Turning 45 this December, the actor has not won the Oscar despite nailing several roles

Whenever we hear the name Jake Gyllenhaal, we are forced to go back to childhood and the time when Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time hit the theatres. It was one of the earliest films that was adapted from a video game, and Gyllenhaal nailed the role of the Prince of Persia, be it in terms of looks or acrobatic stunts.

More than a decade later, with much better roles in his filmography, it is quite unfortunate that Gyllenhaal has yet to win the Oscar, an award that his talent truly deserves. As the actor turns 45 this December, here are the top Gyllenhaal films that scream for his Oscar and deserve your special attention on his birthday.

Nightcrawler

(Credit- Empire Magazine)

Gyllenhaal jumped into the life of a hustler, a freelance stringer in the world of news. However, instead of sticking to the path of honesty, Gyllenhaal’s character goes dark, committing unthinkable acts that scream textbook sociopath. Nightcrawler is often considered the best of Gyllenhaal’s versatile career, and we do not disagree.

Brokeback Mountain

(Credit- Vanity Fair)

A film that many may not have heard of, Brokeback Mountain is an incredibly special film for Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger. The story revolves around the two actors, who are attracted to each other. However, societal norms and pressure force them to marry women, taking their lives in a different direction. The film explores a delicate subject that remains taboo in many parts of the world. Brokeback Mountain is an emotional rollercoaster that solidified Jake’s career as an actor.

Prisoners

(Credit- Cinemablend)

Two little girls are kidnapped, and their parents wish to extract a confession from a man whom they believe is the kidnapper. However, this man in question has the IQ of a 10-year-old. What do you do as the detective of such a twisted case? Gyllenhaal’s first collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve puts us all on the edge of our seats, as it is not just Jake who is running around to find the truth and the whereabouts of the girls; we, as the audience, too, join him in this search and hope the girls are found safe and sound. Gyllenhaal, in an authoritative role, hit the ball out of the park with his acting prowess.

Zodiac

(Credit- Medium)

Zodiac became famous because of Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo. However, Gyllenhaal was a tremendous performer who portrayed the role of real-life political cartoonist Robert Graysmith of the San Francisco Chronicle. The film portrayed Graysmith as naïve, but when it came to investigating the incidents, he became determined—traits of Graysmith that Jake portrayed perfectly.

As the actor turns 45 this December, we hope he soon receives the award he has been craving for decades.