Meryl Streep, Audrey Hepburn, and hundreds more. The cinemas have seen a fair share of talented actresses in Hollywood that have defied odds and broken boundaries. In the modern era, we’re getting more female performers who have been extremely successful in show business. One of which, is the award-winning Margot Robbie. After another impressive run as the actress who plays the titular character in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, let’s take a look back at Margot Robbie’s top 10 best movie performances throughout her acting career.
10. Jess Barrett (Focus)
A lot of you might not agree, but Margot Robbie and Will Smith had good on-screen chemistry. For reals for reals! But, this won’t be the first time the two will work with each other. Robbie, who was just breaking out in Hollywood starred alongside the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star in a crime comedy/drama film about a group of con artists.
The actress plays Jess Barrett, an aspiring heist master as she learns the ropes from Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) and becomes the most destructive duo in the industry. The film was received positively by the audience who thought that Margot Robbie will be one of Hollywood’s finest actresses moving forward.
9. Ann Burden (Z for Zachariah)
Z for Zachariah is a hidden gem in 2015 that only a few would remember. The movie is star-studded with an ensemble cast of Chris Pine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and of course, Margot Robbie. The post-apocalyptic sci-fi theme of Z for Zachariah was nothing short of spectacular. Plus, Margot Robbie delivered with that Southerner accent.
Although the actors’ performances did not translate to the movie getting big bucks in the box office, it was Robbie’s one of the most defining roles in the past decade.
8. Nellie LaRoy (Babylon)
Margot Robbie already has a long list of movies where she had the opportunity of working with some of Hollywood’s best. In the 2022 dramedy film Babylon, Robbie portrays the character Nellie LaRoy, an It girl in the 1920s. She stars alongside Brad Pitt, Olivia Wilde, Tobey Maguire, Diego Calva, and Samara Weaving to create a fantastic and enjoyable movie after the pandemic.
However, it was Tobey Maguire who stole the spotlight. Despite the reviews, it is still a masterpiece given that Damian Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash) has been working on this for many years.
7. Tanya Vanderpoel (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is a comedy film based on the memoir The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker. As such, Margot Robbie’s expertise is playing comic roles. The movie hides a subtle message for “What The F*ck*, but you don’t need to know about that. Needless to say, Margot Robbie (Tanya Vanderpoel) and Tina Fey (Kim Barker) were both amazing, only that the movie was borderline mediocre.
However, it has a great balance of drama, comedy, politics, and the truth behind wars. Robbie did a great job of the fictional character Tanya Vanderpoel and mesmerized the fans with her stellar acting and exceptional beauty.
6. Kayla Pospisil (Bombshell)
In 2019, Jay Roach, who was famous for creating slapstick comedy movies in the 2000s, directed something far from his expertise, a drama film titled “Bombshell”. It was based on the accounts of the women on Fox News who were trying to expose the late CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Bombshell featured three of the biggest female talents at the time – Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie.
Charlize Theron portrayed the real-life journalist Megyn Kelly while Margot Robbie played Kayla Pospisil. Kayla is not a real person though, but she was rather a depiction of all the women who were the victims of sexual abuse. It was a movie that showed how dark show business can be and how scandalous the higher-ups of the entertainment industry are.
5. Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey)
The first Suicide Squad film was pretty bad, even dubbed as extremely underwhelming by some. However, the only good thing that happened throughout that movie is Margot Robbie’s phenomenal portrayal of Harley Quinn. In a group of misfits and villains, Robbie definitely took the spotlight with her intense acting skills.
Jared Leto was a trash Joker and Will Smith was, well Will Smith. It wasn’t a good movie, but Margot Robbie proved she can perform well even in a box office flop. Not to exaggerate here, but it feels like Margot Robbie was born to play as Harley Quinn. Eventually, she would reprise the role two more times in Birds of Prey (2020) and The Suicide Squad (2021), which was actually better than the first one.
4. Naomi Lapaglia (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Leonardo DiCaprio is undeniably the star of The Wolf of Wall Street and even deserved the Best Actor award for his top-notch performance. However, Margot Robbie as DiCaprio’s on-screen wife deserves some credit. DiCaprio plays the infamous stockbroker turned millionaire Jordan Belfort in an epic biopic comedy-drama. Meanwhile, Robbie acted as Naomi Lapaglia who is a fictional character based on Belfort’s ex-wife, Nadine Caridi.
The 2013 film was a box office hit and became Martin Scorsese’s highest-grossing film of all time. Thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie, with the addition of Jonah Hill and a Matthew McConaughey cameo, the film was so good you’d want to watch it again. Moreover, it was surprising that this was one of Margot Robbie’s first starring projects after short stints in television flics and she definitely nailed it.
3. Queen Elizabeth I (Mary Queen of Scots)
Margot Robbie has already displayed that she is an actress with a wide range. But, with the epic historical drama Mary Queen of Scots, she proves it even more. Robbie played Queen Elizabeth I and starred alongside Saoirse Ronan’s Queen Mary of Scotland.
Both actresses went over the top and delivered quality performances that made the viewers drop their jaw. Also, there were numerous memorable lines in the film that were very special. Robbie’s role as Queen Elizabeth deserves some praise although Saoirse Ronan took her role to greater heights.
2. Barbie (Barbie movie)
Her latest project, the live-action adaptation of the beloved Mattel dolls just goes to show Margot Robbie is a woman of versatility. From starring in critically acclaimed biopic dramas to showcasing her wits in a whimsical comedy film, Robbie is definitely one of one.
She has only been in major roles for about a decade but Robbie has already proven she’s worthy of being named as one of the best actresses of all time. Her portrayal of Barbie was positively accepted by most fans. That being said, should Margot Robbie win her first-ever Oscar?
1. Tonya Harding (I, Tonya)
Margot Robbie is now known as the Academy Award nominee who almost won the honor after portraying the controversial figure skater Tonya Harding. We can’t stretch this more but Robbie’s performance in this film was superb. It was like she embodied the character even more than the real person.
Also, is she already akin to wearing heavy white makeup now? Tonya Harding, Harley Quinn, and Queen Elizabeth I? Well, that is just pure evidence that Robbie is a great actress whatever the role may be.
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