It is not an overstatement to say that Danny Boyle is instrumental to British culture. The writer-director has brought us films that cross genre and create movie stars, all the while maintaining a witty, inventive flair. He also directed the opening ceremony of London’s 2012 Summer Olympics, which was, according to very scientific research (conversations you overhear at the pub), the last time everyone was happy in this country.
With the upcoming release of 28 Years Later, the latest entry into his undead franchise, we rank Boyle’s seven best films.
7. Sunshine
Sunshine had some classic Boyle trademarks: a starring role for Cillian Murphy, a collaboration with writer Alex Garland, and a great premise. It’s 2057, and a group of astronauts are on a mission to set a dying Sun alight. What could possibly go wrong? While this 2007 space thriller did not perform well at the box office, it has acquired a culty glow in recent years. The visual style, both claustrophobic and awe-inspiring, is still a cut above regular sci-fi fare.
6. 127 Hours
Speaking of claustrophobic. Boyle’s 2007 about canyon-explorer Aaron Ralston (played by James Franco) is the kind of biographical drama we wish we saw more of: spectacular and horrible but always captivating. This scooped six Oscar nominations, and it wasn’t hard to see why (even if it was, at times, hard to watch).
5. Trainspotting
Boyle’s 1996 comedy drama does not really need much of an introduction: Irvine Welsh’s source material, a star-marking performance from Ewan McGregor, and an instant-classic soundtrack. Still, it’s worth going back to rewatch this film about heroin addicts in Edinburgh to remind yourself just how eye-opening and unflinching Boyle’s direction can be.
4. 28 Days Later
It’s hard to remember just how boring zombie films were at the dawn of the millenium. Boyle’s 2000 film, with a script from Garland, brought new life — sorry — to the genre. Murphy plays a courier who wakes up to a deserted London — those empty streets are truly haunting — and begins a cross-country exploration. Genre-shifting stuff. Just don’t call them zombies (those monsters are technically undead, whereas Boyle and Garland’s are infected).
3. Slumdog Millionaire
Boyle’s 2008 drama about an 18-year-old from the Mumbai slums (played by Dev Patel) and his victory on gameshow Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is totally undeniable. It took both Patel and Boyle to new heights, picked up Best Picture at the Oscars, and became the film British school students would watch at the end of term forever more.
2. Shallow Grave
Boyle’s directorial debut — about a group of flatmates who have to bury a new tenant — revealed a few trademarks. It’s set in Edinburgh, for starters, and stars Ewan McGregor. It features a debut screenplay from John Hodge, the Scottish writer who would continue to collaborate with Boyle on Trainspotting and first pick on this list. It also revealed a multifaceted filmmaker who can handle genre and tone shifts, and always maintain a trademark voice. One of the most assured debuts in decades.
1. The Beach
What is so great about The Beach? The very appealing setting? The beloved gap-yah source material from Garland? The drooled-over, boyish face of Leonardo DiCaprio, who was, at the time, fresh from iceberg-related catastrophe and now thankfully ensconced in a much warmer location? Maybe it’s the soundtrack, crammed full of classics, or the cast, crammed full of stars. Or, maybe, it’s the inventiveness that Boyle brings to this tale of fantasy-chasing, backpacker porn/nightmare: the video game scene, the jungle vistas, the woozy crescendo to terror. This film was not critically beloved at the time of release, but now stands out as Boyle’s most out-there project, fittingly full of risk and charm.
