Taking A Risk
A daring movie role requires an actor or actress to do something completely extraordinary. These parts can involve controversial topics, intense emotions, drastic physical changes, and even explicit scenes. The actresses on this list should be applauded for their bravery and boldness—not everyone can achieve what they did on-screen.
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! (2008)
Streep is no stranger to daring roles—so why Mamma Mia? Well, the musical was so beloved as a stage show that the pressure was on for pretty much any Hollywood actor interested in the film adaptation. And really, prior to that, Streep hadn’t done a lot of singing on screen. Or dancing! It was a big gamble for such an established dramatic star—but it paid off.
Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
A strict diet. A shocking hairstyle. Sure, a lot of actresses will go that far for a role. But for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Rooney Mara also got her character’s piercings—yes, even the nip piercing. And of course, there was the psychological toll from the horrifying scene with her character’s counselor.
MGM, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Natalie Portman, Black Swan (2010)
Anyone who has watched Black Swan could tell you how terrifying and visceral it is to watch Portman’s character slowly go mad. But there was also the physical preparation for the role, which involved losing 20 pounds. This came from a combination of long, eight-hour rehearsals for dance scenes, and a strict diet of mostly carrots and almonds.
Searchlight Pictures, Black Swan (2010)
Ana De Armas, Blonde (2022)
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 de Armas 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.
Whoopi Goldberg, The Color Purple (1985)
When Goldberg was cast as Celie in The Color Purple, she was primarily known for comedic roles—and had survived a public lambasting following her brief relationship with Ted Danson. The pressure was on for her first major dramatic role, especially in such a revered text as The Color Purple. Many other actresses might have crumbled under the pressure, but Goldberg absolutely nailed it.
Warner Bros., The Color Purple (1985)
Charlize Theron, Monster (2003)
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. Theron 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)
Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby (2004)
When it comes to actresses who take their roles incredibly seriously, few rank as high as Hilary Swank. For Million Dollar Baby, Swank trained like a pro boxer, gaining 20 pounds in the process. On top of that, a blister sustained during training actually landed her a full-on staph infection. But as we all remember, her hard work paid off at that year’s Oscars.
Warner Bros., Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Helen Mirren, Caligula (1979)
Helen Mirren's role in Caligula was bold due to the movie's explicit content. Playing Caesonia, the wife of Roman Emperor Caligula, Mirren 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.
Isabella Rossellini, Blue Velvet (1986)
Rossellini’s character of Dorothy appears to be the dark, twisted counterpart to Laura Dern’s sweet, innocent Sandy. But Rossellini’s pleadingly desperate and human portrayal of Dorothy, in the midst of all the typically Lynchian heightened reality, makes her one of the most memorable characters in cinematic history—to say nothing of never letting Dennis Hopper steal any scene they were in together, a nearly impossible feat for any other actor.
De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, Blue Velvet (1986)
Julie Andrews, Victor Victoria (1982)
Julie Andrews played a daring role in Victor Victoria that explores gender and identity themes using humor and deep thinking. Andrews' 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.
Lily James, Pam And Tommy (2022)
It takes an iron will to take on the role of a living celebrity—especially one so revered and reviled in equal measure as Pamela Anderson. Though both James and Sebastian Stan were impressive in the titular roles, James was the real standout, and her physical transformation brought her a very long way from her breakout in Downton Abbey.
Toni Collette, Hereditary (2018)
In Hereditary, Toni Collette was faced with the challenge of portraying Annie Graham, a grieving mom dealing with supernatural events. Her performance was otherworldly—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, Collette earned praise for her intense and unsettling performance.
Lady Gaga, House Of Gucci (2021)
Can you imagine Lady Gaga giving anything less than 110% to her work? For House of Gucci, her prep involved speaking in an Italian accent every day—24/7—for nine months. She went full method, living as her character, Patrizia Reggiani, constantly for nearly a year and a half.
Chloe Sevigny, The Brown Bunny (2003)
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)
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes Of Tammy Faye (2021)
For her role as the notorious televangelist, Chastain spent hours in the makeup chair every day, dedicating herself to a physical transformation that was nothing short of breathtaking. As Chastain shared, there wasn’t an inch on her face that wasn’t covered by prosthetics.
Searchlight, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Jennifer Lawrence, Mother! (2017)
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 Lawrence's dedication and flexibility as an actress.
Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose (2007)
Vocal coaches are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, as actors work to change their accents or delivery—but how about changing your voice entirely? To play Edith Piaf, Cotillard worked to lower her voice by several tones. She also lost weight and stooped to fully embody the tiny French singer.
TF1 international, La Vie en Rose (2007)
Dakota Johnson, Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015)
Fifty Shades of Grey is well-known for its mature exploration of relationships. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson in 2015, the film adaptation of EL 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)
Holly Hunter, The Piano (1993)
Holly Hunter has one of the most distinctive voices in Hollywood—but in Jane Campion’s The Piano, Hunter portrayed a mute Scottish widow, Ada McGrath. It was a challenge, but Hunter imbued the role with incredible depth…and she won an Oscar in the process.
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (2016)
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. Huppert fearlessly tackled this challenge, capturing the complexity of her character flawlessly.
Geena Davis And Susan Sarandon, Thelma & Louise (1991)
Davis and Sarandon truly set the standard for unforgettably tough, yet still sweet and human female characters in Thelma & Louise. While many would write their characters’ actions off as unjustifiable, the pair brought such depth to their performances that it’s hard not to take their sides, even in the most dire circumstances.
Halle Berry, Monster's Ball (2001)
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. Berry'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)
Kathleen Turner, Serial Mom (1994)
It takes a heck of an actor to take on a role in a John Waters film—and Kathleen Turner was more than game for the black comedy Serial Mom in the 1990s. Playing an unassuming 1950s housewife with a secret penchant for murder, Turner had to toe the line between comical and sinister. It was a lot to take on, but critics raved, saying Turner was perfect for the role.
Savoy Pictures, Serial Mom (1994)
Anne Hathaway, Love & Other Drugs (2010)
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. Hathaway'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 (1997)
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, Moore dove head first into the role, proving her versatility as an actress and her commitment to the art.
New Line, Boogie Nights (1997)
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables (2012)
Though Anne Hathaway’s turn in Love & Other Drugs pushed boundaries, she truly put herself to the test when she signed on to play Fantine in Les Mis. For the part, she had to lose 25 pounds and cut off all her hair.
Universal, Les Misérables (2012)
Sigourney Weaver, Alien (1979)
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)
Linda Hamilton, Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
If Sigourney Weaver ushered in the era of the female action star as Ripley is the Alien series, then Linda Hamilton took it to the next level in the Terminator series—specifically in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. In it, the character of Sarah Connor has lost most—but not all—of her innocence, and is now road-weary and watchful...but also wildly capable and tough. Plus, you know: workout goals.
Carolco Pictures, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Naomi Watts, Mulholland Drive (2001)
Naomi Watts is praised for her captivating performance in Mulholland Drive, the 2001 film directed by David Lynch. In the movie, Watts plays Betty Elms, an actress navigating the mysterious world of Hollywood with a mix of innocence and darkness. Watts' emotionally-charged acting and unique approach to the role allowed her character to truly shine in the film.
Universal, Mulholland Drive (2001)
Margot Robbie, Mary, Queen of Scots (2018)
Margot Robbie was known for playing one blonde bombshell after another before signing up to play Queen Elizabeth I in Mary, Queen of Scots. And unlike many period pieces that tart up their leads, MQoS went straight for grim realism, replicating not just the English queen’s unsightly smallpox scars, but also the thick makeup she would’ve used to cover them up. Plus, of course, the hairline.
Focus Features, Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine (2010)
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 Williams, and the emotional torment she faces as she deals with it. Williams' genuine depiction of Cindy's love and disappointment received high praise.
Weinstein Company, Blue Valentine (2010)
Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween (2018)
It’s hard to nail down just one Jamie Lee Curtis role as daring—after all, so many of them are. But one standout was her return to the character of Laurie Strode in 2018’s Halloween, which chose to focus on that character’s ongoing trauma and the many things she’s done to cope with it. Instead of giving us a warmed-over reboot, Curtis turned the film into a resounding success.
Elizabeth Berkley, Showgirls (1995)
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, Berkley's portrayal is now praised for its courage and commitment to Nomi's journey of self-discovery.
Demi Moore, Striptease (1996)
Striptease made big waves in the 1990s. Coming off the wake of Showgirls, filmmakers wanted to emphasize that it was nothing like that film, and emphasized that it was a comedy. Moore played an FBI secretary-turned-stripper, and her $12.5 million paycheck was unprecedented. The pressure was on…
Castle Rock, Striptease (1996)
Demi Moore, Striptease (1996)
There was a record turnout of people volunteering as extras for Striptease, just for a chance to see Moore’s first full frontal scene. The film came out to much fanfare—and then was a total flop. Moore then had to deal with being mercilessly roasted by critics, late night hosts, and regular people alike.
Well, at least it prepared her for her next big role…
Castle Rock, Striptease (1996)
Demi Moore, GI Jane (1997)
Just as Moore recently made waves for The Substance, GI Jane was one of her most talked-about films of the 1990s. Moore was in phenomenal shape before she got the part, but to prepare for the role, she went through SEAL-level training and diet protocols. The training was so tough she, as she herself put it, “puked”.
And that’s to say nothing of shaving her head at the time when the only other female celeb sporting a buzz was Sinead O’Conner—and, once again, all the jokes that late-night TV hosts made about it afterward.
Hollywood Pictures, G.I. Jane (1997)
Sharon Stone, Basic Instinct (1992)
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)
Tilda Swinton, Suspiria (2018)
Tilda Swinton has a reputation for her dedication to her roles—but she took her time on Suspiria to the next level, playing three different characters, two of which were completely unrecognizable. In fact, many audience members didn’t realize she played them.
One of those other characters was male—and Swinton insisted on having the proper prosthetics for him. In the pants area. If you catch our drift.
Frenesy Film Company, Suspiria (2018)
Glenn Close, Fatal Attraction (1987)
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 Close to navigate deep emotional and moral challenges in order to portray the consequences of obsession with authenticity.
Paramount, Fatal Attraction (1987)
Tilda Swinton, The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Suspiria was actually Swinton’s second time playing dress-up with an award-winning team of prosthetic artists. For The Grand Budapest Hotel, she played an 84-year-old woman, which necessitated extensive prosthetics and contact lenses.
Fox Searchlight, The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Florence Pugh, Midsommer (2019)
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.
Renee Zellweger, The Bridget Jones Series (2001-Present)
In the eating-disordered 1990s, Zellweger was lauded for gaining weight to play the role of Bridget Jones, portrayed as horrifically large but in reality, is just a normal-sized woman. Zellweger gained 30 pounds for Bridget Jones’s Diary, and went through it all again three years later for The Edge of Reason. Critics and audiences loved her in the role so much, it led to two more sequels: Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016, and the upcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
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)
Kristen Stewart, Spencer (2021)
Anyone who takes on the role of Princess Diana, probably the most beloved figure of the 20th century, has to be pretty brave. And Kristen Stewart, as the star of Twilight—and the focus of a whole lot of tabloid attention due to her former relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson—has seen some of the worst treatment in Hollywood in recent memory.
But despite that, and knowing the immense scrutiny that playing Diana would create, Stewart took a daring leap to join the cast of Spencer.
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch (2015)
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, Taylor-Joy was able to capture the character's intricate psychological struggles and her performance was highly praised for its sophistication.
Laura Dern, Inland Empire (2006)
It takes a lot of trust in a director to follow them into a character and film that is nearly unintelligible—but that’s what Laura Dern did in David Lynch’s Inland Empire. This film featured many firsts for Lynch: no completed screenplay, meaning scenes were developed as they went; and it was shot in low-res digital video on a Sony camcorder. And Dern was along for the ride.
Inland Empire Productions, Inland Empire (2006)
Laura Dern, Inland Empire (2006)
Dern, as the lead, has the most screentime—and she went along with the experiment wholeheartedly. Whether or not you like this basically impossible-to-enjoy film, it’s hard to deny that Dern gave it her all.
Inland Empire Productions, Inland Empire (2006)
Jodie Foster, The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
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 cannibalistic serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter, in pursuit of another killer. Foster'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 (2002)
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 most talented actresses in the industry.
Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings (2023)
For Mother!, Lawrence went to dramatic extremes that few other actresses of her generation have—but for No Hard Feelings, she did a complete 180 and entered a territory she’d never tried before: raunchy comedy. On the surface, it seems like it would be a breeze compared to other films, but it, surprisingly, takes a delicate touch to convincingly pull off—and Lawrence understood the assignment.
Excellent Cadaver, No Hard Feelings (2023)
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary (2002)
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 Gyllenhaal to get creative with her acting approach.
Melanie Griffith, Something Wild (1986)
It was never going to be easy for Melanie Griffith to come out from under the shadow of her mother, Tippi Hedren—to say nothing of her wild adolescence (see: the film Roar and her dating Don Johnson as a 14-year-old). Griffith broke out by playing some seriously seedy characters in Body Double and Fear City, but it was Something Wild that took her to the next level.
Griffith’s unapologetically weird and strong-willed character dominated the screen, and she stole every scene she was in.
Religioso Primitiva, Something Wild (1986)
Kate Winslet, The Reader (2008)
Kate Winslet's performance in The Reader received rave reviews from critics. Directed by Stephen Daldry, the film follows Winslet's character, Hanna Schmitz, a former Nazi guard who must process intense shame and guilt as she confronts her troubled past. Winslet's portrayal of Hanna earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2008.
Uma Thurman, Henry & June (1990)
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)
Sydney Sweeney, The Voyeurs (2021)
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 Sweeney had to participate in many very exposing scenes to stay true to the film's controversial message.
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl (2014)
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. Pike's hard work paid off as many critics praised her for capturing Amy perfectly.
Emma Stone, Poor Things (2024)
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 Stone 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.
Demi Moore, The Substance (2024)
As proved by her work in Striptease and GI Jane—to say nothing of her other projects and various romances—Demi Moore has really been through the Hollywood wringer, putting it all into her projects and rarely seeing her effort paid off. However, that didn’t stop her from taking on a daring role in The Substance.
The film’s director didn’t think Moore would take the risk, but she was incorrect.
Working Title Films, The Substance (2024)
Demi Moore, The Substance (2024)
The Substance required a lot of prep work and some full frontal from Moore, but she was game. On top of the sheer body horror of it all, Moore also contracted shingles, a notoriously painful illness, during filming, and lost 20 pounds. For her efforts, Moore has received critical acclaim, and will likely be recognized by the major organizations during the upcoming awards season.
