10 Underrated Films by Karen Gillan You Must See

Karen Gillan has built a wide ranging film career that spans studio franchises and small independent projects. Many viewers know her from ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, yet she has also taken on varied roles across thrillers, dramas, westerns, and action films. This list highlights ten titles that show how often she steps into challenging material and works with interesting filmmakers.

You will find lead performances, creative behind the camera work, and memorable supporting turns. Each entry notes the essentials that help you decide what to watch next, including who directed the film, the role she plays, key story points, and production or release details that place the project in context.

‘Not Another Happy Ending’ (2013)

This Scottish romantic comedy follows novelist Jane Lockhart as she struggles with writer block after a breakout debut. Karen Gillan plays Jane opposite publisher Tom Duval, with the story set in Glasgow and directed by John McKay. The film looks at the publishing world through Jane efforts to finish a second book while managing contracts and publicity events.

Production took place in and around Glasgow with local crews and locations that highlight the city bookshops and streets. The film premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and later opened in United Kingdom cinemas, bringing wider attention to Gillan first lead role in a feature.

‘Oculus’ (2013)

This psychological horror film centers on siblings who attempt to prove that a mirror known as the Lasser Glass caused their family tragedy. Karen Gillan plays Kaylie Russell, who sets up cameras and timers to document the supernatural events while her brother returns home from treatment. Mike Flanagan directed the feature after developing an earlier short that introduced the mirror concept.

The story alternates between the siblings childhood and their present night of testing as the mirror manipulates perception and memory. The cast includes Brenton Thwaites, Katee Sackhoff, and Rory Cochrane, and the film received a wide theatrical release in North America through a major distributor following a strong festival run.

‘The Party’s Just Beginning’ (2018)

Karen Gillan wrote, directed, and starred in this drama about a young woman named Liusaidh living in Inverness who is reeling after the loss of a close friend. The film follows her routine across late night takeaways and long walks while she meets strangers who alter her path. The setting uses real Inverness streets and landmarks to ground the story in a specific community.

Filming took place in the Highlands with a Scottish crew and a supporting cast that includes Lee Pace and Matthew Beard. The film screened at festivals such as Glasgow and Tribeca before receiving limited theatrical and digital releases in the United Kingdom and the United States.

‘All Creatures Here Below’ (2018)

This independent drama follows a couple named Gensan and Ruby who flee Los Angeles after a desperate decision and head toward the Midwest. Karen Gillan plays Ruby opposite David Dastmalchian, who also wrote the screenplay, and Collin Schiffli directed the feature. The story examines how poverty and lack of opportunity drive the choices the characters make as they travel.

The production used a small crew and shot on practical locations to capture city neighborhoods and rural backroads. The film played the festival circuit and reached audiences through select theaters and video on demand platforms, where it found viewers interested in character driven stories.

‘In a Valley of Violence’ (2016)

Set in a rough frontier town, this western follows a drifter who clashes with a local bully and the marshal who runs the area. Karen Gillan appears as Ellen in a cast led by Ethan Hawke and John Travolta, with Ti West directing. The film blends a revenge plot with town politics as tensions rise between the drifter and the law.

Shooting took place in New Mexico using period sets and costumes to recreate the era. The film was released by specialty labels associated with Blumhouse and Focus, and it features additional performances from Taissa Farmiga and James Ransone that connect the townspeople to the central conflict.

‘The Circle’ (2017)

Based on the novel by Dave Eggers, this techno thriller follows a young new hire at a powerful social media company as she embraces an experiment in transparency. Karen Gillan plays Annie Allerton, a high ranking employee who helps guide the newcomer through the company culture. James Ponsoldt directed the film with a cast that includes Emma Watson and Tom Hanks.

The production filmed in California using offices and campuses that match the Bay Area setting. The film opened widely in theaters and generated conversations about live streaming, data collection, and corporate influence that mirror developments in the real world tech industry.

‘Stuber’ (2019)

This action comedy pairs a ride share driver named Stu with a detective who needs a car during a high stakes investigation. Karen Gillan plays Detective Sara Morris, whose operation at the start of the story sets events in motion. Michael Dowse directed the film, which stars Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista in the central duo.

Filming took place in Atlanta using city streets and stages for car chases and fight scenes. The release came from 20th Century Fox and the supporting cast includes Iko Uwais, Natalie Morales, and Betty Gilpin, who contribute to the case that unfolds over one hectic day.

‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ (2021)

This stylized action film follows a professional assassin named Sam who chooses to protect a young girl during a mission that puts her at odds with her employers. Karen Gillan plays Sam opposite Lena Headey as her estranged mother, with Navot Papushado directing. The story features a crime syndicate, a haven of librarians, and a series of elaborate set pieces.

StudioCanal financed the project and the production staged principal photography in Germany using large scale sets for the diner, the library, and a neon filled clinic. Netflix handled the United States release while other territories opened theatrically, and the ensemble includes Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Paul Giamatti.

‘Dual’ (2022)

Set in a near future where terminal patients can commission a clone to replace them, this science fiction film follows a woman who unexpectedly survives and must face her double in a court mandated duel. Karen Gillan plays both the original Sarah and the duplicate, and Riley Stearns wrote and directed the film. The cast also features Aaron Paul as the trainer preparing Sarah for the confrontation.

Production took place in Finland, with locations around Tampere standing in for the fictional setting and giving the world a striking look. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before a North American release by RLJE Films, and it later became available on AMC Plus for streaming viewers.

‘The Bubble’ (2022)

This comedy follows a group of actors who quarantine in a country hotel to shoot the latest entry in their action franchise ‘Cliff Beasts 6’. Karen Gillan plays Carol Cobb, an actor returning to the series after skipping the previous sequel, and Judd Apatow directed the film. The story shows the daily testing, closed set rules, and creative challenges of mounting a large production during a pandemic.

The film shot in the United Kingdom using controlled locations and strict safety protocols that mirror the plot. Netflix released the finished feature globally and the ensemble includes Pedro Pascal, Leslie Mann, David Duchovny, Keegan Michael Key, and Maria Bakalova, who portray the fictional cast and crew inside the bubble.

Share the titles you plan to watch from this list in the comments and tell others which hidden Karen Gillan performances you discovered.