It’s never a bad thing when Keanu Reeves graces our screens, and he’s doing just that this weekend as a guardian angel in Good Fortune, the directorial debut of Aziz Ansari. Reeves has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, and this has gone a long way in making him a favorite of moviegoers. As an actor, Reeves hasn’t always gotten his due, but he has on more than one occasion proven his worth, and that’s why this feels like the best time to dive into his five best performances ever.

Honorable Mention: The Matrix Franchise (1999-2021) as Neo

The Matrix is a testament to Reeves’ instincts as a businessman and actor. While an actor like Will Smith turned the sci-fi action film down (to do Wild Wild West, no less), Reeves believed in the potential of the film’s story and its bankability, wisely taking backend royalties that paid off immensely. Written and directed by the Wachowskis, the first Matrix focuses on a dystopian future where humanity is unknowingly trapped in a simulated reality known as the Matrix.

The simulated reality was created by intelligent machines, and the hope of rebelling against them falls on a computer hacker recruited by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) named Neo (Reeves), who is prophesied to be “the One” in the battle against the machines. Others may have been offered this role, but this feels like a character Reeves was born to play. He displays a believable everyman personality that eventually morphs into an almost superhero persona that exudes cool and confidence at its highest level. Jokes can be made about the range necessary to portray Neo, but Reeves seemed to get what was needed to make Neo an iconic action figure.

He brings considerable emotional depth to the role, and he is also completely dedicated to selling the film’s extensive fight scenes, which featured choreography that was completely groundbreaking at the time. Reeves makes Neo’s transition from burnt-out hacker to hero of his new reality seamless, and it’s an evolution that moviegoers can track as the franchise progresses.

5. Speed (1994) as LAPD Officer Jack Traven

Reeves stepped back into law enforcement after helping turn Point Break into box office gold in 1994’s Speed, directed by Jan de Bont, which marked de Bont’s feature directorial debut. Written by Graham Yost, Speed centers on an extortionist named Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper), a man hell-bent on revenge, who rigs a city bus to explode should it drop below 50 miles per hour. Reeves showcases as LAPD Officer Jack Traven, who makes it his mission to prevent this disaster from happening.

Speed felt like a natural maturity of the actor’s role in Point Break, with Reeves taking action in a leader position without missing a beat. The movie also solidified early on that Reeves would have a legitimate career as an action star, displaying all the physicality necessary to sell him believably in the genre. Also notable is his romantic chemistry with Sandra Bullock, which is electric and moves along perfectly, accompanied by some of the best action put to screen at the time. For Reeves, Speed was a big step forward because it showcased a maturity in him that proved he was ready for more roles like this and was more than capable of taking the lead.

4. The John Wick franchise (2014-Present) as John Wick

Reeves’ career saw a bit of a lull until John Wick came his way, and it only reaffirmed that he is one of the most dedicated action stars working in the business today. Much like his work in The Matrix, this is an example of Reeves playing to his particular strengths as an actor and completely believing in a concept when most other actors may have turned their nose up at it. The first film, released in 2014 and directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad, follows the titular hitman character whose legendary days in the business are seemingly behind him.

This all changes when he plots a deadly revenge against the men who killed his dog, which was the final gift he received from his deceased wife. Is it a silly foundation to build a plot around? Maybe. Is it even sillier that this has become a mega-franchise that is soon to be five movies deep with spin-offs? Probably! It all doesn’t matter because with Reeves at the center, the audience is all in on what the John Wick franchise is selling. It’s a very understated role that matches Reeves’ understated methods when it comes to roles like this, making John Wick perfectly in line with the actor’s sensibilities.

He brings a quiet intensity to the role, and it’s matched with his commitment and dedication to the action and fight choreography that only grows more intricate and jaw-dropping with each passing installment. Reeves didn’t begin his career as an action star, but for him to have so many iconic action roles and films under his belt makes him one of the best to do it in the genre, and the John Wick franchise stands as his gold star.

3. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) as Ted “Theodore” Logan

Reeves isn’t just good at playing action. In fact, he’s actually pretty funny, and he more than proves that as Ted “Theodore” Logan in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Directed by Stephen Herek from a screenplay by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon, the movie follows two best friends and academic nitwits named Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Reeves), who travel back in time to gather up historical figures for a must-pass high school history project. This represents another signature character for Reeves and one that he obtained early on in his career.

Ted, alongside Bill, might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, and his skills as a musician might be questionable, but Reeves goes a long way to give the character a hell of a lot of heart. This is what is essential in comedies like this. Reeves is top-notch when it comes to bringing the laughs with iconic lines (“Strange things are afoot at the Circle K”), but it’s his winning chemistry with Winter that has made all of the Bill & Ted films must-watches for fans.

The comedy in Bill & Ted is actually quite smart, and even though Reeves is portraying a doofus, he is intelligent enough not to play into Ted’s perceived lack of intelligence. There is a self-awareness at play that wouldn’t resonate in lesser hands. Reeves is in on the joke, handling Ted with comedic care that has continued to make this one of the most iconic roles of his career.

2. My Own Private Idaho (1991) as Scott Favor

Much of this list has played on Reeves’ charisma or persona as an actor, but My Own Private Idaho is an early display of his pure talent and should be cited when naysayers say he’s not up to snuff as an actor. Written and directed by Gus Van Sant, the film focuses on two friends, Michael “Mike” Waters (River Phoenix) and Scott Favor (Reeves), street hustlers who are on a journey of self-discovery. Most of the accolades went to Phoenix for his portrayal of Mike, and those accolades were deserved, but Reeves’ performance is equally magnetic. Reeves effortlessly captures Scott’s duality as someone struggling to come to terms with his privileged background and his genuine desire to be there for Mike, with whom he feels a deep affection.

This is probably one of Reeves’ more complex roles, but he can channel sympathy in Scott despite his flaws, and his chemistry with Phoenix is also a highlight. While Phoenix garnered most of the praise, My Own Private Idaho wouldn’t completely work without Reeves’ natural charisma, which perfectly plays off of Phoenix’s more vulnerable portrayal of Mike. My Own Private Idaho was also an early indication of Reeves’ instincts for groundbreaking projects. My Own Private Idaho has since become a pivotal film in independent filmmaking and queer cinema, cementing its place as a cult classic. It’s an underrated piece of work and one that fans of Reeves should be quick to point out when anyone says he’s not a capable actor.

1. The Gift (2000) as Donnie Barksdale

A lot of people haven’t seen The Gift, but man, are they missing out on Reeves’ best work as an actor to date. Directed by Sam Raimi from a screenplay by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, The Gift follows a single mother named Annabelle “Annie” Wilson (Cate Blanchett) who becomes involved in a missing person’s case in rural Georgia thanks to her experience as a psychic. Reeves is surrounded by powerhouse actors in the film, including Blanchett, Hilary Swank, and Giovanni Ribisi, among others, but he manages to place a strong second to Blanchett as Donnie Barksdale, the abusive husband of Swank’s Valerie.

Reeves does a lot with minimal screentime, and not only is he stellar, but he’s downright frightening, fully committing to portraying someone with zero redeeming qualities. His best moments are with Blanchett as he uses all of his weight and intimidation to stop her from convincing his wife to leave him, while also making it clear he’s no fan of her “gift,” indicating with ruthless menace and intensity that messing with the devil will definitely get her burned. I’m not sure if anyone knew he had a performance like this in him, but Reeves proved with The Gift that if given the opportunity, he can be quite the surprise on the big screen.

Good Fortune is now playing in theaters nationwide.

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