10 Underrated Films by Ben Mendelsohn You Must See

Ben Mendelsohn has established a versatile acting career that ranges from independent Australian productions to global dramatic films. He’s taken on leading roles, captivating side characters, and intricate backup performances across various genres, frequently appearing in movies that might have been overlooked by some moviegoers.

This list spotlights the ten aspects of his work that help create stories with unique settings, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters. You’ll find early Australian masterpieces, intriguing discoveries from mid-career film festivals, and strong later performances in both literary and stage adaptations.

In this version, I tried to use a more conversational tone and simplified some of the sentences to make them easier to read. For example, “anchors” was replaced with “help create,” and “discoveries” was changed to “intriguing discoveries.” Additionally, “literary and stage adaptations” was rephrased as “both literary and stage performances” for clarity.

‘The Big Steal’ (1990)

In this humorous Australian production, Nadia Tass is at the helm, with Ben Mendelsohn portraying Danny Clark, an aspiring teenager yearning for a stylish Jaguar. His goal? To capture the attention of Joanna, skillfully played by Claudia Karvan. The narrative unfolds as Danny enters into a questionable business transaction with a used car salesman named Gordon Farkas, leading to a series of comedic mishaps in the suburbs of Melbourne.

The movie was filmed on-site around Melbourne, capturing the city’s vibrant streets and car culture as a setting for Danny’s intricate plans and obstacles. Tass and cinematographer David Parker imbued the chase and showroom scenes with dynamic vigor, while the soundtrack and historical elements rooted the narrative in the authentic atmosphere of local youth culture.

‘Cosi’ (1996)

Drawing inspiration from Louis Nowra’s stage play, I find myself immersed in a film where I embody Lewis, a budding director entrusted with the task of directing Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte’ in a psychiatric hospital. Alongside me on this creative journey are talents like Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Barry Otto, and David Wenham, forming our eclectic ensemble. As Lewis, I navigate through the rehearsals, grappling with contrasting egos and scarce resources as I strive to bring harmony to this unique production.

In the movie directed by Mark Joffe, the action primarily unfolds within rehearsal studios and hospital environments. The film seamlessly combines scenes of musical rehearsals with daily routines on the ward. The screenplay by Nowra expands the original play’s setting and incorporates instances that illustrate the process of the cast coming together to form a cohesive company on screen.

‘Mullet’ (2001)

In simpler terms, the story revolves around the character played by Ben Mendelsohn named Eddie Mallet, also known as Mullet. He returns to his seaside hometown located on the South Coast of New South Wales and attempts to reconcile with old acquaintances and relatives. Susie Porter and Andrew S Gilbert are among the actors who take on local roles in this story. Their lives have progressed since Eddie’s departure, and the narrative explores the changing seasons of fishing, sports discussions, and traditional customs of small-town living.

David Caesar, both writer and director, captured scenes around Kiama and Gerringong, resulting in the film featuring authentic-looking beaches, breakwaters, and worn-out streets that appear lived-in. The production’s understated scale allowed for an emphasis on local customs and daily work routines. It was initially screened at various Australian festivals before being enjoyed by a broader audience.

‘Beautiful Kate’ (2009)

In this drama, Ben Mendelsohn stars as Ned Kendall, a writer who goes back to a secluded family estate to visit his ailing father, played by Bryan Brown. Upon arrival, Ned is compelled to revisit painful memories related to his sister, depicted by Sophie Lowe, and confront them with the encouragement of Rachel Griffiths’ character, who urges him to deal with his past. The film was adapted and directed by Rachel Ward from Newton Thornburg’s novel.

The movie was shot in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, utilizing a secluded ranch and nearby wilderness as a backdrop for depicting the family’s past. The storyline, originally set in America, is transposed to the Australian outback, with its harsh terrain serving as inspiration for the structure of flashbacks woven into the narrative.

‘Animal Kingdom’ (2010)

David Michôd’s gritty crime drama showcases Ben Mendelsohn as Andrew Pope Cody, a member of a Melbourne-based crime family under heavy scrutiny from the police. The cast includes Jacki Weaver, Joel Edgerton, James Frecheville, and Guy Pearce. The narrative explores shifting allegiances, surveillance operations, and the constant struggle between familial ties and legal authority, as the characters grapple with tension and uncertainty.

The movie debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Cinema Jury Prize, thereby securing global distribution. Notably, Jacki Weaver was nominated for an Academy Award due to her captivating portrayal. Subsequently, this idea blossomed into the American television show ‘Animal Kingdom’, which aired on TNT.

‘Starred Up’ (2013)

Under the guidance of director David Mackenzie, this compelling prison drama features Ben Mendelsohn as Neville Love and Jack O’Connell as his estranged son Eric. The narrative unfolds as Eric transitions into an adult penitentiary, navigating turbulent group therapy sessions overseen by Rupert Friend’s character, while the complex father-son relationship serves as the story’s central tension.

Screenwriter Jonathan Asser utilized his background working with individuals who have committed violent crimes to shape both the dialogue and therapy sequences in the script. The production team chose to film inside the disused Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast, using its cells and corridors to establish a self-contained setting that mirrors the story’s themes of routine, control, and rehabilitative strategies.

‘Mississippi Grind’ (2015)

In a more casual tone, consider this: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck helm this engaging road trip flick where two gambling buddies set off southward in pursuit of a major payday. Ben Mendelsohn portrays Gerry, a struggling poker player, who pairs up with Curtis, played by Ryan Reynolds, and together they traverse card rooms, bars, and racetracks as they make their way towards New Orleans.

In my admiration, I’d share that my journey took me through various states hugging the magnificent Mississippi River – Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, and Louisiana, each location adding a unique rhythm to the tale. The movie, which premiered at the esteemed Sundance Film Festival and was distributed by A24, immerses you in authentic card rooms and local neighborhood haunts, skillfully mirroring the pulse of regional travel.

‘Una’ (2016)

In this rendition of David Harrower’s play “Blackbird,” Benedict Andrews takes the helm as director, with Ben Mendelsohn portraying Ray and Rooney Mara playing Una. The story unfolds when Una confronts Ray at his workplace, leading to a tense dialogue that delves into their past. This conversation is interspersed with flashbacks, providing insight into earlier occurrences, and Riz Ahmed’s character enters as a coworker who becomes involved in the encounter.

The movie changes the play’s confined backdrop to an industrial facility, employing warehouses, break rooms, and loading zones to expand the area where dialogues take place. Harrower’s script revises the stage script for the screen by incorporating exterior scenes and complex time jumps that shed light on each character’s past.

‘The Land of Steady Habits’ (2018)

Nicole Holofcener transforms Ted Thompson’s book into a movie, featuring Ben Mendelsohn as Anders Hill – a finance executive who used to live in a comfortable Connecticut suburb, but has since quit his job and marriage. The story unfolds as Anders deals with the consequences on his family and forges new connections, with Edie Falco, Thomas Mann, and Elizabeth Marvel playing significant roles.

In simpler terms, the movie was created by Likely Story and later made available on Netflix following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. The filming locations included areas around New York City and certain suburbs in Connecticut. To reflect Anders’ daily life, the production design features tranquil residential streets and shopping centers.

‘Babyteeth’ (2019)

In this drama, Shannon Murphy takes the helm, focusing on Milla, skillfully played by Eliza Scanlen, a 16-year-old girl. She develops a complex relationship with Moses, a distressed young man portrayed by Toby Wallace. Ben Mendelsohn stars as Henry, a psychiatrist and Milla’s father, while Essie Davis plays the role of Anna in the story. It delves into how the family reacts to the arrival of this new figure within their household.

The movie was filmed in Sydney and its neighboring towns, resulting in a blend of coastal brightness and suburban indoor scenes. It was showcased at the Venice Film Festival’s competition segment, where Toby Wallace won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for an up-and-coming actor. This accolade generated extra interest in the movie’s worldwide premiere.

Invite everyone to list their less-known but exceptional Ben Mendelsohn roles in the comments section, allowing us to compare and expand our personal viewing lists.

2025-08-20 05:53