Billy Bob Thorntonhas recently risen to prominence within the cultural conversation, as his starring role in the TV showLandmanis a great reminder to revisit the actor’s best movies.Known not only for his contributions to cinema as an actor but also behind the camera as a writer and director,Thornton has dabbled in many genres, consistently demonstrating his ability to disappear into any role, even though he’s a familiar face. Though he began his career on television, Thornton has had great success on the big screen as well, earning nominations and accolades for his most iconic performances.
Billy Bob Thornton’s performance in Taylor Sheridan’sLandmanhas received critical acclaim on the heels of his work in the legal dramaGoliath, which ended in 2021. He’s consistently lent his talents to many arresting television dramas, but throughout this time, he’s also appeared in a variety of films, in parts large and small. However, even when Thornton is onscreen for a brief time, he makes an impact on the narrative. There’s a reason whyadding Thornton to a project helps ensure its long-term success.
The way the U.S. President is characterized inLove Actuallyis almost comically villainous,but Thornton is more than up for the challenge.Love Actuallyis an iconicChristmas romance moviethat’s quickly developed into a modern classic of the holiday season. Though Thornton doesn’t have a love interest and is one of the film’s most notorious villains, he commits to the lecherous nature of his character and shines in his brief time onscreen as a foil to Hugh Grant’s charming Prime Minister.
It’s interesting to see Thornton in a rom-com, even if it is as an antagonist, as the actor is more traditionally associated with thrillers, crime dramas, and intense character studies.
Love Actuallyhas come under fire for some of the more dated and downright confusing storylines in the film. However, it’s unlikely that the movie is going to fade from the cultural memory anytime soon. It’s interesting to see Thornton in a rom-com, even if it is as an antagonist, as the actor is more traditionally associated with thrillers, crime dramas, and intense character studies. Despite this, he holds his own within the narrative, and it’s fun to see him onscreen year after year inLove Actually.
64%
72%
ThoughWhiskey Tango Foxtrotisn’t Thornton’s most critically acclaimed project, it’s always fun to see how he performs in a comedy. Starring Tina Fey as Kim Barker, an American journalist hopelessly out of her depth when she takes on an assignment in a war zone,Whiskey Tango Foxtrotfeatures Thornton as a General she initially butts heads with.General Hollanek is a familiar character for Thornton, who plays into the stern and by-the-book characteristics of the role.
The friendly relationship that blossoms between Kim and Hollanek is representative of Kim’s overall arcinWhiskey Tango Foxtrot. As she adapts to her surroundings, learning to be more confident and rely on herself, she earns the respect of seasoned military personnel like Hollanek. In terms of politics and culture,Whiskey Tango Foxtrotis woefully out of its depth, but some genuinely funny performances from the cast and Fey’s charisma help uplift the narrative.
68%
54%
ThoughKyle Chandler would go on to play Thornton’s character in the hit TV seriesFriday Night Lights,in the original movie of the same name from 2004, Thornton is the coach who anchors the story. Following the journey of a high school football team in a small Texas town that places significant importance on the team’s performance,Friday Night Lightswas hailed as a film that understands the nuances of high school sports in the U.S. and small-town dynamics. Thornton is firm and tough but also fair in his performance as Gary Gaines.
Landman Episode 7 Makes The Show Even More Like Friday Night Lights & It Needs More Of It In Season 2
Landman episode 7 has an extended sequence that’s reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, and it’s something the show should explore further.
Thetrue story that inspired theFriday Night Lightsmovie and TV show came from the 1990 bookFriday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dreamby H. G. Bissinger. One of the reasons that the story ofFriday Night Lightsis still so enduring is because it takes the personal and professional highs and lows of the characters so seriously.Thornton is intensely believable as Gaines, a man who cares deeply for his playersbut also about his reputation and the way the game is played.
82%
85%
TheShrekspinoff series,Puss in Boots, began in 2011with the first film starring Antonio Banderas as Puss. Thornton voices Jack, a character from theJack and Jillfairy tale, and has no trouble fitting into the offbeat fantasy world that pokes fun at the tropes and pitfalls of the fairy tale. Though theShrekmovies were enormously popular by this point,Puss in Bootswas something of a risk. However, the animated spinoff managed to justify itself and demonstrate why it needed to happen.
With Amy Sedaris portraying Jack’s partner in crime, Jill,Puss in Bootsis elevated by the chemistry between Thornton and Sedaris, making the villainous couple hilarious.
Thornton taps into his work as an animated antagonist, a skill for which he first displayed in his voice acting inPrincess Mononoke. Though Jack and Jill aren’t historically terrifying murderers,Puss in Bootstransforms them into aBonnie and Clyde-esque couple who are pursuing Puss. With Amy Sedaris portraying Jack’s partner in crime, Jill,Puss in Bootsis elevated by the chemistry between Thornton and Sedaris, making the villainous couple hilarious.
Puss in Boots (2011)
86%
Halle Berry gives an unforgettable performance inMonster’s Ballalongside Thornton and Heath Ledger. This all-star cast, coupled with the dramatic script, helpedMonster’s Ballbecome a critical and commercial success.Berry went on to win for Best Actress at the Academy Awards,as her work as Leticia is the anchoring performance ofMonster’s Ball. Leticia gets involved with Thornton’s Hank, but the two struggling characters are unaware of their dark connection.
Monster’s Ballweaves a morally ambiguous narrative, as Leticia and Hank are both imperfectand, at times, abusive characters grappling with intense loss. Bonded by this grief and their desire for human connection, the pair slowly build a relationship and attempt to become better people. Though the amount of tragedy and devastation inMonster’s Ballcan be difficult to grapple with, it’s worth watching, if only for the fantastic performances from Thornton and Berry.
67%
ThoughThe Apostleis really Robert Duvall’s movie, as he wrote, directed, and stars in the film, Thornton’s work as part of the supporting cast is a key piece of the project’s success. As the Troublemaker,Thornton isn’t onscreen for very long. However, he’s incredibly memorable,stealing many scenes. Sonny (Duvall), the protagonist, leaves his congregation behind and starts anew after murdering his wife’s new lover in cold blood, instantly grabbing the audience’s attention.
The best thing aboutThe Apostleis that though Sonny gives plenty of sermons, the movie doesn’t preach to you.
The Apostlehas a lot of interesting things to say about faith, redemption, and the role of the church in society. It’s a complicated story, made even more layered by the audience’s conflicting feelings about Sonny. The best thing aboutThe Apostleis that though Sonny gives plenty of sermons, the movie doesn’t preach to you. It’s up to the audience to decide how they feel about the characters and their journeys.
88%
79%
One of themost visually stunning fantasy movies,Princess Mononokeis another on the long list of expertly crafted films by the director Hayao Miyazaki. Though watching Studio Ghibli movies with Japanese audio and English subtitles has grown more popular in recent years, Thornton’s voice work as Jigo adds a lot to the story. His character turns out to be one of the movie’s primary antagonists, as he collaborates with the humans to kill the Forest Spirit for his own greed and selfish pursuits.
10 Times Studio Ghibli Quietly Cast Hollywood A-Listers Without You Noticing
Many celebrities have made unexpected appearances in Studio Ghibli films over the years, and these are ten of the most surprising cameos.
However, as in all of Miyazaki’s work, good and evil aren’t so easily distinguished. Humans fear the spirits of the forest and are destroying the environment, but many of them believe their intentions to be pure. They aim to give their communities more resources and improve their quality of life, even if they’re going about it the wrong way.Thornton immerses himself in the world ofPrincess Mononokewhile playing Jigo,using his background of portraying morally ambiguous characters to great effect.
93%
94%
Co-written by Thornton and starring the actor Ray,One False Movewas shot on a micro-budget and given a limited theatrical release. However, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth watching, as the film has developed into a cult classic and is considered an underrated addition to Thornton’s filmography. Though Thornton was still early in his career at this point,his work inOne False Movepredicts his illustrious future within the thriller genre,as the performer excels in these tense stories.
One False Movewouldn’t be the last time that Bill Paxton and Thornton collaborated,as the pair would reunite a few years later onA Simple Plan. The director, Carl Franklin, would go on to helm other iconic films likeDevil in a Blue DressandOut of Time, butOne False Movewas his feature-length debut. Thornton is intensely cruel and corrupt as Jacob, one of the criminals we follow inOne False Move, but his performance makes it impossible to look away from the narrative.
75%
The chemistry between Bill Paxton and Thornton inA Simple Planis reason enough to watch the 1998 crime thriller. Released a few years after Thornton’s breakout role inSling Blade,A Simple Planhelped cement Thornton as a singular talent, showcasing him in a tense story that required the actor to show a new side of himself.Directed by Sam Raimi,A Simple Plansees a trio of men torn apart and driven to murderafter they discover millions of dollars inside a crashed plane.
Thorton’s later contribution to the TV seriesFargowas clearly inspired by his work inA Simple Plan.
Thorton’s later contribution to the TV seriesFargowas clearly inspired by his work inA Simple Plan. The two projects share elements of the crime and neo-noir genres and are set in the Midwest. For his portrayal of Jacob, one of the men who comes undone at the prospect of becoming rich, Thornton earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. It’s clear thatA Simple Planis going to end in disaster for our heroes. However, watching them make misstep after misstep is excruciatingly compelling.
91%
81%
Directed by and starring Thornton,Sling Bladeis one of the highest-rated and critically acclaimed movies of the actor’s career.Thornton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, as Thornton also penned the script.Sling Bladeis largely considered the film that catapulted Thornton to stardom, kicking off his movie career in earnest and bringing attention to his skills as a filmmaker and performer.
A massive hit at the box office as well,Sling Bladeis a harrowing story about the cycles of abuse and childhood trauma. Though it isn’t an easy watch, Thornton is fully committed to his role as Karl, building empathy with the audience and creating a fully fleshed-out, complex character. Set in the American South,Sling Bladeis in conversation with the stereotypes and associations with the area, butBilly Bob Thorntonis determined to craft a universal story, which comes through in the final result.
97%
92%
