In September 2007, Riley was cast in Gerald McMorrow's British science fiction film "Franklyn". He starred as the lead role in "13", an English language remake of the French thriller "13 Tzameti" that has yet to have an American and European release. He played the role of Pinkie Brown in "Brighton Rock" alongside Helen Mirren, an adaption of Graham Greene's novel, released 4 February 2011. He also starred in Walter Salles' film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's autobiographical "On the Road" playing the narrator and protagonist Sal Paradise. He also has a small role in the 2011 German comedy "Rubbeldiekatz", in which his wife Alexandra Maria Lara plays the female lead. His role is listed as "Wagenmeister".