Charlize Theron’s career spans over twenty years, having made her debut in 1996 with small roles in 2 Days in the Valley and That Thing You Do! that year. While she went on to make a name for herself by the early 2000’s, she began starring in larger studio productions more frequently starting in 2012. Her earlier roles earned her two Oscar nominations for Best Actress - winning one - although many of her most recent roles rank among some of her most well-known work.
To coincide with the release of her latest film Long Shot, here’s a look back at Theron’s five best movies (in alphabetical order):
1) In the Valley of Elah
Paul Haggis’ follow-up to 2004 Best Picture winner Crash is arguably a much more emotionally engaging outing than the former. The film follows Tommy Lee Jones as a former military police veteran who looks for his son after he’s gone missing, after only having just recently returned from Iraq. Theron co-stars as the police detective assigned to the case and becomes personally invested as the case goes on. In retrospect, like Crash, Haggis’ approach can be a bit heavy-handed at times, with a very somber music score that tends to wear out its welcome at times. But the film does offer a very emotional look at the effects of the much-criticized Iraq War, and does for the most part handle topics such as PTSD very well. While this is mostly Tommy Lee Jones’ movie, Theron does a great job playing off his stoic performance, and has a very strong presence each time she’s on screen. An often-forgotten film but one of Theron’s finer efforts made not too long after she became an established name.
2) Kubo and the Two Strings
The fourth film from stop-motion animation studio Laika mixes Japanese folklore and fantasy elements, but tells one of their most personal stories to date. The film stars Art Parkinson (a.k.a. Game of Thrones’ Rickon Stark) as the titular character whose mother, voiced by Theron, is killed by her evil sisters, both voiced by Rooney Mara, and now has to find his deceased father’s armor to fight them off. A rare straightforward drama for the animation studio, the film is full of stunning animation, with so much nuance and attention to detail that it feels like watching an actual CGI-animated film from time to time. Much of the movement flows smoothly and even the settings and backgrounds are vivid in scope. Theron also portrays Monkey, an anthropomorphic monkey who winds up joining Kubo on his journey right after the passing of his mother. While the character mostly speaks in proverbs and expressions, the character arc moves to a touching an emotionally resonant third act that brings much of the film’s earlier plot points full circle. An epic tale that’s equally enjoyable for both children and adults, Kubo proved Theron is just as commanding in voice work as she is in the live-action world.
3) Mad Max: Fury Road
One of the most insane action movies of all-time. The first Mad Max movie in thirty years is arguably the greatest installment in the entire franchise. Starring Tom Hardy as the titular character, while the movie may be titled Mad Max, this is very much Theron’s movie. Appearing as Imperator Furiosa, the movie is less about the wandering adventures of Max, and more about the feminist revolt Furiosa stages against the film’s antagonist Immortal Joe, with Max’s help. While the film is only four years old, Furiosa is easily one of the greatest female action heroes in movie history, if not the greatest, thanks to Theron’s commanding performance that often overshadows the still-great Hardy. She’s incredibly smart, has clear goals throughout the film, and is easily able to hold her own, despite only having one arm (with the movie smartly not constantly calling attention to that fact). The film itself is a complete adrenaline rush, with imagery that’s totally bonkers, high-speed action sequences, and excellently choreographed car-chase scenes, never once slowing down yet still telling a layered story with three-dimensional characters. Not only the greatest entry into the Mad Max series, but easily one of the greatest action movies of all-time. There has been talks of Furiosa getting her own spin-off movie since the release of Fury Road, and if it comes to fruition, it’ll be embraced with open arms.
4) Monster
The film that first brought Theron to the spotlight. The film tells the true story of Aileen Wuornos, arguably the most famous female serial killer in history. Theron portrays Wuornos under some heavy makeup in what’s still her most transformative performance to date. The film manages to strip Wuornos down to a vulnerable, damaged individual, focusing on just how torn her deteriorating mental state was. The film didn’t attempt to justify Wuornos’ actions, but was a powerful look at the effects of antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder, which Wuornos did suffer from in real life. Theron’s performance is blunt, sarcastic, and emotionally raw, while still managing to find a great connection with Christina Ricci, who portrays Wuornos’ semi-fictionalized lover Selby Wall. Despite the film’s title and the nature of her crimes, the film still managed to give Wuornos a soul, and at times, it’s easy to feel sympathy for her. A tragic, somber tale, Monster is still one of Theron’s finest.
5) Tully
The most recent movie on this list, having only just been released last year, but it’s a great underrated gem. Theron’s second collaboration with director Jason Reitman is ultimately the superior collaboration, after 2011’s Young Adult, which saw Theron star as a funny, but sometimes unlikable protagonist. Tully portrays Theron in a much more sympathetic light, and highlights her skills as a comedic actress. The film is an excellent look at the struggles of parenting, as well as a fantastic look at a mid-life crisis, with Theron’s Marlo often turning to the titular character, played by Mackenzie Davis, to help recapture the days of her youth. The film can every once in a while head into somewhat strange territory, and contains a third-act that some fans may find off-putting and a bit too on-the-nose, but for those won’t mind it will find themselves with a very emotionally satisfying experience. A return to form for Jason Reitman, plus a great example for just how far Theron has come in her twenty-plus-year career.
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