British actress Carey Mulligan has appeared in several different movies that show her range and versatility in portraying many of her roles. Recently, her performance in Promising Young Woman is grabbing attention from critics and audiences, making her in contention for several acting awards.
Most of her films are highly praised by the critics and general audience, which speaks to the actress's taste in choosing bold and impactful movies. However, it is no surprise that several of her best-rated films also present the actress playing a strong and independent woman, just like Cassie in Promising Young Woman. It only shows how the actress chooses some of the most complex stories and characters, accepting the challenges of enacting them on-screen.
Suffragette (2015) - 73%
During the early 20th century, women still did not have the right to vote. Eventually, a suffragette movement arises to voice more rights for women and open up opportunities besides domestic work. However, the fight for the right to vote would not be easy, as shown throughout 2015's Suffragette. The film consists of a talented cast, including Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.
The movie wonderfully represents the struggles that women lived through during a time when women had limited rights. Mulligan portrayed one of the leading characters, Maud Watts, who tries to balance her life as a mother and women's rights activist. It only sends out a strong and powerful message to other independent women, who seek more equal rights with their male counterparts.
Shame (2011) - 79%
This erotic drama centers on a successful executive who deals with the problems of sex addiction. His situation worsens when his younger sister forcibly moves in with him. Directed by Steve McQueen, Shame is one of the most critically acclaimed NC-17 rated films.
For Mulligan, Shame is perhaps her most unconventional movie to date, but it shows the actress's willingness to accept some of the rawest and intense roles. She also bonded well with her on-screen sibling Michael Fassbender, making the movie even worthwhile to watch. While most people know Mulligan for her acting chops, she also showed her musical skills, where she sang in one scene at a restaurant.
Far From The Madding Crowd (2015) - 84%
Based on the 1874 novel, Far from the Madding Crowd centers on the young woman Bathsheba Everdene who works at her aunt's farm. Three suitors are enamored by her and hope to propose to her for marriage. However, there is one particular suitor that even Ms. Everdene cannot keep her eyes off as they continue to encounter each other throughout their life.
This romance drama is one of many books adapted into films in which Mulligan was involved in filming. Critics praised Mulligan for her performance as Everdene, and her portrayal is considered one of the best versions. Also, her beautiful chemistry with Matthias Schoenaerts is the highlight of the movie.
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - 86%
In this regency-era romance drama, love is in the air when each Bennett sister prepares themselves to find their rightful suitor. Things become complicated for the second-eldest Bennett sister Elizabeth. She is not only pressured by her family to marry, but she also develops a complicated relationship with a rich and pompous Mr. Darcy.
Pride & Prejudice was Mulligan's first-ever appearance in a movie. She played one of the younger Bennet sisters. Although her role was not significant, she gave a good performance of a young and lively debutant. She also had great chemistry with Jena Malone, who played her younger sister.
Promising Young Woman (2020) - 91%
In this comedy thriller Promising Young Woman, a young woman lives a double life as she goes around town and exposes the misdeeds of manipulative and corrupted men. In doing so, she hopes to seek revenge for her deceased best friend, a victim of sexual assault. Several people considered the revenge thriller as one of the best movies of the year due to the smart and captivating story and the complex and feminist characterization of Cassie.
Promising Young Woman is Mulligan's boldest and best movie to date, with critics and audiences loving her as the brilliant and vengeful Cassie. Her performance has put the British actress in consideration as one of the best leading actresses for the upcoming award season. Therefore, her newest revenge movie is noted as one of her highest-rated movies in her long-standing career.
Drive (2011) - 92%
Drive focuses on a stuntman and getaway driver who falls in love with his next-door neighbor Irene. While their romance initially blossoms, their relationship halts when Irene's husband is released from prison. Matters become even more troublesome when a robbery goes wrong.
This action drama is smart and savvy with great performances from the cast, especially Mulligan. Her chemistry with Ryan Gosling is quite convincing, which carries the film to the end. Mulligan received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as Irene.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) - 92%
The Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis focuses on a struggling folk musician in New York City. All he possesses is his guitar and cat while searching for options for a successful music career. Eventually, the singer crosses through Greenwich Village with some hopes of still making it big as a singer.
Throughout the movie, Mulligan naturally adopts her role as Jean Berkey. Like 2011's Shame, Mulligan also sang live in the film with her co-stars Oscar Isaac and Justin Timberlake, which showed her commitment to being authentic in this musical drama.
Wildlife (2018) - 93%
In Paul Dano's Wildlife, a family's life turns upside when the household's patriarch loses his job and mindlessly decides to leave his family to help stop the fire near town. Now, a teenage boy faces the consequence caused by his father as his mother also struggles as a single parent and takes extreme measures.
Mulligan completely embodies in her role as housewife Jeannette Brinson and has brilliant chemistry with her co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Ed Oxenbould. Like many of her movies, Mulligan again showed herself as the star of the film, displaying a range of emotions during her character's complicated situation. Her performance earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead.
An Education (2009) - 94%
With high expectations from her parents to attend the prestigious Oxford University, Jenny lives a quiet life as a bright and intelligent student. One day, she meets an older man who takes a liking to her and contributes to her lifestyle changes into something more rebellious and outgoing.
In her first leading role, Carey Mulligan portrayed a schoolgirl named Jenny Mellor in the romance drama, An Education. It comes as no surprise that her breakthrough movie remains one of the best films in her career, with critics describing her as the standout performance. Mulligan earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and won her first BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Mudbound (2017) - 97%
In the Netflix original movie Mudbound, the stories of two different families cross one another in a small town in Mississippi. However, their lives become complicated following the end of World War II and increasing tension with racism.
Mudbound was praised by the critics, which led to several award nominations, including four Academy Awards. As a British actress, Carey Mulligan managed to pull off a convincing Southern accent. Although her co-star Mary J. Blige had an outstanding performance, Mulligan was also impressive in portraying Laura McAllan.