Most of us are familiar with contenders for the top 5 best Russel Crowe movies: Gladiator (2000), L.A. Confidential (1997), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Insider (1999), 3:10 To Yuma ( (2007), Cinderella Man (2005), American Gangster (2007), the list deservedly goes on. One of the greatest actors living today has a plethora of acclaimed offerings in his filmography. However, here are some new and lesser know Crowe features that you may have missed (and should give a look):

ROMPER STOMPER (1992)

Romper Stomper is the most acclaimed film on this list, yet you may have missed this Australian gem due to its subject matter. It’s the film that brought Russell Crowe international attention and its the one that introduced me to him. And what an introduction.

Crowe plays Hando, the skinhead leader in Geoffery Wright’s journey into a neo-Nazi hate group. It’s an uncomfortable sub-culture to explore, and Crowe brings the intensity it deserves while screaming for super stardom. Dealing with characters, as opposed to stereotypes, within the group, Romper Stomper is a compelling tale layered with ultra-violence.

 WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings:

Be warned: This film treads dangerously close to exploitation, but strap in as Russell Crowe is excellent.

UNHINGED (2020)

If you have already seen Romper Stomper then the explosive rage Crowe brings to Unhinged will not surprise. This elevated B-movie brings violently chaotic fun all thanks to the Kiwi. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this road-raged version of Falling Down.

 WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings:

Maybe take some responsibility for your own actions and be polite (even on your hardest days), that is unless you want to tempt an unstoppable Russel Crowe into hunting you down for 90 minutes+.

THE NEXT THREE DAYS (2010)

An implausible story can’t stop Russell Crowe from taking us on this nail-biting and criminally underrated journey of the every man. Crowe fights for his family and plans (again, an implausible) prison break in this cat and mouse, 90’s style thriller. Thoroughly entertaining, screenwriter Paul Haggis paints a unique connection between Crowe and Elizabeth Banks’ characters during the first 15 minutes, justifying Crowe’s dark and downward spiral as he breaks all the rules for his family. Dangling a single, forgiving and all around tempting Olivia Wilde in front of him, just gives us all the evidence we needed; Crowe is breaking all the right rules. Fingers crossed.

 WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings:

Speaking of Olivia Wilde’s character Nicole, who takes a horde of children to the zoo by themselves for a birthday party?

SLEEPING DOGS (2024)

A murder mystery film noir influenced by Christopher Nolan’s Momento (2000), this slow-burn cold case thriller twists, turns and tests your detective skills. You’ll probably have an idea where it’s all going, yet Crowe once again elevates this otherwise sloppy whodunnit.

 WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings:

This is the worst film on the list. Russell Crowe is better than this, yet seeing the master give this B-movie his all, makes it worth watching just to see him work.

THE POPE’S EXORCIST (2023)

Another deserving film in the Crowe renaissance sees him flexing his Italian accent as Father Amorth, attempting here to free possessed child Peter DeSouza-Feighoney (excellent). Crowe’s comedic timing cuts the tension and you can see glimpses of him enjoying going whole ham, reminding me of how he approached his character SID 6.7 in Virtuosity (1995). This film pays homage to the numerous devil possession movies that came before, which is a very hard genre to make original, yet the tone (and of course Crowe) sets it apart just enough to make for a fun watch.

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Additional musings:

If you enjoyed this, Julius Avery’s film Overlord (2018) is a blast (No Crowe unfortunately).

 

BONUS NOTE:

THOR: LOVE & THUNDER (2022)

Though I love Crowe’s intensity and penchant for going whole ham, this approach did not work for him as Zeus. A rare misfire from the juggernaut.

 WATCH OR NOT: NOT