In the wake of the much-publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, it’s naturally hard to remember that both of them are successful actors. The statement is especially true for Depp, whose acting career has been heavily affected by the accusations. Depp made his film debut with the original A Nightmare On Elm Street back in 1984 and has since gone on to become one of the most well-known actors across the globe.
Although he is known to star in big-budget Warner Bros and Disney movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean as Jack Sparrow or many Tim Burtons movies like Edward Scissorhands, Depp has also participated — and shined — in many independent movie productions. A true character-actor, Depp disappears into all the roles he plays. Let’s look his best indie movies, ranked.
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8 The Rum Diary (2011)
GK Films
The Rum Diary is a comedy drama about a struggling book author who leaves for Puerto Rico to work at a newspaper, and it’s there that he falls into a pit of drinking. The movie is based on the Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name. Johnny Depp was actually a close friend of Thompson and, per Today, after reading the novel, convinced the author to publish it. After Thompson’s death, Depp helped to get a movie made out of it with him in the lead role. It’s also approximately the time when Depp and Heard first met as she landed the role of the female lead. The movie was very well produced and felt weirdly nostalgic.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 City of Lies (2018)
Good Films
City of Lies is a 2018 crime thriller centering around police investigators, one of which is played by Depp, who try to find out more about the murders of popular rappers Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.. The movie was postponed and released only in 2020. Although it received mixed reviews from the critics, Depp once again held his own. With his role of Russel Poole, he proved that he’s so much more than the case. What makes this movie fantastic is easily Depp’s stand-out performance, even though the plot doesn’t give a concrete answer.
6 Chocolat (2000)
Miramax
Receiving five nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards, Chocolat is a comedy drama with Juliette Binoche in the lead role as the owner of a small chocolaterie, which manages to shake up its small French town. And of course, Depp plays the romantic male lead. It’s definitely one of those movies that, if you grew up watching it, stays with you in mysterious ways. All in all, the movie can be simply described as a warm, satisfying erotic fable. The actors’ chemistry is particularly delightful. You forget how much you love the movie until you actually watch it again.
5 Dead Man (1995)
Next we’re diving into what was labeled as psychedelic Western with Depp playing the role of William Blake, a man on a run after murdering someone who stumbles upon an Indigenous spirit guide. Dead Man is one of a few movies regarded as positively representing Indigenous culture and avoiding harmful stereotypes. Interestingly, the whole movie was shot in monochrome. It also managed to enter the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, and is arguably one of Depp’s most underrated movies.
4 Arizona Dream (1992)
Constellation / UGC
Arizona Dream is a surrealist drama about a young boy, played by Depp, who leaves for Arizona to find freedom to dream and love however and whomever he wishes. Depp’s character of Axel deeply yearns to get out of the cycle his father had created for him, but the ending of the movie is still a rather depressing one — certainly prepare for that if you decide to watch it. This psychodrama also heavily focuses on the elements of dreams and how they all connect to each other. It may be confusing for some, so make sure to watch it twice for a full appreciation of its value.
3 Platoon (1986)
Hemdale Film Corporation
Platoon is the first film of a trilogy focusing on the Vietnam War. With eight Oscar nominations, it’s needless to say that the movie was a critical and commercial success. Depp plays one of the soldiers called Lerner, who is able to communicate with the Vietnamese people in their native language and helps the platoon to get around. Starring alongside actors like William Dafoe and Charlie Sheen, the movie has become one of cinema’s classic war films. Given how Depp was just starting to rise up in Hollywood at this time, this movie gave him a great opportunity to show his acting skills.
2 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Paramount Pictures
Starring Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is coming-of-age drama following the story of young Gilbert, who has to take care of his obese mother and mentally disabled younger brother while trying to pursue his own goals. Some of the movie’s scenes get really hard to watch as the atmosphere that’s intentionally created causes a sensory overload. Both Depp and DiCaprio’s performances were universally praised and appreciated. If you’re a fan of down to earth movies of the ‘slice of life’ kind, this one is definitely for you.
1 A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
New Line Cinema
Last, but not least we have Depp’s feature film debut: A Nightmare On Elm Street. This supernatural slasher film focuses on a group of teenagers who get hunted by the ghost of a serial killer and gradually start dying whenever he kills them in their dreams. Before becoming a beloved franchise, the first movie was released as one of the first of an independent studio called New Line Cinema. It was only after the release and commercial success of A Nightmare On Elm Street that it ultimately became profitable. As for Depp, his name back then was unknown. He only accompanied his friend to an audition, per Screen Rant, but ended up getting the role. This would start his career as one of the most globally recognized actors.
