Édgar Ramírez became well known after his role in Carlos, a role that earned him widespread critical acclaim and saw his success taken to new heights. As his career soared, Ramírez achieved much success in TV through his roles on the Nicole Kidman-led The Undoing, which is currently available to stream on HBO Max, and in the Ryan Murphy TV anthology series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. More than his television work, Ramírez also has a string of successful film to his name.
Ramírez has starred alongside great actors, like movie legend Robert De Niro, and has appeared in huge titles that have received critical and commercial acclaim, from Gold, opposite Matthew McConaughey, to the recent The 355. Next for Ramírez is the upcoming video game movie adaptation Borderlands, which, per IGN, revealed its first look earlier this year at CinemaCon 2022. Until then, here’s a look at Édgar Ramírez’s best movies, ranked.
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8 Gold
Boies/Schiller Films
Gold was released in 2016 and is a crime drama directed by Stephen Gaghan, which features performances by Matthew McConaughey and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film is based partially on the story of Bre-X, a mining scandal that involved the discovery of a gold deposit, which caused a lot of controversy. Ramírez played Michael Acosta, a geologist who becomes implicated, and his performance is strong throughout.
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7 Bright
Overbrook Entertainment
Bright is a 2017 fantasy film directed by David Ayer. The film features an ensemble cast that includes: Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, and Lucy Fry, in addition to Ramírez. The movie takes place in an alternate universe in which humans, orcs, elves, and fairies coexist. Bright takes a turn when their world is turned upside down and threatened. The film received mediocre reviews; however, the cast is strong, and Ramírez performs well in his role as Kandomere.
6 The 355
Freckle Films
The 355 was released in early-2022 and featured the directing talents of Simon Kinberg. The film features an ensemble cast, including Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, Diane Kruger, and Lupita Nyong’o. The plot focuses on a group of international spies who must work together to stop a terrorist organization from starting World War III. Ramírez stars as Luis Rojas, a DNI agent who is involved in the mission. The film received lackluster reviews, but Ramírez performs his role well.
5 Hands of Stone
Fuego Films
Hands of Stone is a 2016 biographical film that features the dramatization of the career of Roberto Duran, a professional boxer. The movie was directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz and features performances from Ramírez as well as Robert De Niro, Usher, and Ruben Blades. Ramírez stars as Duran, and De Niro plays his trainer, Ray Arcel. They become involved in the boxing world and have a dramatic rise in the ranks. They both have excellent chemistry, and the movie demonstrates their talents perfectly.
4 Deliver Us from Evil
Screen Gems
Deliver Us From Evil is a 2014 horror movie directed by Scott Derrickson, and is based on the book Beware the Night by Ralph Sarchie. The film tells the story of an NYPD Sgt. Ralph (Eric Bana), who has seen so many horrifying events that they begin to poison his soul. He is then united with a priest (Ramirez) who tries to convince him that other forms of evil (demons) exist. It’s a different kind of film for Ramírez and is well worth a watch.
3 Domino
Scott Free Productions
Domino was released in 2005 and is an action crime drama directed by Tony Scott. Domino is played by Keira Knightley, and we see her life as a fashion model turned bounty hunter as she narrates how she became involved in a large robbery shortly before the film began. Ramírez stars as Ed Moseby, and he adds to the overall success of the film with his strong performance.
2 Joy
Fox 2000 Pictures
Joy is a 2015 comedy-drama written and directed by David O. Russell. Jennifer Lawrence stars in the leading role as Joy, a self-made millionaire who created her own business empire. Ramírez stars as Tony, Joy’s ex-husband, and both of their performances are very strong. The film received mixed reviews, however, it was widely awarded, and the actors received highly deserved acclaim for their work.
1 Carlos
Film En Stock
Carlos was released in 2010 and is a biographical depiction of the life of Venezuelan terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, nicknamed Carlos the Jackal. Ramirez stars in the leading role, and he does so with perfection. It’s clear to see his talents at their best as he embodies the character who is tracked as he executes several high intensity assassination plots. He received widespread acclaim for this role and was put on the global map, and it’s easy to understand why.
