Last updated on: July 28, 2025
Let me tell you something that might surprise you: Jack Reynor is probably one of the best actors you’ve noticed, but never fully realized you’ve noticed. You’ve seen his face. Maybe in a twisted horror flick. Maybe in a robot-packed blockbuster.
But here’s the thing—he doesn’t just act. He inhabits roles. Disappears into them. And then, just like that, he’s gone, leaving behind a performance that lingers.
So, I thought, why not dig into his best work? Not just list them off. But actually show you why these films matter—why Jack Reynor’s movies hit harder than you’d expect.
Whether you’re into psychological horror, Irish indie dramas, or high-octane action—this guy has done it all. And done it well.
Ready? Let’s go on a little movie journey. You might come out of it with a brand-new favorite actor.
Quietly Brilliant: Why Jack Reynor Is So Easy to Overlook
Here’s the weird thing. Reynor’s not loud about his success. No splashy tabloid drama. No flashy headlines.
But what he does have? Range. So much range.
He’s played the golden boy with a secret. The deadbeat with a heart. The emotionally-checked-out boyfriend. And somehow, he makes all of them feel real. That kind of versatility? It doesn’t scream for attention. It just earns respect.
Maybe you’ve seen him in Transformers: Age of Extinction and wrote him off as another action guy. But then you catch him in Glassland, quietly breaking your heart. Or in Midsommar, making you uncomfortable without saying much at all.
That’s his superpower—he lets the role lead. And honestly? That’s rare these days.
Jack Reynor’s 7 Best Movies
1. Midsommar (2019)
– When Horror Isn’t About Ghosts
Let’s be real—Midsommar messes with your head. It’s not the kind of horror with jump scares and creepy kids. It’s sunlit dread. It’s smiling cult members. It’s… a really bad breakup in Sweden.
Reynor plays Christian—aka the boyfriend who should have broken up with her months ago. He’s emotionally distant, dismissive, and kind of a jerk. But not in a villainous way—in a way that’s painfully believable.
What’s brilliant is how Reynor never overplays it. You just feel the tension build. You see his passive selfishness unfold in slow motion, until you’re practically yelling at the screen.
And that ending? I won’t spoil it—but let’s just say, he burns that performance into your brain. Literally.
2. Sing Street (2016)
– The Cool Older Brother We All Wish We Had
Now let’s shift gears—hard. Because Reynor in Sing Street? Completely different vibe.
Set in 1980s Dublin, this film follows a kid starting a band to impress a girl. It’s funny, sweet, and full of retro charm. But Reynor? He plays Brendan, the older brother who’s not doing so great himself. Dropped out of college. Living at home. Smoking a lot of weed.
But then—he drops wisdom like confetti.
There’s one scene where he tells his little brother that he gets to escape, to live the dream that Brendan never could. I won’t lie—I got a lump in my throat.
Reynor makes Brendan more than just comic relief. He makes him unforgettable.
3. What Richard Did (2012)
– When the Golden Boy Breaks
This is the one that started it all for Reynor.
He plays Richard, a popular, athletic teen from a wealthy Dublin neighborhood. He’s got everything—friends, charm, potential. Then he makes one choice. One mistake. And everything falls apart.
There’s no dramatic music. No courtroom scene. Just guilt. Silence. Slow unraveling.
What struck me most is how Reynor doesn’t react loudly. He contains everything. And that’s what makes it so heavy. You feel the panic behind his eyes. The shame that eats at him.
This is the role that got the attention of Hollywood—and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
4. Glassland (2014)
– A Quiet Cry for Help
Imagine this: You’re a taxi driver in Dublin, barely scraping by. Your mom is battling alcoholism. You love her, but she’s sinking. Fast.
That’s Glassland. And Reynor, playing John, doesn’t get dramatic monologues or explosive scenes. What he gets is long silences, tired eyes, and heartbreaking small gestures.
He’s just a guy trying to hold his world together with both hands while it crumbles anyway.
What really hit me was how honest it felt. Like, this wasn’t a movie character—it was someone you might actually meet.
Also, fun fact? He won a Special Jury Prize for Acting at Sundance for this role. Deserved.
5. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
– Because Everyone Needs an Action Movie on Their Résumé
Alright. Let’s talk robots.
Transformers: Age of Extinction isn’t winning Oscars. But it did give Reynor his blockbuster moment. He plays Shane, a cocky Irish racecar driver dating Mark Wahlberg’s daughter. There are explosions, slow-mo chases, and of course—giant alien robots.
Is it high art? Nope.
Is Reynor fun to watch? Absolutely.
Even in this CGI-heavy chaos, he manages to stay grounded. He’s not just a background guy screaming at flying cars. He holds his own and brings some much-needed charm to the mix.
6. Kin (2018)
– Sci-Fi With Soul
Here’s one you probably missed. Kin flew under the radar, but it’s worth a watch.
Reynor plays Jimmy, a guy fresh out of prison who’s trying to make things right. He ends up on the run with his younger adopted brother after things go very, very wrong. Also—there’s a mysterious weapon involved. And people chasing them who may or may not be from this world.
Sounds wild, right? It is. But beneath the sci-fi and action, there’s a tender, gritty story about brotherhood and second chances.
Reynor brings just the right mix of recklessness and heart.
7. Macbeth (2015)
– Shakespeare, but Make It Cinematic
If you ever thought Shakespeare was boring in school, Macbeth might change your mind.
In this moody, blood-soaked adaptation, Reynor plays Malcolm—the rightful heir to the throne. While most of the spotlight is on Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, Reynor makes his mark with quiet confidence.
He doesn’t get flashy sword fights or long speeches. But he plays Malcolm with this quiet strength that grows as the chaos unfolds.
It’s subtle, but powerful.
A Few More You Should Check Out
Not all great roles get top billing. Here are a few more where Reynor shines:
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Detroit (2017) – He plays a brutal cop during the 1967 riots. Disturbing, but effective.
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Cherry (2019) – A brief role, but memorable.
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Delivery Man (2013) – A sweet little comedy cameo in the middle of Vince Vaughn chaos.
Every role adds another layer to Reynor’s toolkit. That’s what makes his career so interesting to follow.
Final Thoughts
So what’s the takeaway?
Jack Reynor is the guy you didn’t know you needed to watch.
He’s not trying to be a superstar. He’s trying to tell good stories. Whether that means being the emotionally unavailable boyfriend in a Swedish cult horror, or the sweet burnout brother in a coming-of-age musical—he gives you something real. Something that stays with you.
That’s rare. And worth celebrating.
So next time you’re scrolling for a film that actually hits, maybe pick one of these. You’ll walk away feeling something. Maybe a little haunted. Maybe a little inspired.
And you’ll probably say what I said: “Damn. That Jack Reynor guy’s good.”
