by Cillian Murphy is renowned for taking on complex, layered characters throughout his career. While each role is unique, many of Murphy’s performances highlight the importance of standing up for oneself, having an independent voice, and confronting adversity—lessons that can inspire audiences in their own lives. From Tommy Shelby’s relentless ambition in Peaky Blinders to Dr. Emmett Walsh’s questioning of authority in Inception, Murphy’s characters demonstrate the power we all have to shape our own destinies and challenge the status quo, even in the face of difficult circumstances or opposition. Let’s take a closer look at some of Murphy’s most notable roles and the assertiveness lessons they can teach us.
Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
One of Murphy’s most iconic roles is that of Tommy Shelby, the cunning and ruthless leader of the Peaky Blinders gang in Birmingham, England in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the Great Depression, and the rise of fascism, Peaky Blinders depicts Shelby’s journey from a small-time criminal to a major player in Britain’s underground economy and legitimate business world. Despite facing immense poverty, discrimination as a Romani man, and constant threats from rival gangs and the authorities, Shelby displays unwavering determination, resilience, and cunning as he builds his criminal empire through illegal gambling, protection rackets, arms dealing, and more.
Shelby’s story highlights the power we all have to overcome adversity through sheer force of will. No matter the obstacles in his path, he refuses to let his circumstances define him and fights relentlessly to gain more power and wealth on his own terms. There are certainly moral ambiguities to Shelby’s ruthless methods, but his journey shows that with enough grit and ambition, one person can rise up and carve their own destiny even within deeply unjust systems. Shelby’s story inspires us to confront challenges head-on rather than back down or make excuses. It also demonstrates that having an independent voice and vision, even if controversial, can enable radical success and change. While his context is extreme, Shelby’s relentless assertion of self and refusal to be limited by outside expectations is inspiring.
Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in Batman Begins (2005)
In Batman Begins, Murphy took on the iconic Batman villain Scarecrow, also known as Dr. Jonathan Crane. As a psychologist, Crane studies the nature of fear and its effects on the human mind. He uses a fear-inducing hallucinogen called “fear toxin” as a weapon, preying on his victims’ deepest phobias. On the surface, Crane appears to be a shy, anxious academic. But beneath lies a calculating and manipulative mastermind.
Crane’s journey highlights the importance of facing what holds us back internally. As Scarecrow, he preys on the fears of others but is ultimately bested by Batman, who confronts his own fears through rigorous mental and physical training. The character shows that overcoming personal anxieties and insecurities is key to gaining power over others. It also demonstrates that confronting fears head-on, as Batman does, is the only way to truly defeat them. While Crane uses fear for evil ends, his backstory as an anxious academic who found empowerment through studying phobias resonates with anyone who has struggled with low self-confidence or social anxiety. His path suggests that facing fears, not giving in to them, is the route to asserting one’s authentic self and abilities.
Dr. Emmett Walsh in Inception (2010)
In Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending heist film Inception, Murphy took on the role of Dr. Emmett Walsh, a professor of architecture recruited by Cobb’s team for his expertise in the dream-sharing technology at the heart of the film. Initially hesitant about the mission, Walsh questions Cobb’s leadership and motives at several points. He asserts his independence by pushing back on Cobb’s assumptions and demanding more information and accountability.
Walsh models the value of questioning authority figures rather than blindly following. Even within a high-stakes operation led by an expert like Cobb, he believes his voice and perspective deserve to be heard. Walsh’s character reminds us that independent, critical thinking is essential regardless of power dynamics or circumstances. Simply going along with the crowd or those in charge rarely serves individual interests or leads to positive change. Though his doubts put him at odds with the team’s leader at times, Walsh sticks to his principles, highlighting how asserting one’s authentic self and perspective can strengthen any group effort in the long run. His character encourages us to speak up when something feels off rather than remain silent out of fear or obligation.
Kiristoff in Red Eye (2005)
In the Hitchcockian thriller Red Eye, Murphy took on the unsettling role of hotel manager Lisa Reisert on a flight from Miami to Dallas. Seemingly polite and helpful, Kiristoff later reveals himself to be a terrorist with a personal vendetta. He blackmails Lisa into assisting with his assassination plot by threatening her father’s life.
On the surface, Kiristoff appears to be a mild-mannered yet charming stranger. But beneath lies a calculated killer willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve his goals. His backstory, revealed later in the film, suggests he acts out of a twisted desire for vengeance after his father was killed. Kiristoff highlights how even seemingly normal people are capable of monstrous acts given the right circumstances or motivations.
More constructively, his character reminds us that blind obedience often stems from traumatic pasts or misguided beliefs rather than true conviction. Kiristoff follows orders not because he believes in his cause, but out of a warped need to please authority figures who remind him of past abusers. His actions demonstrate that questioning authority, ideals, and motivations is crucial—even if one disagrees with current power structures, alternative options may lead to more ethical solutions. While Kiristoff takes assertion to an extreme, his character encourages introspection about why we follow or rebel against leadership as well as considering perspectives beyond the status quo.
Lessons in Everyday Assertiveness
While Murphy’s characters often inhabit extreme, fictional worlds, they can still offer valuable lessons about asserting oneself that apply in everyday life. Whether it’s having the courage to face internal fears, speaking up against injustice, following an independent vision despite obstacles, or questioning authorities rather than obeying blindly, these roles model taking charge of one’s own destiny through bravery, resilience and critical thinking. Of course, fiction is not a one-to-one guide for real-life situations, which involve nuanced moral complexities. But Murphy’s portrayals inspire examining the roots of our own compliance or passivity and finding empowerment through standing up for what we believe in, even in small, constructive ways. By embracing the assertiveness within, we can all work to overcome adversity, challenge the status quo when needed, and shape our lives according to our own values and vision.
