Every Leonardo DiCaprio Movie, Ranked

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This article was first published on June 18, 2018. Because Leonardo DiCaprio consistently appears in new films, it has been updated multiple times, most recently to include information about his movie, *One Battle After Another*.

Leonardo DiCaprio recently turned 50, a birthday that officially marks him as one of Hollywood’s established stars – a realization that surprised many fans who’ve grown up watching him. It doesn’t feel that long ago that he was the energetic young actor in films like *What’s Eating Gilbert Grape* and *Romeo + Juliet*. And with the iconic movie *Titanic* now almost 30 years old, he’ll always be remembered as the charming Jack.

Leonardo DiCaprio has matured, not just in appearance, but in his presence and the projects he selects. While Tom Cruise is often called the last true movie star – someone who draws audiences simply by appearing in a film – DiCaprio truly deserves that title. He’s consistently avoided sequels and established franchises (aside from a very early, obscure role in *Critters 3*, and the fact that *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* is getting a sequel he won’t be part of). Essentially, he elevates every film he’s in. His choices transform movies into major events. He’s collaborated with legendary directors like Martin Scorsese six times, as well as Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Baz Luhrmann, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Clint Eastwood, and Danny Boyle – yet his films feel deeply personal, as much a reflection of him as the directors themselves.

That leads us to his newest film, *One Battle After Another*. While many will likely see it because of writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s Leonardo DiCaprio who will really drive ticket sales. That’s just what he does. For the past 15 years, he’s consistently chosen projects that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, avoiding any major flops. Unlike some actors, there haven’t been any articles questioning what went wrong with his career. You can joke about his personal life, but when it comes to box office results, he’s been one of the most reliable stars of the last two decades.

Despite consistently delivering excellent performances in a string of successful films, he remains surprisingly unheralded. He’s clearly respected by fellow actors and continues to draw large audiences – a position once held by stars like Tom Hanks. Lately, most movie stars have taken a backseat to established franchises, but Leonardo DiCaprio is a notable exception. He even offered some memorable advice to Timothée Chalamet: avoid drugs and superhero roles.

Trying to rank Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performances is tough because he has so many great roles to choose from. He’s had distinct phases in his career – from his early days in films like *Titanic*, to the complex characters in *Shutter Island* and *Inception*, then his Oscar-winning performance in *The Revenant*, and even roles like the unconventional hero in *One Battle After Another*. He’s grown from a young heartthrob into a truly impressive and consistently compelling actor. We’ve put together our ranking of all his major films, but choosing a definitive number one is difficult. He’s given us so many memorable moments over the years.

30.
Don’s Plum (2001)

This movie is infamous for being so disliked by Leonardo DiCaprio that he and Tobey Maguire actually sued to prevent its release – and it stayed hidden for six years! To be honest, it’s not worth the hype unless you’re curious to see a very young DiCaprio attempting to play a stereotypical “spoiled Hollywood kid” alongside the group of friends who would become known as his “Pussy Posse.” (The director, R.D. Robb, was reportedly ostracized from the group because of this film.) It’s a largely unscripted and messy collection of every predictable ‘90s indie movie trope, and it unfortunately includes a lot of sexism that occasionally veers into problematic territory. Ultimately, it’s more cringeworthy for Tobey Maguire than for DiCaprio, who at least *tries* to deliver a performance. The real standout is Jenny Lewis, in what would be her last acting role, who manages to maintain her grace despite everything.

29.
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)

The 1990s take on The Three Musketeers, while aiming for a more dramatic tone, isn’t significantly superior to the earlier version starring Chris O’Donnell – it simply takes itself much more seriously. It benefited from Leonardo DiCaprio’s fame after *Titanic*, but the film itself is largely uninspired. DiCaprio plays both King Louis XIV and his identical twin, prompting the legendary musketeers (played by Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, Gerard Depardieu, and John Malkovich!) to come out of retirement and overthrow a tyrannical ruler. However, DiCaprio seems strangely detached, as if unsure whether this was meant to be a starring role for him. The movie feels overly crowded and chaotic, preventing it from truly finding its footing.

28.
Total Eclipse (1995)

Looking back, this film about the troubled romance between poets Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud is a clear showcase of the talents Leonardo DiCaprio would later perfect: his dedication to complex characters, his energetic performances, and his captivating screen presence. However, recognizing these early strengths doesn’t make *Total Eclipse* an easy watch. The film, directed by Agnieszka Holland and written by Christopher Hampton, deliberately keeps viewers at a distance, presenting a lifeless love story between two unhappy, self-destructive individuals who are both drawn to and repelled by each other. Audiences weren’t interested in spending more time with them, and the film ultimately suffered. At this point in his career, DiCaprio could capture Rimbaud’s rebellious spirit, but not the character’s emotional depth.

27.
Don’t Look Up (2021)

It’s easy to see why DiCaprio might have been drawn to Adam McKay’s satirical take on the end of the world. He doesn’t often do comedies, so it could have been a chance to try something different. Plus, climate change-a key focus of the film-is a cause he deeply cares about, and Christian Bale received an Oscar nomination for McKay’s previous movie. However, the pairing doesn’t work. While McKay is more to blame than DiCaprio, it’s DiCaprio we’re stuck watching throughout. He attempts to portray his scientist as someone longing for a peaceful family life, but the movie never gives him the space to develop that idea. Instead, DiCaprio ends up looking just as stressed and lost as everyone else, though he manages to maintain a bit more composure than some of his fellow actors.

26.
The Beach (2000)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Yc9vYLgQb4E

After the success of *Titanic*, Leonardo DiCaprio attempted a different kind of blockbuster with *The Beach*, but it didn’t quite work out. While the story – about a man searching for paradise on a secluded island and struggling with his mental state – seemed promising, the film ended up being disjointed. DiCaprio’s performance felt directionless, and director Danny Boyle’s vision was overly complicated and unclear. (It wasn’t Boyle’s worst film, but he seemed to have the least creative control over it.) *The Beach* marked the end of DiCaprio’s attempt to capitalize on his *Titanicera heartthrob image; his next four roles were with either Martin Scorsese or Steven Spielberg. Boyle and DiCaprio are both talented filmmakers, but they simply didn’t seem to click creatively. On the bright side, the movie does feature DiCaprio in a fight with a shark – and so far, that’s been the only time he’s done that!

25.
Blood Diamond (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio isn’t well-suited to the earnest, preachy tone of this film about conflict diamonds. He’s a more restless actor, and the movie, directed by Edward Zwick, feels stiff and conventional. Zwick tries to cast DiCaprio as a classic, stoic hero, but it doesn’t quite fit – it’s a role Humphrey Bogart would have excelled at decades ago. DiCaprio lacks that natural confidence, appearing too uneasy in the part. While not the biggest problem with a film that hasn’t aged well, this role doesn’t play to DiCaprio’s strengths as an actor, and feels outside his usual range.

24.
The Basketball Diaries (1995)

As a film fan, I remember being really intrigued when I heard DiCaprio was playing Jim Carroll, the poet and heroin addict. It felt like a bold choice, diving into such a raw and difficult role. But honestly, the movie itself was a letdown. Even now, twenty years later, I can’t quite figure out why it played things so…safely. It often felt like a made-for-TV movie about a privileged kid experimenting with drugs, instead of a truly penetrating look at a deeply troubled soul like Carroll. DiCaprio gives it his all, and I often think he could have absolutely nailed it a few years later with the right guidance. It proved he wasn’t afraid of challenging material, but it also felt like he hadn’t quite found the director who could really help him unlock that darkness – not yet, anyway. It felt like a surface-level exploration of a story that deserved so much more depth.

23.
Body of Lies (2008)

Despite starring Leonardo DiCaprio and being directed by Ridley Scott, *Body of Lies* wasn’t a big success. It’s a visually polished film, but lacks depth. DiCaprio plays a skilled CIA agent on a mission to find a dangerous terrorist leader in Iraq and Jordan. The movie attempts to add emotional weight with a romance between his character and a Jordanian nurse, but this subplot feels forced and is used primarily to drive the plot forward. While it reunites DiCaprio with Russell Crowe, who plays a comfortable stateside CIA boss, *Body of Lies* is a fairly forgettable studio film that tries, and largely fails, to offer meaningful insight into U.S.-Middle East relations. DiCaprio delivers a solid performance, but it’s likely this is one of his films you’ve overlooked.

22.
J. Edgar (2011)

As a film buff, I’ve always noticed DiCaprio thrives when he’s working with a director who really pushes him, someone he can really collaborate with and even challenge. Clint Eastwood, while undeniably talented, isn’t that kind of director – he’s more of a ‘point the camera and get the job done’ type. While that approach has its place, it didn’t really serve DiCaprio well in *J. Edgar*. The film felt like it just hit all the major moments of Hoover’s life, and it didn’t give DiCaprio the room to really dig deep. His performance felt… restrained, not the intense, simmering portrayal we’re used to. Honestly, Armie Hammer had the more interesting role as Clyde Tolson. I can almost picture DiCaprio trying to find Hoover’s inner life, then looking up, surprised, when Eastwood called “cut!” Like, “Wait, are we finished? That’s all we got?” So much of DiCaprio’s best work comes from finding the perfect director pairing, and unfortunately, Eastwood just wasn’t it.

21.
The Quick and the Dead (1995)

This movie feels like a fascinating snapshot of a particular moment in several careers. Director Sam Raimi made it between his horror work and the *Spider-Man* films, and it starred Sharon Stone as Hollywood tried to find the right roles for her after *Basic Instinct*. Ultimately, *The Quick and the Dead* doesn’t move beyond its simple idea – a Western with a female lead. The cast and director seem assembled more for that concept than for a compelling story, though Raimi does stage the gunfights in a visually creative way. Leonardo DiCaprio is good as the cocky young gunslinger, but it’s a relief to see he moved on to more substantial roles.

20.
This Boy’s Life (1993)

Before Leonardo DiCaprio became a major star, he made this film in 1993, alongside *What’s Eating Gilbert Grape*. *This Boy’s Life*, based on Tobias Wolff’s autobiography, stars DiCaprio as a young version of Wolff, who has to adjust to life with a harsh stepfather (Robert De Niro) in 1950s Seattle. While it touches on themes of growing up, the movie doesn’t fully embrace that story. It initially suggests the stepfather might have good intentions, but ultimately portrays him as a frightening and abusive figure. DiCaprio really shines in his scenes with De Niro, hinting at the powerful actor he would become.

19.
Gangs of New York (2002)

Though it launched a successful partnership, DiCaprio’s first film with Martin Scorsese is arguably their least impressive. While DiCaprio is the main character, he feels surprisingly unimportant to the story, especially compared to Daniel Day-Lewis’s powerful performance. By the end, Scorsese seems to almost forget about him. Unlike their later collaborations, this film feels like DiCaprio is simply showing off his acting skills instead of deeply connecting with the character’s inner turmoil. Thankfully, they eventually found their rhythm and created much stronger films together.

18.
Django Unchained (2012)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=0fUCuvNlOCg

As a huge movie fan, I’ve been pondering something about Tarantino films and actors. It seems like, aside from Leonardo DiCaprio, it’s rare to see a truly great actor give a noticeably *worse* performance in one of his movies than they usually do. DiCaprio is okay as Calvin Candie in *Django Unchained*, I guess, but it never quite felt right. He’s such a physical performer, and while he tries to be intimidating, he gets overshadowed in that final scene – honestly, he’s probably the fourth most interesting person in it! And going up against Christoph Waltz, who seems born to deliver Tarantino’s dialogue, didn’t help. It’s a flashy role, but maybe *too* flashy, especially since Candie is so privileged and easily manipulated. It pains me to say it, but DiCaprio just doesn’t quite click in that part. I honestly don’t think it would even make the top 25 performances in all of Tarantino’s films.

17.
Celebrity (1998)

Following the massive success of *Titanic*, Leonardo DiCaprio made a brief, memorable appearance in Woody Allen’s satirical comedy about the world of celebrity. He playfully parodied the public’s perception of himself as a glamorous movie star, portraying a self-absorbed and volatile character. DiCaprio brought both sex appeal and a sense of unpredictability to the role, elevating it beyond simple charm. Woody Allen later praised DiCaprio as a truly exceptional actor, comparing him to legends like De Niro and Pacino, and highlighting his natural talent, intensity, and improvisational skills.

16.
Revolutionary Road (2008)

Often billed as a reunion for the stars of *Titanic*, *Revolutionary Road* signaled a shift in Leonardo DiCaprio’s career, marking the beginning of a period where he frequently played characters grappling with the disillusionment of marriage. (While *Shutter Island* and *Inception* later appeared higher on many lists, this film was a key stepping stone.) The movie, based on Richard Yates’s first novel, was important for DiCaprio as he moved from being a promising young actor to a respected dramatic performer, learning how to use his youthful appearance to portray characters struggling with immaturity and desperation. He plays Frank, a 1950s husband who feels deeply unhappy despite having what appears to be a perfect life with his beautiful wife, April (Kate Winslet). However, while DiCaprio delivers a strong performance, *Revolutionary Road* truly shines thanks to Michael Shannon, who launched his film career with a memorable and scene-stealing role as a troubled man in town.

15.
Marvin’s Room (1996)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=BK9j3fcE1LA

Leonardo DiCaprio shines alongside acting legends like Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, and Robert De Niro, quickly becoming the most captivating force in the film. He plays Streep’s troubled son, and his performance adds a welcome unpredictability to an otherwise somber and direct story about family illness-Streep is coping with her father’s failing health, while Keaton’s character battles cancer and needs a donor. DiCaprio doesn’t just hold his own against such a talented cast; he commands their attention, and it becomes clear that they are responding to *him* throughout the movie.

14.
William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996)

As a huge film fan, I always find Baz Luhrmann’s style… a lot. But even for him, his take on *Romeo and Juliet* feels surprisingly restrained. What really stuck with me, though, was how perfectly it captured young Leonardo DiCaprio as a total heartthrob. He played Romeo as just a regular beach bum, completely consumed by his feelings – you could *feel* everything he was going through. Early in his career, Leo was amazing at showing what it’s like to fall head-over-heels in love – that intense joy, the silly crushes, and all the energy that comes with it. He and Claire Danes had incredible chemistry, and it was so moving to watch them because you knew, from the start, that their passionate romance was doomed. It’s a very heightened, melodramatic style, and you see him do something similar a year later in that famous movie about a couple on a ship.

13.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Leonardo DiCaprio often plays troubled characters, so it was refreshing to see him as a charming con artist in a lesser-known Steven Spielberg film. He’s incredibly fun as Frank Abagnale, a teenage scammer who’s so good, you find yourself rooting for him. DiCaprio adds depth to the character, hinting at a troubled past through his portrayal of a heartbroken father, wonderfully played by Christopher Walken. While DiCaprio shines when he’s being lighthearted, he also subtly reveals the vulnerable side of the character. Tom Hanks provides a great contrast as the grounded, relatable figure who can’t understand how Abagnale keeps succeeding. It would be great to see DiCaprio take on more roles like this again – he seems to thrive when working with a talented director and allowed to play a more carefree character.

12.
The Great Gatsby (2013)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rARN6agiW7o

When Baz Luhrmann’s *The Great Gatsby* premiered in 2013, writer Kyle Buchanan highlighted the film’s introduction of Jay Gatsby as spectacularly over-the-top – a moment so captivating it prompted laughter, tears, and applause. It felt like a shared, knowing wink between director and star (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the audience, and perfectly encapsulated the entire film. DiCaprio’s performance is a key reason the remake works, despite its flaws. He embodies Gatsby’s wealth and status with a rare movie-star presence, while also subtly hinting at the sadness beneath it all. Much like in *Celebrity*, DiCaprio playfully acknowledges and exaggerates the audience’s admiration for him, clearly enjoying the role of a glamorous, yet ultimately unfulfilled, figure.

11.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

With so much deserved praise going to Lily Gladstone’s performance in Martin Scorsese’s powerful film about the Osage Nation, it’s easy to miss just how good Leonardo DiCaprio is too. In reality, DiCaprio’s character, Ernest, is the central, deeply flawed figure in this story. He’s a seemingly ordinary man who returns from World War I, marries Gladstone’s Mollie, and then tragically participates in the destruction of her family. While DiCaprio has played troubled characters for Scorsese before, this role is different. Ernest is weak and selfish, motivated by greed for Mollie’s wealth-gained when oil was discovered on her tribe’s land-and readily follows his wicked uncle’s (Robert De Niro) plans to steal that money. Yet, he genuinely loves Mollie, and never fully grasps how his cooperation with corruption is harming her. It’s a captivatingly complex portrayal of someone who is passively evil-complicit through good intentions-and DiCaprio delivers a stunningly pathetic and repulsive performance, somehow making you feel a little sorry for this despicable man. But only a little.

10.
The Revenant (2015)

Leonardo DiCaprio’s film *The Revenant* is a raw and intense survival story, similar in theme to *Cast Away*. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who won an Oscar for *Birdman*, the film follows a frontiersman in the 1820s who faces incredible hardship: a Native American attack, a brutal bear encounter, and betrayal by a fellow traveler (Tom Hardy) who leaves him to die. DiCaprio’s character doesn’t speak much, but in this intensely physical story, words aren’t necessary. This is undoubtedly his most physically demanding role, with the actor pushing himself to the limit across harsh landscapes in a desperate fight for survival. While his Oscar win felt like a recognition of his long and respected career, *The Revenant* is still a powerful film. However, despite its relentless intensity, the performance doesn’t showcase the full range of his most memorable roles.

9.
Inception (2010)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=UJd4s9ntbS0&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqowBXEx0pktRzlDGXuyVFRP

As a movie lover, it’s been amazing to watch Leonardo DiCaprio take on such a clever blockbuster with *Inception*. It’s honestly his biggest hit since *Titanic* – can you believe that was his first true summer movie? What I really appreciate is that he didn’t just chase big paychecks after his early success; he waited for something *smart*. *Inception* delivers that in spades. It’s not just about the incredible visuals and mind-bending plot; it’s DiCaprio’s performance that really grounds the film. His character, Dom Cobb, isn’t simply sad about losing his wife, he’s haunted by it, and DiCaprio brings so much depth and pain to the role. He elevates the whole experience. He’s not usually the type to do straight-up popcorn movies, but when he does, he absolutely nails it.

8.
Titanic (1997)

I recently rewatched *Titanic*, and honestly, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were! It’s easy to forget they were just starting out when they made such a massive film – it’s still the second highest-grossing movie ever, you know. James Cameron always excels at creating relatable characters, and with Jack, he gave Leo the perfect role. DiCaprio took what could have been a simple immigrant stereotype and turned him into a truly unforgettable romantic hero. I think a big part of that was Leo’s age at the time. He was only 23 when *Titanic* came out, and he brought such a youthful energy – that reckless, optimistic charm – that Rose (Kate Winslet) couldn’t help but fall for. While Leo has become an incredibly nuanced actor over the years, this role really showcased his classic star power. The moment Jack dies in the film… well, it cemented a lifelong fan base, including me. He truly captured a generation’s heart.

7.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

It’s common to suspect actors of feigning illness or portraying characters with disabilities solely to win awards, but Leonardo DiCaprio’s first Oscar nomination was different. In his role as Arnie, the brother of Gilbert (Johnny Depp), DiCaprio avoided a simplistic or overly sweet depiction of disability. What made his performance so strong was that Arnie was a complex, and sometimes frustrating, character – a handful to care for, making the family’s struggles believable. Importantly, DiCaprio didn’t try to make Arnie seem saintly, which could have felt condescending. Instead, he portrayed a messy, yet endearing, dignity that felt genuinely human. Also, his on-screen connection with Depp showed he could stand his own ground alongside established stars.

6.
One Battle After Another (2025)

It always seemed inevitable that Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson would collaborate, and their new film feels like a natural fit. Both grew up obsessed with movies in Southern California and share a willingness to take risks and challenge audiences. While *One Battle After Another* is bold and energetic, it also presents DiCaprio in an unusual role: as a single father, Bob, protecting his teenage daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), from the authorities, led by Sean Penn’s intense colonel. Throughout the nearly three-hour film, Bob transforms from a passionate rebel into a more subdued and resigned figure, struggling with the weight of his past. DiCaprio convincingly portrays both an action hero and a flawed, sometimes lost, father, showing a tender side as he tries to shield his equally rebellious daughter from a world he once fought to change.

5.
Shutter Island (2010)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Z_0TQHoV_2I

Often considered one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most controversial films, *Shutter Island* is a beautifully unsettling depiction of a man’s descent into madness. DiCaprio plays U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, who believes he’s investigating a disappearance at a mental institution, but is actually a patient himself struggling to cope with a tragic past – the death of his children and the role his wife (Michelle Williams) played in it. While the film’s twist ending is debated, the core of *Shutter Island* is a powerful exploration of grief and denial, and DiCaprio delivers an electrifying performance, convincingly portraying Teddy’s inner turmoil. The film is frequently compared to the works of Alfred Hitchcock, and rightfully so; DiCaprio’s performance is as compelling as those given by classic stars like Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant when they collaborated with masterful directors.

4.
The Departed (2006)

Interestingly, Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in this film might be his most genuinely heroic. Considering the many troubled characters he’s played, this one stands out as the movie’s moral compass. While everyone else is primarily looking out for themselves, DiCaprio’s character, Billy, is a dedicated officer who truly tries to do the right thing, even as the immense stress of his undercover work takes a toll. Despite his sacrifices, things don’t exactly turn out well for him. It’s noticeable how many words we’ve used to describe his characters’ breakdowns – ‘cracking up,’ ‘crumbling,’ ‘collapsing’ – highlighting the internal struggles. Despite having a subtle role in a film that could easily be over-the-top, DiCaprio is ultimately what makes the movie so effective.

3.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

If you look at Leo’s best films, it’s clear he and Scorsese just *get* each other. Four out of his top five are directed by Marty, and honestly, they showcase everything he can do as an actor. But the most recent one, *The Wolf of Wall Street*, feels special – I think it’s going to be a classic. He plays Jordan Belfort, a truly awful guy, but with so much energy and commitment it’s insane. It’s almost frustrating how some people miss the point and just see him as a successful businessman! What really struck me about DiCaprio’s performance is that he *fully* commits to the character. He never lets on that Belfort is a monster, he just plays him as if he truly believes the world exists solely for his own gain. And honestly, I was blown away by his physical comedy! That slow-motion breakdown while he’s high? It felt like something out of an old Marx Brothers movie. It was a side of Leo I hadn’t really seen before, and it was brilliant.

2.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

While Brad Pitt deserved his Oscar, Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance is truly the heart of Quentin Tarantino’s bold and bittersweet film about old Hollywood. Though his first Tarantino role in *Django Unchained* wasn’t quite a hit, DiCaprio is perfect here. His character, Rick Dalton-a former teen idol desperate to be seen as a serious actor-feels deeply personal. Dalton worries his prime is over and struggles to stay relevant in a changing world. DiCaprio brings an unusual vulnerability and authenticity to the role, something fresh for both him and Tarantino. Plus, he’s genuinely funny-it’s a joy to watch him goof around, even while intoxicated, and he’s surprisingly good with a flamethrower!

1.
The Aviator (2004)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=6P1_qp8nYO8

Leonardo DiCaprio often challenges his handsome image in his most memorable roles, hinting at the flaws and struggles hidden beneath the surface. This is especially true in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated film about Howard Hughes. While audiences were still used to seeing DiCaprio as a young heartthrob after *Titanic*, this film marked his arrival as a serious adult actor. He brilliantly portrayed Hughes’s intense drive and, eventually, his increasingly unstable behavior. DiCaprio’s performance is compelling because we understand Hughes is destined to fail – and, perhaps, he knows it too. Yet, DiCaprio portrays a man fighting against his inner demons, creating a captivating and surprisingly sympathetic depiction of ambition battling mental breakdown. *The Aviator* captures a uniquely American theme: our relentless pursuit of success even as our lives fall apart. Scorsese’s decision to cast a strikingly handsome young actor like DiCaprio was brilliant, and DiCaprio responded with an incredible performance built on a fascinating paradox: he became a truly great actor by playing a man who was losing himself.

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2025-09-26 19:01