Exploring Aubrey Plaza’s Most Compelling Dramatic Roles

Aubrey Plaza has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood, often recognized for her deadpan delivery and comedic timing. However, beneath the surface of her sarcastic persona lies a remarkable range and depth as a dramatic actress. This article delves into some of her most captivating performances, exploring the nuances and vulnerabilities she brings to characters far removed from her comedic roots. We’ll examine roles where she sheds her signature sardonic wit, revealing a compelling ability to portray complex emotions and internal struggles.

Ranking the Best Aubrey Plaza Dramatic Performances

While ranking art is always subjective, we’ve carefully considered several factors to curate this list. We looked at the depth of the character portrayal, the emotional impact of the performance, and how effectively Plaza conveyed the inner turmoil of the character. The ability to transform into someone new, shedding her established image, was also heavily weighed. Each performance showcases a different facet of her talent, proving her to be more than just a comedic actress. She is a true artist capable of inhabiting diverse and challenging roles.

Ingrid Goes West : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

In Ingrid Goes West, Plaza delivers a chillingly realistic portrayal of Ingrid Thorburn, a young woman grappling with mental illness and crippling loneliness. Driven by an unhealthy obsession with social media influencers, Ingrid’s pursuit of validation leads her down a dark and destructive path. Plaza masterfully captures Ingrid’s vulnerability and desperation, making her both sympathetic and deeply unsettling. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media obsession and the human need for connection, and Plaza’s performance is the anchor that grounds the film in a disturbing reality.

Black Bear : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

Black Bear is a mind-bending meta-narrative where Plaza plays Allison, a filmmaker who retreats to a remote lake house in search of inspiration. However, her presence stirs up tensions and secrets among the couple hosting her, played by Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. The film plays with perception and reality, and Plaza’s performance is central to its unsettling ambiguity. She effortlessly shifts between vulnerable artist and manipulative provocateur, leaving the audience questioning her true intentions. This is arguably one of her most complex and demanding roles.

Emily the Criminal : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

In Emily the Criminal, Plaza embodies Emily, a young woman saddled with student debt and a criminal record, leading her to get involved in a credit card fraud ring. The film is a gritty and realistic portrayal of economic desperation and the lengths people will go to survive. Plaza’s performance is raw and visceral, showcasing Emily’s growing confidence and moral compromises. She brings a quiet intensity to the role, making Emily a compelling and sympathetic anti-heroine. The film is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in today’s society, and Plaza’s portrayal resonates deeply.

An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

While technically a dark comedy, An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn allows Plaza to showcase her dramatic range within an absurdist framework. She plays Lulu Danger, a dissatisfied wife who runs off with a mysterious man to witness a bizarre performance by Beverly Luff Linn. The film is quirky and unconventional, and Plaza’s performance is both understated and captivating. She embodies Lulu’s yearning for something more with a subtle intensity, hinting at a deeper sadness beneath the surface. This role proves that she can find the dramatic core even in the most outlandish of scenarios.

Dirty Grandpa : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

Though primarily a comedy, Dirty Grandpa offers Plaza a chance to explore the dramatic undertones of her character, Lenore. While the film revolves around Zac Efron’s character’s debauchery with his grandfather, played by Robert De Niro, Plaza’s Lenore is more than just a comedic foil. She brings a sense of vulnerability and longing to the role, hinting at a past that has shaped her cynicism. Even within the raunchy humor, Plaza manages to inject a touch of genuine emotion, demonstrating her ability to find depth in unexpected places. Her scenes with De Niro are surprisingly touching, showcasing a different side of her talent.

Parks and Recreation : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

While primarily a comedic role, April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation occasionally offered glimpses into Plaza’s dramatic capabilities. Though known for her sardonic wit and disinterest, April showed moments of genuine vulnerability and emotional depth throughout the series. Her relationships with Andy Dwyer and her colleagues revealed a softer side, showcasing her capacity for love and loyalty. These moments, though fleeting, hinted at the dramatic potential that Plaza would later explore in more significant roles. These glimpses into April’s deeper emotions made her a more relatable and compelling character, cementing Plaza’s status as a versatile performer.

Legion : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

In the FX series Legion, Plaza delivers a truly transformative performance as Lenny Busker, a drug addict and friend of the protagonist, David Haller. However, as the series progresses, Lenny’s true nature is revealed to be far more complex and sinister. Plaza embodies multiple personalities and forms throughout the show, showcasing her remarkable versatility and commitment to the role. She seamlessly transitions between charming and terrifying, making Lenny one of the most memorable and unsettling characters on television. The show itself is a visual and narrative masterpiece, and Plaza’s performance is integral to its success.

Safety Not Guaranteed : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

In Safety Not Guaranteed, Plaza plays Darius, a cynical intern who investigates a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel. While the film has comedic elements, Plaza’s performance is grounded in a sense of melancholy and longing. She captures Darius’s quiet desperation and her yearning for something more than her mundane existence. Her connection with Kenneth, the enigmatic time traveler, is both awkward and touching, revealing a vulnerability that lies beneath Darius’s hardened exterior. This role highlights Plaza’s ability to portray complex emotions with subtlety and nuance.

About Alex : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

About Alex is an ensemble drama about a group of friends who reunite after one of their own attempts suicide. Plaza plays Sarah, a cynical and detached member of the group who struggles to connect with her friends. While the film explores themes of grief and depression, Plaza’s performance is nuanced and understated. She captures Sarah’s emotional distance and her inability to express her feelings, making her a relatable and sympathetic character. The film is a poignant exploration of friendship and the challenges of navigating mental health struggles, and Plaza’s contribution is crucial to its emotional impact.

Ned Rifle : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

In Hal Hartley’s Ned Rifle, Plaza plays Susan, a character entangled in a complex web of family secrets and personal demons. While the film is a quirky and unconventional drama, Plaza’s performance is grounded in a sense of realism. She portrays Susan’s inner turmoil and her struggle to find redemption with a quiet intensity, showcasing her ability to inhabit flawed and morally ambiguous characters. Her scenes with Liam Aiken, who plays the titular character, are particularly compelling, revealing a hidden vulnerability beneath Susan’s tough exterior. This role demonstrates Plaza’s commitment to exploring the complexities of the human condition.

FAQ

What makes Aubrey Plaza's dramatic performances so compelling? : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

Aubrey Plaza’s dramatic performances are compelling because she brings a unique blend of vulnerability, intensity, and subtle nuance to her roles. She often plays characters who are flawed, complex, and grappling with internal struggles, making them relatable and sympathetic even when their actions are questionable. She avoids overly sentimental portrayals, opting for a more grounded and realistic approach, which resonates with audiences.

Which Aubrey Plaza dramatic performance is considered her best? : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

While subjective, many critics consider her performance in Black Bear to be her best dramatic work. She embodies the character of Allison with a captivating ambiguity, seamlessly transitioning between vulnerable artist and manipulative provocateur. The film’s meta-narrative structure demands a complex and nuanced performance, which Plaza delivers with remarkable skill and dedication.

Does Aubrey Plaza prefer comedic or dramatic roles? : aubrey plaza top dramatic performances ranked

Aubrey Plaza has expressed an interest in both comedic and dramatic roles, seeing value in both genres. She enjoys the challenge of exploring different facets of her talent and pushing herself creatively. While she is often associated with comedic roles, she has actively sought out more dramatic opportunities in recent years, showcasing her versatility and desire to expand her range as an actress.