At 38-years-old, Jake Gyllenhaal is one of Hollywood's most sought-after stars. Celebrated thanks to his work in countless endeavours, and respected because of his choice to keep his private life as far out of the public eye as possible, he's somebody that brings a smile to the face of even the coldest heart.
Now in the spotlight once more, after bringing Marvel villain Mysterio to life in the new Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Spider-Man: Far From Home, we've decided to take a look back at some of his most impressive roles to-date.
Let us know which have been your favourites in the comments section, or send us a tweet @FemaleFirst_UK!
7. Billy Hope in Southpaw
Getting into what many call the best shape of his life for this role, Gyllenhaal not only plays a boxer intent on reviving his professional career in Southpaw, but a champion who will do anything in the fight to get his daughter back from child protective services.
Billy Hope is an incredibly damaged character, who careened through a path of destruction following an incident that would change his life forever. Gyllenhaal plays him with sheer excellence, showcasing a man on the brink who is devastated following loss; give this one a watch if you've not managed to check it out just yet.
6. Louis Bloom in Nightcrawler
Directed by Dan Gilroy in his feature directorial debut, Nightcrawler is a thriller that allows Gyllenhaal to really shine, and prove his acting chops are amongst the best in the business.
Here, he takes on the role of petty thief Louis Bloom, who turns his criminal career into something a heck of a lot more sinister. It's strange to see Gyllenhaal take on such a character when many of those he's portrayed in the past have been intensely charismatic, but one heck of an experience that any fan of the actor should enjoy.
5. Anthony Swofford in Jarhead
Based on United States Marine Anthony Swofford's 2003 memoir of the same name, Jarhead tells the story of one young man who attends the U.S. Marine Corps training programme before being stationed officially in the military, in 1989.
Gyllenhaal presents Swofford as a man who faces his fair share of struggles whilst indulging in army life, and allows director Sam Mendes to highlight some of the after-effects of war, for those who were closest to it.
4. Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain
For some, Brokeback Mountain is the love story of the century. The Ang Lee-directed film really shook up Hollywood, presenting homosexual love on the big screen in a way that very few people had been brave enough to do. The movie broke down barriers that once existed, and Gyllenhaal was an instrumental part in helping to do exactly that.
As Jack Twist, he is a conflicted young man who knows he will not be allowed to live out his true existence in public, but indulges in his feelings of attraction with the same sex when he is given the chance.
The LGBTQ+ community herald Brokeback Mountain as one of the most relatable pieces of film they've ever seen, even in today's more tolerant world.
3. Robert Graysmith in Zodiac
Based on the non-fiction book of the same name, released in 1986 by Robert Graysmith, Zodiac tells the story of the manhunt for The Zodiac Killer; a serial murderer who, to this day, still has never been identified.
The killer would taunt police with letters, bloodstained clothing from their victims, and rain terror down on the citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith in the movie; an obsessive who attempted to decode the letters sent by the murderer, and bring a close to the case.
2. Donnie Darko in Donnie Darko
This 2001 sci-fi thriller sees Gyllenhaal step into the titular role, and is still now heralded as one of his best pieces of work. Setting him off on his path for Hollywood greatness, filmmakers really took note when the critical acclaim for what looked to be a blockbuster failure started to roll in.
Now a cult classic, fans go back time and time again to see the actor portray the troubled teenager at the centre of this story. It'd probably be fair to say that not everybody who watches Donnie Darko understands it, but they certainly respect it for what it allowed Gyllenhaal to do with his career!
1. Brian Taylor in End of Watch
Gyllenhaal looks the part, sounds the part, and embodies the part of an LAPD officer perfectly in End of Watch. Gritty from start to end, his character is simply trying to survive in a world and a society that is becoming increasingly dangerous.
If you want to see Gyllenhaal in a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very start to the climactic finish, then End of Watch should be top of your watchlist.
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