Happy birthday, Leonardo DiCaprio: Shutter Island, The Inception & more, 5 mystery thrillers that prove his genius

Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor par excellence, renowned for his versatility in bringing life to a wide range of characters in genre-bending films. From a lover boy in the cult-classic Titanic to an astrophysics professor in the political satire Don't Look Up, his chameleon-like abilities have captivated audiences worldwide. However, if you asked us, we would say it's the suspense thriller genre that helped Leo crack the code of success.

To commemorate Leonardo DiCaprio's landmark 50th birthday today (November 11), let's dive into his most electrifying thrillers that cemented his position as the leading man of Hollywood.?

The Aviator (2004)

In this Martin Scorsese-directed biographical drama, Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the role of Howard Hughes, the enigmatic entrepreneur, filmmaker, and aviation pioneer. The film explored Hughes' life from 1927 to 1947, focusing on his Hollywood dream, aviation career, and struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Blood Diamond (2006)

Set during Sierra Leone's civil war (1991-2002), the film featured DiCaprio as Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler and mercenary who promises an abducted mine worker his safe return in exchange for a rare pink diamond. Directed by Edward Zwick, the film earned five Academy Award nominations, including a Best Actor nod for DiCarpio.

Inception (2010)

In this Christopher Nolan masterpiece, Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of Dominick "Dom" Cobb, a skilled extractor, who infiltrates targets' by entering their dreams to steal their valuable secrets. Wanted by authorities for his alleged involvement in his wife's tragic death, Cobb's future looks bleak, but he must survive for his two children. His only hope for redemption lies in performing a near-impossible task: planting an idea in someone's mind, a process known as "inception."

Shutter Island (2010)

Set in 1954, Shutter Island (2010) stars Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, investigating the mysterious disappearance of a patient from a psychiatric hospital. During his investigation, he uncovers some shocking truths about the place.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

?Steven Spielberg's biographical crime drama starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., a con man, who often mimics a pilot, doctor, lawyer, and FBI agent, forging checks and evading authorities, for financial gains.

Which is your favourite Leonardo DiCaprio film of all time? Let us know in the comments section below.