Cillian Murphy’s highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes is “Kensuke’s Kingdom” (2024), an animated feature where viewers never see him on screen. Boasting a stellar 97% approval rating, this adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved children’s novel highlights Murphy solely as a voice actor, a notable departure from his physically intense roles.
Directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, with a script by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the film features Murphy as the voice of Dad (Mr. Morpurgo), alongside Sally Hawkins as Mum and Ken Watanabe as the mysterious Kensuke. The story follows a boy named Michael, shipwrecked on a remote island, who learns to survive with Kensuke’s unexpected guidance. Murphy’s vocal work plays a vital role in the film’s acclaim, showcasing his talents in a fresh and captivating way.
Cillian Murphy’s Cinematic Range and Prestigious Roles
Recognized as one of contemporary cinema’s most desirable actors, Murphy is known for his deeply expressive performances, typically reliant on his intense screen presence and subtle facial cues. In Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” for example, Murphy conveyed the trauma of war almost entirely through micro-expressions, while “Inception” saw him portray Robert Fischer’s inner conflict through nuanced emotion rather than extended dialogue.
Murphy first rose to prominence with “28 Days Later,” demonstrating a vulnerability that tethered his characters to genuine human fragility. He later gained widespread acclaim as Tommy Shelby in the BBC series “Peaky Blinders,” fully embodying the complex antihero. More recently, “Oppenheimer” marked a career milestone, earning Murphy an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, where he balanced the character’s scientific brilliance with profound moral anguish.
The Narrative and Artistic Approach of Kensuke’s Kingdom
“Kensuke’s Kingdom” tells the story of Michael, who becomes separated from his family after a violent storm while sailing, stranded on an unknown island with his dog. Michael soon discovers Kensuke, a reclusive Japanese man who initially views this intrusion as a threat. Over time, the two forge an unlikely friendship, joining forces to safeguard their fragile island home from external dangers.
The film’s artistry stands out for its hand-drawn 2D animation that captures the lush and serene island environment with care. Scenes portraying Kensuke’s history are rendered in black-and-white watercolor styles inspired by Japanese aesthetics, blending visual and cultural storytelling. This melding of a Western narrative with Eastern artistic elements enriches the emotional depth and cross-cultural themes of the film. Composer Stuart Hancock explained:
“We were all very much on the same page of understanding that Kensuke’s Kingdom was a traditional adventure story with traditional hand-drawn animation and that we were going to be in the sound world of the orchestral music from adventure films we all adored as kids ourselves.”
—Stuart Hancock, Composer
The Art of Voice Acting in Kensuke’s Kingdom
The film’s success introduces a new dimension to Murphy’s body of work, stripping away his recognizable physicality to rely entirely on vocal expression. While he has shown great versatility in films like “A Quiet Place Part II,”
“The Wind That Shakes the Barley,”
and “Breakfast on Pluto,” this animated role distills his performance to voice alone. Murphy’s warm and nurturing portrayal of Mr. Morpurgo provides a heartfelt contrast to his typical roles as complex or troubled characters, such as Tommy Shelby.
Building on this momentum, Netflix has greenlit a new adaptation based on the “Kensuke’s Kingdom” series, with a release planned for late 2025, promising wider exposure to this unique project.
The Competitive Landscape of Murphy’s Highly Rated Films
Despite “Kensuke’s Kingdom” leading with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating, other films in Murphy’s career have also achieved critical acclaim: “The Dark Knight” holds a 94% rating, “Oppenheimer” 93%, and “Dunkirk” 92%. This juxtaposition highlights an intriguing paradox—Murphy’s top-rated film is one where his physical presence is entirely absent, emphasizing the evolving recognition of voice acting as a powerful and legitimate form of performance.
As animation continues to gain artistic prestige, the success of “Kensuke’s Kingdom” underscores Murphy’s unobtrusive yet masterful approach to acting, demonstrating his ability to convey depth and emotion across varied mediums quietly and confidently. For those wishing to experience this standout work, the film is available for streaming on platforms like Kanopy and Hoopla.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Cillian Murphy a millionaire?
A. By 2025, Cillian Murphy’s net worth is expected to be around $20 million. Most of his money comes from his successful acting career in films.
Q. Is Cillian Murphy a real smoker?
A. On the set of Peaky Blinders, the actors used herbal cigarettes for filming. Although Murphy doesn’t smoke, he was often surrounded by smoke. This was because the show aimed to accurately depict the 1920s, a time when smoking was common.
