With Knives Out 2 set to drop later this year, it may be easy for some people to forget that Daniel Craig has other movies in his back pocket. He’s also starred in movies by directors like Spielberg, Soderbergh, and Mendes.
The actor is known for his restraint, but he shines in roles that let him cut loose. These are the best films from his impressive career.
1. Casino Royale (1995)
The first film in Craig’s five-picture Bond run, this dark and stormy thriller reimagined Ian Fleming’s series for the 2000s. Its sinister chiaroscuro introduced a Bond that lived on the edge of good and evil and kept one foot planted in both camps.
From the jungles of Madagascar to the beaches of the Bahamas, Casino Royal pitted Bond against ruthless terrorist financier Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) in a high-stakes poker game that ends with a jaw-dropping finale on the Grand Canal in Venice. With Eva Green as Bond’s partner, Vesper Lynd, the film was a critical and commercial success.
Despite the silliness and overreliance on gadgetry that plagued previous entries in the series, Casino Royal’s bold reinvention of the franchise and Craig’s brooding virile performance earned it universal acclaim. It was a bold and successful start to his run as 007, which would continue with Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die.
2. Quantum of Solace (2008)
While Casino Royal gave Craig the opportunity to showcase a darker side to Bond, Quantum of Solace is where he really shines. The chemistry between him and Olga Kurylenko’s Camille is what elevates this repelisplus film from its weaker moments. The balance between dark desperation and classic Bond wit makes for an overall very enjoyable experience.
The action scenes are incredibly well done and it’s the best portrayal of a ruthless Bond since Le Chiffre. The film suffers from a rushed plot and is a bit too long, but it’s still the best movie in the franchise to feature Craig as 007 so far.
The film is centered around the efforts of Bond and a scarred Camille Montes (Kurylenko) to stop Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric, from the surprisingly solid Munich) from staging a coup in Bolivia to claim its natural resources.
3. Skyfall (2012)
A worthy followup to the 2006 reboot, Skyfall marks Craig’s finest hour as 007 and one of the most profound additions to the franchise. Under the direction of Sam Mendes, the film embraces its darkness and brings a sense of depth to a series often weighed down by card games, seductions and sadistic torture scenes.
As a result, the film is as much a psychological thriller as it is an action movie. And while some may have criticized the narrative’s pace and its reliance on unremarkable elements (such as a familiar-sounding plot about a terrorist attack on MI6), it proves that the franchise isn’t stuck in a rut and can continue to evolve with the times. It also set the stage for a series of even more emotionally devastating Bond movies.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2001)
A brutal and sombre thriller, the film focuses on Lisbeth Salander (Craig), a journalist who uncovers a series of murders committed by a former child star. The movie is bleak, but it also has a strong sense of hope and determination.
David Fincher, who helmed the original Swedish film, has directed this English-language version, which features a terrific cast of supporting actors. The movie has a stunning look, with stark Scandinavian snowscapes dotted by sleek black motorcycles and a tense, discordant score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails.
It’s a great showcase for Craig, who proves he can play the macho action hero without sacrificing nuance and depth. It’s also an early example of his ability to carry a film on his shoulders alone. Despite being a smaller role, his performance is one of the most memorable of his career.
5. Tintin: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1984)
A film adaptation of the iconic Belgian comics character created by Herge, this is one of the most beloved movies to ever come out of Belgium. Craig’s performance as the intrepid reporter, alongside Liev Schreiber as Captain Haddock, is a solid and compelling one.
Sam Mendes is known for his pacy heist thrillers, and this early entry into his career shows the kind of flair that would later define his Bond films. While his performance is a bit more restrained than others on this list, Craig delivers his character with the right mix of melancholic dread and humorous pitfalls.
A decade after he was last seen as the next James Bond, Craig returned to the role in this surprise hit. Rami Malek was a strong choice as the new 007 villain, and the film delivered a satisfying swan song for Craig’s storied run with the franchise.