
He is best known for playing the lead role of Ian Curtis in the movie Control, a biopic about the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. His performance in the role won him the British Independent Film Award for "Most Promising Newcomer". He also won a Kermode for Best Actor 2007 for the film. Prior to his portrayal of Ian Curtis, Riley played The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People, which details the Factory Records era. His scenes, however, were omitted from the final cut. In September 2007, Riley was cast in Gerald McMorrow's British science fiction film Franklyn. He will play a lead role in 13, an English-language remake of the French thriller 13 Tzameti. He is currently playing the role of Pinkie Brown in a remake of Brighton Rock alongside Helen Mirren.

Maleficent
2014 · as Diaval

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
2019 · as Diaval

The Vault
2021 · as James

13
2010 · as Vince

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
2016 · as Fitzwilliam Darcy

Bulk
2026 · as Corey Harlan

Suite Française
2015 · as Benoit Labarie

Free Fire
2017 · as Stevo

On the Road
2012 · as Sal Paradise / Jack Kerouac

Control
2007 · as Ian Curtis

Rebecca
2020 · as Jack Favell

Byzantium
2013 · as Darvell

Radioactive
2020 · as Pierre Curie

Firebrand
2024 · as Thomas Seymour

Islands
2025 · as Tom

Widow Clicquot
2024 · as Louis Bohne

Franklyn
2008 · as Milo

Sometimes Always Never
2019 · as Peter