Michael Shannon is responsible for a variety of memorable and interesting characters and his roles in films like Man of Steel and The Shape of Water, garner attention and praise from audiences and critics. Getting his start in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role in the classic comedy Groundhog Day, Shannon's career has made leaps and bounds since his film debut.
However, Shannon has some roles that deserve great recognition and plaudits, but for whatever reason, seem to be played down or not given their fair share of attention. In fact, some of his most underrated performances are some of Michael Shannon's best in his career.
Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014) - Stream On HBO Max
The acclaimed HBO series Boardwalk Empire follows Prohibition-era Atlantic City and the gangsters, politicians, and feds that inhabited the lawless time. As former Prohibition agent turned Chicago bootlegger, Shannon plays Nelson Van Alden, who later must use the alias, George Mueller.
Shannon portrays an extremely convincing turn of a man who starts out as someone of principle but loses their moral high ground the more time he spends around the bootleggers he is supposed to be arresting. While the series was most well known for Steve Buscemi's portrayal of Nucky Thompson, Michael Shannon's acting in this series is criminally underrated.
8 Mile (2002) - Stream On HBO Max
8 Mile, Shannon plays the boyfriend of B-Rabbit's mom, Greg.
The character of Greg is abusive, intimidating, and a bully. Shannon does a great job of bringing this dirtbag character to life. The audience can completely relate to B-Rabbit's hatred of Greg through Shannon's portrayal of the shameless and repulsive character.
Waco (2018) - Buy From Amazon Video
Based on the real 1993 standoff between a religious cult known as the Branch Davidians and the FBI as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Waco, Texas, Waco is a tense and artfully acted miniseries. Waco seemed to fly under the radar when it premiered in 2018, despite its stellar cast including Shannon.
In the miniseries, Shannon plays FBI negotiator Gary Noesner. Shannon's Noesner is a rational man who tries to solve an extremely thorny situation in the least harmful ways possible despite intervening efforts from others. In his portrayal, Shannon makes the audience understand the character's decency and his desperation for a peaceful resolution.
Kangaroo Jack (2003) - Rent From YouTube
Kangaroo Jack revolves around Charlie and his best friend, Louis, as they travel to Australia to deliver mob money for Charlie's mafioso stepfather. Things go awry when a pesky kangaroo accidentally gets their paws on the stash, ensuing in an all-out chase across the Outback.
In the family-friendly comedy, Shannon plays mob apprentice Frankie Lombardo who acts as a maleficent number 2 to Charlie's stepfather. While the movie was critically slammed, Kangaroo Jack was actually a box office success and has become a nostalgic cult comedy for kids who grew up in the early 2000s.
The Iceman (2012) - Stream On Tubi TV
The true story of Richard Kuklinski, a man who balanced his double life as a family man and prolific contract killer until his 1986 arrest, is detailed in The Iceman. Shannon plays Kuklinski as a man adept at compartmentalizing. He's a devoted husband and father on one hand but also a cold-hearted killer on the other.
Somehow, Shannon manages to make one of the vilest of characters into someone the audience can actually find likable, a great testament to Shannon's talents. Although the film is one of Shannon's lesser-known works, he makes the most out of a difficult role.
99 Homes (2014) - Stream On Pluto TV
99 Homes is about a recently unemployed single father who takes a job with the cold-bolded real estate broker, who foreclosed on his house, in order to get his home back. Shannon stars as the ruthless real estate broker who enlists foreclosed homeowners to do his bidding.
Amoral and greedy, Michael Shannon exceptionally shows the mindset of those who have no problem taking advantage of an already inherently faulty system in this 2014 film that sheds a light on the 2008 housing crash.
The Little Drummer Girl (2018) - Stream On AMC+
The AMC miniseries, The Little Drummer Girl follows a young struggling actress in the late '70s who is tasked by the Mossad to take down a terrorist cell that is attacking prominent Jewish figures. Israeli spy, Martin Kurtz is the mastermind of the infiltration plan in this John Le Carre adaption and is played by Michael Shannon.
In the show, Shannon plays Kurtz as a dogged and determined spy, almost struck with tunnel vision to complete his desired goal regardless of any dangers posed to others.
The Harvest (2013) - Stream On AMC+
The Harvest is about a couple who keeps their chronically ill son, Andy secluded from the outside world but experiences trouble when a young precocious girl moves in next door. In this film by the noted thriller director John McNaughton, Shannon plays Richard, the father of Andy. Richard is an amicable and warm figure to Andy in opposition to Andy's domineering and erratic mother. Yet, there is an air of melancholy to Richard that gives a feeling of mystery to the friendly man.
Shannon makes Richard a sympathetic character that the audience finds easy to empathize with but also provides an elusiveness that the viewer can never quite put their finger on him until the film's twist.
The Runaways (2010) - Stream On Netflix
In The Runaways, the rise and fall of the '70s all-girl rock band The Runaways is chronicled along with the sex, drugs, and rock n roll anyone would expect for a good rock band biopic.
The Runaways' manager, L.A. legend and rock svengali Kim Fowley, is played by a manic Michael Shannon. The role of Kim Fowley for Shannon was a departure for the actor. Usually known for silent but dangerous characters, Shannon played the lively and hyper Fowley with exuberance and tremendous energy.
Take Shelter (2011) - Stream On Tubi
A psychological thriller, Take Shelter is about an Ohio family man who builds a storm shelter in his backyard after he experiences apocalyptic dreams. The viewer is left to question if the main character is having mental health issues or premonitions of the end of the world. Shannon portrays the main character in a tour de force performance.
As the character of Curtis, Shannon slowly breaks down under the intense pressure and oppressive fear from the threat (or perceived threat) of possible doom. The audience is never quite sure what is truly the deal with Curtis but Shannon never lets the audience question Curtis's anxiety or turmoil, culminating in a realistic character that is both empathetic and concerning. This indie movie may not have a massive, mainstream fanbase, but any viewers of the movie label Take Shelter as an edge of your seat thriller with an outstanding Michael Shannon performance at its center.
