The 10 Most Underrated Helen Mirren Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Helen Mirren has starred in a wide variety of films and plays over many years, from grand dramas to suspenseful thrillers and deeply personal stories. While she’s known for award-winning roles, some of her films haven’t gotten the attention they deserve, but they’re all made with skill, showcase her versatility, and feature careful work throughout.

This list highlights ten films, diving into the specifics of their stories, the people involved, and how they were made. You’ll discover details about the plots, the creative teams, and what went on behind the scenes – all to help you understand each film’s goals and how it achieved them.

‘Brighton Rock’ (2010)

This film is based on Graham Greene’s novel and centers around gangster Pinkie Brown in Brighton. Helen Mirren plays Ida Arnold, a persistent woman who investigates a murder that many want to ignore. Directed by Rowan Joffe, the movie also stars Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough, and John Hurt, and vividly recreates the atmosphere of the time with its focus on scooters, cafes, and street fights.

The film utilizes the town’s pier, seafront, and narrow back alleys to emphasize the story’s chase-like tension. It updates the original story’s timeline to take place during the Mod and Rocker era, and Helen Mirren’s character, Ida, continues investigating the case even when others give up, leading to conflicts involving witness protection and the strong bonds within the local community.

‘The Clearing’ (2004)

This suspenseful thriller revolves around a kidnapping where negotiations and their consequences take center stage. Wayne Hayes is the victim, and the story explores his relationship with his abductor, while Helen Mirren plays Eileen, who works with investigators as the situation becomes increasingly critical for her family. Directed by Pieter Jan Brugge and starring Robert Redford and Willem Dafoe, the film emphasizes conversation, the environment, and the details of the missing person investigation.

The story alternates between scenes of captivity and life at home, cleverly weaving together different points in time. Filmed in ordinary suburban and wooded areas, the movie feels realistic and relatable. It uses subtle sound and a shaky camera style to create a sense of unease and suspense without relying on dramatic effects.

‘Age of Consent’ (1969)

This drama, directed by Michael Powell and set on a secluded Australian island, centers on a painter hoping to find fresh inspiration. Helen Mirren plays Cora, a local woman who becomes his model and sparks a creative change in him. The film, starring James Mason as the artist, explores the developing connection between them as they sketch, swim, and fall into a shared daily life.

The film’s beautiful tropical setting and coastal landscapes add a realistic feel to its story about the art world, especially through scenes filmed underwater and in bright sunlight. The movie, based on Norman Lindsay’s novel, emphasizes the creative process – showing everything from painting and drawing to the simple routines of life on the island. Helen Mirren’s character is key to capturing these everyday details.

‘Greenfingers’ (2000)

This funny and heartwarming story, based on true events at Leyhill prison, centers around a group of inmates who find an unexpected passion for gardening. Helen Mirren plays Georgina Woodhouse, a skilled gardener who guides them, while Clive Owen and David Kelly star as prisoners who discover that caring for plants can help them build trust and take responsibility.

The story follows the journey to the Hampton Court Flower Show, showing the planning, design process, and real-life difficulties like frost, pests, and getting everything ready on time. Filming took place in Gloucestershire, and the gardens featured were designed with advice from experienced flower show competitors to ensure they looked realistic, from the garden layouts to the tools used and the timing of the seasons.

‘The Debt’ (2010)

This spy thriller, directed by John Madden, follows a Mossad team on a mission to capture a Nazi war criminal. Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain both play Rachel Singer, depicting her at different stages of her life. The story explores the consequences of a classified operation becoming public knowledge and how that secret connects the team members over time and across the globe.

The movie jumps between scenes set in East Berlin’s secret apartments and hospitals, and modern-day European locations, using two sets of actors to show connections between the past and present. The interrogations and hand-to-hand combat are filmed realistically, and the detailed sets and props – like fake IDs and surveillance equipment – reveal how spying affects everyday life.

‘Cal’ (1984)

I just finished watching this moving drama, and it really stayed with me. It’s based on Bernard MacLaverty’s novel and directed by Pat O’Connor, and tells the story of a young man, Cal, played brilliantly by John Lynch, who’s trying to find his way during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He develops a surprising connection with a widow, portrayed with incredible nuance by Helen Mirren. The film beautifully captures the atmosphere of the time – the constant presence of checkpoints, the powerful murals, and that sense of being watched everywhere. It’s a story about guilt, pressure, and finding connection in a really difficult environment.

Filming on location in County Down and Belfast adds a realistic feel to the story, showcasing the everyday lives of characters amidst the conflict through its use of tight streets, country roads, and simple home settings. Mark Knopfler’s music enhances the film’s subtle mood, and Helen Mirren won Best Actress at Cannes for her understated and nuanced performance.

‘Some Mother’s Son’ (1996)

I was completely moved by this film, directed by Terry George and co-written with Jim Sheridan. It tells the story through the eyes of the mothers of prisoners who are on hunger strike, and Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan give absolutely incredible performances as they navigate this impossible situation. What really struck me was how it didn’t focus on grand gestures, but on the everyday realities – the endless waiting for visits, seeking advice from priests, and just trying to keep life going with work and school, all while this huge crisis was unfolding. It felt so real and grounded.

The film realistically rebuilt the prison layouts, focusing on the narrow corridors, small cells, and strict control of movement. Outdoor scenes show marches, patrols, and media gatherings, linking the prisoners’ lives to current events. Details in the costumes and props, like badges, posters, and leaflets, reveal how political issues infiltrated everyday life within homes and community spaces.

‘Woman in Gold’ (2015)

Directed by Simon Curtis, this movie tells the true story of Maria Altmann’s fight to get back a famous portrait of her aunt, painted by Gustav Klimt. Helen Mirren stars as Altmann, with Ryan Reynolds playing her lawyer, E Randol Schoenberg. The film follows their legal battle, filled with court documents, testimonies, and hearings, as they face opposition from family members, museum officials, and the government, all with different versions of the truth.

The show skillfully weaves together legal arguments with scenes from the past, showing the painting’s history and the lives of those connected to it. Production designers meticulously recreated historical settings – from Viennese parlors and workshops to government buildings – to trace the artwork’s journey. Filmed across the UK, the US, and Austria, the story culminates in a final ruling about who owns the painting and where it will be exhibited.

‘Eye in the Sky’ (2015)

Gavin Hood’s thriller focuses on Colonel Katherine Powell, played by Helen Mirren, who leads a drone operation. The story follows how this operation brings together people from different parts of the world – including government officials, lawyers, and drone pilots – all connected by secure communication lines to share information and make critical decisions. The cast also features Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul, and Barkhad Abdi.

The movie follows how monitoring a situation can quickly lead to the possibility of military action, showing the calculations of potential harm, the guidelines for engagement, and the layers of approval needed. By rapidly switching between scenes in command centers, on the ground, and in the cockpit, the film highlights the conflict between information, moral considerations, and official orders. It ends with a tribute to Alan Rickman.

‘The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover’ (1989)

Peter Greenaway’s intimate film takes place in an elegant restaurant. Helen Mirren stars as Georgina, the wife of the restaurant’s abusive owner (Michael Gambon), who starts a secret relationship with a reserved customer. Tim Roth and Richard Bohringer also feature in the film, which uses changing colors in each room and a distinctive score by Michael Nyman to create a unique atmosphere.

Sacha Vierny’s beautiful cinematography and Jean Paul Gaultier’s striking costumes create a very specific and deliberate visual style, using carefully composed scenes, extended shots, and smooth camera work. The film’s art direction is equally impressive, featuring artfully arranged food, rooms filled with books, and kitchens lit with precision. Its success at film festivals confirmed its reputation for innovative and high-quality production design.

Share your picks for overlooked Helen Mirren films in the comments so others can discover them too.

2025-09-21 11:16