Julia Stiles is best known for her roles in romantic comedies such as 10 Things I Hate About You, but her most recent role in Orphan: First Kill is a million miles away from Kat Stratford. In fact, some of her most highly rated films are of the thriller or horror genre.

Throughout her career, Stiles has taken on a multitude of roles in films that utilize elements from the thriller and horror genres. With characters include a wicked teenager, New York Times reporter, and a mother with a dark secret, her best thrillers and horrors can be observed based on IMDb rankings.

Out of the Dark – 4.7

Julia stiles and scott speedman out of the dark

This supernatural thriller sees Stiles star alongside Scott Speedman as a married couple who move to Colombia with their daughter and take over the running of a manufacturing plant. It becomes apparent that their new home is haunted by a dark secret that puts their daughter’s life in peril.

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The film’s low IMDb rating is perhaps on account of its predictability, which has been highlighted as an issue by critics. Despite this, the scary atmosphere and stylish aesthetics make Out of the Dark one of the spookiest offerings in Stiles’ back catalog.

Blackway – 5.3

julia stiles and anthony hopkins blackway

Originally titled Go with Me, like the Castle Freeman jr. novel it is based on, Blackway sees Stiles fall victim to a stalker portrayed by Ray Liotta. Refusing to be run out of town by the ex-cop turned crime lord, Lillian (Stiles) goes against all advice and tackles the problem head-on, with help from Lester (Anthony Hopkins).

The film’s IMDb rating is possibly influenced by it not quite living up to viewer expectations, given the strength of its cast. It has been suggested among reviewers that the cast performances are better than the story, but it is the straightforward storytelling that makes it an effective thriller.

Wicked – 5.3

julia stiles and william moses in wicked

Stiles lives up to the film’s title as the formidable Ellie Christianson, a fourteen-year-old girl whose troubled relationship with her parents results in her murdering her mother and pursuing her own father as a love interest.

Fans of the film speculate that its overall IMDb rating is dragged down by the incestuous subject. The film is otherwise praised for taking a formulaic plot and executing it in a creative way, with its creepy undertones propelled by a suburban gothic ambiance.

The Omen – 5.5

julia stiles asleep while damien watches

John Moore’s 2006 remake of the horror classic is the fifth film in The Omen series. It stars Stiles as Katherine Thorn, adoptive mother to the antichrist, Damien (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick), whom the disturbing events in the film center around.

The general consensus among critics and viewers is that the remake does not live up to the original, which explains its mediocre rating on IMDb. Fans might say that the film is best experienced by those who are unfamiliar with the original or by those who are able to detach themselves from it and appreciate the revamped storytelling and cast performances in their own right.

The Cry of the Owl – 5.9

julia stiles touching paddy considine's face in the cry of the owl

Another novel adaptation in Stiles’ portfolio is The Cry of the Owl, based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. In it, she stars alongside Paddy Considine; together they depict an uneasy couple who are brought together when she catches him spying on her during his ongoing divorce.

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The film stays fairly true to the novel, only making a few character changes, which fans praise despite critics saying that it “fails to draw out many of the novel’s intriguing elements.” Fans name the moody style and suspenseful storytelling as highlights. Even those who criticize the film praise the quality of the acting.

Orphan: First Kill – 6.0

Julia Stiles in Orphan First Kill

The latest horror/thriller to feature Stiles is the prequel to Jaume Collet-Serra’s 2009 film Orphan. Stiles plays the mother/wife in the family that first fell victim to Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) upon her entry to the US. The film then takes a turn when Stiles’ character is revealed to be the true antagonist.

Elements of the film are reminiscent of Wicked, with Esther doing everything she can to drive a wedge between her mother and father figures. Stiles is, therefore, a satisfying choice for the role of Trisha Albright in this full-circle moment. The film received an overwhelmingly positive reaction on Twitter, with users specifically praising Stiles’ performance. This explains why its IMDb rating is higher than one might expect, given its mixed critical reception.

The Devil’s Own – 6.2

julia stiles the devils own black and white

The Devil’s Own provided Stiles with her first role in a thriller movie. Although her role was as a supporting character, it helped lay the foundations for a career in the genre and propelled her towards her first lead role in Wicked. In the film, she depicts Bridget O’Meara, daughter of Sergeant Tom O’Meara (Harrison Ford), who unknowingly lets an IRA member (Brad Pitt) into his home.

The biggest detriment to the film's overall IMDb rating is the topic. As a Hollywood film about the IRA and the Troubles in Northern Ireland, many viewers find it to be simplistic and offensive in nature. Despite this diluted portrayal of Irish history, it is praised as an effective thriller with compelling cast performances.

Closed Circuit – 6.2

julia stiles and martin rose closed circuit

Stiles plays the fearless New York Times reporter Joanna Reece in the legal thriller Closed Circuit. The story is centered around a high-profile terrorism case and the tension of two ex-lovers on the defense team who uncover a conspiracy that puts their lives in jeopardy.

Related: 10 Best Thriller Movies, According To Reddit

Influenced by the topics covered in the film, some suspicious fans are left questioning the validity of the lower ratings left by IMDb users. Others suggest that it is a topical film that is as entertaining as it is eye-opening but could benefit from more action and a faster pace.

The Business of Strangers – 6.3

Julia Stiles with wet hair in The Business Of Strangers.

While staying in a hotel after their flights are canceled, CEO Julie (Stockard Channing) helps her assistant Paula (Stiles) get payback on a headhunter whom she claims sexually assaulted her. An eventful night unfolds full of revenge, secrecy, and deceit in The Business of Strangers.

Although it is the highest-rated thriller on IMDb to feature Stiles in a lead role, its overall score is still not entirely reflective of the positive attitudes towards it. The film is highly regarded by fans and critics alike, with the electrifying dynamic shared between Channing and Stiles noted as a highlight in this unconventional drama.

The Bourne Series – 8.0

julia stiles in bourne identity

Stiles plays Nicky Parsons in four out of five films in the Bourne franchise, with none of the installments featuring her scoring less than 6.6 on IMDb. The series follows Jason Bourne, a character created by the novelist Robert Ludlum and brought to life by Matt Damon.

The highest-rated installment is The Bourne Ultimatum, which sees Bourne search for the origins of his life as a trained killer. Given the longevity of the franchise and its various installments and incarnations, it is no surprise that it is the highest-rated series of films on IMDb to feature Julia Stiles.