, uncertain that he would ever reach the stardom he has today. 

More from IndieWire

• TIFF 2023 Announces Platform Slate and Jury, Including Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim

• Jonathan Glazer's 'The Zone of Interest' Sets December A24 Release and Shares Two New Images

• Here's How August Box Office Can Take This Summer to $4 Billion

“Because I never trained as an actor, because I wanted to be a musician, I’ve always felt slightly like a bit of an interloper,” Murphy said to Deadline. 

If there’s one person who would disagree with the idea of Murphy as an outsider to the movie business it would be his long-term collaborator Christopher Nolan, who has cast Murphy in six of his films. The “Oppenheimer” actor explains that Nolan gave him confidence as a young performer, allowing him to keep calm and trust his instincts while acting.

“We’ve managed to work together all this time and I consider him one of the great directors of our time and a master filmmaker,” Murphy said, also to Deadline.

A cinephile himself, Murphy often revisits his favorite films — comparing all-time memorable performances to his own in hopes of rising to the level of acting exhibited by the likes of Stephen Rea or Adam Sandler. Read on for a list of Murphy’s favorite movies in no particular order.

Also check out IndieWire’s guide to Christopher Nolan’s Favorite Movies.

Best of IndieWire

• The Best Plot Twists of the 21st Century, Ranked

• Where to Watch This Week's New Movies, from 'Talk to Me' to 'Haunted Mansion'

• Quentin Tarantino's Unmade Movies: 21 Projects the Filmmaker Almost Directed

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.