Top 20 Greatest Christian Bale Performances
#20: Michael Burry
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“The Big Short” (2015) It has to be tough playing a real person, since viewers have a clear point of reference to compare the actor to. Based on Michael Lewis’s famous book, “The Big Short” is about the build-up to the housing bubble crash and the people who profited off it. Bale plays Michael Burry, a hedge fund manager who correctly predicted the crisis and shorted the bond market. And the actor does an exceptional job. Burry is depicted as an outsider owing to his many quirks, and his awkwardness in social situations makes him a lovable underdog. Bale manages to toe the line between peculiar and fiercely intelligent, depicting Burry as an intriguing man with an incredible eye for finances.
#19: Jack “Cowboy” Kelly/Francis Sullivan
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“Newsies” (1992) It’s rare for a successful child actor to grow into a successful adult actor, but Christian Bale has proved it’s possible. He’s been acting from a very young age, and “Newsies” was released when he was just eighteen years old. He plays a newspaper hawker named Jack Kelly, who organizes the famous Newsboys' strike of 1899. The musical dramedy has never received the greatest critical reception, but Bale’s performance has been widely acclaimed. He puts on a wicked New York accent and shows off his singing chops, proving himself a multi-talented actor. He’s a joy to watch, providing the movie with most of its energy and heart. Even as a teen, Bale was a natural performer who had the talent to carry movies.
#18: Melvin Purvis
“Public Enemies” (2009) Chrisitan Bale clearly has a thing for nonfiction. “Public Enemies” is based on Bryan Burrough’s book of the same name, which chronicles Depression-era gangsters. Bale is Melvin Purvis, the very public and very controversial FBI agent who hunted prolific bank robbers - most notably, Johnny Depp’s John Dillinger. The movie is a technical marvel, but it’s made extra memorable by Depp and Bale. They play stellar opposites, and their drama drives much of the story’s action. Bale painfully conveys the personal toll of being an FBI agent - especially back then, when some brutal practices were the norm. The late Purvis had a troubled story, and Bale is perfect at depicting it.
#17: John Preston
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“Equilibrium” (2002) Basically a mix between “Nineteen Eighty-Four” and “The Matrix,” “Equilibrium” is a dystopian movie filled with slick martial arts. Bale stars opposite Taye Diggs as they personally confront a future in which emotions and feelings are banned by a totalitarian city-state. As John Preston, Bale undergoes a wonderful transformation throughout the movie. He begins suitably stoic and unemotional, serving as an agent for the regime. But his world opens up when he begins feeling emotions firsthand, and the actor plays this opportunity with all the beautiful and tragic worth it demands. Plus, he kicks a lot of butt as a martial artist. He can seemingly do it all - stoicism, emotion, and action!
#16: Theodore "Laurie" Laurence
“Little Women” (1994) Louisa May Alcott’s masterpiece has been adapted numerous times for the big screen. In fact, this was the fifth movie adaptation of the iconic novel, and with it came Christian Bale’s turn to play Jo’s suitor and Amy’s eventual husband, Theodore “Laurie” Laurence. Everyone loves the characters of “Little Women,” whose complexity and wonderful interactions drive the story. Bale had a high standard to live up to, but he rose to the occasion. He brings Theodore to life with a captivating innocence and emotion. He finds a way to capture your attention whenever he’s around, and it’s a real treat. There have obviously been lots of Lauries throughout the years, but Bale gives the character a certain heart that’s simply irresistible.
#15: Ken Miles
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“Ford v Ferrari” (2019) A big hit at the box office, “Ford v Ferrari” centers around the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. This Grand Prix of Endurance was the first to be won by an American company, as the Ford GT40 emerged victorious. Bale becomes British race car driver Ken Miles, who drove for Ford during the iconic race. He’s one of those actors who can do a lot by himself, as he thrillingly proves during the racing sequences that are filled with excitement and feeling. Of course, he also shares some incredible chemistry with Matt Damon, who plays Miles’ automotive designer, Carroll Shelby. It’s easy to see why Bale’s magnetic performance and charismatic likability earned him his fifth Golden Globe nomination.
#14: Jack Rollins & Pastor John
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“I'm Not There” (2007) A different kind of biopic, “I'm Not There” tells the story of Bob Dylan through a variety of experimental methods. One of the most unique is the movie’s depiction of Dylan himself. Various actors portray different aspects of his personality and art, with Bale playing both Jack Rollins and Pastor John. Jack mirrors Dylan’s famous acoustic era that made him an icon of the counterculture. Pastor John naturally represents the star’s divisive evangelical era after he converted to Christianity. Bale is exceptional as both characters, infusing them with their own distinct identities, and his performance beautifully conveys the multiple, complex layers of Dylan’s public persona.
#13: Jim Davis
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“Harsh Times” (2005) This was the directorial debut of David Ayer, an acclaimed screenwriter who earned praise for writing “Training Day.” This 2005 work continues that movie’s general style, depicting the hard streets of South Central Los Angeles. Bale’s Jim Davis returns from the war on terror with PTSD, and falls on some, you guessed it, harsh times. The actor’s performance was well-received, and is generally considered the best part of the movie. He’s powerful and fiercely intense, and his character has even been favorably compared to Travis Bickle from “Taxi Driver.” He’s very rough around the edges and can be hard to like, but Bale’s effortless talent makes him magnetic to watch.
#12: Russell Baze
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“Out of the Furnace” (2013) Produced by Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio, “Out of the Furnace” stars Christian Bale as Russell, a man who searches for his missing brother. The artist is in great company, acting alongside other legends like Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, and Willem Dafoe. While that certainly sounds intimidating, Bale proves that he belongs with the best of them. He makes for an exceptional protagonist, depicting a man who has been beaten down by life and has a harsh personality to show for it. It’s a very emotional showing that proves one his most humane. That, combined with the electric dynamic between him and the rest of the unbeatable cast, makes for a must-watch performance.
#11: Jamie "Jim" Graham
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“Empire of the Sun” (1987) Take Christian Bale, pair him with Steven Spielberg, and you get cinematic magic. The movie is pure Spielberg, balancing his eye for cinematics with a heartfelt story about adolescence. In this case, growing up isn’t so fun. Released when Bale was just 13, “Empire of the Sun” follows Jim Graham, a kid who’s imprisoned by Japanese forces during World War II. Bale is magnificent in the role, proving his talent at a young age and outshining the more experienced members of the cast. He tragically embodies the horrible change in Jim, as he slowly loses his boy-ish innocence. It’s hard to ask a young actor to carry a movie of this caliber, but Bale was more than up to the task.
#10: Gorr
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#9: Dan Evans
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“3:10 to Yuma” (2007) One of the finest westerns of the 21st century, “3:10 to Yuma” is based on Elmore Leonard’s short story of the same name. It concerns two opposites. Dan Evans is a poor but hard-working rancher, and Ben Wade is a ruthless criminal who attains wealth through illicit means. Bale plays Dan, who’s tasked with delivering Ben to the titular train so he can be taken to prison. It’s not one of Bale’s flashier roles, owing to the reserved nature of his character. But he generates a lot of sympathy through his humbleness and overall likability, and he works exceptionally well alongside the much tougher Russell Crowe. The casting is flawless, and the acting helps elevate “3:10 to Yuma” to classic status.
#8: Alfred Borden
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“The Prestige” (2006) Christopher Nolan is a director who has a keen eye for technicality, but he never lets anything upstage his actors. “The Prestige” is a thrilling film about two magicians in late 19th century London who are keen on outdoing each other. Bale plays Alfred Borden, a humble magician and the personal rival of Hugh Jackman’s Robert Angier. The duo work marvelously together, each drawing great performances out of the other. Bale’s work is definitely solid at first glance. But it can only be truly admired upon a rewatch once the famous twist is known. He gives a masterfully subtle performance that leaves viewers questioning, “how did he do that?” You could say he’s kind of a magician himself.
#7: Dick Cheney
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“Vice” (2018) Just like politics, Adam McKay’s “Vice” split audiences right down the middle. But there was one thing that most people agreed on, and that was how stellar Christian Bale’s performance as Dick Cheney was. Bale was literally transformed for the role, donning Oscar-winning makeup and gaining forty pounds. Physical transformations are nice and all, but they mean little if the performance underneath isn’t solid. Luckily, the star gave one of his all-time greatest efforts, mirroring Dick Cheney to eerie perfection. Audiences didn’t see Christian Bale playing an older man - they saw the 46th Vice President of the United States. In fact, his performance was so flawless that it earned him his fourth Academy Award nomination.
#6: Lt. Dieter Dengler
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“Rescue Dawn” (2006) Directed by Werner Herzog, “Rescue Dawn” is based on the actual life of Navy aviator Dieter Dengler. The film depicts him flying in the Vietnam War, getting shot down, and subsequently being imprisoned. He eventually escapes from the prison camp, and after more tribulations, is ultimately rescued by American forces. Bale gives one of his most intense performances as Dengler, displaying a character at the end of his rope who’s fighting desperately for both his life and freedom. He manages to bring all Dengler’s story to life with a raw honesty, and he appears deeply committed to the part. Bale clearly isn’t afraid to get dirty for his craft, both literally and figuratively.
#5: Irving Rosenfeld
“American Hustle” (2013) One of the most acclaimed films of 2013, “American Hustle” is a dramatized take on a real FBI sting operation that targeted corrupt members of Congress. Bale plays Irving Rosenfeld, who’s based on an actual FBI informant named Mel Weinberg. He skillfully acts alongside other A-listers, including Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence, and does a flawless job. He’s also completely transformed in the role, both through his performance and physical appearance. Having packed on the pounds and sporting a wonderful combover, Bale gloriously defines the late ‘70s. It’s a marvelous and layered performance that earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
#4: Bruce Wayne/Batman
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“The Dark Knight” Trilogy (2005-12) While Bale was obviously an accomplished and well-known actor before “Batman Begins,” it was that movie that helped make him an international superstar. He underwent rigorous training for the role, like reportedly learning Kung Fu and gaining a significant amount of muscle. Luckily, all that work paid off spectacularly. His performance played a huge role in making the “Dark Knight” trilogy the popular and acclaimed series that it currently is. And we’d be remiss not to mention his gravely Batman voice, which is a particular point of enjoyment. He brought a more conflicted and complex Batman to the cinematic landscape, and the character has never been the same since.
#3: Dick "Dicky" Eklund
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“The Fighter” (2010) Christian Bale and director David O. Russell seem to work well together. Russell directed Bale to his first two Oscar nominations, with his performance as Dicky Eklund being his very first. “The Fighter” is a biographical boxing film about Dicky and his half-brother, Micky Ward. Bale and Mark Wahlberg share a rich chemistry, and it was actually Wahlberg who recommended his co-star for the part. We think he was right on the money with his suggestion, because the final result speaks for itself. Bale absolutely chews the scenery by reflecting Dicky’s unique personality, and he proves the standout in a cast full of talented actors. It’s a mesmerizing and Oscar-winning performance for the ages.
#2: Trevor Reznik
“The Machinist” (2004) While “The Machinist” wasn’t a huge financial success, Bale’s work in it made a splash. His character, Trevor Reznik, is a very sick man. He suffers from horrible insomnia, and the lack of sleep has caused him to lose both his mind and body. Trevor’s emaciated appearance is entirely Bale’s doing, as he dropped over 60 pounds for the role. His skeletal appearance garnered widespread interest, and it helped turn “The Machinist” into one of his most unforgettable movies. Of course, the performance itself is also excellent, with Bale diving into Trevor’s addled mind with scary abandon. It doesn’t make for easy viewing, but the actor is so magnetic that we just can’t look away.
#1: Patrick Bateman
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“American Psycho” (2000) Patrick Bateman is not only Bale’s greatest character and performance, but he’s also arguably one of the most memorable villains in movie history. Bale’s Bateman is a psychotic serial killer posing as a hot shot banker on Wall Street. The actor gives a richly layered performance, exuding fake yuppie confidence while clearly harboring malicious thoughts. And when Bateman gets scary and violent, Bale goes all out. With this role, he cleverly established himself as a genuine artist whose talents carried over from adolescence to adulthood. Without “American Psycho,” we wouldn’t have the Christian Bale we know and love today. We’re still not sure how his magnificent performance in this movie didn’t earn him an Oscar nomination, but it’s borderline criminal!
