Viggo Mortensen is one of the best actors of all time. In his 41-year career, he has stood out in films whenever he’s been on screen. So, today we’ll look at 15 of the best films by this great actor.
15. Good (2008)
Good was released in 2008, and although it wasn’t a box-office draw, it didn’t earn many good reviews. However, what stood out most was Viggo Mortensen’s performance.
Viggo, a 48-year-old then, portrayed a professor in Nazi Germany during the 1930s. His troubles begin when he’s pulled into Nazism by his wife and mother.
14. A Walk on the Moon (1999)
A Walk on the Moon is based around a young housewife living a tranquil life in Brooklyn. When she comes to spend her summer in the Catskills, she falls for a traveling salesperson. So, guess who plays the salesman? Viggo Mortensen.
While the film centers on the story of Pearl (Diane Keaton), Viggo shares a significant amount of screen time. Which also makes it one of his few romantic films—and also one of the best.
13. Crimson Tide (1995)
Crimson Tide is one of the best submarine films ever made. Filled with star power, such as Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, the film made waves when it first came out in 1995. However, Viggo holds his own amidst the great cast and delivers a sublime performance.
The film’s story surrounds a conflict within the submarine when the Captain and Deputy Captain are at each other’s throats about attacking a Russian nuclear submarine. Playing the weapons commander, the director sure made the most of Viggo’s expression in tense situations.
12. Far From Men (2014)
Far From Men is one of Viggo’s many foreign films. While the film’s mostly in English, it also has French and Arabic dialogue. Since the movie tells the story of the war between Algerian Rebels and French Colonial soldiers, Viggo is once again at his best in tense situations.
Mortensen plays a professor who takes up arms for the war and becomes a soldier. It all begins when he agrees to transport a villager imprisoned for Murder. While the film received praise from critics, Mortensen’s performance holds it all together.
11. A Dangerous Method (2011)
A Dangerous Method brings two of the greatest neurology professionals in history, Carl Jung & Sigmund Freud, to the screen. Played by Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen, this film begins when a rift forms between the two greats about Jung’s patient.
While Freud believes he can cure Sabina (Keira Knightley), Jung is not too optimistic about it. The film thoroughly captures this outstanding chemistry and understanding between the two great actors.
10. Jauja (2014)
Jauja is one of Viggo’s only Danish films and one of his many fantasy movies. The film begins with a father and daughter traveling across Denmark to find a place that exists beyond human understanding.
While he has played a father figure before, Viggo Mortensen’s acting in this film is something else. And the film also received great reviews from critics. But, once again, the main character is why you should indulge yourself in this movie.
9. Appaloosa (2008)
Based on the book of the same name, Appaloosa is the directorial debut of legendary Ed Harris. Viggo once again stands out in the midst of legendary actors.
The film begins with the small town of Appaloosa hiring two crime fighters to fight a local rancher harassing them. Played by Ed Harris and Viggo, these characters fight the tyrannical rancher, Randal Bragg (Jeremy Irons). But the twist arrives when Allison, a widow, enters the frame and makes it complicated for the crime fighters.
8. The Two Faces of January (2014)
The Two Faces of January is a twisted tale of a con artist and his wife who are trying to escape Murder. After Chester (Mortensen) murders a detective, he must flee from Greece with his wife, Colette (Kristen Dunst).
But to do that, they must trust a stranger called Rydal (Oscar Isaac), who is not very dependable. Then, the escape ensues, and the film keeps you encapsulated for its 1 hour and 36 minutes runtime.
7. The Road (2009)
The Road is a post-apocalyptic movie and one of the best, too. The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat for its entire runtime. Since the world was taken by fire or climate change – it’s never made clear in the film – a father must protect his son.
Soon, they run into a group of cannibals, who haunt them as the duo travels south. The father here is played by Viggo, who delivers yet another stellar performance for his equally stellar resume.
6. Green Book (2018)
Green Book is a beautiful tale of friendship and understanding amidst the racist times of the mid-60s. In Southern America, an Italian man (Viggo) and a bouncer are desperate for work when he finds one to drive an African American musician, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), across the country to his venues.
However, he’s given a Green Book containing a list of motels and hotels that tolerate African American guests. But the bond that develops between Viggo and Ali’s characters makes this film a great watch and one of Viggo’s best performances ever.
The film also won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2019 and earned both Viggo and Ali Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Leading Actress awards, respectively.
5. Captain Fantastic (2016)
Captain Fantastic is a one-of-a-kind movie, the likes of which many had not seen before. This unique and outstanding movie took the world by storm in 2016. And at its center was Viggo’s outstanding performance, which earned him another Oscar nomination—his second at the time.
The plot surrounds Ben (Mortensen) and his wife as they both take their children from society and live in the wilderness. While teaching them to hunt and the natural ways of life, Ben also ensures their proper education.
However, Ben and the children will soon have to step back into the world as Leslie, the mother, suddenly passes away.
4. A History of Violence (2005)
A History of Violence is hands-down one of the best performances of Viggo Mortensen. In this film, he plays a diner owner in a remote town, Tom Stall, who is suddenly brought to light when he takes down an attempted robbery.
However, it also brings to light his past and the choices he might have made formerly. This film has a remarkable way of unfolding, and you’ll see Viggo acting his heart out in every scene.
3. Hidalgo (2004)
Hidalgo was Viggo’s first outing post-Lord of the Rings. The film tells us the story of a Pony Express delivery into the heart of Arabia. There, a race will take place that promises a high price. However, the Mustang Frank Hopkins (Viggo) decides to take part.
The key thing about this film is that it used more than 550 horses, but Viggo bought his steed for the movie’s duration. This was the talk of the town soon after its release. But it’s Viggo doing his own stunt in this epic film that earns it the 3rd spot on our list.
2. Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
The Lord of the Rings is perhaps the film that brought this incredible talent to the eyes of the people. This movie is considered the greatest film trilogy ever made and needs no introduction or synopsis. Because it’s based on Tolkien’s great works of the same name.
But during the three films, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, Viggo plays a pivotal character in the plot: Aragorn. This ranger from the North must decide the fate of his kingly bloodline, while the fate of the earth is at stake against dark powers.
During these movies, Viggo arguably performed his life as the to-be King. But his behind-the-scenes commitment made it famous, such as carrying his sword around, breaking two of his toes, losing a chip off his tooth, learning the fictional Elvish language, and countless other elements.
1. Eastern Promises (2007)
Eastern Promises saw Mortensen earn his 1st Oscar nomination. Playing a Russian mob enforcer, Nikolai, we see Viggo as a seemingly cold-blooded killer. It begins when Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife, investigates the death of a Russian teen who passes mid-birth in a London Hospital.
Soon, the journal leads her to the teen’s connection to a local Russian mob family. That’s when the two characters collide, and you see an outstanding story unfold on your screen. Mortensen’s performance in this film was so good that many people were disappointed he didn’t win the Oscar for it.
Honorable Mentions
- G.I. Jane (1997)
- A Perfect Murder (1998)
- Daylight (1996)
What are your favorite movies of Viggo Mortensen? Let us know in the comments!