- Road to Perdition is a film based on a graphic novel that follows a mob enforcer protecting his son from his former crime family, blending family drama with mob thriller elements.
- Collider ranked Road to Perdition as the second greatest comic book movie of all time, praising Tom Hanks’ performance as a ruthless killer and Paul Newman’s final live-action role.
- The film, directed by Sam Mendes and featuring cinematography by Conrad Hall, remains a high point in the careers of Hanks, Newman, and the rest of the cast, with Newman’s performance being a standout in his legendary career.
Road to Perdition follows Michael Sullivan, a stoic enforcer for the Irish mob played by Tom Hanks. He considers his boss, John Rooney, played by Paul Newman, a father figure.
When Rooney’s impulsive son, Connor, turns against Michael, everything changes. Michael must protect his own son from the very family he once dedicated his life to.
The film is based on a graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. It blends the emotional weight of a family drama with the tension of a mob thriller.
Directed by Sam Mendes, the film features Hanks stepping far outside his usual everyman roles.
HowRoad to PerditionBecame One of Newman’s Defining Films
Collider ranked Road to Perdition No. 2 on its list of the greatest comic book movies of all time. Only Superman from 1978 landed higher on the list.
The film beat out several major titles in the top five. Akira, Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight all ranked below it.
Collider called the film one of the most underrated movies deserving greater recognition. The outlet praised Hanks for infusing real humanity into a ruthless killer, calling it one of his most underappreciated performances.
Newman’s role as John Rooney marked his final live-action feature film. The Hollywood icon voiced Doc Hudson in Pixar’s animated film Cars in 2006 before passing away in 2008 at the age of 83.
Collider highlighted Newman’s work alongside the rest of the cast as a major reason the film still holds up.
Behind the camera, legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall delivered some of his finest work. He won a posthumous Oscar for his haunting, timeless compositions on the film.
Newman’s career had already spanned five decades by the time the film was released. His run included two Oscar wins and nine total nominations over his lifetime.
Decades later, Road to Perdition remains a quiet high point in several careers. For Newman, it closed out a lifetime of work with one final, memorable big screen performance.
This story was originally published byMen’s Journalon Aug 3, 2026, where it first appeared in theEntertainmentsection. Add Men’s Journal as aPreferred
