Sarah Paulson’s 10 Best Movies and Shows, Ranked

Sarah Paulson

has built a career that seems to be constantly on the rise, starring in many popular films and TV series in recent years. She is known for playing complex and morally questionable characters with a unique intensity. She often works with the same collaborators, like creator and director Ryan Murphy, and projects in similar genres, like shows like American horror story and American crime story. This allows her to develop a role and foster a chemistry on and off screen that can’t be ignored.

Paulson’s acting style shows that she is fully immersed in the characters; She has received critical acclaim for many varied and unique roles. From her portrayal of Marcia Clark in The People x OJ Simpson: American Crime Story to her disturbing maternal presence in Runshe creates a presence that is truly enchanting and genuine. Whether playing the lead role in one of the best TV shows of all time or playing secondary and supporting roles in smaller films, Paulson will shine as one of the highlights that makes it worth watching.

10

Ocean’s Eight (2018)

Like Tammy

Eight of the ocean is a spinoff (and sequel) to Steven Soderbergh’s popular Ocean’s Heist series. Follows Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) and her team of criminals, who bring something different to the mix as they plan a meticulous heist during the famous Met Gala in New York. Paulson plays Tammy, an ordinary mom who is one of the best fences in the country. alongside a cast that also includes some big acting names like Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

Cinematographer Eigil Bryld brought a high-class touch to this heist thriller with beautifully crafted visuals accompanied by the practical, elegant touch that Paulson put into her role as Tammy. Even among some big stars, Paulson stands out as one of the film’s highlights. Although the narrative has been questioned for being a bit rushed, Paulson’s natural charm and intelligence in this comedic role helped ground the film as a whole.

9

Run (2020)

As Diane Sherman

In the psychological horror thriller RunPaulson plays Diane Sherman, Chloe’s mother, who is disabled and has many illnesses and health problems. The film follows Chloe as she finds a set of pills in her mother’s purse, which leads to many horrifying discoveries about the truth about her upbringing, medical problems, and her mother’s manipulation. The film offers a tense and chilling atmosphere as the depths of Diane’s perversion are slowly uncovered in a series of shocking events.

In a role that rivals that of Nurse Ratched, Paulson delivers an incredibly disturbing and moving performance. of a mother with deep psychological problems. The quiet dread that comes with discovering what’s really going on in a Munchausen by proxy situation is as captivating as it is horrifying. Paulson nails the balance between the two, perfectly encapsulating the duality in this allegory about modern parenting practices and adding another complex antagonist to his filmography.

8

Mrs. America (2020)

As Alice Macray

Mrs. America is a political drama that focuses on the real-life story surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment and the surprising movement and backlash that emerged, led by conservative and anti-feminist activist Phyllis Schlafly. Paulson plays conservative housewife Alice Macray as she joins the movement in a show featuring themes relating to political policy, the role of women in society and in their own private lives. It’s a tense and emotional series with a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba and Tracey Ullman.

As a character created as a fictional composite, it can be easy to get lost in the anonymity of the task, but Paulson does an impeccable job of adding an authentic, grounded quality to the role. As Alice, she represents the exploration of personal values ​​and what a woman’s identity means to her and society at large. Her performance, alongside Blanchett’s, delicately contrasts and offers a comparison to someone who has her own beliefs, making it a memorable role and an integral part of the story.

7

Blue Jay (2016)

As Amanda

Blue Jay is a moving and introspective romantic drama that tells the story of two high school sweethearts who reconnect after many years apart. Paulson stars as Amanda alongside Jim (Mark Duplass) as they reunite and share their memories and experiences with each other in a raw and authentic narrative. The film explores their combined imagination of what might have been if their lives had continued on the path they both now seem to wish they had followed.

Despite being his first time directing a fiction feature film, Alex Lehmann masterfully directs this excellent film. Paulson’s chemistry with Duplass is energetic and authentic, and elevates the plot to something very relatable. In a role she doesn’t play often, Paulson shows her range in a subtle, character-driven portrayal filled with nostalgia and genuine affection, making it a stark departure from some of her more celebrated roles.

6

Carol (2015)

As Abby Gerhard

In a historical drama, a screenplay adapted from the 1952 novel The price of salt, Carol tells the story of forbidden love in the 1950s. Set in New York City, tells the story of a young photographer (Rooney Mara) and an older, richer woman (Cate Blanchett). who is currently involved in a messy divorce with her husband. Paulson plays Abby, the older socialite’s best friend and ex-lover, and provides some much-needed insight into her background and character.

In another collaboration with Blanchett Carol sees Paulson take on a more supporting role, but as further proof of his talent, it doesn’t lessen his impact. She brings strength and compassion to her lover-turned-friend character, and her chemistry with Blanchett is mesmerizing from beginning to end. Receiving a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Carol was nominated for several awards. There’s no doubt that Paulson’s help in anchoring the film with maturity and passion was one of the driving forces in its success.

5

Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021)

As Linda Tripp

Impeachment: American crime story is a standalone season of the larger series, focusing on the infamous Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the president’s subsequent impeachment. Paulson plays Linda Tripp, a prominent public servant who played a key figure in uncovering the situation. secretly (and illegally) recording Monica Lewinsky’s confidential phone calls and confessions about her involvement with President Clinton. The program meticulously and confidently reports the entire situation of one of the most famous political scandals in recent history.

In one of her most complex performances in a career full of complicated characters, Paulson’s portrayal of Tripp is exceptional, showing her to be misunderstood and unlikeable at the same time. While playing non-fiction roles can be tricky, Paulson seems to rise to any challenge and skillfully portrays someone who is morally ambiguous. who finds himself in a very difficult situation. In collaboration with Ryan Murphy, she solidifies her reputation as one of the best actresses to play complex characters in a gripping drama.

4

12 Years a Slave (2013)

As Mary Epps

Steve McQueen 12 years of slavery is a biographical film based on the memories of African-American Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. One of his most difficult portraits, Paulson takes on the role of Mary Epps, wife of plantation owner Edwin Earps, who demonstrates acts of cruelty and abuse as abhorrent as her husband.. The story follows Northrup as he aims to prove his identity and escape the plantation while doing everything he can to survive and help his fellow slaves.

In 12 years of slaveryPaulson gives an incredible supporting performance as the vengeful wife who becomes jealous of the slaves her husband sexually assaults and inflicts her own brand of abuse on them. His commitment to playing such a dark person shows a fearless quality to his acting ability; it adds another layer of impact and meaning to the atrocities depicted. Winning the Oscar for Best Picture, it’s another gem in Paulson’s memorable film, only knocked down due to its relative lack of screen time.

3

American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013)

As Lana Winters

In the second season of the epic American horror series American Horror Story: AsylumPaulson stars in her iconic role of Lana Winters, an investigative journalist who breaks into a mental institution before being found, captured and committed to the institution because of her sexuality. The show stands out in the horror anthology genre, as it gradually reveals the terrifying nature of the institution through the unimaginable situations in which Lana is placed, enduring physical and mental torment.

In another collaboration with Murphy, Paulson’s leading role helped her earn her place as one of cinema’s most beloved actresses. American horror story and made Season 2 the highest-rated season ever for the show. Paulson’s portrayal of Lana continued her incredible transition into more horror-focused films and seriesa movement that seems destined to occur. Paulson’s portrayal of someone who has survived intense trauma and cruelty is masterfully done, and her resilience and range as Lana have been widely celebrated as some of her best work.

2

Ratched (2020)

Like Nurse Mildred Ratched

In one of her best-known roles, Paulson plays the titular nurse Mildred Ratched in an additional collaboration with Murphy. Ratched is a prequel to the legendary film One flew over the cuckoo’s nestwhich shows the early life of the abusive and sadistic nurse and the events that led to her role in the film. Ratched arrives in California seeking employment at a top-tier psychiatric hospital that is on the cutting edge of experimental procedures, but she has many ulterior motives for manipulating her way into a position of power on the ward.

Feeling like the culmination of a career, Paulson’s representation Ratched It’s simply spectacular. It’s a performance that could never have been from anyone else, as she skillfully explores a character with an incalculable, menacing and sinister presence. Paulson’s talent is playing a multifaceted character who does and says depraved things, while also adding moments of charm and vulnerability. His interpretation and presentation of the famous character is universally praised and is one of his best performances of all time.

1

The People VOJ Simpson: American Crime Story (2016)

As Marcia Clark

The People x OJ Simpson: American Crime Story is another real-life crime drama series that finds Paulsen delivering one of the most acclaimed performances of his career. Paulson is lead prosecutor Marcia Clark in the infamous OJ Simpson murder trial as the season chronicles the case from beginning to end. Paulson’s intense realism and attention to detail when portraying one of the most important characters in the award-winning series have defined her as one of the preferred actresses for such different roles.

Once again in a cast that features incredible talent, Paulson continues to be the standout for his portrayal of the determined prosecutor. Sarah Paulson won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series for nailing the role and consolidating her legacy, playing fictional and non-fictional characters with the same seriousness, maturity and nuances. Her dedication to the role and attention to detail mirror that of her character in this series and are the perfect metaphor for how she approaches all the most important and exceptional jobs she gets.