In Gus Van Sant's darkly comedic satire, Joaquin Phoenix plays Jimmy Emmett, a naive, somewhat troubled teenager who is seduced by Nicole Kidman's ambitious, fame-obsessed character. It's one of Phoenix's earlier significant roles, showcasing his ability to portray vulnerability and impressionability. The film is a sharp commentary on media obsession and the American dream, and Phoenix's performance as the manipulated young man caught in Kidman's web is a key part of its unsettling effectiveness.

Another collaboration with director James Gray, this crime drama set in the Queens trainyards features Joaquin Phoenix as Willie Gutierrez, the cousin and accomplice of Mark Wahlberg's character. Willie is a smooth-talking, morally ambiguous figure involved in the corrupt dealings of the local rail industry. Phoenix brings a slick, slightly dangerous edge to the role, adding tension to the film's exploration of family loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the criminal underworld. It's an early role where he honed his ability to play complex, morally shaded characters.

Set in an asylum during the French Revolution, this period drama sees Joaquin Phoenix playing the Abbé Coulmier, a kind priest who tries to protect the Marquis de Sade (Geoffrey Rush) but finds himself increasingly corrupted by the writer's influence and the oppressive system he serves. Phoenix portrays the Abbé's internal conflict and gradual descent with subtlety, caught between his faith and the dark forces around him. It's a film that delves into censorship, madness, and the power of the written word, featuring a strong ensemble cast.

This controversial mockumentary, directed by Casey Affleck, follows Joaquin Phoenix's apparent public meltdown and attempt to start a career as a hip-hop artist. For a period, Phoenix maintained the persona entirely in public, leading to widespread speculation about his mental state. While presented as real, it was ultimately revealed to be a performance piece exploring celebrity, media, and artistic identity. It's a bizarre, fascinating, and often uncomfortable watch that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, showcasing Phoenix's willingness to commit fully to a concept, no matter how outlandish.

In this revisionist Western by Jacques Audiard, Joaquin Phoenix plays Charlie Sisters, one half of a notorious pair of assassin brothers in 1850s Oregon. Opposite John C. Reilly as his more weary sibling, Phoenix brings a volatile, hard-drinking energy to Charlie. The film blends dark humor with moments of surprising poignancy as the brothers confront their violent past and uncertain future. Phoenix's dynamic with Reilly is the heart of the film, exploring the complicated bond between siblings in a harsh world.

Working with director James Gray for the third time, Joaquin Phoenix plays Leonard Kraditor, a sensitive and emotionally fragile man living with his parents in Brighton Beach who finds himself torn between two women (Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw). Phoenix portrays Leonard's anxiety and longing with a raw vulnerability that is deeply affecting. It's an intimate, character-driven drama that explores the complexities of love, depression, and family expectations, with Phoenix giving a performance that feels incredibly honest and exposed.

Set in 1920s New York, James Gray's period drama features Joaquin Phoenix as Bruno Weiss, a charming but manipulative pimp who preys on newly arrived immigrant women. Phoenix delivers a performance filled with a dangerous charisma, portraying a man capable of both cruelty and fleeting moments of tenderness towards Marion Cotillard's character. The film is a visually rich and emotionally complex story about survival and exploitation, with Phoenix adding layers to a character who could easily have been a simple villain.

Teaming up with Paul Thomas Anderson again, Joaquin Phoenix stars as Larry 'Doc' Sportello, a perpetually stoned private detective navigating the hazy, sun-drenched world of 1970s Los Angeles. This adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel is a sprawling, shaggy dog story, and Phoenix perfectly embodies Doc's laid-back, slightly bewildered cool. His comedic timing and ability to react to the parade of eccentric characters around him are key to the film's unique tone. It's a departure from some of his more intense roles, showcasing his versatility.

In Lynne Ramsay's gritty and atmospheric thriller, Joaquin Phoenix plays Joe, a traumatized veteran turned hired gun who specializes in rescuing trafficked girls. It's a minimalist performance, relying heavily on Phoenix's physicality and expressive eyes to convey Joe's internal pain and simmering rage. The film is less about plot and more about mood and character study, with Phoenix delivering a portrayal that is both brutal and deeply empathetic. His performance anchors this intense, unflinching look at violence and its toll.

Paul Thomas Anderson's dense and captivating drama features Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie Quell, a troubled, drifting WWII veteran who becomes entangled with a charismatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of a philosophical movement. Phoenix's physical and emotional intensity is on full display here, creating a character who is raw, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable to watch, yet utterly compelling. His collaboration with Hoffman is electric, forming a complex dynamic that drives the film's exploration of faith, control, and post-war trauma. Phoenix received an Oscar nomination for this role.

Spike Jonze's unique sci-fi romance features Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a lonely writer who falls in love with an artificial intelligence operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Phoenix carries the emotional weight of the film almost entirely on his own, delivering a performance that is incredibly subtle, nuanced, and deeply human, despite his primary scene partner being a voice. His ability to convey Theodore's longing, joy, and heartbreak in isolation is a testament to his skill, exploring themes of connection, technology, and the nature of love in a truly original way.

Joaquin Phoenix didn't just play Johnny Cash; he became him for this acclaimed biopic. He insisted on doing all his own singing and learned to play the guitar for the role, even recording an entire album of Cash's songs for the soundtrack alongside Reese Witherspoon, who played June Carter. Their chemistry is electric, capturing the tumultuous and passionate relationship at the heart of the story. Phoenix's commitment to embodying the Man in Black, from his voice to his stage presence and personal struggles, is truly remarkable and earned him significant critical praise and an Oscar nomination.

Stepping into the sandals of Commodus, the power-hungry and deeply troubled son of Marcus Aurelius, Joaquin Phoenix gave a performance that's both chilling and complex. He brings a fragile, almost pathetic vulnerability to the villain, making him far more than just a one-dimensional antagonist. Ridley Scott's epic is legendary, but Phoenix's portrayal of the emperor's descent into madness and tyranny stands out as a pivotal early role that showcased his incredible range and intensity. It's hard to imagine anyone else capturing Commodus's twisted psyche quite like he did.

Joaquin Phoenix delivered an absolute masterclass in this origin story of Gotham's most infamous clown. His dedication was so intense, he reportedly lost 52 pounds for the role, a physical transformation that mirrored the character's psychological unraveling. The film's raw, unsettling energy is largely thanks to his fearless performance, earning him a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor. It's a deep, dark dive into the mind of a man pushed to the edge, grounded entirely by Phoenix's captivating presence. You can feel the history and pain in every twitch and laugh.