Stephen Graham in This Is England (2010) (Image: Channel 4)
Stephen Graham has built one of the most impressive careers in British acting history – most recently capitavting audiences in the Netflix TV series Adolescence. The star first rose to fame with his incredible performance in This is England – but fans say at least three films are better than his breakthrough movie.
Here, from his early days to his most recent projects, the Daily Express takes a look at the best movies of Stephen Graham’s career, ranked by reviewing platform Rotten Tomatoes.
10. Blitz (2024) – 81%
Graham plays Albert in Blitz, a World War II drama directed by Steve McQueen that focuses on the experiences of a mixed-race family in London during the Blitz, the German bombing campaign. The film follows nine-year-old George, a mixed-race child of a white woman, Rita, and a Black man, Marcus, who was deported. George remains in London while his mother, Rita, and his grandfather, Gerald, encourage her to evacuate him to the countryside.
“Critics Consensus: A tale of survival from director Steve McQueen, Blitz’s examination of British society under wartime is given a beating heart by Elliott Heffernan and Saoirse Ronan’s lovely performances”.
9. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) – 84%
In Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Stephen Graham plays loyal and skilled agent – and eventually target of suspicion – Roy Bland. The spy thriller sees retired spymaster George Smiley (Gary Oldman) get called back to uncover a Soviet mole within MI6, and focuses on Smiley’s investigation to identify the traitor, who could be one of four high-ranking officials, referred to by their professions (“Tinker,” “Tailor,” “Soldier,” and “Poor Man”). The film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Actor (Oldman), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. It also won three BAFTAs (Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay and Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema).
“Critics Consensus: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a dense puzzle of anxiety, paranoia, and espionage that director Tomas Alfredson pieces together with utmost skill.”
8. Young Woman and the Sea (2024) – 88%
In this sports drama, Stephen Graham portrays a sailor tracking the progress of Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley), the first woman to swim across the English Channel. The film, starring Daisy Ridley, chronicles Ederle’s journey from a competitive swimmer to a record-breaking athlete, highlighting her determination and the obstacles she faced in a male-dominated world.
“Critics Consensus: Buoyed by Daisy Ridley’s radiant star power and the remarkable trajectory of Gertrude Ederle’s life story, Young Woman and the Sea is an old-fashioned sports movie that harkens back to the classics in the best way”.
7. Rocketman (2019) – 89%
At the role of Elton John’s music publisher and musician friend who encouraged him to choose a stage name, Graham plays Dick James in Rocketman, the well-received biographical film depicting the singer’s life from his childhood to stardom days – all laced with the best Elton tunes as soundtrack. The film was praised by specialised media, and won Best Original Song at the Oscars, two Golden Globes (Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Taron Egerton and Best Original Song), and even a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
“Critics Consensus: It’s going to be a long, long time before a rock biopic manages to capture the highs and lows of an artist’s life like Rocketman”.
Stephen Graham as Dick James in Rocketman (Image: Paramount Pictures)
6. 1918: Journey’s End (2018) – 91%
In Journey’s End, Graham plays Second Lieutenant Trotter, a seasoned and affable officer attempting to keep morale high in the final days of World War I. Set in a trench near Aisne, France, the film follows a group of British soldiers awaiting a German attack. Based on R.C. Sherriff’s 1928 play, it co-stars Sam Claflin, Paul Bettany and Asa Butterfield, and was praised for its tense atmosphere and emotional weight.
“Critics Consensus: Journey’s End brings R.C. Sherriff’s 90-year-old play to the screen with thrilling power, thanks to director Saul Dibb’s hard-hitting urgency and brilliant work from a talented cast”.
5. The Damned United (2009) – 92%
Stephen Graham portrays footballer Billy Bremner in The Damned United, a character study of Brian Clough’s turbulent 44-day stint as manager of Leeds United. With Michael Sheen as Clough and a screenplay by Peter Morgan, the film blends sports drama with psychological tension, showing Clough’s rivalry with predecessor Don Revie and his strained relationships with the team.
“Critics Consensus: Better than your average football pic, Damned United is carried by another star turn from Michael Sheen as Brian Clough”.
4. This is England (2006) – 93%
In Shane Meadows’ powerful drama about skinhead culture in 1980s Britain, Stephen Graham delivers one of his most iconic performances as Combo, a complex and volatile figure who befriends 12-year-old Shaun and pulls him into a world of nationalism and identity conflict. The film blends social commentary with raw emotional storytelling and launched a hugely acclaimed TV spin-off series.
“Critics Consensus: A moving coming-of-age tale that captures the despair among England’s working-class youth in the 1980s”.
Stephen Graham in Boiling Point (Image: Vertigo Films)
3. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) – 93%
In this lively adaptation of the hit stage musical, Graham plays Mr. Wormwood, Matilda’s dishonest and comically self-centred father. The film was lauded for its choreography, performances and colourful production, with Graham’s turn bringing just the right balance of humour and frustration. Directed by Matthew Warchus, it co-stars Emma Thompson as the remarkable character Miss Trunchbull.
“Critics Consensus: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical brings the classic story back to the screen with a delightful Emma Thompson, dazzling dancing, and a suitably irascible take on the source material”.
2. The Irishman (2019) – 95%
In Martin Scorsese’s epic crime saga The Irishman, Stephen Graham plays volatile union leader Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano, opposite Al Pacino’s Jimmy Hoffa. His tense scenes with Pacino form some of the film’s most gripping moments. The film, which also stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, was nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, and was hailed as a return to form for Scorsese.
“Critics Consensus: An epic gangster drama that earns its extended runtime, The Irishman finds Martin Scorsese revisiting familiar themes to poignant, funny, and profound effect”.
1. Boiling Point (2021) – 99%
Shot in one continuous take, Boiling Point sees Stephen Graham deliver a blistering performance as Andy Jones, a head chef battling mounting pressures over one chaotic night in a London restaurant. His portrayal was widely acclaimed, earning him BAFTA and BIFA nominations. The film was praised for its immersive direction by Philip Barantini and its realistic depiction of the service industry.
“Critics Consensus: Gripping from start to finish, Boiling Point uses its bold formal approach to support a thrilling tightrope of a tale”.
