Matt Damon's top 5 action roles ranked
What's the story
For long, Matt Damon has been ruling the action movie space, giving us performances that remain etched in our memories. Not only is Damon versatile, but he also goes the extra mile to prepare for his roles. From the many action-packed films featuring him, we picked the five best ones, and here's what makes each of them special.
Espionage thriller
'The Bourne Identity' - A thrilling espionage tale
The Bourne Identity is often credited with redefining the spy genre. Released in 2002, this film introduced audiences to the world of Jason Bourne, an amnesiac assassin played brilliantly by Damon. The movie's gripping storyline and intense action sequences set it apart from traditional spy films. Damon's portrayal of Bourne brought depth and complexity to the character, making it a standout performance in his career.
Space survival
'The Martian' - A survival story on Mars
In 2015's blockbuster The Martian, Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars. The sci-fi survival drama sees Watney using his ingenuity to survive against all odds. Damon's performance earned him critical acclaim and proved the actor's mettle at carrying a film with both humor and intensity.
Futuristic adventure
'Elysium' - A dystopian future adventure
Released in 2013, Elysium paints a dystopian future where the world is split between two: Earth and Elysium. Damon plays the protagonist Max DeCosta, who sets off on a mission to establish equality between the two worlds. The film's action-packed sequences are matched with its social commentary on class disparity. Damon's performance only adds to this futuristic adventure.
Military thriller
'Green Zone' - A military thriller set in Iraq
In the 2010's Green Zone, Damon plays Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, during a pivotal era, looking for weapons of mass destruction. This military thriller intertwines real-life events with fictional storytelling, all the while keeping high-octane action intact from the first minute to last. Damon's performance roots this tense narrative excellently.
Time-loop sci-fi
'Edge of Tomorrow' - Time-loop sci-fi action
Though not directly headlining but contributing massively with a cameo alongside Tom Cruise, Edge Of Tomorrow (2014) is another time-loop movie where soldiers fight an alien invasion over and over again until they win or die trying again the next day. One among a handful of sci-fi flicks, it keeps you hooked till the end with its unique plot twist involving time travel mechanics and well-executed fighting scenes, making it worth a watch even today!