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Aubrey Plaza's top 20 movie roles, ranked from worst to best

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Ignacio Weil

TV Shows & Movies - October 14th 2024, 12:15 GMT+2

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this list, we have decided to focus only on movies where Aubrey Plaza appears, no matter how small her role is. For this reason, don’t expect any of her performances in series, short films, or commercials. And remember, this list is subjective! If you think any movie is not in the right spot, share your opinion!

| © FilmDistrict

Cropped Dirty Grandpa — 20. Dirty Grandpa (2016)

In *Dirty Grandpa*, Plaza plays a hypersexual college student who sets her sights on Robert De Niro’s character—yep, you read that right. Plaza is hilarious, fully committing to the absurdity of her role and delivering some of the film’s most outrageous moments. The movie itself is crude and often misses the mark, but Plaza’s performance adds a dose of chaotic fun—if you’re here for her being wild and unapologetically weird, she doesn’t disappoint.

| © Lionsgate

Cropped King Knight — 19. King Knight (2022)

In *King Knight*, Plaza plays a supporting role in this quirky, witchy comedy, and although her screen time is limited, she makes the most of it. Plaza brings her usual dry humor, making her scenes some of the film’s most enjoyable moments. The movie is a bit uneven overall, and while Plaza doesn’t get nearly enough to do, her comedic delivery shines when she’s on screen, leaving you wishing there was more of her.

| © XYZ Films

Cropped Ned Rifle — 18. Ned Rifle (2014)

*Ned Rifle* sees Plaza in a more understated role, playing Susan, a character with mysterious motives. Plaza’s performance is subtle but compelling, adding a layer of intrigue to the film that keeps you hooked. The movie itself is a slow burn and might not hold everyone’s attention, but Plaza’s presence adds a much-needed spark, giving her character an enigmatic edge that draws you in.

| © Possible Films

Cropped Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates — 17. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Aubrey Plaza teams up with Anna Kendrick in this raunchy comedy, playing a wild, unpredictable wedding date. Her comedic timing is impeccable, and her scenes with Zac Efron are some of the highlights of the film. The humor can be hit or miss, often relying on crude jokes, but Plaza’s commitment to the chaos makes it worth watching, even when the movie’s material lets her down.

| © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Addicted to Fresno — 16. Addicted to Fresno (2015)

In *Addicted to Fresno*, Plaza plays a cynical character who ends up embroiled in a series of unfortunate (and criminal) events. Her sharp, sarcastic wit is on full display, and she seems to be having a lot of fun with the role. The movie’s dark humor doesn’t always land, and the story can feel disjointed, but Plaza’s performance is consistently entertaining, even if the film itself struggles to find its footing.

| © Gravitas Ventures

Cropped An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn — 15. An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018)

*An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn* is an oddball comedy that feels tailor-made for Plaza’s offbeat sensibilities. She leans into the film’s weirdness, delivering a deadpan performance that fits perfectly with its surreal tone. The plot might be a bit too out there for some, and the pacing can feel sluggish, but if you’re a fan of Plaza’s brand of strange, she makes it an enjoyable (albeit bizarre) ride.

| © Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Cropped Childs Play — 14. Child's Play (2019)

Playing a mom in a horror reboot, Plaza takes on the *Child's Play* remake with a mix of humor and genuine fear. She brings a relatable energy to the role, grounding the film in a way that makes the horror more effective. The movie itself is a bit of a mixed bag, with some cheesy moments and awkward pacing, but Plaza’s performance adds just enough levity and heart to keep it fun.

| © Orion Pictures

Cropped Best Sellers — 13. Best Sellers (2021)

In *Best Sellers*, Plaza plays a determined young publisher opposite Michael Caine, and she brings a heartfelt performance to this odd-couple story. Her more subdued role here showcases her ability to do drama with a touch of humor, and her dynamic with Caine is surprisingly touching. The movie can feel predictable at times, but Plaza’s sincerity adds a layer of depth that keeps it from falling into cliché territory.

| © Screen Media Films

Cropped The Little Hours — 12. The Little Hours (2017)

*The Little Hours* sees Plaza as a foul-mouthed, rule-breaking nun, and she’s clearly having a blast. Her comedic delivery is spot-on, and her chemistry with co-stars Alison Brie and Kate Micucci makes for some hilarious moments. The humor won’t be for everyone—it’s raunchy, absurd, and downright blasphemous at times—but if you’re into Plaza’s brand of no-holds-barred comedy, it’s an absolute treat.

| © Gunpowder & Sky

Life after Beth MSN — 11. Life After Beth (2014)

Aubrey Plaza as a zombie? Sign us up! *Life After Beth* lets Plaza go full undead, and she delivers a performance that’s as funny as it is grotesque. Her physical comedy is fantastic, and she brings a unique blend of horror and humor that few could pull off. The movie doesn’t quite stick the landing, struggling to balance its tone, but Plaza’s commitment makes it a wildly entertaining ride, even if it gets a little messy.

| © A24

Cropped Spin Me Round — 10. Spin Me Round (2022)

In *Spin Me Round*, Plaza plays a mysterious and slightly unsettling character that keeps you guessing throughout. She adds an edge to the film’s otherwise light-hearted tone, making her scenes some of the most memorable. The movie itself is a bit all over the place, and while Plaza shines, her character could have used a little more depth. Still, there’s a lot of fun in watching her fully embrace the unpredictability.

| © IFC Films

Cropped My Old Ass — 9. My Old Ass (2024)

In *My Old Ass*, Plaza delivers a comedic performance with her usual dry wit, diving into a story about aging with absolutely no grace. Her fearless embrace of awkward, uncomfortable humor makes the role feel authentic and absurdly funny. Sure, the movie's pacing drags at times, and it’s a bit uneven, but Plaza’s energy keeps it afloat—it’s a role that lets her be unapologetically weird, and she thrives.

| © Indian Paintbrush

Cropped Safety Not Guaranteed — 8. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

*Safety Not Guaranteed* is one of Plaza's best roles, giving her the opportunity to balance sarcasm with genuine emotion. The quirky concept of time travel pairs well with Plaza’s deadpan humor, and her chemistry with Mark Duplass is heartwarming. The ending might be divisive for some, but Plaza’s charm and vulnerability are more than enough to make up for any flaws—this is where you see her versatility beginning to blossom.

| © FilmDistrict

Cropped The To Do List — 7. The To Do List (2013)

Aubrey Plaza plays a high school graduate on a mission to gain “experience” before college in *The To Do List*. Plaza fully commits to the awkwardness of her character, and her comedic timing is on point, making even the most cringeworthy moments entertaining. Some of the humor feels a bit dated, and the raunchy jokes don’t always land, but Plaza’s fearless performance carries the film through its more uneven parts.

| © CBS Films

Cropped Operation Fortune Ruse de Guerre — 6. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023)

In *Operation Fortune*, Aubrey Plaza gets to flex her action-comedy muscles alongside Jason Statham and Hugh Grant. Her witty banter and deadpan humor add some much-needed personality to the otherwise formulaic spy-caper plot. The movie itself can feel a little generic, and sometimes it doesn’t quite know how to fully utilize Plaza’s unique comedic style, but when it does, she’s fantastic and undeniably fun to watch.

| © STX Entertainment

Cropped Happiest Season — 5. Happiest Season (2020)

Plaza plays Riley, the effortlessly cool ex-girlfriend, in *Happiest Season*, and let’s be honest: she almost steals the show. Plaza’s charm is undeniable, and she brings a warm, grounded presence that balances the movie’s more chaotic holiday-family drama. You can’t help but wish she had more screen time—her chemistry with Kristen Stewart was so good that many viewers found themselves rooting for an ending that never happened.

| © Hulu

Cropped Black Bear — 4. Black Bear (2020)

*Black Bear* gives Plaza a chance to showcase her dramatic chops, and she delivers an intense, layered performance that’s both confusing and riveting. The film’s meta-narrative is a wild ride, and Plaza’s acting is raw and unpredictable, keeping you guessing until the end. The movie itself can be a bit of a mind-bender, sometimes feeling intentionally obtuse, but Plaza’s talent shines through, making it worth the mental gymnastics.

| © Momentum Pictures

Cropped Scott Pilgrim vs the World — 3. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Aubrey Plaza’s role as Julie Powers in *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* might be small, but she makes a big impact with her snarky one-liners and foul-mouthed delivery. She fits perfectly into Edgar Wright's hyper-stylized universe, and every scene she’s in becomes instantly more fun. It’s a shame there isn’t more of her—she’s hilarious, but blink and you’ll miss her in this whirlwind of a movie.

| © Universal Pictures

Cropped Ingrid Goes West — 2. Ingrid Goes West (2017)

In *Ingrid Goes West*, Plaza dives deep into the psyche of a social media-obsessed stalker, and she nails it—almost too well. Plaza's fearless portrayal of the deeply flawed Ingrid is darkly funny and surprisingly emotional, and her chemistry with Elizabeth Olsen is mesmerizing. Ingrid is often difficult to root for, but Plaza’s raw honesty makes even the most uncomfortable moments somehow captivating, leaving you both cringing and sympathizing.

| © Neon

Cropped Emily the Criminal — 1. Emily the Criminal (2022)

Aubrey Plaza gives a fierce performance in *Emily the Criminal*, playing a character that’s tough, desperate, and maybe just a little too comfortable committing crimes. Plaza’s intensity carries the film, and her chemistry with co-star Theo Rossi is electric, making even the predictable plot feel alive. Sure, the story might lean into some familiar crime-thriller tropes, but Plaza’s commitment to her role keeps things exciting throughout.

| © Low Spark Films

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Aubrey Plaza has carved out a unique space in Hollywood with her sharp wit, deadpan humor, and ability to bring unexpected depth to her characters. From comedies that lean into her offbeat charm to dramas that showcase her surprising range, Plaza’s performances have left a lasting impression on audiences.

In this list, we rank Aubrey Plaza’s top 20 movie roles from worst to best, celebrating her journey from scene-stealing supporting parts to powerful lead performances. Get ready for a ride through her eclectic filmography, and see which of her roles shine the brightest!

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Aubrey Plaza has carved out a unique space in Hollywood with her sharp wit, deadpan humor, and ability to bring unexpected depth to her characters. From comedies that lean into her offbeat charm to dramas that showcase her surprising range, Plaza’s performances have left a lasting impression on audiences.

In this list, we rank Aubrey Plaza’s top 20 movie roles from worst to best, celebrating her journey from scene-stealing supporting parts to powerful lead performances. Get ready for a ride through her eclectic filmography, and see which of her roles shine the brightest!