Brie Larson’s Career: From ‘Captain Marvel’ to ‘The Bear’
Brie Larson is an Academy Award-winning actress who has built an impressive and versatile career, moving seamlessly from intimate independent films to massive blockbuster franchises. She began her career as a child actor, taking on roles in television sitcoms and teen movies that slowly built her resume. For years she was a recognizable face in supporting roles, consistently delivering memorable performances that hinted at the dramatic depth she was capable of.
Her journey to stardom was a gradual one, marked by a series of critically acclaimed performances in smaller films that showcased her incredible talent and emotional range. This work culminated in the highest honors in the film industry and solidified her as a leading dramatic actress. She then took on the mantle of one of the world’s most powerful superheroes, proving her abilities as an action star and becoming a global icon, all while continuing to pursue personal projects and interesting new roles like her appearance in ‘The Bear’.
‘Raising Dad’ (2001–2002)
In the family sitcom ‘Raising Dad’, Brie Larson had one of her first major roles as Emily Stewart. The series starred Bob Saget as a widowed father and high school English teacher who is raising his two daughters with the help of his live-in father. Larson played the younger of the two daughters.
Emily is a smart and socially conscious student who is navigating the challenges of school and adolescence. The show focused on the heartfelt and often humorous dynamics of the family as they dealt with everyday problems. Larson’s role as the studious younger sister was a key part of the show’s family-centric comedy and drama.
’13 Going on 30′ (2004)
In the romantic comedy ’13 Going on 30′, Brie Larson appears as one of the Six Chicks. The film is about a 13-year-old girl who, after a humiliating birthday party, makes a wish to be an adult and magically wakes up as her 30-year-old self. She then has to navigate her new adult life as a successful magazine editor.
The Six Chicks are the popular and cruel clique of girls who bully the main character when she is a teenager. Larson’s character is a member of this group, led by the mean girl Tom-Tom. The role was a small but memorable part of the film’s 1980s-set opening scenes that establish the protagonist’s motivations for wanting to grow up.
‘Sleepover’ (2004)
In the teen comedy ‘Sleepover’, Brie Larson plays the character Liz Daniels. The film follows a group of four best friends who are having a sleepover on the last day of their freshman year of high school. They engage in an all-night scavenger hunt against the popular girls, with the prize being a coveted lunch spot for the rest of their school years.
Liz is one of the popular girls who serves as an antagonist to the main group of friends. She is part of the rival team in the scavenger hunt, trying to sabotage the main characters’ efforts. The film is a classic teen adventure filled with coming-of-age moments and lighthearted high school rivalries.
‘Hoot’ (2006)
In the family film ‘Hoot’, Brie Larson plays Beatrice Leep. The movie is based on a popular children’s novel and follows a young boy who moves to Florida and gets involved with two other kids in a campaign to save a habitat of endangered burrowing owls from being destroyed by a construction project.
Beatrice is a tough and determined girl who is passionate about protecting the owls. She is a skilled soccer player and is known for her no-nonsense attitude. Larson’s character is a key part of the trio of young eco-warriors who use clever tactics to try and stop the corporate development.
‘Farce of the Penguins’ (2007)
In the direct-to-video parody film ‘Farce of the Penguins’, Brie Larson provides her voice for a character named I Need a Z-Pack Penguin. The movie is a comedic and adult-oriented spoof of the nature documentary ‘March of the Penguins’. It uses documentary footage of penguins but dubs over it with comedic dialogue from various actors.
The story follows a penguin who is looking for love as he and his friends make their annual trek across Antarctica. Larson’s character is one of the many penguins that the main character encounters during his journey. The film is an ensemble comedy filled with raunchy humor and improvised dialogue.
‘Remember the Daze’ (2007)
In the ensemble film ‘Remember the Daze’, Brie Larson plays the character Angie. The movie takes place over the course of a single day and follows a diverse group of suburban teenagers on their last day of high school in 1999. The characters wander through parties, hangouts, and conversations as they contemplate their futures.
Angie is one of the many high schoolers featured in the film’s sprawling narrative. The movie aims to capture the aimless and uncertain feeling of being on the cusp of adulthood. It is a portrait of a specific generation and the end of an era, filled with interconnected storylines.
‘House Broken’ (2009)
In the comedy ‘House Broken’, Brie Larson plays Suzy Decker. The film stars Danny DeVito as a father who, fed up with his two lazy, unemployed adult sons still living at home, decides to take drastic measures. He fakes a heart attack and then holds them hostage in the house to teach them how to be responsible adults.
Larson plays the girlfriend of one of the sons. Her character gets caught up in the chaotic family situation as the father tries to impart life lessons through a series of absurd and extreme methods. The film is a slapstick comedy about family dysfunction and tough love.
‘Just Peck’ (2009)
In the teen comedy ‘Just Peck’, Brie Larson has a supporting role as Emily. The film is about a nerdy and ambitious high school student named Michael Peck who is determined to win a local science fair. His plans are constantly complicated by his dysfunctional family and the usual challenges of navigating high school.
Emily is a popular girl at school who becomes involved in the main character’s story. The movie is a coming-of-age tale that follows a determined teenager as he tries to achieve his goals despite the embarrassing and chaotic circumstances of his life.
‘Tanner Hall’ (2009)
In the independent drama ‘Tanner Hall’, Brie Larson plays Kate. The film is set at a picturesque but secluded boarding school in New England and follows the lives of four teenage girls as they navigate adolescence, friendships, and the challenges of their sheltered environment.
Kate is one of the four main friends whose stories are at the center of the film. She is a clever and adventurous girl who develops a secret and risky relationship with one of the school’s married teachers. The film is a coming-of-age story that explores the complex inner lives of its young characters.
‘United States of Tara’ (2009–2011)
In the comedy-drama series ‘United States of Tara’, Brie Larson played Kate Gregson. The show centers on a suburban wife and mother who lives with dissociative identity disorder, which causes her to shift between several distinct alternate personalities. The series follows her and her family as they cope with the condition.
Kate is the rebellious and sharp-witted teenage daughter of the main character. Throughout the series, she struggles to find her own identity while living in a chaotic household where she has to interact with her mother’s various alters. Larson’s performance was praised for its maturity and for capturing the character’s mix of angst, humor, and love for her family.
‘Greenberg’ (2010)
In the comedy-drama ‘Greenberg’, Brie Larson plays a character named Sara. The film stars Ben Stiller as Roger Greenberg, a neurotic and aimless man who moves back to Los Angeles to house-sit for his successful brother. While there, he tries to reconnect with old friends and starts a tentative relationship with his brother’s personal assistant.
Sara is a young woman and the niece of one of Greenberg’s old friends. She is part of the younger generation of characters that the protagonist encounters during his stay in Los Angeles. Her character is involved in a party scene that highlights Greenberg’s disconnection from both his past and the present.
‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)
In the action-comedy ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’, Brie Larson plays Natalie “Envy” Adams. She is the lead singer of the popular band The Clash at Demonhead and the glamorous ex-girlfriend of the main character, Scott Pilgrim. Envy famously broke Scott’s heart, and her return to Toronto is a major event in his life.
As Envy, Larson portrayed a confident and powerful rock star who is one of Scott’s major emotional hurdles. She performs the fan-favorite song “Black Sheep” in the film and is connected to one of the evil exes that Scott must defeat. The role was a memorable part of the visually inventive and cult-classic movie.
‘Rampart’ (2011)
In the crime drama ‘Rampart’, Brie Larson plays Helen. The film stars Woody Harrelson as Dave Brown, a corrupt and violent veteran police officer in the LAPD during the late 1990s. The story follows his downward spiral as his personal and professional lives collapse around him after he is caught on tape beating a suspect.
Helen is the homeless daughter of the main character. Her strained relationship with her father is one of the many personal failings that haunt him. Larson’s role is a key part of the film’s exploration of the police officer’s broken family life and his inability to connect with the people he should be protecting.
’21 Jump Street’ (2012)
In the action-comedy ’21 Jump Street’, Brie Larson plays Molly Tracey. The film is about two underachieving police officers who are sent on an undercover mission to pose as high school students to bust a synthetic drug ring. While there, they find that high school has changed a lot since they were students.
Molly is a smart and popular student who befriends one of the undercover officers, played by Jonah Hill. She becomes a key part of his investigation and also serves as his love interest. Larson brought charm and wit to the role, acting as the grounded center in the midst of the film’s over-the-top comedy and action.
‘The Trouble with Bliss’ (2012)
In the independent comedy-drama ‘The Trouble with Bliss’, Brie Larson has a key role as Stephanie Jouseski. The film follows a 35-year-old man named Morris Bliss who still lives at home with his father and has no job or prospects. His uneventful life takes a complicated turn when he begins a relationship with the teenage daughter of a former classmate.
Stephanie is the precocious and adventurous 18-year-old high school student who pursues Morris. Her relationship with the much older main character sets off a series of awkward and life-changing events for everyone involved. Larson’s performance was a standout part of this quirky story about aimlessness and unconventional romance.
‘Don Jon’ (2013)
In the romantic comedy-drama ‘Don Jon’, Brie Larson plays Monica Martello. The film is about a young man from New Jersey who is addicted to watching online pornography. This addiction impacts his ability to form a real connection with the woman he is dating, and the story follows his journey toward a more mature understanding of intimacy.
Monica is the main character’s sharp-tongued and observant younger sister. She spends most of her screen time on her phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around her. However, in a key scene, she delivers some much-needed truth to her brother, showing that she is the most perceptive member of their family.
‘Short Term 12’ (2013)
Brie Larson delivered a powerful, star-making performance in the independent drama ‘Short Term 12’ as Grace. The film is set in a foster care facility for at-risk teenagers and follows the lives of the young staff members who work there. Grace is a passionate and dedicated supervisor who is great at her job but is privately struggling with her own past trauma.
Larson’s portrayal of Grace was met with widespread critical acclaim. She captured the character’s immense strength and empathy, as well as her deep-seated vulnerability. The role required her to navigate intense emotional territory, and her performance was praised as a major breakthrough that established her as a formidable dramatic actress.
‘The Spectacular Now’ (2013)
In the coming-of-age drama ‘The Spectacular Now’, Brie Larson plays Cassidy. The film centers on a charming and popular but aimless high school senior who unexpectedly falls for a quiet and thoughtful classmate. Their relationship develops as he struggles to deal with issues related to his family and his future.
Cassidy is the main character’s popular and attractive ex-girlfriend. At the beginning of the film, their breakup is the event that sets him on his new path. Her character represents the superficial life that the protagonist is starting to move away from as he forms a more meaningful connection with his new girlfriend.
‘The Gambler’ (2014)
In the crime drama ‘The Gambler’, Brie Larson has a key role as Amy Phillips. The film stars Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennett, a literature professor with a severe gambling addiction. After he gets into a massive amount of debt with dangerous loan sharks, he has only seven days to find the money to pay them back.
Amy is one of Jim’s most promising students, and she also works as a waitress at an underground gambling den that he frequents. He recognizes her talent and begins a complicated relationship with her, pulling her into his chaotic and dangerous world. Larson’s character serves as a potential chance at redemption for the self-destructive professor.
‘Digging for Fire’ (2015)
In the independent film ‘Digging for Fire’, Brie Larson plays the character Max. The movie is about a married couple who, while house-sitting for a client, discover a bone and a rusty gun in the backyard. This discovery prompts the husband to spend the weekend digging for clues, while his wife goes on her own separate adventure.
Max is a character that the wife, played by Rosemarie DeWitt, meets during her night out. The film features a large ensemble cast and a heavily improvised style. It explores themes of marriage, adventure, and the small mysteries that can reignite a person’s sense of excitement.
‘Room’ (2015)
Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her incredible performance in ‘Room’ as Joy Newsome, also known as Ma. The film is about a young woman who was abducted as a teenager and has been held captive for seven years in a small, windowless shed. She lives there with her five-year-old son, Jack, to whom she has tried to give a loving and complete childhood despite their horrific circumstances.
Larson’s portrayal of Ma was a tour de force of acting. She captured the character’s fierce maternal love, resilience, and the deep psychological trauma of her captivity. The role required immense emotional and physical commitment, and her performance was universally praised as one of the most powerful and moving of the year.
‘Trainwreck’ (2015)
In the comedy ‘Trainwreck’, Brie Larson plays Kim Townsend. The film stars Amy Schumer as a successful magazine writer who, due to her father’s influence, does not believe in monogamy. Her carefree lifestyle is challenged when she finds herself unexpectedly falling for a charming sports doctor she is profiling for an article.
Kim is the main character’s younger sister. Unlike her sibling, Kim is happily married, pregnant, and living a conventional suburban life. She serves as a loving and supportive foil to her sister, representing a more traditional path in life and often acting as the voice of reason.
‘Free Fire’ (2016)
In the action-comedy ‘Free Fire’, Brie Larson stars as Justine. The entire film is set in a deserted Boston warehouse in 1978 and depicts a black-market arms deal that goes catastrophically wrong. The mistake leads to a massive, feature-length shootout between the two heavily armed groups.
Justine is the savvy and resourceful intermediary who arranges the meeting between the arms dealers and the buyers. When the deal erupts into violence, she is caught in the crossfire and must use her wits to survive the chaotic and prolonged gunfight. Larson’s character is a cool and capable player in this stylish and explosive film.
‘Basmati Blues’ (2017)
In the musical romantic comedy ‘Basmati Blues’, Brie Larson stars as Dr. Linda Watt. She is a brilliant scientist who is sent by her corporate boss to a remote village in India to sell a genetically modified rice that she created. Once there, she begins to fall in love with the local culture and a charming local farmer.
The film follows her character as she discovers that the corporation she works for has no intention of helping the farmers and is actually trying to exploit them. She must then work with her new love interest to try and save the village from the company’s greedy plans. The movie features several original song and dance numbers.
‘The Glass Castle’ (2017)
In the biographical drama ‘The Glass Castle’, Brie Larson portrays the author Jeannette Walls. The film is based on Walls’ best-selling memoir and recounts her unconventional and deeply impoverished upbringing at the hands of her eccentric and dysfunctional parents. The story shifts between her childhood and her adult life as a successful New York gossip columnist.
Larson plays the adult Jeannette, who has tried to build a stable life for herself that is completely different from her chaotic past. The film explores her complicated and enduring love for her brilliant but alcoholic father and her free-spirited but neglectful mother. Her performance captures the character’s resilience and her long journey to come to terms with her family.
‘Kong: Skull Island’ (2017)
In the monster adventure film ‘Kong: Skull Island’, Brie Larson plays Mason Weaver. She is an anti-war photographer and journalist who joins a team of scientists and soldiers on an expedition to an uncharted island in the Pacific in the 1970s. The mission quickly turns into a fight for survival when they discover the island is home to colossal, prehistoric creatures, including the giant ape Kong.
Mason Weaver is a compassionate and brave character who advocates for a more peaceful approach, often clashing with the military-minded members of the team. She forms a unique connection with Kong, recognizing that he is not just a monster but the protector of the island. Larson brought intelligence and strength to her role as the film’s female lead.
‘Unicorn Store’ (2017)
In ‘Unicorn Store’, Brie Larson stars as Kit, and the film also marks her feature-length directorial debut. Kit is a whimsical and creative young woman who is forced to move back in with her parents after she fails out of art school. Feeling lost, she receives a mysterious invitation to a strange place called The Store.
The Store’s quirky salesman offers her the chance to fulfill her ultimate childhood dream, owning a real unicorn. To get one, she must first prove that she is a responsible and worthy owner. The film is a charming and colorful story about the importance of embracing one’s inner child and not giving up on your dreams.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
Brie Larson returned as Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, in the monumental superhero film ‘Avengers: Endgame’. The movie picks up after the devastating events that left half of all life in the universe gone. Captain Marvel is one of the key heroes who joins the remaining Avengers in a desperate, time-traveling mission to reverse the damage and defeat the powerful villain Thanos once and for all.
After being off-world for decades, she returns to Earth and immediately proves herself to be one of the most powerful members of the team. She plays a crucial role in both the planning and the execution of the mission, particularly in the film’s epic final battle. Her character’s immense power is a game-changer for the heroes in their ultimate fight.
‘Captain Marvel’ (2019)
Brie Larson took on the title role in ‘Captain Marvel’, bringing the iconic superhero Carol Danvers to the big screen for the first time. The film is an origin story set in the 1990s and follows a powerful alien warrior named Vers who crash-lands on Earth. She has no memory of her past and soon discovers that she was once a U.S. Air Force pilot.
With the help of a young Nick Fury, she uncovers the truth about her identity and the intergalactic war she is a part of, all while unlocking the full potential of her incredible cosmic powers. Larson portrayed the character with confidence, humor, and strength, establishing her as a new and pivotal hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
‘Just Mercy’ (2019)
In the legal drama ‘Just Mercy’, Brie Larson plays Eva Ansley. The film is based on a true story and follows a young and idealistic lawyer named Bryan Stevenson who moves to Alabama in the 1980s. He establishes the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to defending wrongly convicted inmates on death row.
Eva Ansley is a local advocate who becomes Stevenson’s partner and helps him run the entire operation. She is a dedicated and fearless ally who provides crucial support in the face of intense local opposition and systemic injustice. Larson’s character is a vital part of the team fighting for the life of a man who was wrongly sentenced for a crime he did not commit.
‘Fast X’ (2023)
In the action film ‘Fast X’, Brie Larson joins the franchise as the character Tess Petty. The movie sees the main hero, Dominic Toretto, and his family being targeted by the vengeful son of a drug lord they defeated in a previous film. The new villain enacts a globe-spanning plot to make Dom’s family suffer.
Tess is a rogue agent from the covert organization known as the Agency. She is also the daughter of the organization’s former leader, Mr. Nobody. Believing in Dom’s innocence, she defies her new superiors to provide help to him and his crew as they are being hunted by both the new villain and the Agency itself.
‘Lessons in Chemistry’ (2023)
Brie Larson stars in the miniseries ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ as Elizabeth Zott. Based on the best-selling novel, the show is set in the 1950s and follows a brilliant female chemist whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold by the patriarchal society she lives in. After being fired from her lab, she accepts a job hosting a television cooking show.
Elizabeth uses her new platform to teach a nation of overlooked housewives much more than just recipes, sneaking in scientific lessons and empowering her female audience. Larson’s performance, for which she also served as an executive producer, was highly praised for capturing the character’s intelligence, resilience, and quiet determination to challenge the status quo.
‘The Marvels’ (2023)
Brie Larson reprised her role as Carol Danvers in ‘The Marvels’. In this cosmic adventure, Captain Marvel’s powers become mysteriously entangled with those of two other heroes, Monica Rambeau and a teenage fan named Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel. Every time one of them uses their powers, they swap places with one another across the universe.
The trio must learn to work together as a team to figure out why their powers are linked and to stop a powerful new enemy who is threatening to destabilize the entire universe. The film explores Carol’s struggles with her past and the responsibilities of being a hero, forcing her to team up with others to save the day.
‘The Bear’ (2024)
Brie Larson made a surprise guest appearance in the acclaimed series ‘The Bear’ as Francie Fak. The show follows a world-class chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his family’s chaotic sandwich shop after a tragedy. The series is known for its intense pace and deep character studies.
Francie is the cousin of the lovable handyman Neil Fak and is seen in a flashback episode set five years before the show’s main timeline. Larson’s character appears during a chaotic and emotionally charged Christmas dinner, where she engages in a long-standing and humorous rivalry with her cousins over a cherished childhood memory.
Let us know your favorite Brie Larson performance in the comments below.
