These Surprising Facts Will Change How You See Liam Neeson

Before global acclaim and Oscar nods, Neeson dipped his toes into the realm of pulpy, offbeat cinema with his lead role in Darkman (1990), a moody superhero horror film directed by Sam Raimi. The character—a disfigured scientist who becomes a vengeful vigilante—offered Neeson an opportunity to explore physical acting, emotional volatility, and comic book stylization in a single package.

Though the film’s tone straddled the absurd and the tragic, Neeson grounded the role with sincerity, foreshadowing his later ability to elevate genre material. It wasn’t a blockbuster, but it was a stepping stone that expanded his range and proved his commitment.