Joel Kinnaman’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

Joel Kinnaman is a Swedish-American actor who’s become well-known for his roles in science fiction, action, and crime shows. He often plays characters facing difficult situations and making tough choices. He first became popular in Sweden through his work in the Easy Money film series and the Johan Falk TV show.

Joel Kinnaman first gained widespread recognition for his work on the American crime drama The Killing. This success led to a role in the 2014 RoboCop remake and, subsequently, to several key parts in popular science fiction shows over the last fifteen years. He’s now returning to international projects with the Netflix series Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole.

10. Johan Falk (2009-2012 Movie Series)

Frank Wagner

The Johan Falk series is a hugely popular crime drama in Sweden, though it hasn’t achieved widespread international recognition. Unlike typical crime shows, it focuses on realistic situations and complex storylines, following a special police unit as they investigate organized crime. Its gritty and detailed approach is more similar to The Wire than standard police procedurals.

What makes this series stand out is its ability to create suspense over several films, letting characters and storylines develop more fully than typical crime movies. Joel Kinnaman first became well-known in Sweden for playing Frank Wagner, a secret informant working within a criminal network.

Throughout the ten Johan Falk films, Kinnaman skillfully portrayed a character grappling with inner conflict and intense pressure. He balanced subtle emotional moments with thrilling action, and this role helped establish him as a talented actor who would later find success on the international stage.

9. House Of Cards (2013-2018 Series)

Governor Will Conway (Season 4 & 5)

The series House of Cards was a major early hit for Netflix, and it really helped popularize the idea of binge-watching. It was known for being gripping and showing a ruthless side of American politics. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright starred in the show, creating a consistently tense and unsettling atmosphere.

As a big fan of House of Cards, I always found Joel Kinnaman’s character, Will Conway, really interesting. He came onto the scene in seasons four and five as this up-and-coming Republican governor, and he was meant to be Frank Underwood’s serious competition. What I loved was how Conway was presented – he was polished, used technology brilliantly in his campaign, and felt like a totally modern politician, which made a really stark contrast to Frank’s more manipulative, old-fashioned style.

Even when not the main star, Kinnaman delivered a memorable performance, playing the character with both confidence and subtlety. This role demonstrated his ability to succeed in large-scale American films and shine alongside well-known actors.

8. The Suicide Squad (2021 Movie)

Colonel Rick Flag

James Gunn completely revamped the Suicide Squad franchise with the 2021 film, following the disappointing response to the 2016 version. His take was much more visually striking, playful, and focused on the characters themselves. The movie’s unique style and strong direction essentially served as Gunn’s pitch to lead the DC Universe.

Colonel Rick Flag underwent a significant transformation between films. He shifted from a hardened, cynical soldier to a more sincere, somewhat innocent, and even funny character. This allowed actor Joel Kinnaman to showcase a lighter, more playful side of his acting that fans don’t often see.

Rick Flag’s story is genuinely moving, and his death in The Suicide Squad is a particularly powerful and emotional moment. The character remains important, as a version of him showed up in season 2 of Peacemaker.

7. RoboCop (2014 Movie)

Alex Murphy / RoboCop

While the 2014 version of RoboCop isn’t as widely celebrated as the original from the 1980s, it’s a well-made and updated take on the story. This version has a more modern feel and explores themes of technology, the power of corporations, and what it means to be human in a world dominated by machines.

The movie also did well in theaters, showing people were still interested in the story. Even more significantly, it helped launch Joel Kinnaman’s career as a leading actor.

Joel Kinnaman played Alex Murphy, a police officer rebuilt as a cyborg. He skillfully portrayed both the physical strength of the character and the emotional conflict within. Despite the heavy armor and robotic programming, Kinnaman showed Murphy’s inner turmoil and remaining human side. This performance proved he could lead a major action film and opened doors for more Hollywood opportunities.

6. Altered Carbon (2018-2020 Series)

Takeshi Lev Kovacs (Season 1)

Netflix’s Altered Carbon was a visually impressive cyberpunk series based on Richard K. Morgan’s novel. It created a detailed, futuristic world where people could transfer their consciousness into different bodies, but also featured a lot of intense violence – sometimes graphic and sexual – which turned some viewers off, despite the show’s ambitious scope and strong world-building.

Joel Kinnaman starred as Takeshi Kovacs in the first season of Altered Carbon. Kovacs is a highly skilled former soldier who wakes up in a new body and is tasked with solving a murder for a very rich man. Kinnaman brought a dark, classic detective feel to the role, portraying Kovacs as tough and reserved but also hinting at a hidden emotional side.

The actor carried the weight of the show’s complicated story, demonstrating his ability to star in a visually ambitious and imaginative series. He’s become a strong performer in both action and science fiction. For the second season, a new actor, Anthony Mackie, takes over the lead role, replacing Joel Kinnaman.

5. Sympathy For The Devil (2023 Movie)

The Driver / David Chamberlain

Sympathy for the Devil is a lean, experimental thriller that relies heavily on the performances of Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman. The movie centers on a normal driver, played by Kinnaman, whose night takes a terrifying turn when he picks up Cage’s erratic and dangerous passenger, leading to a tense and escalating confrontation.

The movie takes place in a limited number of locations and feels like it’s unfolding in real time, so it relies more on conversations, mood, and acting than on big action sequences. Nicolas Cage gives a wild, over-the-top performance, and Lena Headey provides a more subtle and reserved performance, gradually showing the complexity hidden beneath her calm demeanor.

What really makes Sympathy for the Devil work for me is the incredible back-and-forth between the two leads – it’s like watching a really tense psychological game of chess. Joel Kinnaman is fantastic, showing a lot of control and intensity, and he totally holds his own against one of the most unique and powerful actors in the business.

4. Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole (2026 Series)

Tom Waaler

Netflix’s new crime drama, Detective Hole, is based on the popular Harry Hole novels by Jo Nesbø. The series, released in March 2026, adapts the fifth book, The Devil’s Star, and follows experienced Oslo detective Harry Hole as he investigates a disturbing serial killer case filled with ethical dilemmas and police corruption. It’s a Nordic noir that dives into a dark and complex mystery.

I was really captivated by Joel Kinnaman’s performance as Tom Waaler in Detective Hole. He plays this incredibly complex character – a corrupt cop who has this intense, complicated relationship with the main detective, Hole. It’s their rivalry, but also the way they sometimes have to work together, that really builds the suspense. Kinnaman really embodies this morally ambiguous villain, constantly pushing Hole’s buttons, both at work and on a personal level. It’s a fantastic portrayal.

As a movie fan, I was really excited to see Joel Kinnaman play a more complex, darker character in Detective Hole. It’s a big international series, and it feels like director Waaler is giving Kinnaman a fantastic opportunity to show a different side of himself. His performance is key to what makes the show so gripping – it really grounds the story as Detective Hole dives into the messy, grey areas of police work, all set against the unsettling vibe of Oslo’s criminal world.

3. Easy Money (2010-2013 Movie Trilogy)

Johan “JW” Westlund

The Swedish crime series Easy Money, based on Jens Lapidus’ novels, helped launch Joel Kinnaman’s career. It tells the connected stories of criminals in Stockholm, exploring themes of money, power, and difficult choices.

Mikael Kinnaman plays Johan “JW” Westlund, a well-off young man who finds himself involved in criminal activity. Kinnaman skillfully portrays JW’s internal struggle as he grapples with his conscience. The character highlights Kinnaman’s talent for playing complicated and nuanced roles, showcasing JW’s intelligence, drive, and underlying vulnerability. This performance brought Kinnaman acclaim in Sweden and helped launch his international career.

The Easy Money films are known for revitalizing Swedish crime movies, combining sleek visuals with a raw, realistic feel. Mikael Kinnaman’s performance in the trilogy launched his career, establishing him as a talented Scandinavian actor capable of succeeding in Hollywood while still prioritizing strong, character-focused stories.

2. The Killing (2011-2014 Series)

Stephen Holder

The Killing is a gripping American crime drama centered around the intense murder investigations of detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder. The show is celebrated for its deliberate pacing, atmospheric visuals, and well-developed characters, and is considered one of Netflix’s successful rescues of a cancelled series.

Playing detective Stephen Holder was a breakthrough for Kinnaman in the United States. The role let him show off his acting skills by portraying a complex and unique character – one who was both charming and emotionally vulnerable. Kinnaman was able to highlight his range by capturing Holder’s intelligence, wit, and inner depth, making him both compelling and relatable.

Honestly, The Killing was the show that really proved this guy could carry a series here in the States. It totally opened doors for him – after that, he started landing some seriously good roles on both regular TV and streaming platforms. More than that, it showed everyone he could deliver a compelling, character-focused performance week after week, season after season.

1. For All Mankind (2019-Present Series)

Edward “Ed” Baldwin

For All Mankind is a science fiction series that presents a fascinating ‘what if’ scenario: what if the space race between the US and the Soviet Union had continued? The show imagines a world where the Soviets landed astronauts on the Moon before the Americans, changing history as we know it.

For All Mankind is a compelling series that combines realistic depictions of political and technological advancements with intimate, personal stories. It explores the challenges, competition, and dreams of the people involved in the space race – the astronauts, the engineers, and their families. Joel Kinnaman stars as Ed Baldwin, a nuanced astronaut grappling with his responsibilities, personal goals, and the intense demands of space travel.

The character Baldwin gives Joel Kinnaman the opportunity to demonstrate his acting abilities, showing everything from strong leadership and resolve in difficult situations to moments of vulnerability and internal struggle. The show blends thrilling action with complex characters, offering a nuanced look at what it means to be human under immense pressure, and ultimately proves that Joel Kinnaman is capable of leading a high-quality, dramatic series with both power and subtlety.

2026-04-05 21:04