'Terrible hairstyle in that film!' Cillian Murphy on Inception, 28 Days Later, Red Eye and much more

Cillian Murphy joins BBC Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb to look back on some of the highlights of his career. Including the moment that inspired a million memes in Inception, wandering through an empty London in 28 Days Later and shivering in a boat in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. Plus a terrible hair cut in Red Eye, how Danny Boyle helped him get a part in Batman Begins and why Emily Blunt makes him laugh.

This interview took place on 13th July, 2023.

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[bbcradio]

For more on Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders and working with director Christopher Nolan.

[lillithdv]

What a delightful human being, poised, humble, thoughtful! He's getting the Oscar for sure

[godabandonedthistimeline]

It's a pity Breakfast on Pluto wasn't mentioned because it's the movie that truly shows how versatile Cillian Murphy is.

[Missjunebugfreak]

Cillian is one of those actors where if I see he's going to be in a film I'll make sure to watch it. He's such a magnificent actor and always captivating on screen.

[SparkzMxzXZ]

His role in inception is so understated (and underrated). The way he acted in the level 3 hospital scene was sublime and really, to me, made inception a movie about robert fischer’s tragic catharsis

[alobo]

Cillian is dropping the most vibed-out evenings on BBC Music 6 on Sundays. Curated to perfection.

[jj-ifit]

28 Days Later was so amazing because they did it without CGI. Imagine getting permission to literally shut down parts of London so they could film

[palemoonlight]

Cillian is very introspective and doesn't seem to enjoy the celebrity life and spotlight so this is the PERFECT guy to interview him, we love you Ali!

[aninjaguardian]

Cillian deserves an Oscar, the man has been turning in intense, magnetic performances for years

[lorencappelson]

I think his hair in Red Eye is gorgeous, personally.

[harrisonmccartney]

It's so easy to see why he's Nolan's go-to actor. They're very much alike in their understated manner of doing the best work possible without trying to boast or live up to their reputations. They share a kind of intimate privacy about their personal lives, even as they're excited and willing to talk about their work. But at the end of the day they're two gentlemen who do their best work without too much hype about it being their best work and let the final product speak for itself. They're almost like the same person in different roles; Chris is like if Cillian was a director, and Cillian is like Chris if he was an actor.

[trnogger]

They barely mentioned it, but for me, "Sunshine" is the movie where I fell in love with Cillian Murphy as an actor. I had seen him in other roles before and found he had a very unique presence, but Sunshine really nailed it.

[Jean_Genie]

He should actually do more comedic roles, he was really funny in 'Intermission', 'Watching the Detectives' and 'Free Fire' - even though the characters were somewhat "serious".

[HM-pwit]

Literally having a horrible day… this is just what I needed to cheer me up!

[skewsme]

I love this man. Excellent actor, low-key, intense AF.
Such a list of movies and performances he's made, it literally brings tears to my eyes I have to hold back every time I watch him come into the scene. Mad respect.

[bluebillbo]

"The Wind that Shakes the Barley" is another great role from him

[TheCutejellybean]

i know im 10 years late but i just started peaky blinders and im obsessed with everything cillian-related. such a great actor.

[hellogoditsmesara]

Cills consistently hating the haircuts of projects he’s been in 😂😂😂

[fieldsofhorsesroam]

I just love listening to Cillian. I'm always so happy to see there is a new interview. His combination of being a stellar, one of a kind actor while being a humble, down to earth, intellectual, and thoughtful person is just the greatest thing ever!!!!♥️

[paulrhyslloyd]

Cillian Murphy is one of those actors who I’ve seen in plenty of films but he’s that captivating as an actor that I often forget that I’m watching him. 28 Days later is still one of my favourite films and I can’t help but wonder, even though he might be to ‘big’ for the role now what he might be like as Doctor Who.