Let’s give credit to Jake Gyllenhaal for being just that—actor, chameleon, and living testament to the fact that being safe is not part of his make-up. If you’ve ever watched a Jake Gyllenhaal film, thinking to yourself in the middle of it that “Wait a minute, is that really him?” then you are not alone. Gyllenhaal has a talent for blending into a scene or physically or even psycho-dramatically disintegrating into chaos. In recognition of too many film marathons and a dash of fan frenzy, here is a listing of Jake Gyllenhaal’s 10 most striking transformations.
10. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – Defying Doomsday
Well before the climate disaster flicks became a little too close to the truth, Jake was running from ice storms and fighting electronic wolves as Sam Hall. Although it didn’t require a radical physical transformation, a part of this role did require him to play the notion of a high school kid living through the end of the world. He maintained this facade, including a touch of warmth, which worked well within the viewing of this disaster flick.
9. Okja (2017) – Dr. Johnny Wilcox Unleashed
If you really do know the parameters of Jake Gyllenhaal’s weirdness capabilities, then OKJA is the film to show you otherwise. As the completely nutty Dr. Johnny Wilcox, Jake goes all the way to weird town and is almost unrecognizable behind the completely bizarre costume and performance that is breathtaking because of its chutzpah and fearlessness.
8. Southpaw (2015) – Built Like a Champion
In Southpaw, Jake not only physically trained for his role. He utterly transformed into a different person altogether. His tough training schedule made him a moving billboard for boxers, but what’s even more interesting is what’s going on inside. As a boxer trying to cope with grief and anger, Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance is quite raw and emotional.
7. Brokeback Mountain (2005) – A Quiet Kind of Courage
Not all change, however, involves shouting. As Jack Twist, Jake brought a sensitivity, a longing, and an underlying defiance to the role that had overturned mainstream notions of what it meant to be masculine. It remained a defining performance and still has the same impact.
6. Nightcrawler (2014) – Face of Relentless Ambition
Lou Bloom is what results when ambition devours a soul. Jake Gyllenhaal’s skinny build, stare, and rapid-fire delivery make for a completely creepy character. He has supposedly cut a significant amount of weight to prepare for Lou’s obsessive personality. He has been living on a strict regimen to that end.
5. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) – Action Star Mode
It may be adored or eye-rolled, but this was Jake’s entry into blockbuster action film territory. He exchanged his indie cool for sword fighting, gymnastics, and heroics in the sun. While it remains divisive to this day, it’s difficult to ignore that this was Gyllenhaal going all-in for a full-blown leading man role—with athleticism to spare.
4. End of Watch (2012) – Lived-In Realism
In order to convincingly portray a LAPD Police Officer, both Jake and actor Michael Peña actually participated in real police ride-along observations. This approach to acting lends a performance that feels quite authentic. With a shaved head and acred manner, Jake becomes invisible in the role and captures the relationship between partners and the risks involved in a striking, realistic manner.
3. Jarhead (2005) – War Without the Glory
By contrast to typical war movies, Jarhead is a story of waiting, confusion, and psychological torture. Jake’s performance as a marine in limbo is extremely nuanced and excellent. However, his transition here is not a case of macho heroics. His psychological transition encompasses the agitation and disillusionment of a young man attempting to understand what he is doing.
2. Donnie Darko (2001) – The Birth of a Cult Icon
This is where the quirky brilliance of his performance has seen the light of day. It is the same character of Donnie in the film, where the quirky brilliance of his performance might be seen, because it is the same role in which he acted as the troubled character.
1. Prisoners (2013) – Obsession in Every Detail
At the helm, there is Detective Loki, a character who is pushed by only one imperative: there needs to be urgency, guilt, and reined rage. The job of Jake, acting-wise, goes beyond mere acting to observe, observe how he moves with twitchy vigor, observe how he looks at people with the intense gaze of a man who means business with every fiber of his being, every single cell of a man running overtime, Jake Gyllenhaal style.
Bulking up for the role of Nightcrawler or disintegrating with Robert MAcFarlane, from the pain of silence to all-out mayhem with Jolly McCoy, Jake Gyllenhaal is consistently demonstrating his place among the most adventurous actors working today. Whatever his transformation, his physicality, his vocal quality, his entire being, one thing remains the same: we’re helpless before him.