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Harry Potter fans will always remember Ralph Fiennes as the Dark Lord, but the talented actor has played many notable roles throughout his career. In fact, audiences will soon see him play the legendary Odysseus in The Return. This upcoming movie by Uberto Pasolini stars Juliette Binoche as Odysseus' wife, Penelope, and Charlie Plummer plays Telemachus, their son.
To be released on December 6, 2024, this Ralph Fiennes-starrer project is a retelling of Homer's Odyssey. The narrative depicts Odysseus' return from the Trojan War after 20 long years. Ambitious suitors have made his wife a prisoner and are plotting the demise of his son. Even though he is no longer the mighty warrior after years of arduous battle, Odysseus has to find the strength to protect his family.
While fans wait for The Return to hit the theaters, they can indulge in the exciting movies on this list that celebrate Ralph Fiennes' versatility and refined acting skills.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Conclave, The Dig and five other Ralph Fiennes movies that prove he's capable of playing any role
1) The Constant Gardener (2005)
The Constant Gardener's plot, based on John le Carré's novel, is inspired by a real-life case in Kano, Nigeria. In this critically acclaimed movie by Fernando Meirelles, Ralph Fiennes plays Justin Quayle, a British diplomat married to Tessa, an Amnesty International activist portrayed by Rachel Weisz. She accompanies Justin when he gets posted to Kenya.
Tessa runs into trouble when she links local deaths to drug trials conducted by a Kenyan-based company. When she is found dead, Justin makes up his mind to find the people responsible, even at the cost of his own life.
The plot captures the endearing connection between the leads, which validates the crushing loss felt by Justin and fuels his relentless search for answers. Rachel Weisz nails Tessa's outspoken, feisty and tenacious personality and Ralph Fiennes doesn't hold back when it comes to portraying Justin's complex feelings that are a heady mix of guilt, anger and sorrow.
Where to watch: The Constant Gardener is available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
2) Coriolanus (2011)
Marking Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, Coriolanus is a retelling of William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. In addition to taking charge as the director, Fiennes also portrays the lead protagonist. He is Caius Martius, a skilled general leading Rome in its fight against Volscian enemies. He is even given the honorary title "Coriolanus" to commemorate his victories.
However, after becoming involved in the Consul, he finds himself banished. He then joins forces with Tullus Aufidius, his former Volscian enemy (Gerard Butler) to take revenge on the people of Rome who betrayed him.
Despite the modern settings, the dialogue still stays true to the original work. As far as Shakespearean adaptations go, Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus may be one of the most action-packed ones. It features plenty of exciting scenes that will keep action movie fans happy.
Where to watch: Coriolanus can be streamed on Prime Video.
3) The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Wes Anderson is a master of imaginative storytelling that features flawed yet endearing characters. And so, it is not surprising that the protagonist of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Monsieur Gustave H., portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, is both enigmatic and vulnerable.
Gustave is the highly-skilled concierge of a 20th-century mountainside resort who is framed for the murder of a wealthy dowager. He then has to work together with his protégé Zero (Tony Revolori) to clear his name.
Against the backdrop of a fascist regime, The Grand Budapest Hotel explores the meaning of friendship, the price of loyalty and finding the courage to stand up to injustice. Ralph Fiennes, in particular, deserves credit for making Gustave charming and ingenious, and also somehow relatable, to keep audiences invested in his story.
Where to watch: The Grand Budapest Hotel is available on Disney+, Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
4) Official Secrets (2019)
This Ralph Fiennes movie is perfect for cinephiles who have a fondness for espionage-themed narratives. It is based on the case of Katharine Gun, a whistleblower who leaked top-secret information about an attempt by intelligence services to potentially influence United Nations diplomats, who were going to vote on a UN resolution regarding the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Keira Knightley plays Katharine and Ralph Fiennes portrays Ben Emmerson, a Liberty lawyer who hopes to prove that she did what she did out of loyalty to her country.
Official Secrets thrives on compelling performances from the cast who perfectly embody the aspirations and motivations of their characters. Even though it is a slow burn, it brings forth inspiring messages of courage and determination that will leave a lasting impression on everyone watching.
Where to watch: Official Secrets can be viewed on Apple TV+, Netflix, and Prime Video.
5) The Dig (2021)
An adaptation of John Preston's novel, The Dig presents a reimagining of the events surrounding the excavation of Sutton Hoo which started in 1938. Carey Mulligan essays the role of Edith Pretty, a Suffolk landowner. She hires self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, to investigate the mounds on her property.
Sometimes historical dramas come across as rushed but The Dig makes a point to present a well-rounded story that allows its characters to shine. As expected from the title, the excavation forms the core of the story but it is the character arcs and personal revelations that make the narrative engaging. The distinctive camera-work and memorable score add to the viewing experience.
Where to watch: The Dig is available for streaming on Netflix.
6) The Menu (2022)
As much as Ralph Fiennes plays righteous characters with ease, he also effortlessly embodies characters who are a lot more complex beneath the surface than expected. This can be witnessed in The Menu by Mark Mylod.
In this comedy horror, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult play a young couple who make their way to Hawthorn, an exclusive restaurant on a private island. They are excited to try the menu put together by celebrity chef Julian Slowik, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. However, as the courses proceed, Julian starts going into unsettling monologues that indicate something is not right.
The unconventional premise is complemented by a well-written screenplay that explores pretentiousness, greed, and more. What's interesting about The Menu is that it can be interpreted in a lot of ways and therefore gives its viewers plenty of food for thought.
Where to watch: The Menu can be streamed on Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV+.
7) Conclave (2024)
The recently released Conclave is based on a novel by Robert Harris. Ralph Fiennes takes on the lead role of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. He organizes a papal conclave to elect the next pope. However, he uncovers worrying dark secrets that could threaten the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church.
When it comes to suspense, this movie never lets the ball drop which helps keep the audience at the edge of their seats. Ralph Fiennes captures the viewer's attention as Cardinal Thomas who has to play detective in order to find the right candidate amidst the power plays and deep-rooted corruption.
Even though the narrative is serious, for the most part, there is also a subtle humor that runs through the movie which elevates the viewing experience. The intelligent dialogue is complemented by cinematic shots, striking costumes and high-quality production design.
Where to watch: Conclave by Edward Berger is available on Apple TV+.
While cinephiles wait for the release of The Return, they should make a point to check out these Ralph Fiennes movies that are engaging from start to finish.
