7 Best Roger Deakins Movies of All Time

Roger Deakins is a cinematographer whose visuals are cinematic statements in and of themselves. He once told Filmmaker Magazine, “You are trying to interpret what’s happening in front of you, and react immediately in terms of where you position yourself to record the action.” I believe this openness to try out everything demanded by the screenplay to capture the story is the crux of his genius.

He’s repeatedly worked with the greatest directors, like the Coens, Sam Mendes, Michael Radford, Ron Howard, Denis Villeneuve, David Fincher, and more. There’s a huge possibility that Deakins was the cinematographer on your favorite films.

Let’s look at some of the best Roger Deakins movies and explore some of his best work.

Best Roger Deakins Movies

The list can’t get too long, so I have picked my seven favorite Roger Deakins movies.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Directed by Frank Darabont

Directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is a movie loved by all.

Undeniably, the narrative is genius, but Deakins' cinematography boosts all the remaining elements of the film to their highest potential. With actors like Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, every visual element used by Deakins works like a cherry on the pie.

The DP's genius is evident in the expert use of reflectors and lights to direct shadows opposite the camera to enhance drama in every scene. From compositions inspired by famous paintings to psychologically muted colors, this movie is one of Deakins' best works.

2. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) Directed by Denis Villeneuve

This movie won Deakins his first Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 2018. The talented DP used multiple visual elements and techniques in this futuristic film to depict a dying dystopian world with such brilliance that you feel the chaos even through your screen.

Deakins uses color to psychologically trigger various emotions or establish different aspects of the world. He keeps the compositions minimalistic to ensure that you’re not distracted from the catastrophe unfolding on screen. The landscape of a postmodern city is a character in the film, beautifully presented by Deakins via wide lenses.

Even Deakins' use of silhouettes is a visual masterpiece. Anybody who has watched this film knows it’s a well-deserved Oscar.

3. Prisoners (2013) Directed by Denis Villeneuve

The visuals in this film are so expressive. Deakins uses colors, silhouettes, focus shift, contrast, and saturation to complement Denis Villeneuve’s narrative based on Aaron Guzikowski’s story.

The story revolves around a kidnapping, and Deakins uses colors and shapes to evoke emotions. The use of frame within the frame, regulated depth of field, and minimalistic compositions kick the entire cinematic essence in this thriller up a notch.

Enhanced by Deakins' visuals, this thrilling narrative is one of the best in the genre.

4. Fargo (1996) Directed by Coen Brothers

In this movie, Deakins proves his expertise beyond the realms of aesthetics. As you watch this movie, it quickly becomes evident that the DP isn’t chasing beautiful visuals in the narrative. Instead, he plays by the emotion and is hellbent on bringing out their most accurate colors.

The novelty of Fargo is that it tells a story of doing something extremely bad against the backdrop of something extremely beautiful. By reducing cinematics in the visuals, Deakins allows the horror of the narrative to take over.

Not once does he allow the audience to get distracted by the beauty of the backdrop—rather, he directs their eyes to the matter at hand. By keeping everything plain and in contrast, Deakins effectively supports the narrative throughout.

5. The Village (2004) directed by M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village has people divided in their opinions, but this movie showcases some of Deakins' finest work. Shyamlan’s love for static shots complements Deakins’ compositions and lighting in the narrative. The results are painting-like visuals that express themselves with intensity. The story is an atmospheric thriller, and Deakins' style of cinematography only intensifies the horror manifold.

If you haven’t watched a good horror film, give this a go for that much-desired sleepless night.

6. No Country for Old Men (2007) Directed by Coen Brothers

This movie, set against the backdrop of Texas, is one of the best Coen/Deakins collaborations and won the Coen brothers an Academy Award. Deakins' strategic use of the Texas landscape to increase the dread, fear, and feeling of isolation is novel. The way the DP uses light and shadow to depict the essence of the characters is pure art.

7. 1917 (2019) Directed by Sam Mendes

Deakins' work in this movie won him his second Academy Award, and if it did not, I’d have a personal spite against the Oscar voters.

This World War I film is supposed to look like a single continuous take, without compromising on the visuals one bit. I think Deakins is irreplaceable as the DP in this film. On top of that, let’s not forget the film's intense action sequences, explosions, and special effects.

Deakins pulled this off without a hitch, which shows why he’s a legend. The nighttime sequence, only lit by flares, is one of the most visually charged sequences in the film and close to my heart. Show this film to win every argument about why Deakins is one of the best in Hollywood!

If you want to become a cinematographer, I think Roger Deakins is a good place to start learning. His visual language is a testament to how every screenplay differs and shouldn’t be restricted by personal style.

Analyzing his visuals is like a masterclass, as he is not only extremely versatile but also intuitive when it comes to treating stories.

Did your favorite Deakins movie make this list?