You Won’t BELIEVE Cillian Murphy’s #1 Movie! (You Never See Him)

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As a dedicated cinephile, I must say that among Cillian Murphy’s illustrious filmography, it’s quite intriguing to find his highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes is one where he remains unseen. In the serendipitous realm of cinema, this gem is none other than “Kensuke’s Kingdom” (2024), an enchanting animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s cherished children’s novel. With a remarkable 97% rating on the revered movie review platform, this visually stunning masterpiece stands out as an anomaly in Murphy’s physically demanding career, as his contribution is limited to a captivating voice performance.

In the movie, Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry are the directors, while Frank Cottrell-Boyce provides the screenplay. Liam Neeson lends his voice to the character of Dad (Mr. Morpurgo), with Sally Hawkins playing Mum, and Ken Watanabe as Kensuke. The story revolves around a young boy named Michael who finds himself stranded on an isolated island, where he meets a mysterious Japanese man as he learns how to survive. Although Liam Neeson’s vocal performance plays a crucial role in the film’s success, it represents a departure from the more intense acting roles that have characterized his career.

One of Contemporary Cinema’s Most Sought-After Performers

Opting for roles that test both him and viewers, an animated scene is strikingly distinct from Murphy’s other productions. In these, his face, particularly his eyes, lend a profound impact to his acting. This is evident in his portrayal of the tormented soldier in Dunkirk, where director Christopher Nolan meticulously captured every subtle expression of shell shock etched across Murphy’s features. His eyes spoke volumes about the horrors of war with minimal dialogue. Similarly, in the intricate dream-within-a-dream plot of Inception, again under Nolan’s direction (seemingly a fan of Murphy, like us), Murphy’s performance as the conflicted Robert Fischer conveys his character’s internal battle between loyalty and freedom, primarily through his facial expressions.

In his breakthrough role in “28 Days Later,” Murphy demonstrated his ability to portray vulnerability convincingly, a trait that no other actor could replicate quite as effectively. However, it was Oppenheimer, the character he played in Christopher Nolan’s biographical epic “Oppenheimer,” that truly marked the pinnacle of Murphy’s career thus far, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. In this film, Murphy masterfully carried the narrative, embodying J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who oversaw the Manhattan Project. The character’s complex mind, laden with the burden of creating the atomic bomb, required Murphy to draw upon all his acting skills.

The Story of Kensuke’s Kingdom

As Michael’s family embarks on an extraordinary sailing trip, a monstrous storm separates him and his loyal pet from their vessel, washing them ashore on an unknown island. Facing the challenges of this untamed wilderness, the young boy soon discovers he isn’t by himself – a secretive Japanese man named Kensuke has inhabited the island since World War II. Initially wary of this new arrival, Kensuke eventually warms up to the boy when they both face threats to their idyllic sanctuary. United by their shared love for their home, they put aside their differences to defend the island they now call their own.

The movie beautifully portrays island life using 2D hand-drawn animation, featuring black-and-white scenes in a graceful Japanese watercolor style to depict Kensuke’s past. Its blend of sound and imagery immerses viewers in the characters’ world, where a Western narrative intertwines with Eastern aesthetics. This reflects the cultural gap that Kensuke and Michael must traverse. Composer Stuart Hancock shared with Animation World Network: “We were in agreement that Kensuke’s Kingdom was a classic adventure story, characterized by traditional hand-drawn animation, and that we would be working within the orchestral music realm of adventure films we cherished from our childhood.

Using the Voice as the Leading Tool

The accomplishment of “Kensuke’s Kingdom” introduces an unanticipated tale to Murphy’s film career. Movies such as “A Quiet Place Part II,” “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,” and “Breakfast on Pluto” showcase his adaptability across genres, but the animated style removes his most prominent traits, resulting in a performance centered around exceptional vocal acting alone. In “Kensuke’s Kingdom,” Murphy’s voice-acting talents mirror the quality of his on-screen performances. His portrayal of Mr Morpurgo in this family-friendly tale exudes warmth and care, which stands in contrast to his more renowned roles as troubled or morally ambiguous characters, such as Thomas Shelby.

The Race to the Top Is Tight

While Kensuke’s Kingdom is Murphy’s highest-rated film, his other movies aren’t far behind – The Dark Knight stands at 94%, Oppenheimer at 93%, and Dunkirk at 92%. This creates an intriguing paradox since his most highly acclaimed work lacks the elements that have made him a household name. As animation technology progresses and voice acting becomes more valued as a significant form of dramatic art, Kensuke’s Kingdom underscores what critics and audiences have long acknowledged about Cillian Murphy: he remains understated as an actor, delivering his performances with quiet competence and skill.

Stream on Kanopy or Hoopla.

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2025-07-04 23:02