What makes a movie role "daring?"
A daring movie role requires an actor or actress to take big risks. These roles can involve controversial topics, intense emotions, drastic physical changes, and even explicit scenes The following actresses, therefore, should be applauded for their bravery and boldness—not everyone can achieve what they did on-screen.
Sydney Sweeney, The Voyeurs
Sydney Sweeney's risqué performance in "The Voyeurs" pushes the traditional boundaries of modern sensual thrillers. The provocative story, which involves her character Pippa getting caught up in the world of voyeurism, meant that Sydney had to participate in many very exposing scenes to stay true to the film's controversial message.
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Rosamund Pike's character Amy Dunne in "Gone Girl" required her to explore dark psychological themes and act out brutal demonstrations of violence. To make her performance realistic, she even practiced on a pig carcass. Rosamund's hard work paid off as many critics praised her for capturing Amy perfectly.
Emma Stone, Poor Things
"Poor Things" tells the story of a Victorian-era woman brought back to life with the brain of her unborn child. Playing the film's protagonist Bella Baxter required Emma to participate in many bold scenes, as well as utilize the full span of her acting range. Overall, her performance was positively received by critics, and she ended up taking home the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023.
Ana de Armas, Blonde
Ana de Armas shines in "Blonde" with a fearless portrayal of Marilyn Monroe's turbulent life. Director Andrew Dominik wanted to explore a controversial perspective on Marilyn, meaning Ana not only had to study the complexity of her subject's life, but she also had to be involved in many psychologically draining scenes. Critics praised her for going beyond mere imitation to truly capture Marilyn's inner turmoil.
Charlize Theron, Monster
Charlize Theron's performance in "Monster" was memorable because she completely changed her appearance to give justice to her portrayal of the serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Charlize had put her body through a lot—she gained weight, wore fake teeth, and copied Wuornos's behavior to make the character realistic. Her dedication to the role was both commendable and inspiring.
Denver and Delilah, Monster (2003)
Helen Mirren, Caligula
Helen Mirren's role in "Caligula" was bold due to the movie's explicit content. Playing Caesonia, the wife of Roman Emperor Caligula, Helen was included in many graphic scenes that shocked audiences. The movie's controversial nature caused a stir then and still does today. Mirren's decision to take on such a role demonstrates her bravery and desire to push boundaries in her acting career.
Julie Andrews, Victor Victoria
Julie Andrews played a daring role in "Victor Victoria" that explores gender and identity themes using humor and deep thinking. Julie's character Victoria Grant pretends to be a man pretending to be a woman, which was very new for its time. This role was a big change from her usual sweet roles in movies like "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music," and it forced her to show a different side of her acting genius.
Toni Collette, Hereditary
In "Hereditary," Toni Collette was faced with the challenge of portraying Annie Graham, a grieving mom dealing with supernatural events. Her performance was otherwordly—she managed to stun audiences with her genuine expressions of real fear. Directed by Ari Aster in 2018, the movie explores grief, trauma, and family relationships, focusing on psychological terror instead of just scary surprises. Rightfully, Toni earned praise for her intense and unsettling performance.
Chloe Sevigny, The Brown Bunny
Chloe Sevigny's performance in Vincent Gallo's 2003 film "The Brown Bunny" involved genuine acts of intimacy, sparking debates on artistic expression and exploitation in cinema. Despite the controversy, her portrayal of the character Daisy challenged mainstream cinema norms and demonstrated her unabashed willingness to address controversial topics.
Wild Bunch, The Brown Bunny (2003)
Jennifer Lawrence, Mother!
Jennifer Lawrence's brave role in "Mother!" dives head first into dark themes using symbolic storytelling. Directed by visionary Darren Aronofsky, the film shakes things up with its disturbing and thought-provoking content, showcasing Jennifer's dedication and flexibility as an actress.
Dakota Johnson, Fifty Shades of Grey
"Fifty Shades of Grey" is well-known for its mature exploration of relationships. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson in 2015, the film adaptation of E.L. James' novel follows Anastasia Steele, played by Johnson, in a complex romance with Christian Grey, portrayed by Jamie Dornan. Despite mixed reactions, Dakota's performance was praised for adding depth and compassion to the controversial character.
Universal, Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
In the movie "Elle," Isabelle Huppert had to dig deep into her feelings to depict a woman's unconventional response to a traumatic experience. After her character Michèle Leblanc is attacked by an intruder in her own home, she decides to handle the aftermath of the incident in a way that goes against what society would expect from survivors. Isabelle fearlessly tackled this challenge, capturing the complexity of her character flawlessly.
Halle Berry, Monster's Ball
Halle Berry's powerful role in "Monster's Ball" delves into themes of grief, prejudice, and finding hope. She plays Leticia Musgrove, a widow dealing with loss alongside Billy Bob Thornton. Halle's emotional depth and bravery shine through in her performance, earning her the Best Actress Oscar in 2002. This achievement broke new ground as it was the first time an African-American woman won in that category.
Lionsgate, Monster's Ball (2001)
Anne Hathaway, Love & Other Drugs
Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Maggie Murdock in "Love & Other Drugs" received much praise as she skillfully demonstrated Maggie's complex personality and the challenges she faced dealing with early-onset Parkinson's disease. Anne's performance helped bring to light the movie's core themes of love, loyalty, and how chronic illness affects relationships.
Twentieth Century, Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Julianne Moore, Boogie Nights
"Boogie Nights" is bold for its mature subject matter involving the adult film industry. In the movie, Julianne Moore's character Amber Waves navigates addiction, motherhood, and the emotional strain of the business, which are not easy themes to explore as an actor. Still, Julianne dove head first into the role, proving her versatility as an actress and her commitment to the art.
New Line, Boogie Nights (1997)
Sigourney Weaver, Alien
Sigourney Weaver is celebrated for her gutsy performance as Ellen Ripley, the strong, independent female lead in the sci-fi horror movie "Alien." The role broke stereotypes by showing Ripley, a woman, as brave, smart, and tough in the face of danger. Her character paved the way for other female leads to be featured in the same way in movies.
Twentieth Century, Alien (1979)
Naomi Watts, Mulholland Drive
Naomi Watts is praised for her captivating performance in "Mulholland Drive," the 2001 film directed by David Lynch. In the movie, Naomi plays Betty Elms, an actress navigating the mysterious world of Hollywood with a mix of innocence and darkness. Naomi's emotionally-charged acting and unique approach to the role allowed her character to truly shine in the film.
Universal, Mulholland Drive (2001)
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
Michelle Williams delivered an authentic performance in "Blue Valentine," portraying a woman experiencing the highs and lows of a troubled marriage. The film explores the deteriorating relationship of Cindy, played by Michelle, and the emotional torment she faces as she deals with it. Michelle's genuine depiction of Cindy's love and disappointment received high praise.
Weinstein Company, Blue Valentine (2010)
Sharon Stone, Basic Instinct
Sharon Stone's iconic performance in "Basic Instinct" cemented her as one of the most talented actresses of our time. Directed by Paul Verhoeven in 1992, the film centers on Stone's character, Catherine Tramell, who is a cunning crime writer. Stone's fearless acting challenged traditional female roles in the thriller genre and is still considered groundbreaking today.
TriStar, Basic Instinct (1992)
Glenn Close, Fatal Attraction
Glenn Close's role in "Fatal Attraction" is bold as it demands a complex demonstration of obsession and psychological turmoil. The film shows Glenn as Alex Forrest, a woman who becomes dangerously fixated on a married man played by Michael Douglas. The role required Glenn to navigate deep emotional and moral challenges in order to portray the consequences of obsession with authenticity.
Paramount, Fatal Attraction (1987)
Florence Pugh, Midsommer
Florence Pugh's "Midsommar" role is an exploration of raw psychological terror. Directed by Ari Aster in 2019, it follows Dani, who joins her boyfriend and friends at a sinister Swedish festival. Pugh adeptly depicts Dani's emotional journey, shifting away horror film norms to focus on the dark aspects of the human psyche.
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
"Zero Dark Thirty," directed by Katheryn Bigelow, is praised for its authenticity, depth, and challenging subject matter. Jessica Chastain's performance in particular stands out for its defiance of gender norms in action movies and its contribution to discussions about warfare ethics.
Columbia, Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Anya Taylor Joy, The Witch
In 2015, Robert Eggers directed "The Witch" starring Taylor-Joy as Thomasin, a girl accused of witchcraft in colonial New England. Despite her young age at the time of filming, Anya was able to capture the character's intricate psychological struggles and her performance was highly praised for its sophistication.
Jodi Foster, The Silence of the Lambs
Jodie Foster's role in "The Silence of the Lambs" challenged traditional perceptions of female leads in crime thrillers. She played Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who sought help from the imprisoned cannabalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter in pursuit of another killer. Jodie's complex portrayal earned her critical acclaim and the Best Actress Oscar in 1991.
Orion, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Nicole Kidman, The Hours
In "The Hours," Nicole Kidman's performance as Virginia Woolf involved a physical transformation and a deep dive into the complicated mind of the famed English writer. Her depiction of Woolf's mental illness was spot on and was well received by audiences. She also won a Best Actress Oscar for the role, establishing her as one of the best actresses in the industry.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary
"Secretary" explores unusual relationships and the complex emotions associated with them. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee Holloway, a secretary who gets involved in a unique intimate dynamic with her lawyer boss. The role, which departs from the typical female character stereotypes, allowed Maggie to get creative with her acting approach.
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Kate Winslet's performance in "The Reader" received rave reviews from critics. Directed by Stephen Daldry, the film follows Kate's character Hanna Schmitz, a former Nazi guard who must process intense shame and guilt as she confronts her troubled past. Kates portrayal of Hanna earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2008.
Uma Thurman, Henry & June
"Henry & June" centers on an unorthodox love story and themes of self-exploration. The film is based on Anaïs Nin's memoirs and follows June Miller, a woman who is dealing with a complicated romantic relationship. Uma Thurman gives a truly memorable performance as June, depicting her strong emotions, intense yearnings, and inner battles with seriousness and sincerity.
Universal, Henry & June (1990)
Elizabeth Berkley, Showgirls
Elizabeth Berkley's most ambitious role to date may be playing Nomi Malone in "Showgirls." Directed by Paul Verhoeven in 1995, the film follows Nomi's rise from stripper to showgirl in Las Vegas and explores themes of ambition and exploitation in the adult entertainment industry. Initially controversial, Elizabeth's portrayal is now praised for its courage and commitment to Nomi's journey of self-discovery.
