Keanu Reeves’ Essential Films: His Own Must-See List
Keanu Reeves has played all sorts of roles, making it tough to pick just a handful of his best films. In a candid chat, he rattled off 18 titles he reckons everyone should watch.
There’s a running joke that Keanu Reeves is a vampire, and it’s not just because he doesn’t seem to age. He’s one of those blokes who’s been on our screens for what feels like forever, popping up in every genre you can think of. Whether it’s action, comedy, or drama, he’s had a crack at the lot. From the wild antics of Bill & Ted to the sci-fi spectacle of The Matrix, and the raw emotion of My Own Private Idaho, Reeves has shown he can handle just about anything thrown his way.
Trying to pick his top performances is a tough ask. Take My Own Private Idaho for example – it’s not just a cult classic, but a film that’s taken on new meaning over the years, especially for its queer themes and the chemistry between Reeves and River Phoenix. Director Gus Van Sant once said,
“I saw a bit of the hill in Keanu’s personality and a bit of the street in River’s. They played out those extensions of themselves.”
That sort of dynamic is what makes Reeves stand out. He’s got this knack for working with anyone, but more often than not, he ends up being the main drawcard.
Too Many Classics to Count
That’s probably why punters struggle to name just one must-see film from his career. There are simply too many gems. Reeves himself seems to get it. When asked to pick his essential films, he didn’t hold back. In an interview, he rattled off a whopping 18 titles: River’s Edge, Permanent Record, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and its sequel, the Matrix trilogy, Constantine, Thumbsucker, A Scanner Darkly, Speed… the list goes on. When someone pointed out he’d mentioned Constantine twice, he just added a few more for good measure: John Wick, My Own Private Idaho, Generation Um…, Man of Tai Chi, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Little Buddha, Dracula. According to Reeves,
“All those films kind of change your life.”
It might sound a bit full-on, but he’s not wrong. Many of these films do leave a mark, especially if you go back for a second or third watch. You start to notice all the little details and quirks, and somehow, they’re just as enjoyable as the first time around. There’s a heap of variety in his work, and that’s half the fun – you never quite know what you’re going to get, but you’re likely to walk away with something new to think about.
Legacy of a Reluctant Icon
What’s a bit funny is that Reeves listed off all these classics while chatting about his worries over time slipping by and all the things he still wants to do. But looking at that line-up, he’s already built a legacy most actors would envy, and he’s not done yet. That’s assuming, of course, that he’s actually mortal.