Denzel Washingtonisone of the best actors of all timeand has been a powerhouse of cinema since his first feature-length role, all the way back in 1981. Testament to his immense talent and longevity,he has forged a reputation for playing a diverse and eclectic collection of charactersthat all have his underlying poise and charisma. The 1990s were a particularly breakout decade for Washington as he was able to string together an impressive 18 films, most of which he starred in, with many gaining massive critical and commercial success.
Known for his many Oscar-nominated rolesin a career highlighted with impeccable performances, some of his best work from the ’90s helped solidify him as a Hollywood icon. From his role in the ahead-of-its-time law dramaPhiladelphia, which saw him portray a gritty, complex lawyer, to his roles in sports films likeHe Got GameandThe Hurricane, which show his physical and emotional command of the screen.Washington brought an intensity and gravitas to his characters that was seldom matchedby any other actor in the ’90s.
Virtuosity
Cast
Virtuosity is a science fiction thriller featuring a virtual reality entity, SID 6.7, created from over 150 serial killers. When this dangerous AI escapes into the real world, a former cop is tasked with stopping it, navigating a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to protect innocent lives.
Virtuosityis a science fiction action thriller that stars Washington as Parker Barnes, a former police officer who is serving 17 years in prison for killing a terrorist who murdered his family. Barnes is offered a deal to catch a virtual training system serial killer (Russell Crowe) who has manipulated their way into the real world via a synthetic android body. In one of Washington’s lesser-known works, the narrative is a little disjointed, butthe chemistry between Washington and Crowe is magnetic, and the authenticity they bring to the roles makes it a film worth watching.
Denzel Washington’s 10 Best Thrillers
With a career as vast and varied as Denzel Washington’s, it’s no surprise this two-time Oscar winner has plenty of incredible thrillers.
Heart Condition
Heart Condition is a 1990 film featuring a racist police officer, Jack Moony, who receives a heart transplant from his deceased rival, Napoleon Stone. The ghost of Stone accompanies Moony, offering advice on his personal and professional life, challenging Moony’s views and prejudices.
Washington stars as ‘ambulance chasing’ lawyer Napoleon Stone alongside a bigoted, racist cop, Jack Moony (Bob Hoskins), in the 1990 comedy-dramaHeart Condition. When Stone dies in an apparent car accident at the same time as Moony has a heart attack,Moony is given Stone’s heart as a replacement, with his ghostly figure now haunting him. The premise is unique, and it gives Washington a chance to show his comedy chops, which he performs expertly. The film has many heartwarming and humorous moments, and the charm and chemistry between leads once again lead the narrative to a satisfying conclusion.
Washington used his influence to ‘tone down’ the character of Napoleon Stone, who was initially written to be a flashy pimp, wanting to negate some of the negative racial stereotypes.
The Preacher’s Wife
The Preacher’s Wife is a romantic comedy-drama centered around Reverend Henry Biggs, who faces challenges in his marriage and work while an angel, Dudley, arrives to offer divine assistance. The film explores themes of faith and love as Biggs navigates personal and professional struggles.
Penny Marshall’sThe Preacher’s Wifeis a comedy-drama starring Washington as Dudley, an angel from heaven who is sent to help out a struggling preacher and his wife (Whitney Houston) in their time of need.In another film that gives Washington the chance to show off his comic timing and delivery, his portrayal, alongside Houston, is the bright spot in this charming film. It delves into deep themes of family, love, and faith, and it’s a semi-rare opportunity to see Washington bring a loving warmth and lighthearted nature to his roles that perfectly showcase his versatility as an actor.
Ricochet
Ricochet is a 1991 action thriller directed by Russell Mulcahy, starring Denzel Washington as Nick Styles, a rookie cop who becomes a hero after taking down a notorious villain.Years later, the villain, Earl Talbot Blake, escapes from prison and seeks revenge against Styles, who must confront his troubled past to stop him.
Ricochetis an action crime thriller that sees Washington masterfully portray Nick Styles, a formidable lawman who’s forced to confront an old criminal (John Lithgow) who wants revenge on Styles for putting him behind bars.The dynamic cat-and-mouse game between the two stars feels realistic and like it has genuine stakes. Washington gave one of the best performances of his career to that date and helped set the stage for him to become an iconic figure in the crime/action genre with his suspenseful and nuanced performance.
14The Siege (1998)
As Anthony Hubbard
Edward Zwick’sThe Siegeis an action film that sees Washington star as determinedFBI Agent Anthony Hubbard, who must leap into action when a collection of terrorist cells commit attacks across New York City. Washington shines in an ensemble cast featuring stars like Tony Shalhoub and Bruce Willis, and his grounded approach to Hubbard provides much of the film’s emotional stakes. Though Washington’s gripping portrayal of a character grappling with the moral implications of upholding national security is fascinating to watch, the storyline feels a little too straightforward for him to flesh out the role fully.
Mississippi Masala
Mississippi Masala is a romantic drama directed by Mira Nair that explores cultural diversity and identity. The film follows the lives of an Indian family expelled from Uganda, relocating to Mississippi, where their daughter, Mina (Sarita Choudhury), falls in love with Demetrius (Denzel Washington), an African American man. The narrative delves into the complexities of interracial relationships and the challenges faced by immigrants in a racially segregated environment.
In Mira Nair’s romantic dramaMississippi Masala, Washington portrays a Black man named Demetrius, who falls for and begins a relationship with an Indian-American woman named Mina (Sarita Choudhury).Washington’s chemistry with Choudhury is palpable and undeniable throughout the film, and the two masterfully embody their forbidden romance in a film that delicately deals with race, traditions, and prejudices.Mississippi Masalashows that Washington is more than capable of being a romantic lead in a sensitive film, but in a way, it fails to play to his true strengths as a commanding, dominant figure in the crime genre.
Denzel Washington’s 10 Most Underrated Movies
Denzel Washington has made a career out of Oscar-winning performances and films, but he has starred in many underrated films that need more love.
Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues: A Spike Lee film featuring Denzel Washington as Bleek Gilliam, a talented but self-centered trumpeter. The 1990 release follows Bleek as he navigates his intense commitment to music and relationships with two women. His world is challenged when he aids his manager, adding unexpected turmoil.
Mo’ Better Bluessees the continuation of brilliant collaborations with Spike Lee and Washington, with Lee writing, directing, and starring in this musical comedy-drama. The film’s plot follows a talented yet haunted jazz musician whose life decisions have cost him much of his talent, friends, and career.Lee and Washington’s close friendship allows the two to bring that chemistry onto the screen, and they provide commanding performances in a beautiful story about friendship and music. Washington’s portrayal of a man on the edge who wishes to improve his life is beautifully nuanced and is an underrated gem in his filmography.
The Bone Collector
The Bone Collector is a crime thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Denzel Washington as a quadriplegic detective and Angelina Jolie as a young patrol officer. The film follows their efforts to solve a string of brutal murders in New York City, with Washington’s character guiding Jolie’s through the investigation from his immobilized state. The suspense-driven narrative explores themes of determination and partnership.
The Bone Collectoris a crime thriller that sees Washington play quadriplegic homicide detective Lincoln Rhyme, who, with the help of a young rookie officer (Angelina Jolie), tracks down a serial killer who leaves clues at his crime scenes.Washington and Jolie create magic every time they share the screen, with one playing off the other expertly, combining their skills to create a gripping and intricate drama. Washington proves he can command an audience with his delivery and intelligence, even with limited physicality. However, the film’s basic plot prevents it from being one of the standouts of the decade.
All 12 Denzel Washington Movies From The 2000s, Ranked
Denzel Washington had one of the most incredible decades in film in the 2000s, with iconic performances in Training Day and American Gangster.
Fallen
Fallen (1998) is a supernatural thriller centered on Detective John Hobbes, played by Denzel Washington, who confronts a series of mysterious murders linked to a malevolent, ancient force. As the investigation unfolds, Hobbes realizes the killer possesses the ability to shift from one body to another, leading to a tense and eerie cat-and-mouse chase. Directed by Gregory Hoblit, the film delves into themes of good versus evil and fate.
Fallenis a supernatural thriller that follows Detective John Hobbes (Washington),who is tasked with investigating occult murders committed by a copycat killer who can shift between bodies. In a rare outing for Washington into the paranormal, he takes to the role like a duck to water and provides a grounded authenticity to the storyline. Washington is again able to showcase his range as the lead in a different genre; however, it was noted “Washington has the almost impossible task of holding together a convoluted picture that’s only intermittently suspenseful and not very engaging emotionally or intellectually” (viaVariety)
Courage Under Fire
Courage Under Fire is a drama and war film directed by Edward Zwick, starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan. The film follows a troubled Army officer tasked with investigating a female pilot’s worthiness for the Medal of Honor. Through interviews with her crew, he uncovers conflicting accounts of her actions during a dangerous rescue mission in the Gulf War.
Washington and director Edward Zwick collaborated for the second of their three films together to produce the stellar war dramaCourage Under Fire. Washington playsa Lieutenant Colonel who investigates a Medal of Honor candidate’s role in the Gulf War, which leads to a series of conflicting narratives, old secrets, and hidden traumas. Washington has always excelled at playing an authoritative figure who has a haunted and potentially criminal past, as he is able to perfectly convey the mixed emotions and feelings that come with fighting one’s own personal demons while aiming to maintain an air of grace.
