Colin Farrell

Colin James Farrell was born in Castleknock, a western suburb of Dublin on 31 May 1976, to Rita (née Monaghan) and Eamon Farrell. His father played football for Shamrock Rovers FC and ran a health food shop. Farrell played for Castleknock Celtic FC, and the team was managed by his father.{{cite web |url=http://www.showbizireland.com/news/may05/16-farrell94.shtml |title=Colin's Grief for Grandfather... |website=Showbizireland.com |date=24 May 2006 |access-date=25 January 2011 |archive-date=4 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204053415/http://www.showbizireland.com/news/may05/16-farrell94.shtml |url-status=live }} Farrell's uncle, Tommy Farrell, also played for Shamrock Rovers. Farrell has an older brother named Eamon,{{cite news |title=Colin Farrell's brother marries |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/colin-farrells-brother-marries-49008596-237648361.html |work=Irish Central |first=Debbie |last=McGoldrick |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=11 July 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142544/http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/colin-farrells-brother-marries-49008596-237648361.html |url-status=live }} and two sisters, Catherine and Claudine, (the latter now works as his personal assistant).{{cite web |work=Hello! |title=Colin Farrell shows his brotherly love at "Vice" premiere |date=27 July 2006 |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2006/07/28/miamivice |access-date=28 July 2006 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043545/http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2006/07/28/miamivice |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/colin_farrell |title=Colin Farrell |work=People |access-date=25 January 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511210143/http://www.people.com/people/colin_farrell |url-status=live }} Farrell grew up Catholic and went to St. Brigid's National School, Castleknock, followed by the exclusive{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} all-boys private school Castleknock College, and then Gormanston College in Gormanston Castle in County Meath. He unsuccessfully auditioned for the boy band Boyzone around that time.{{cite web | website=Visimag.com | title=Movie Idols: We look at the exploding film career of Colin Farrell | url=http://www.visimag.com/movieidols/m34_feat01.htm | access-date=29 November 2006 | archive-date=21 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232240/http://www.visimag.com/movieidols/m34_feat01.htm | url-status=dead }}

Farrell was inspired to try acting when Henry Thomas' performance in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) moved him to tears.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1116/farrellc.html |title=Farrell inspired to become actor by ET |website=RTÉ Ten |date=16 November 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=17 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117095428/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1116/farrellc.html |url-status=live }} With his brother's encouragement, he attended the Gaiety School of Acting, but dropped out when he was cast as Danny Byrne in the BBC drama Ballykissangel.{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/25956|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217222036/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/25956|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2007|title=Ballykissangel|publisher=British Film Institute}} While traveling in Sydney at the age of 18, Farrell became a suspect in an attempted murder case.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/colin-farrell/news/farrell-escaped-attempted-murder-rap-by-revealing-other-crime|title=Farrell escaped attempted murder rap by revealing other crime|magazine=Contactmusic.com|date=24 November 2004|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927230351/http://www.contactmusic.com/colin-farrell/news/farrell-escaped-attempted-murder-rap-by-revealing-other-crime|url-status=live}} The police sketch looked remarkably like him and he had even described blacking out during the night in question; his only alibi was that a friend journaled that the two had been taking MDMA on the other side of town that night.{{cite web|first=Julie|last=Miller|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/true-detective-colin-farrell-attempted-murder|title=True Detective star Colin Farrell says he was once suspected in an attempted murder|work=Vanity Fair|date=19 June 2015|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620205736/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/true-detective-colin-farrell-attempted-murder|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-16 |title=Colin Farrell was once arrested for attempted murder as a teenager |url=https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/colin-farrell-arrested-attempted-murder-teenage-093021-20230516 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=LADbible |language=en}}

Farrell had roles in television shows and films, including Ballykissangel and Falling for a Dancer in 1998 and 1999. He made his feature film debut in English actor Tim Roth's directorial debut, The War Zone,{{cite web |url=http://www.womenrepublic.co.uk/entertainment/colin_farrell/bio.htm |title=Colin Farrell Biography & Filmography |website=Womenrepublic.co.uk |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113005712/http://www.womenrepublic.co.uk/entertainment/colin_farrell/bio.htm |archive-date=13 January 2011 }} a drama about child sexual abuse, starring Ray Winstone and Tilda Swinton as parents of a girl Farrell's character (Nick) dates.{{cite web|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-war-zone-2000|title=The War Zone (2000)|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=14 January 2000|via=RogerEbert.com|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819214114/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-war-zone-2000|url-status=live}} Farrell appeared in Ordinary Decent Criminal with Kevin Spacey and Linda Fiorentino, a film loosely based on the life of Martin Cahill. In 2000, Farrell was cast in the lead role of Private Roland Bozz in Tigerland, directed by Joel Schumacher. Farrell reportedly got the part on the basis of his charm. Emanuel Levy of Variety said that Farrell "shines as the subversive yet basically decent lad whose cynicism may be the only sane reaction to a situation".{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/tigerland-1200464270/ |title=Tigerland |work=Variety |date=14 September 2000 |access-date=25 February 2020 |first=Emanuel |last=Levy |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042617/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/tigerland-1200464270/ |url-status=live }} Michael Holden of The Guardian wrote that Farrell was "too much the hero" to fit the classic rebel archetype properly, but he still delivered a good performance.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Holden |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/may/26/features2 |title=Trouble shooter |work=The Guardian |date=25 May 2001 |access-date=6 August 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019182129/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/may/26/features2 |url-status=live }} Tigerland earned $139,500.

Farrell's next American films, American Outlaws (2001) and Hart's War (2002), were not commercially successful.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americanoutlaws.htm|title=American Outlaws|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=3 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103030734/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americanoutlaws.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hartswar.htm|title=Hart's War|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716124811/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hartswar.htm|url-status=live}} His 2002–2003 films, including Phone Booth, The Recruit and S.W.A.T. (all thrillers, with the former two his first starring roles), were well received by critics and successful at the box office. Of Phone Booth, Roger Ebert wrote that it is "Farrell's to win or lose, since he's onscreen most of the time, and he shows energy and intensity".{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/phone-booth-2003|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|via=RogerEbert.com|title=Phone Booth|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|date=4 April 2003|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404093340/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/phone-booth-2003|url-status=live}} Philip French of The Guardian praised Farrell's performance.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/apr/20/philipfrench|work=The Guardian|title=It's For You ....|first=Philip|last=French|date=20 April 2003|access-date=20 August 2012|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921083019/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/apr/20/philipfrench|url-status=live}} In S.W.A.T., Farrell starred in an ensemble cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Olivier Martinez and Jeremy Renner; Renner became a friend. Alan Morrison of Empire wrote, "Farrell can usually be relied upon to bring a spark to the bonfire. That's also true of [this movie]."{{cite web|url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/swt-review/|work=Empire|title= S.W.A.T. Review|first=Alan|last=Morrison|access-date=25 February 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055513/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=9938|archive-date=21 September 2013}} Elvis Mitchell of the New York Times criticised Farrell's accent, writing that he "employ[ed] a wobbly American accent that makes him sound like an international criminal a step ahead of the authorities".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/08/movies/film-review-working-up-a-sweat.html|title=FILM REVIEW; Working Up A S.W.E.A.T.|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 August 2012|first=Elvis|last=Mitchell|authorlink=Elvis Mitchell|date=8 August 2003|archive-date=29 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129071633/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/08/movies/film-review-working-up-a-sweat.html|url-status=live}} Ebert and The New York Times{{'}} A.O. Scott disagreed on Farrell's effectiveness in The Recruit; Ebert noted Farrell's likability,{{cite news | url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-recruit-2003 | title=The Recruit | date=31 January 2003 | newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times | via=RogerEbert.com | first=Roger | last=Ebert | authorlink=Roger Ebert | access-date=25 February 2020 | archive-date=26 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042619/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-recruit-2003 | url-status=live }} but Scott felt that Farrell "spends his time in a caffeinated frenzy, trying to maintain his leading-man sang-froid while registering panic, stress and confusion".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/31/movies/film-review-hard-lessons-in-a-devilishly-devious-cia.html|title=FILM REVIEW; Hard Lessons in a Devilishly Devious C.I.A.|date=31 January 2003|work=The New York Times|first=A. O.|last=Scott|authorlink=A.O. Scott|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226043452/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/31/movies/film-review-hard-lessons-in-a-devilishly-devious-cia.html|url-status=live}} Phone Booth earned $46.6 million,{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/search/?q=Phone%20Booth|title=Box Office results for Phone Booth|publisher=Boxofficemojo|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-date=22 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522025820/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/search/?q=Phone%20Booth|url-status=live}} S.W.A.T. $116.9 million{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0257076/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=FILM REVIEW; Working Up A S.W.E.A.T.|work=Box Office Mojo|date=8 August 2003|access-date=20 August 2012|archive-date=22 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222213353/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0257076/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}} and The Recruit $52.8 million{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0292506/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=The Recruit Box Office results|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016173707/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0292506/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}} at the box office.

Farrell's supporting roles include an ambitious Justice Department agent opposite Tom Cruise as a "potential criminal" in Minority Report (2002),{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406525781|title=Gone Tomorrow|work=The Baltimore Sun|first=Michael|last=Sragow|date=21 June 2002|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116132015/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/doc/406525781.html|id={{ProQuest|406525781}} |url-status=live}} and Bullseye, the villain in Daredevil (2003). Matt Damon was originally offered the Minority Report role, turning it down to appear in Ocean's Eleven.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Mike |date=3 November 2000 |title=Damon won't report for duty with Spielberg |newspaper=USA Today |page=E5}} Farrell said "he had no problem" being the producer's fallback after Damon declined.{{cite news|title=Farrell Enjoys Second Chances|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HwoyAAAAIBAJ&pg=5852,11214201&dq=colin-farrell+matt-damon+minority-report&hl=en|access-date=14 December 2010|newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World|date=21 August 2001|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121190421/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HwoyAAAAIBAJ&pg=5852,11214201&dq=colin-farrell+matt-damon+minority-report&hl=en|url-status=live}} Farrell was signed to the role in December 2001, although he was considered for the lead role of Matt Murdock (Daredevil) until Ben Affleck signed.{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Swanson |date=5 December 2001 |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/farrell-targets-daredevil-1117856845/ |title=Farrell targets 'Daredevil' |work=Variety |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042618/https://variety.com/2001/film/news/farrell-targets-daredevil-1117856845/ |url-status=live }} Farrell was encouraged to keep his Irish accent, since this version of Bullseye is from Ireland.{{cite web |first=Ryan J. |last=Downey |date=6 February 2003 |url=http://www.mtv.com/shared/movies/features/a/affleck_daredevil_feature_030206 |title=Ben Affleck Dares to Dream Daredevil |work=MTV |access-date=21 February 2008 |archive-date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826075104/http://www.mtv.com/shared/movies/features/a/affleck_daredevil_feature_030206/ |url-status=dead }} He read Frank Miller's Daredevil comics to understand Bullseye "because the expression on the character's faces in the comic books, and just the way they move sometimes, and the exaggerations of the character I'm playing... he's so over-the-top that you do draw from that. But it's not exactly a character you can do method acting for...you know, running around New York killing people with paper clips".{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/minorityreport/colin.asp |title=Colin Farrell Interview |website=UGO |access-date=22 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216102800/http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/minorityreport/colin.asp |archive-date=16 February 2008 }} In 2003, he was voted sixth World's "Sexiest Man" by Company magazine.{{cite web|title=Company's 100 Sexiest Men |work=Company Magazine's 100 Sexiest Men of 2003 |url=http://www.celebritiesworldwide.com/NameInNews.cfm?Year=2004&ContentID=326 |access-date=2 August 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520140846/http://www.celebritiesworldwide.com/NameInNews.cfm?Year=2004&ContentID=326 |archive-date=20 May 2006}}

File:ColinFarrell07TIFF.jpg]]

In late 2003, Farrell starred as a criminal who plots a bank robbery with Cillian Murphy in the dark comedy Intermission, which held the record for highest-grossing Irish independent film in Irish box-office history for three years.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0808/presswatch-business.html|title=Loach Film Sets New Money Mark|work=RTÉ|date=8 August 2006|accessdate=18 July 2007|archive-date=13 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513212042/http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0808/presswatch-business.html|url-status=live}} In 2004, he appeared in several other independent films receiving limited theatrical release in most countries, including A Home at the End of the World (adapted from Michael Cunningham's novel of the same name). Roger Ebert praised Farrell, saying that he was "astonishing in the movie, not least because the character is such a departure from everything he has done before".{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-home-at-the-end-of-the-world-2004|title=A Home at the End of the World|date=30 July 2004|work=Chicago Sun-Times|via=RogerEbert.com|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=17 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417143257/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-home-at-the-end-of-the-world-2004|url-status=live}}{{cite web | website=Everyonesacritic.com | title=A Home at the End of the World Critic Reviews | url=http://www.everyonesacritic.net/comment.asp?ratingid=253836 | access-date=21 September 2004 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112182948/http://www.everyonesacritic.net/comment.asp?ratingid=253836 | archive-date=12 November 2004 | df=dmy-all }} Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle differed, saying that Farrell "is keen on making good...The effort is there, but it's a performance you end up rooting for rather than enjoying, because there's no way to just relax and watch".{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Teen-makes-himself-some-families-Farrell-2739511.php|title=Teen Makes Himself Some Families|date=24 July 2004|work=San Francisco Chronicle|first=Mick|last=LaSalle|authorlink=Mick LaSalle|access-date=3 January 2013|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026032056/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Teen-makes-himself-some-families-Farrell-2739511.php|url-status=live}}{{cite web | title=A Home at the End of the World: Total Gross Revenues | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2004/HEOTW.php | access-date=1 December 2006 | website=The Numbers | archive-date=25 November 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125142822/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2004/HEOTW.php | url-status=live }}

Farrell played the title role of Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone's 2004 biographical film Alexander, which, while receiving some favourable reviews internationally, was poorly received in the United States.{{cite web | website=Metacritic | title=Alexander Critic Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/alexander | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=7 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807144214/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/alexander | url-status=live }} Its portrayal of the conqueror as bisexual was controversial; the film was criticised by some historians for its treatment of the ancient Persians,{{cite web| work=Hellenicnationalist.blogspot.com| first=Kaveh| last=Farrakh| title=Dr. Kaveh Farrakh – The Alexander Movie: How are Iranians and Greeks portrayed?| url=http://hellenicnationalist.blogspot.com/2004/12/iranian-perspective-on-alexander-movie.html| access-date=9 December 2004| archive-date=21 April 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421223934/http://hellenicnationalist.blogspot.com/2004/12/iranian-perspective-on-alexander-movie.html| url-status=live}} although others praised it for its accuracy.{{cite web |url=http://myweb.unomaha.edu/~mreames/Beyond_Renault/review2.html |first=Jean |last=Reames |title='Fire Bringer' – Oliver Stone's Alexander |website=Myweb.unomaha.edu |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720095552/http://myweb.unomaha.edu/~mreames/Beyond_Renault/review2.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}{{cite web |last=Goodridge |first=Mike |url=http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid14881.asp |title=Why Alexander Won't Meet Oscar|date=24 January 2005 |work=The Advocate |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226082631/http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid14881.asp |archive-date=26 December 2005 }} An ancient history scholar at the University of Nebraska wrote:

{{blockquote|I would compare [Alexander] to Lawrence of Arabia, in terms of sheer scope, pacing, and its unrelenting focus on a single individual... In many ways, this is a movie for Greek and Alexander 'geeks.' The more one knows, the more one will recognise—the historical accuracy of sets is better than I've seen in some documentaries.}}

The film grossed $167 million worldwide, just exceeding its budget of $155 million.{{cite web | publisher=Boxoffice.com | title=Alexander Box Office Gross | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=alexander.htm | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=10 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910222839/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=alexander.htm | url-status=live }}

Farrell's next film was 2005's Academy Award-nominated The New World, his second historical epic.{{cite web | website=Box Office Mojo | title=The New World Box Office Gross | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=newworld.htm | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=17 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617072954/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=newworld.htm | url-status=live }} He played the lead role of Captain John Smith, the founder of 17th-century colonial Jamestown, Virginia who falls in love with the Native American princess Pocahontas (Q'Orianka Kilcher). Director Terrence Malick went out of his way to keep Farrell and Kilcher apart until they were filmed together.{{cite news |last=Yuan |first=Jada |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/features/15337/ |title=The Newcomer: Q'orianka Kilcher |work=New York |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030064113/http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/features/15337/ |url-status=live }} Although it was released in only 811 theatres worldwide and had a relatively low box-office gross,{{cite web | work=Yahoo! Movies | title=The New World Critics Reviews | url=https://movies.yahoo.com/shop | access-date=14 January 2017 | archive-date=28 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328055047/https://movies.yahoo.com/shop/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | website=Yahoo! | title=The New World: Awards and Nominations | url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808589420/awards | access-date=14 January 2017 | archive-date=4 June 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604024206/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808589420/awards | url-status=live }} the film received a large number of positive reviews.{{cite web|title=Movie review: The New World|first=Ed|last=Gonzalez|website=Slant Magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/the-new-world/1884|date=16 December 2005|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=18 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018031321/http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/the-new-world/1884|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Rapturous 'New World' casts new light on America's myths|first=Ty|last=Burr|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/01/20/rapturous_new_world_casts_new_light_on_americas_myths/|date=20 January 2006|work=The Boston Globe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125175436/http://articles.boston.com/2006-01-20/news/29239434_1_terrence-malick-movie-q-orianka-kilcher-pocahontas-story|archive-date=25 November 2011}} In one of four reviews in The Guardian,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/109640/new.world |title=The New World |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 January 2013 |date=21 July 2008 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019213420/http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/109640/new.world |url-status=live }} John Patterson described it as a "bottomless movie, almost unspeakably beautiful and formally harmonious".{{cite news|title=The New World: a misunderstood masterpiece?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/dec/10/the-new-world-terrence-malick|first=John|last=Patterson|date=10 December 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319081549/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/dec/10/the-new-world-terrence-malick|url-status=live}} The New World was followed by Ask the Dust, a period romance set in Los Angeles based on a John Fante novel{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/jan/14/john-fante-ask-dust|title=How Ask the Dust nearly missed greatness|first=Rob|last=Woodard|work=The Guardian|date=14 January 2009|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828083806/https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/jan/14/john-fante-ask-dust|url-status=live}} and co-starring Salma Hayek. Reviews were mixed; Manohla Dargis of The New York Times favourably described Farrell's work,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/movies/a-writers-story-of-rage-lust-and-oranges.html|title=MOVIE REVIEW: 'ASK THE DUST' A Writer's Story of Rage, Lust and Oranges|date=10 March 2006|work=The New York Times|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|authorlink=Manohla Dargis|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042711/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/movies/a-writers-story-of-rage-lust-and-oranges.html|url-status=live}} but Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian found "something a little forced in both lead performances".{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jun/02/5 |title=Ask the Dust |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2006 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102094630/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jun/02/5 |url-status=live }} With a limited theatrical release, it was not a financial success.{{cite web | publisher=Thenumbers.com | title=Ask The Dusk Total Grosses Revenues | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2006/ADUST.php | access-date=1 December 2006 | archive-date=7 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907082517/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2006/ADUST.php | url-status=live }}

Farrell was more successful in 2006 with his role opposite Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann's action crime drama, Miami Vice. The film grossed $164 million worldwide{{cite web | website=Box Office Mojo | title=Miami Vice Box Office Revenues | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=miamivice.htm | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=5 February 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205131014/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=miamivice.htm | url-status=live }} on a budget of $135 million,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/miami-vice-20060728|title=Miami Vice|last=Travers|first=Peter|authorlink=Peter Travers|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=28 July 2006|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830182229/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/miami-vice-20060728|url-status=live}} and TimeOut New York ranked it among the top 50 movies of the decade.{{cite news|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-tony-top-50-movies-of-the-decade?pageNumber=2|title=The TONY Top 50 Movies of the Decade|work=TimeOut New York|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028095434/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-tony-top-50-movies-of-the-decade?pageNumber=2|url-status=live}} The DVD, released the same year, also managed to sell over a million copies (equivalent to $7.91 million in pirated versions) in its first week alone,{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=2301 |work=The Numbers News |title=10 Million People Purchase Pirate DVDs This Week |access-date=1 January 2009 |date=16 December 2006 |first=C.S. |last=Strowbridge |archive-date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122211451/http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=2301 |url-status=live }} and, as of 11 February 2007, had grossed over $36.45 million in rentals.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=homevideo&id=miamivice.htm |title=Miami Vice (2006) - DVD / Home Video Rentals |work=BoxOfficeMojo |access-date=1 January 2009 |archive-date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122205326/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=homevideo&id=miamivice.htm |url-status=live }} A. O. Scott criticised Farrell's work: "When he's not on screen, you don't miss him, and when he is, you find yourself, before long, looking at someone or something else."{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/movies/28vice.html|title=Movie Review: Miami Vice (2006)|last=Scott|first=A.O.|authorlink=A.O. Scott|date=28 July 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 February 2017|archive-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127015727/http://movies.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/movies/28vice.html|url-status=live}} Conversely, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone was enthusiastic. Farrell also reportedly took a slight pay cut to make friend and recent Oscar winner Jamie Foxx happy; his salary was initially larger than Foxx's.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/hollywood/2006/07/fleeing_the_scene.html|last=Masters|first=Kim|title=Fleeing the Scene: How Jamie Foxx forced the macho Mann to change the ending of Miami Vice|date=13 July 2006|magazine=Slate|access-date=21 March 2014|archive-date=21 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121044123/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/hollywood/2006/07/fleeing_the_scene.html|url-status=live}}

Farrell appeared in Woody Allen's drama Cassandra's Dream, which premiered in 2007 and was distributed in the US in early 2008. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle praised Farrell: "Allen is notorious for not giving his actors explicit instructions, and yet somehow this worked wonders for Farrell, who has never seemed so naked, so clear, and so unencumbered as he does here."{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Review-Brothers-in-a-bloody-fine-bleedin-mess-3232239.php| title=Review: Brothers in a bloody fine bleedin' mess| date=18 January 2008| work=The San Francisco Chronicle| first=Mick| last=LaSalle| authorlink=Mick LaSalle| access-date=18 January 2013| archive-date=24 May 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524050903/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Review-Brothers-in-a-bloody-fine-bleedin-mess-3232239.php| url-status=live}} Manohla Dargis concurred in the New York Times, adding that she thought Farrell was well-matched with co-star Ewan McGregor.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/movies/18cass.html|title=Movie Review: Cassandra's Dream|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|authorlink=Manohla Dargis|work=The New York Times|date=18 January 2008|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042830/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/movies/18cass.html|url-status=live}}

Farrell's next film, Martin McDonagh's first full-length feature, In Bruges, opened the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. While The New Yorker and TimeOut London{{'}}s film critics found co-star Brendan Gleeson's performance the stronger of the two,{{cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/02/11/strangers#ixzz24r9GJNba |title=The Current Cinema: Strangers |magazine=The New Yorker |date=11 February 2008 |access-date=28 August 2012 |archive-date=3 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803225715/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/02/11/strangers#ixzz24r9GJNba |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Hammond |first=Wally |url=https://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85135/in-bruges.html |title=Film: In Bruges |date=17–23 April 2008 |access-date=28 August 2012 |archive-date=19 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919213230/http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85135/in-bruges.html |url-status=live }} Bradshaw of The Guardian found Farrell (as hitman Ray) to be "absolutely superb: moody and funny, lethally sexy, sometimes heartbreakingly sad and vulnerable like a little boy".{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/apr/18/drama.thriller |title=Culture: Film: In Bruges |work=The Guardian |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=28 August 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019213405/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/apr/18/drama.thriller |url-status=live }} Farrell won his first Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film.{{cite web|title=In Bruges|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/bruges|publisher=Golden Globe Awards|accessdate=24 June 2023|archive-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527225633/https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/bruges|url-status=live}}

Shortly thereafter, he appeared in Kicking It, a documentary following six homeless men from Kenya, Russia, Afghanistan, Ireland, Spain, and the US as they attempt to qualify for the Homeless World Cup. Farrell appeared on screen and provided the narration,{{cite web|url=http://www.homelessworldcup.org/news/colin-farrell-narrates-kicking-it|title=Colin Farrell Narrates on Kicking It|publisher=Homeless World Cup website|access-date=28 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723041626/http://www.homelessworldcup.org/news/colin-farrell-narrates-kicking-it|archive-date=23 July 2012}} donating his earnings to a homeless shelter in Ireland.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html|title=A World Cup With the Goal of Helping Lives Off the Field|work=The New York Times|first=Jack|last=Bell|date=10 September 2008|access-date=6 February 2017|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116133344/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html|url-status=live}} The film was released simultaneously in theatres and on television, airing on ESPN2 in a very short window before its DVD release. Farrell received positive reviews for his involvement in the true story.

Later in 2008, Farrell starred opposite Edward Norton in Pride and Glory, a police drama directed by Gavin O'Connor. Roger Ebert disliked the film{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pride-and-glory-2008|title=Pride and Glory|date=23 October 2008|work=Chicago Sun-Times|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|via=RogerEbert.com|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042616/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pride-and-glory-2008|url-status=live}} and A. O. Scott said that Farrell "once again indulges his blustery mixture of menace and charm, overdoing both,"{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/movies/24prid.html|title=A Band of Loyal Brothers, Not All of Them Honorable|date=23 October 2008|work=The New York Times|first=A. O.|last=Scott|authorlink=A.O. Scott|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042833/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/movies/24prid.html|url-status=live}} but Gregory Kirschling of Entertainment Weekly liked Farrell's work.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/10/24/pride-and-glory/|title=Pride and Glory|date=24 October 2008|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Gregory|last=Kirschling|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042617/https://ew.com/article/2008/10/24/pride-and-glory/|url-status=live}}

File:Colin Farrell by David Shankbone.jpg]]

On 11 January 2009, Farrell won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for In Bruges, in which he co-starred with Brendan Gleeson. In the same year, he also appeared in Terry Gilliam's film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, starring Christopher Plummer and Andrew Garfield. Farrell was one of three actors (with Johnny Depp and Jude Law), who helped to complete Heath Ledger's role when Ledger died before filming ended. They played "Imaginarium" versions of Ledger's character Tony,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/17/terry.gilliam.interview/index.html|title=The making of 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'|website=CNN|date=18 December 2009|access-date=23 August 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055947/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/17/terry.gilliam.interview/index.html|url-status=live}} donating their earnings to Ledger's daughter Matilda.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7570056.stm |title=Trio give fees to Ledger's child |work=BBC News |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=20 September 2013 |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7570056.stm |url-status=live }} Farrell also starred that year in Triage, directed by Oscar-winning Bosnian screenwriter and director Danis Tanović, about the life of a war correspondent. He lost 30 pounds for the role.{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117941308/ |title=Triage |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |authorlink=Todd McCarthy |date=4 October 2009 |work=Variety |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418163826/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/triage-2-1200477064/ |url-status=live }} Farrell's work was described as "dedicated" by Variety{{'}}s Todd McCarthy, and Julian Sancton of Vanity Fair wrote that the film was "a hell of a lot more insightful than other movies that deal with a similar topic".{{cite web |first=Julian|last=Sancton|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2009/09/triage-review-should-i-quit-my-job-to-become-a-war-reporter |title=Triage Review: Should I Quit My Job to Become a War Reporter? |website=Vanity Fair |date=13 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114142830/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2009/09/triage-review-should-i-quit-my-job-to-become-a-war-reporter |archive-date=14 January 2013 }} However, Triage was not widely distributed due to the marketing challenges posed by its difficult topics (including PTSD). That year, Farrell played a supporting role (as Tommy Sweet) in Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges.

Another 2009 release was Ondine, a fantasy-drama directed by Neil Jordan starring Farrell as a fisherman with a disabled daughter. Shot in the village of Castletownbere on Ireland's southwest coast, it featured cinematography by longtime Wong Kar-wai collaborator Christopher Doyle.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/ondine-2-1200476131/ |title=Movie review: Ondine |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |authorlink=Todd McCarthy |work=Variety |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042620/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/ondine-2-1200476131/ |url-status=live }} Mary Pols of Time called the role "tailor-made for Farrell", saying that Farrell gave a "beautifully confident performance".{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1994056,00.html |title=Ondine: A Fish-Out-of-Water Fairytale |first=Mary |last=Pols |magazine=Time |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902071612/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1994056,00.html |url-status=live }} Todd McCarthy of Variety singled Farrell out, noting that he worked well as an ensemble actor "graciously allowing [child star Alison Barry] to steal every scene she's in".

The next year, Farrell starred with Keira Knightley in the crime romance London Boulevard. The film, American William Monahan's debut as director after writing screenplays for The Departed and Body of Lies, was panned by critics.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=136066 |title=Reviews: London Boulevard |first=Kim |last=Newman |work=Empire |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116192730/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=136066 |url-status=live }} Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian wrote that the film "uses up all its energy, wit and ideas in the first 20 or so minutes, before collapsing into a flurry of boring violence".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/25/london-boulevard-review |title=Reviews: London Boulevard |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |work=The Guardian |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020121030/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/25/london-boulevard-review |url-status=live }} Leslie Felperin of Variety described it as "like a fancy, retro-styled pocket watch that someone accidentally broke and tried to reassemble with only a vague idea of clockwork".{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/london-boulevard-1117944118/ |title=Film reviews: London Boulevard |first=Leslie |last=Felperin |work=Variety |date=25 September 2010 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607201240/https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/london-boulevard-1117944118/ |url-status=live }} Felperin thought the stars' work was frail, with Farrell "mostly taciturn and vacuous."

File:Colin Farrell TIFF 2012.jpg]]

Farrell starred in the 2011 comedy Horrible Bosses, directed by Seth Gordon with Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, and his Miami Vice co-star Jamie Foxx also in the cast. The film focuses on a trio of employees who plot to murder their tyrannical bosses.{{cite magazine |last1=Ward |first1=Kate |title=Jamie Foxx joins 'Horrible Bosses,' Starz to air 'Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' (Excess Hollywood) |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/05/13/jamie-foxx-horrible-bosses-starz-michael-jackson-this-is-it/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=25 February 2020 |date=13 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520014945/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/05/13/jamie-foxx-horrible-bosses-starz-michael-jackson-this-is-it/ |archive-date=20 May 2010 |url-status=dead }} The Guardian{{'}}s Mark Kermode wrote that although the film would have benefited from a tighter script, Farrell and Foxx had juicy roles which they "riff with panache".{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Kermode |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/20/cars-2-horrible-bosses-dvd |title=Mark Kermode's DVD round-up: Cars 2; Horrible Bosses; Zookeeper; The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 January 2013 |location=London |date=20 November 2011 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020120643/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/20/cars-2-horrible-bosses-dvd |url-status=live }} Michael Phillips of the Los Angeles Times wrote that Farrell brought "massive, slobby relish" to his role as Sudeikis' cocaine-fiend boss.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-08-la-et-horrible-bosses-20110708-66-story.html |title=Movie review: 'Horrible Bosses |date=8 July 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Michael |last=Phillips |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306112639/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/08/entertainment/la-et-horrible-bosses-20110708-66 |url-status=live }}

Later that year, Farrell played the main antagonist in the Fright Night remake,{{cite web |url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20160 |title=A Casting Shocker: Colin Farrell Vamps Up for 'Fright Night' |date=11 May 2010 |website=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=25 January 2011 |archive-date=16 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916072815/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20160 |url-status=live }} joining Anton Yelchin, David Tennant and Toni Collette in the story of a charismatic vampire who moves next door to a high-school student and his single mother. The film was released by DreamWorks, with Craig Gillespie (of Lars and the Real Girl) directing a script by Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer Marti Noxon. Sukhdev Sandhu of The Daily Telegraph wrote that Farrell "proves his comedy credentials once more....utterly seductive as the plushly eyebrowed carpenter-cum-bloodsucker",{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8735574/Fright-Night-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8735574/Fright-Night-review.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Fright Night, review |first=Sukhdev |last=Sandhu |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 September 2011 |access-date=23 August 2012 |location=London}}{{cbignore}} while The New York Times{{'}} A.O. Scott thought that Farrell played his role with "a wink and a snarl and a feline purr".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/movies/fright-night-directed-by-craig-gillespie-review.html |title=Those Good, Old Vampires and Now They're in 3D |first=A.O. |last=Scott |authorlink=A.O. Scott |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 2011 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907082453/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/movies/fright-night-directed-by-craig-gillespie-review.html |url-status=live }} Logan Hill of New York magazine, on the other hand, was confused by Farrell's performance: "Sure, [it] may not make much sense, but neither do centuries-old vampires living in Nevadan subdivisions. So he goes for it."{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/listings/movie/fright-night02/ |title=Review: Fright Night |first=Logan |last=Hill |work=New York |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030203010/http://nymag.com/listings/movie/fright-night02/ |url-status=live }}

Farrell starred with Kate Beckinsale in Columbia Pictures' Total Recall, a 2012 remake of the 1990 film, playing the role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was filmed from May to September 2011 in Toronto and directed by Len Wiseman.{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Collura |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/15/colin-farrells-total-recall |title=Colin Farrell's Total Recall |work=IGN |date=15 November 2010 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042617/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/15/colin-farrells-total-recall |url-status=live }} Co-star Jessica Biel appreciated Farrell's skills, calling him "surprising and exciting. He just has the ability to be trying different things all the time."{{cite news |url=http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths?currentPage=3 |title=The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Colin Farrell |work=Details |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143410/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths?currentPage=3 |url-status=dead }} Roger Ebert and The New York Times said that although they believed Farrell the better actor, Schwarzenegger in the original was "more of a movie presence and better suited for the role".{{cite news |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/total-recall-2012 |title=Total Recall |first=Roger |last=Ebert |authorlink=Roger Ebert |work=Chicago Sun-Times |via=RogerEbert.com |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716223413/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/total-recall-2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/movies/movie-review-total-recall-with-colin-farrell.html |title=Even in the Future, It's Not Paranoia if They're Out to Get You |work=The New York Times |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=25 February 2012 |first=A. O. |last=Scott |authorlink=A.O. Scott |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806010727/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/movies/movie-review-total-recall-with-colin-farrell.html |url-status=live }}

Farrell's second film with Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released in October 2012. He starred as creatively blocked writer Marty in a black comedy with Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken. The film broke even at the box office,{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sevenpsychopaths.htm |title=Seven Psychopaths (2012) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=17 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317035757/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sevenpsychopaths.htm |url-status=live }} with generally good reviews, including David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter writing that Farrell "serves as an excellent foil for Rockwell" and he "is in subdued mode... his performance largely defined by the endless expressivity of his eyebrows."{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/seven-psychopaths/review/369669 |title=Seven Psychopaths: Toronto Review |last=Rooney |first=David |date=11 September 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073237/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/seven-psychopaths/review/369669 |url-status=live }} That month, Farrell appeared on the cover of the magazine Details.{{cite web|url=http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths|title=The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Colin Farrell|work=Details|access-date=7 August 2013|archive-date=3 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903193059/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths|url-status=dead}}

In March 2013, Farrell starred in Dead Man Down, a thriller directed by Niels Arden Oplev, appearing alongside Terrence Howard for the first time since Hart's War 10 years earlier. Noomi Rapace, star of Oplev's The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, starred as a facially scarred woman who blackmails Farrell's character into killing the man who disfigured her in a car crash.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2101341/|title=Dead Man Down, 2013|website=Internet Movie Database|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803144448/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2101341/|url-status=live}} Reviews were mixed, with Empire magazine calling the film "a pleasingly intricate double (or is it triple?) revenge plot anchored by excellent acting" and The Hollywood Reporter saying that "[J.H.] Wyman's script and the measured pace don't lend themselves to the necessary escalating tension that would have resulted in a more rewarding climax."{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/dead-man-down/review/425739 |title=Dead Man Down (2013) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Michael |last=Rechtshaffen |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073237/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/dead-man-down/review/425739 |url-status=live }} The New York Times{{'}} Manohla Dargis called the film a failure, but said of Farrell that "his sensitive, hardworking eyebrows help keep it from becoming a full-bore lampoon."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/movies/dead-man-down-starring-colin-farrell-and-noomi-rapace.html |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |authorlink=Manohla Dargis |title=Dehumanized Souls Packing Noir Weapons |work=The New York Times |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042835/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/movies/dead-man-down-starring-colin-farrell-and-noomi-rapace.html |url-status=live }} Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News also disliked the film, writing that it contained "a lot to roll your eyes over" and that Farrell was "as stoic as a statue".{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Neumaier |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-dead-man-article-1.1282100 |title=Movie review: Dead Man Down |work=New York Daily News |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=5 August 2013 |archive-date=4 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704095757/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-dead-man-article-1.1282100 |url-status=live }}

In 2014, Farrell starred in a film adaptation of Mark Helprin's Winter's Tale. The film was written and directed by Akiva Goldsman and based on Helprin's 1983 novel, and co-starred Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, and Will Smith. Farrell won the lead role over younger actors Garrett Hedlund, Tom Hiddleston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/colin-farrell-offered-lead-in-akiva-goldsmans-winters-tale-opposite-downton-abbey-star-jessica-brown-findlay-20120426 |title=Colin Farrell Offered Lead in Akiva Goldsman's 'Winter's Tale' Opposite 'Downton Abbey' Star Jessica Brown-Findlay |work=IndieWire |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805231025/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/colin-farrell-offered-lead-in-akiva-goldsmans-winters-tale-opposite-downton-abbey-star-jessica-brown-findlay-20120426 |archive-date=5 August 2013 |url-status=dead|first1=Kevin|last1=Jagernauth}} Although the film generally received negative reviews, writers such as The Village Voice{{'}}s Stephanie Zacharek had nothing but praise for Farrell. She described him as "an extraordinary appealing actor" who "has always made a terrific bad boy, but ... seems to be settling into some very serious, responsible-adult roles."{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Zacharek|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2014-02-12/film/winter-s-tale/|title=Winter's Tale Is Pretty and not Much Else|date=11 February 2014|newspaper=The Village Voice|access-date=21 March 2014|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322001006/http://www.villagevoice.com/2014-02-12/film/winter-s-tale/|url-status=live}} Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle agreed, writing that Farrell "holds the movie together" and is part of "the most beautiful [love scene] so far of 2014."{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Winter-s-Tale-review-A-different-type-of-tale-5232144.php |title='Winter's Tale' review: A different type of tale, but what? |date=13 February 2014 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |first=Mick |last=LaSalle |authorlink=Mick LaSalle |access-date=21 March 2014 |archive-date=22 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013419/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Winter-s-Tale-review-A-different-type-of-tale-5232144.php |url-status=live }}

File:Colin Farrell by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]

His role as P. L. Travers' alcoholic father in Saving Mr. Banks received contrasting reviews, with Scott Foundras of Variety calling it "excellent"{{cite magazine |first=Scott |last=Foundas |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-saving-mr-banks-1200745274/ |title=Film Review: 'Saving Mr. Banks' |magazine=Variety |date=20 October 2013 |access-date=14 February 2017 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080423/http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-saving-mr-banks-1200745274/ |url-status=live }} and Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter deeming it "his best work in some time";{{cite web |first=Leslie |last=Felperin |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/saving-mr-banks/review/649638 |title=Saving Mr. Banks: London Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=20 October 2013 |access-date=14 February 2017 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073237/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/saving-mr-banks/review/649638 |url-status=live }} conversely, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described his performance as "bland" and "uninspired",{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/20/saving-mr-banks-review |title=Saving Mr Banks: London film festival – first look review |work=The Guardian |date=20 October 2013 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=1 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301221740/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/20/saving-mr-banks-review |url-status=live }} while Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph found Farrell miscast in the role.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10375018/Saving-Mr-Banks-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10375018/Saving-Mr-Banks-review.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Saving Mr. Banks, Review |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 November 2013 |first=Robbie |last=Collin}}{{cbignore}}

Farrell starred in Liv Ullmann's adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie opposite Jessica Chastain and Samantha Morton.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/casting-watch-chastain-in-ullmans-miss-julie |title=Casting Watch: Chastain Is 'Miss Julie' with Liv Ullmann at the Helm, Farrell and Morton to Co-Star |work=IndieWire |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013 |archive-date=4 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204000034/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/casting-watch-chastain-in-ullmans-miss-julie |url-status=live }} His turn as John, the serving man to Chastain's character's father, was described by Stephen Holden of The New York Times as the "strongest" of the three performances, though Ullmann's direction was deemed too flat by most reviewers.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/movies/miss-julie-stars-jessica-chastain-and-colin-farrell.html|title=Movies: Class Warfare at the Most Intimate Level|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 December 2014|first=Stephen|last=Holden|authorlink=Stephen Holden|access-date=6 February 2017|archive-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314085437/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/movies/miss-julie-stars-jessica-chastain-and-colin-farrell.html|url-status=live}} Farrell starred in the second season of the TV series True Detective as Ray Velcoro, alongside Vince Vaughn, Taylor Kitsch, and Rachel McAdams.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/11/24/true-detective-cast/|title='True Detective' confirms 3 more cast members|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=24 November 2014|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323155949/https://ew.com/article/2014/11/24/true-detective-cast/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/colin-farrell-talks-about-ray-velcoro-and-true-detective/|title= Colin Farrell talks True Detective|website= Seattle Times|date= July 2015|accessdate= 20 October 2022|archive-date= 20 October 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221020202616/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/colin-farrell-talks-about-ray-velcoro-and-true-detective/|url-status= live}} The first two episodes were directed by Justin Lin.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/09/23/true-detective-season-2-vince-vaughan-colin-farrell/ |title=HBO confirms 'True Detective' season 2 cast: Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell to star |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=23 September 2014 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323160006/https://ew.com/article/2014/09/23/true-detective-season-2-vince-vaughan-colin-farrell/ |url-status=live }} He worked with a dialect coach to adopt a nonstandard Californian accent for his character, which he found challenging.{{cite news|url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/videos/a36654/colin-farrell-true-detective-kimmel/|title=Colin Farrell Explains the Difficulty of Playing American on True Detective|last=Schrodt|first=Paul|date=24 July 2015|work=Esquire|access-date=6 August 2015|archive-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728202947/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/videos/a36654/colin-farrell-true-detective-kimmel/|url-status=live}}

Farrell starred in The Lobster, a romantic science fiction thriller which was released in 2015 and directed by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos in his English-language debut. Its script was awarded the ARTE International Prize for Best CineMart 2013 Project at the 42nd Rotterdam International Film Festival.{{cite news|title=Lanthimos Wins Rotterdam's CineMart Prize|url=http://eu.greekreporter.com/2013/02/01/lanthimos-wins-rotterdams-cinemart-prize/|work=Greek Reporter|date=1 February 2013|access-date=4 February 2014|last1=Onti|first1=Nicky Mariam|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119090824/https://eu.greekreporter.com/2013/02/01/lanthimos-wins-rotterdams-cinemart-prize/|url-status=live}} Set in a dystopian near-future in which finding a partner is a matter of life and death, the film tells an unconventional love story. The film also stars Rachel Weisz, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Léa Seydoux, and John C. Reilly.{{cite news|title=Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz to Star in Yorgos Lanthimos' 'The Lobster'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/colin-farrell-rachel-weisz-to-star-in-the-lobster-1201083986/|work=Variety|date=3 February 2014|access-date=9 January 2015|first=Leo|last=Barraclough|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917175331/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/colin-farrell-rachel-weisz-to-star-in-the-lobster-1201083986/|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Farrell starred in the Harry Potter spin-off film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; a traced version of a licensed promotional photo of Farrell from the film was subsequently used for the character Nefarian Serpine on the tenth anniversary cover of 2007's Skulduggery Pleasant, the first book in the series of the same name.{{cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/08/05/colin-farrell-cast-in-harry-potter-spinoff-fantastic-beasts-and-/ |title=Colin Farrell Cast In Harry Potter Spinoff Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them |publisher=Comicbook.com |date=13 August 2015 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=18 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818113101/http://comicbook.com/2015/08/05/colin-farrell-cast-in-harry-potter-spinoff-fantastic-beasts-and-/ |url-status=live }}Skulduggery Pleasant: 10th Anniversary Edition by Derek Landy, circa October 2016. In 2017, he had leading roles in the films The Beguiled, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Roman J. Israel, Esq. In 2018, he co-starred in Steve McQueen's thriller Widows, and then starred in Tim Burton's 2019 live-action fantasy Dumbo.

In 2022, Farrell co-starred in the film Thirteen Lives, which chronicles the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue of a Thai boys' soccer team that was trapped 2.5 miles inside the cave for eighteen days as a result of a flash-flood. The British cave divers Rick Stanton and John Volanthen participated in the rescue operation and retrieved the boys. During this production, Farrell and the other cast members did their own stunts and diving. In an interview about the film, Farrell admitted to suffering significant anxiety from the underwater work.{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Carson |date=29 July 2022 |title=Colin Farrell Suffered Several 'Anxiety Attacks' While Filming Underwater for 'Thirteen Lives' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/thirteen-lives-cast-recall-underwater-shoots-1235328998/ |website=Variety |language=en-US |access-date=29 July 2022 |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729184512/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/thirteen-lives-cast-recall-underwater-shoots-1235328998/ |url-status=live}} He portrayed Oswald "Oz" Cobb / Penguin{{cite web |last=Wilding |first=Josh |date=16 September 2024 |title=The Penguin Producer Addresses Controversial Decision To Change Title Villain's Name To "Oz Cobb" |url=https://comicbookmovie.com/batman/the-batman/the-penguin-producer-addresses-controversial-decision-to-change-title-villains-name-to-oz-cobb-a213170 |website=Comic Book Movie |language=en-US |access-date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920220709/https://comicbookmovie.com/batman/the-batman/the-penguin-producer-addresses-controversial-decision-to-change-title-villains-name-to-oz-cobb-a213170 |url-status=live}} in Matt Reeves' 2022 film The Batman. He continued to portray the character in a spin-off solo series The Penguin on HBO in 2024 with his performance earning critical praise and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.{{cite news |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=6 December 2021 |title=Colin Farrell to Reprise Penguin Role in 'The Batman' Spinoff Series for HBO Max (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/colin-farrell-pengui-the-batman-spinoff-series-hbo-max-1235127412/ |work=Variety |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206214739/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/colin-farrell-pengui-the-batman-spinoff-series-hbo-max-1235127412/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Mangan |first1=Lucy |date=20 September 2024 |title=The Penguin review – Colin Farrell deserves all the awards for this powerful Batman spinoff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/sep/20/the-penguin-review-colin-farrell-deserves-all-the-awards-for-this-powerful-batman-spinoff |website=The Guardian |language=en-GB |access-date=24 December 2024}}{{cite news |date=6 January 2025 |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0105/1489212-golden-globes-winners-nominees/ |title=Colin Farrell among Golden Globe winners for the third time |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=6 January 2025}} Farrell will reprise the role in The Batman Part II (2027).{{cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=11 November 2024 |title=Colin Farrell Talks About Penguin's Role In The Batman Part II |url=https://kotaku.com/penguin-hbo-season-2-batman-part-2-colin-farrell-1851695078 |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |access-date=24 December 2024}}

Also in 2022, Farrell reunited with Martin McDonagh and Brendan Gleeson for The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned Farrell a Volpi Cup for Best Actor from the 79th Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe, as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.{{cite web |title=Colin Farrell |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/colin-farrell |website=Golden Globes |language=en-US |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113052809/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/colin-farrell |url-status=live}}

In February 2024, it was reported that Farrell would star alongside Margot Robbie in Kogonada's film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=7 February 2024 |title=Margot Robbie & Colin Farrell To Star In 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' For Imperative Entertainment And 'After Yang' Director Kogonada |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/margot-robbie-colin-farrell-big-bold-beautiful-journey-kogonada-1235818001/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207213543/https://deadline.com/2024/02/margot-robbie-colin-farrell-big-bold-beautiful-journey-kogonada-1235818001/ |url-status=live }} Filming began in April that year.

In March 2025, it was announced that Farrell was in talks to star in a film based on Sgt. Rock for Warner Bros. and DC Studios as part of their DC Universe franchise. The film is being directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2025-03-17 |title=Colin Farrell in Talks to Star in 'Sgt. Rock' for DC Studios |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/colin-farrell-in-talks-to-star-in-sgt-rock-1236164958/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

In 2007, Farrell joined other celebrities as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai.{{cite web | website=Eircom.net |title=Farrell, The Reformed Man, Is on His Marks | url=http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/9092006?view=Eircomnet | access-date =14 October 2006 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070126150421/http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/9092006?view=Eircomnet |archive-date= 26 January 2007}} He also lent his support to the anti-bullying campaign Stand Up! organised by the Irish LGBT youth organisation BeLonG To in March 2012.{{cite web |work =The Advocate |title =Colin Farrell and Gay Brother Want to End Homophobia in Ireland |date =7 March 2012 |url =http://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2012/03/07/colin-farrell-and-gay-brother-want-end-homophobia-ireland |access-date =10 July 2012 |archive-date =8 July 2012 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120708055051/http://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2012/03/07/colin-farrell-and-gay-brother-want-end-homophobia-ireland |url-status =live }} Farrell, whose brother, Eamonn, is gay,{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Rothman|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/colin-farrell-defends-gay-brother-sex-marriage-plea/story?id=26971750|title=Colin Farrell Defends His Gay Brother in Same-Sex Marriage Plea|website=ABC News|date=17 November 2014|accessdate=25 June 2023|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625071434/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/colin-farrell-defends-gay-brother-sex-marriage-plea/story?id=26971750|url-status=live}} had appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show two years earlier to increase awareness of the subject.{{cite web | website=Ellen.com | title=Colin Farrell's Thoughts on Bullying | url=http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/07/colin_farrells_thoughts_on_bullying.php | access-date=10 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820013046/http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/07/colin_farrells_thoughts_on_bullying.php | archive-date=20 August 2011 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

In 2015, Colin Farrell became an official Ambassador of the Homeless World Cup, which uses street football to inspire homeless people to change their lives.{{Cite news|url=https://www.homelessworldcup.org/ambassador/colin-farrell/|title=Colin Farrell - Homeless World Cup|newspaper=Homeless World Cup |access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320102333/https://www.homelessworldcup.org/ambassador/colin-farrell/|url-status=live}} On August 7, 2024, he announced that he will be starting the Colin Farrell Foundation in dedication to his son James, who has Angelman syndrome. The organization provides support to adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. "This is the first time I’ve spoken about it," he said, "and obviously the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this."{{cite web |url=https://www.people.com/ |title=Colin Farrell Starts Foundation in Honor of Son with Angelman Syndrome as He Opens Up About Their Life |date=7 Aug 2024 |website=People |access-date=7 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807001117/https://people.com/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Colin Farrell Opens Up About His Son With Angelman Syndrome PEOPLE | date=7 August 2024 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JDiD8Z3lWQk |access-date=2024-08-08 |via=YouTube }}

Farrell owns homes in Dublin and Los Angeles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/colin-farrell-la-is-superficial-but-you-get-that-in-dublin-too-1.3837778|title=Colin Farrell: 'LA is superficial, but you get that in Dublin too'|first=Donald|last=Clarke|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 March 2019|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331233108/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/colin-farrell-la-is-superficial-but-you-get-that-in-dublin-too-1.3837778|url-status=live}} In 2013, he revealed that he suffers from insomnia and has suffered from occasional bouts of depression and dark thoughts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/colin-farrell-reveals-affair-with-elizabeth-taylor-she-was-my-last-romantic-relationship-9010620.html|title=Colin Farrell reveals 'affair' with Elizabeth Taylor: 'She was my last romantic relationship'|last=Selby|first=Jenn|date=17 December 2013|website=The Independent|access-date=28 October 2019|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923160405/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/colin-farrell-reveals-affair-with-elizabeth-taylor-she-was-my-last-romantic-relationship-9010620.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news | url=https://www.contactmusic.com/colin-farrell/news/colin-farrell-confesses-to-drugs-and-drink-depression | title=Colin Farrell Confesses to Drugs and Drink Depression | newspaper=Contactmusic.com | date=30 September 2003 | access-date=22 May 2023 | archive-date=22 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522180016/https://www.contactmusic.com/colin-farrell/news/colin-farrell-confesses-to-drugs-and-drink-depression | url-status=live }}

Farrell met English actress and singer Amelia Warner at the premiere of Quills in 2000. They dated from July to November 2001.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/23/features.review | work=The Guardian | title=How to make it big, the Colin Farrell way | first=Anne | last=Thompson | date=23 February 2003 | access-date=11 December 2016 | archive-date=3 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403015825/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/23/features.review | url-status=live }} There was unproven speculation that they married. Farrell said of the relationship that they were "too fast, too young". He has had relationships with American model Nicole Narain,{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/celeb_profiles_model/6_nicole_narain.html|title=Nicole Narain|website=Askmen.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728145759/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/celeb_profiles_model/6_nicole_narain.html|archive-date=28 July 2012}} singer Britney Spears{{Cite web |title=Britney Spears Says in New Book She Had Rough Sex with Colin Farrell |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/10/20/britney-spears-colin-farrell-hookup-sex-memoir-breakup-justin-timberlake/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=TMZ |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Hollyweird: Britney Spears Briefly Dated Colin Farrell - PAPER Magazine |url=https://www.papermag.com/hollyweird-britney-spears-colin-farrell |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.papermag.com |language=en}} and actresses Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor,{{cite web |last1=Wheat |first1=Alynda |title=Secrets of Elizabeth Taylor's Amazing Home |url=https://people.com/books/elizabeth-taylors-home-diamonds-mementoes-and-michael-jackson/ |website=People |access-date=9 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809194458/https://people.com/books/elizabeth-taylors-home-diamonds-mementoes-and-michael-jackson/ |url-status=live }} Maeve Quinlan, and Demi Moore.{{cite news | url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/n_8292/ | work=Intelligencer | title=Spears, Farrell officially an item? | first=Mark S. | last=Malkin | date=3 February 2003 | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=4 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804172517/http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/n_8292/ | url-status=live }}

He has a son, James Padraig Farrell, born on 12 September 2003, with American model Kim Bordenave.{{Cite web |title=Colin Farrell's 2 Sons: All About James and Henry |url=https://people.com/parents/all-about-colin-farrell-kids/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=8 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008045814/https://people.com/parents/all-about-colin-farrell-kids/ |url-status=live }} In October 2007, he said that his son has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by intellectual and developmental delay, lack of speech, and an excitable demeanour.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/superstar-colin-tells-of-blessed-life-with-special-needs-child-1188872.html|title=Superstar Colin tells of 'blessed' life with special needs child|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=15 October 2007|access-date=15 October 2007|archive-date=17 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017012832/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/superstar-colin-tells-of-blessed-life-with-special-needs-child-1188872.html|url-status=live}}

From 2007 to 2008, Farrell dated Irish medical student Muireann McDonnell.{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/colin_farrell/biography |title=Colin Farrell: Biography |access-date=19 February 2013 |work=People |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829135511/http://www.people.com/people/colin_farrell/biography/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/has-reformed-badboy-colin-farrell-finally-settled-down-and-married-6927861.html |title=Has reformed badboy Colin Farrell finally settled down and married? |date=20 June 2008 |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060612/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/has-reformed-badboy-colin-farrell-finally-settled-down-and-married-6927861.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.showbiz.ie/news/march08/24-colin-farrell-and-muireann-mcdonnell-split.shtml |title=Colin Farrell & Muireann McDonnell Split... |date=24 March 2008 |website=ShowBiz Ireland |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053655/http://www.showbiz.ie/news/march08/24-colin-farrell-and-muireann-mcdonnell-split.shtml |url-status=live }} Farrell and British-American writer Emma Forrest dated for over a year, an experience she discussed in depth in her memoir Your Voice in My Head (which mostly focused on her relationship with her therapist, who died unexpectedly).{{cite news | url=http://www.theawl.com/2011/05/when-your-shrink-dies-emma-forrests-therapy-memoir | work=The Awl | title=When Your Shrink Dies: Emma Forrest's Therapy Memoir | first=Maud | last=Newton | date=2 May 2011 | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021023544/https://www.theawl.com/2011/05/when-your-shrink-dies-emma-forrests-therapy-memoir/ | archive-date=21 October 2019 | url-status=dead }} According to Forrest, she and Farrell planned to have a child together before he ended the relationship.

On 7 October 2009, Farrell's second son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell, was born to Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curuś (his Ondine co-star).{{cite web |last=Michaud |first=Sarah |url=https://people.com/parents/colin-farrell-and-girlfriend-welcome-a-son/ |title=Colin Farrell and Girlfriend Welcome a Son |work=People |date=30 October 2009 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042617/https://people.com/parents/colin-farrell-and-girlfriend-welcome-a-son/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news | url= http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/split-with-colin-no-surprise-but-we-saved-our-friendship/ | work= evoke.ie | title= Alicja: Why I HAD to split up with Colin Farrell | date= 14 June 2015 | access-date= 15 June 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150826011855/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/split-with-colin-no-surprise-but-we-saved-our-friendship | archive-date= 26 August 2015 | url-status=dead | df= dmy-all }} Farrell and Bachleda-Curuś split in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths?currentPage=4 |title=The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Colin Farrell |date=November 2012 |first=Adam |last=Sachs |work=Details Magazine |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143740/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201211/colin-farrell-seven-psychopaths?currentPage=4 |url-status=dead }}

Farrell said in an interview that "[He had] been drunk or high since [he] was 14."{{Cite web |last=Chandler |first=Josh |date=2021-04-28 |title=Celebrities in Recovery: How Colin Farrell Prevented Relapse After Rehab |url=https://musetreatment.com/blog/colin-farrell-back-to-alcohol-rehab/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Muse Treatment |language=en-US |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811113817/https://musetreatment.com/blog/colin-farrell-back-to-alcohol-rehab/ |url-status=live }} In December 2005, he checked into a rehabilitation centre for addictions to recreational drugs and painkillers.{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/colin-farrell-rehab-was-horrible/ | location=New York | work=CBS News | title=Colin Farrell: 'Rehab Was Horrible' | first=Judy | last=Faber | date=11 February 2009 | access-date=20 April 2020 | archive-date=19 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019154531/http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-207_162-1832247.html | url-status=live }} He commented on the topic during an interview on Late Show with David Letterman after leaving rehab, and continued later to talk about it.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/8157894/Colin-Farrell-interview.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/8157894/Colin-Farrell-interview.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Colin Farrell interview |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Horatia |last=Harrod |date=29 November 2010}}{{cbignore}} He said, "There was an energy that was created, a character that was created, that no doubt benefited me... then there was a stage where it all began to crumble around me."

Farrell has been sober since leaving the rehab centre in 2006, and has credited his sobriety to his elder son James.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDiD8Z3lWQk |title=Colin Farrell Opens Up About His Son With Angelman Syndrome {{!}} PEOPLE |date=2024-08-07 |last=People |access-date=2024-08-11 |via=YouTube}} In 2018, he voluntarily checked himself into rehab, as a "preemptive measure", in order to maintain his sobriety.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-05 |title=Colin Farrell checks into rehab after 12 years sobriety as a 'preemptive' measure |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/colin-farrell-checks-into-rehab-after-12-years-sobriety-as-a-preemptive-measure/36774029.html |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Irish Independent |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917130151/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/colin-farrell-checks-into-rehab-after-12-years-sobriety-as-a-preemptive-measure/36774029.html |url-status=live }}

In January 2006, Farrell filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend, American model Nicole Narain, and the Internet Commerce Group (ICG) for the unauthorised public distribution of a 13-minute sex tape they had made in 2003.{{cite web |title=Kdkaentertainment |work=Farrell Sex Tape Web Site Shuts Down |url=http://kdka.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_011105504.html |access-date =11 January 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024642/http://kdka.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_011105504.html |archive-date = 27 September 2007}} He was offered $5 million for its rights.{{cite news |url=http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/celebrities/colin-farrell-quotes-interview?click=main_sr |title=Sober Sex with Colin Farrell |last=Rapkin |first=Mickey |publisher=ELLE |date=13 February 2014 |access-date=30 April 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625191854/http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/celebrities/colin-farrell-quotes-interview?click=main_sr |url-status=live }} While ICG tried to release it, Narain said that she would work with Farrell to ensure that the tape remained private. Farrell said she tried to release it to damage his acting career and "make money out of it", which Narain denied.{{cite web |publisher=Kdka.com |title=Colin Farrell Settles Sex Tape Fight |url=http://kdka.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_109112229.html |access-date =19 April 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024650/http://kdka.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_109112229.html |archive-date = 27 September 2007}}{{cite web |publisher=Bravenet.com |title=Trial Date Set For Farrell Sextape Suit |url=http://pub38.bravenet.com/news/3208296063/44740/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011183047/http://pub38.bravenet.com/news/3208296063/44740/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 October 2007 |access-date=20 January 2005 }} On 16 April 2006, they reached a confidential settlement; Farrell's lawsuit against ICG continued with a trial date of 21 July 2006, and was eventually settled amicably.{{cite news |title=Colin and ex-Playmate settle tale of the sex tape |work=Daily News|location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/409783p-346799c.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211171911/http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/409783p-346799c.html |archive-date=11 December 2006}}

{{Main|List of Colin Farrell performances|List of awards and nominations received by Colin Farrell}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{IMDb name|268199}}
• [https://www.homelessworldcup.org/ambassador/colin-farrell/ Homeless World Cup Ambassador Profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110820013046/http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/07/colin_farrells_thoughts_on_bullying.php Colin reads his thoughts on gay bullying on Ellen]
• [https://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2008/02/11/080211crci_cinema_lane#ixzz24r99VtEh New Yorker caricatures of Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in In Bruges]

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Colin Farrell

|list =

{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor}}

{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Actor}}

{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}

{{GoldenGlobeAwardBestActorMotionPictureMusicalComedy 2001-2020}}

{{Golden Globe Best Actor TV Miniseries Film}}

{{Golden Goblet Award for Best Actor}}

{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}

{{IFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Film}}

{{London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year}}

{{National Board of Review Award for Best Actor}}

{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor}}

{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}

{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}

{{Razzie Redeemer Award}}

{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}

{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}

{{Satellite Award Best Actor Television Miniseries or Film}}

{{Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television}}

{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleTVMiniseriesMovie}}

{{Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}

{{Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Villain}}

{{Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}

{{Volpi Cup for Best Actor}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farrell, Colin}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century Irish male actors

Category:21st-century Irish male actors

Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (film) winners

Category:Irish expatriate male actors in the United States

Category:Irish male film actors

Category:Irish male television actors

Category:Male actors from County Dublin

Category:People educated at Castleknock College

Category:People educated at Gormanston College

Category:People from Castleknock

Category:Volpi Cup for Best Actor winners