In the 8 years since Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise propelled her to international superstardom. As she quickly rose into one of the most coveted actresses in Hollywood, the down-to-earth actress has carved out a unique filmography of largely niche indie projects.
Focused on nuanced characters with emotional depth, Stewart has consistently steered away from big blockbusters in the years following Twilight, becoming something of an art-house darling, where her offbeat, understated style shines the brightest.
An authentic artist with a palpable passion for filmmaking, Kristen Stewart is still widely regarded as a perennial star of the 2000s. Here are her top 10 roles post-Twilight, ranked according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Underwater (47%)
A claustrophobic thriller about a group of underwater researchers at a deep-sea drilling station who find themselves under attack from shadowy sea monsters following an earthquake, Stewart is dynamic and steely as mechanical engineer Norah. Though there's wasn't much in the way of character development, Stewart's commitment to the performance elevated the survival-horror narrative, ending in a satisfying and charged final act.
The atmosphere and intensity were reminiscent of James Cameron's Aliens, albeit, well, Underwater. Stewart proved herself once again to be a compelling heroine in her own right.
Charlie's Angels (52%)
Stewart's underrated charisma was on full display in Charlie's Angels, the recent reboot of the popular franchise of the same name. As the comedic heartbeat of the film, Kristen Stewart showed a surprising amount of comedic agility, adding punchiness to the narrative at every turn.
Despite the film's weak box office showing, Charlie's Angels found success as a lighthearted action-comedy set against an international backdrop in large part due to Stewart's dazzling performance as Sabina, the feisty and sexually-ambiguous oddball of the angel trio.
Audiences looking for a fluffy but fun female-driven film found plenty to like in Charlie's Angels. Next to Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska (a made-for-action star), Kristen Stewart reminded viewers she could still be a leading lady in a major franchise.
J.T. LeRoy (55%)
Based on the incredible true story of a woman in the 1990s who spent half a decade masquerading as the renowned literary persona of her sister-in-law, J.T. LeRoy premiered at TIFF to mixed reviews. Nonetheless, Stewart played the enigmatic Savannah well, backed up by an electric performance from Laura Dern as a master manipulator and manic artist who can't seem to let go of her own hype.
Stewart once again proved her versatility, while fans of the real-life books penned by Laura Albert will enjoy the exploration of the media circus that followed J.T. LeRoy's reveal and the manipulations that led up to it.
Lizzie (66%)
Lizzie is a gripping gothic indie-drama based on one of the most infamous mysteries in American history; Lizzie Borden's shocking acquittal for the 1892 brutal slashing of her mother and father in Massachusetts, leading to national frenzy and lasting rumors.
The film examined the family and Lizzie (Chloë Sevigny) in the days leading up to the murders, exploring the possible illicit intimate relationship she had with housemaid Bridget (Stewart) that could have been the catalyst for the violent event.
Stewart and Sevigny commanded the screen, and the naked, vicious final act was chilling.
Cafe Society (71%)
Surrounded by a stellar cast of A-list talent that included Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, and Steve Carell, Kristen Stewart stole the show in Woody Allen's Cafe Society as agent's assistant Vonnie.
Set in the 1930s against the lux backdrop of Golden-Age Hollywood and the bustle of New York, Cafe Society followed Bobby (Eisenberg), a young man who moves to Los Angeles and takes a job with his uncle (Carell), only to fall in love with his uncle's mistress (Stewart). As time passes, both Bobby and Vonnie struggle with their enduring feelings for each other.
The film's set production and costumes added to the dreaminess of the story world and made for a visually rich film. Though not one of Allen's most heralded works, the film was generally well-received.
Camp X-Ray (75%)
A riveting, quiet character piece set against the backdrop of Guantanamo Bay that deftly walked the morality tight-line while exploring the injustices of war. The film follows Cole, a military guard who forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees.
The kinship forces Cole to examine the cruelties and dehumanization she witnesses on both sides of the war. Stewart hands in a nuanced performance that runs the emotional gamut from gentle moments of empathy to seething contempt and crushing sadness.
Kristen Stewart and costar Peyman Moaadi shined in their roles, creating a camaraderie that felt genuinely compelling.
Personal Shopper (81%)
With all the focus on Kristen Stewart, the actress was haunting and commanding in her portrayal of a spiritual medium turned high-fashion personal shopper at a crossroads in her life after the death of her twin brother. Staying true to the promise they made each other, Stewart's Maureen returns to her late brother's Parisian home hoping he'll find a way to make contact with her from the other side.
Part absorbing ghost thriller, part introspective character study, Personal Shopper soared due to Stewart's ability to add intensity to Maureen's grief and create lingering discomfort and dread in every scene. Fans of Stewart's work in Clouds of Sils Maria will appreciate Personal Shopper, her second film venture with French director Olivier Assayas.
Still Alice (85%)
Alongside Juliette Moore in a role that won her an Academy Award, Kristen Stewart held her own portraying Lydia, a black-sheep daughter who becomes the main caregiver and supporter for her mother (Moore) after she's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.
The complex and ever-evolving relationship Moore and Stewart crafted, as well as the authentic chemistry between them, was the most compelling part of Still Alice. Stewart's final act monologue showcased the actress' subtly and ability to create genuine emotional catharsis in the film's most loaded moments.
Though Moore won the acclaim as heartbreaking ailing linguistics professor Alice, critics hailed Stewart's work as equally impressive.
Clouds Of Sils Maria (90%)
Kristen Stewart made headlines when she became the first American actress ever to win the coveted Cesar award (known antidotally as the French 'Oscar') for her portrayal of Valentine in Olivier Assayas' Clouds Of Sils Maria. The festival favorite was an absorbing and talky character-driven drama centered around Maria (a pitch-perfect Juliette Binoche), an actress who is asked to star in a revival of the play that jumpstarted her career two decades prior.
She escapes to Sils Maria with her assistant (Stewart) to rehearse and begins to spiral as their relationship becomes an unsettling reflection of the play itself. Stewart never missed a beat in a sure-footed, resonant performance, and the captivating chemistry between her and Binoche was a joy to watch; even when Stewart's ethereal work often outshined her.
Certain Women (91%)
Helmed by writer-director Kelly Reichardt, Certain Women's anthology format examined the lives of three ordinary but isolated women in small-town America struggling to forge their own paths. The film was ultimately about the complexities of relationships and was emotionally captivating in its simplicity and sparse dialogue.
The acting performances across the board showed great restraint and nuance, with A-listers Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, and Michelle Williams elevating the material. Certain Women premiered at Sundance to widespread critical acclaim for its raw and subtle storytelling and was nominated for countless awards.