Julia Garner’s Best Roles

Julia Garner has established herself as one of the most compelling actors of her generation, known for her magnetic performances and an uncanny ability to disappear into complex characters. With her distinctive voice and expressive features, she brings a unique intensity to the screen that is impossible to ignore. She began her career in independent films, quickly gaining recognition for playing roles that were often unconventional and emotionally demanding.

His transition into more dramatic and often menacing roles in film and prestigious television series has been remarkable. He has brought to life complex figures in historical dramas, supernatural horror, and epic fantasies, earning acclaim for his powerful performances. Whether playing a flawed patriarch, a supernatural knight, or a hardened general, Ineson consistently delivers characters that are unforgettable. Let’s explore some of the best roles that have defined his impressive career.

‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ (2011)

This acclaimed psychological thriller was Julia Garner’s feature film debut. She played Sarah, a young member of a small, abusive cult nestled in the Catskill Mountains. The story is told from the perspective of a young woman named Martha who has just escaped the group.

Although she is in a supporting role, Garner’s character is a key part of the scenes that show the cult’s disturbing inner workings. She helps to create the unsettling atmosphere and illustrates the powerful hold the cult’s leader has over his followers.

‘We Are What We Are’ (2013)

In this chilling horror film, Garner played Rose Parker, one of the children in a reclusive family with a dark and disturbing secret. The film is a remake of a Mexican movie and centers on the family’s struggle to continue a gruesome ancestral tradition.

After the death of their mother, Rose and her sister are tasked with carrying on the family’s ritualistic duties. Her performance captures a young woman grappling with the horrifying reality of her upbringing and a budding desire for a normal life.

‘The Americans’ (2015–2018)

Garner had a memorable recurring role in the critically acclaimed spy drama ‘The Americans’. She played Kimberly “Kimmy” Breland, the teenage daughter of the head of the CIA’s Afghan group, who becomes a target for Philip Jennings, an undercover KGB agent.

Over several seasons, her character becomes unknowingly entangled in a complex intelligence operation. The storyline was a source of great tension, as Philip develops a complicated and protective bond with Kimmy while using her for information.

‘Grandma’ (2015)

She co-starred in this comedy-drama as Sage, a pregnant teenager who seeks help from her sharp-tongued, unconventional grandmother, Elle, played by Lily Tomlin. The two embark on a day-long road trip to try to raise money for Sage’s abortion.

Garner’s performance provides a gentle and sometimes naive counterpoint to Tomlin’s fiery character. Their journey together explores themes of family, feminism, and generational differences with both humor and heart.

‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)

Garner’s most iconic and celebrated role to date is Ruth Langmore in the hit crime drama ‘Ozark’. Ruth is a whip-smart and resourceful young woman from a notorious local criminal family who becomes an indispensable part of Marty Byrde’s money-laundering enterprise.

Over four seasons, Ruth’s character undergoes a profound transformation from a clever troublemaker to a formidable and tragic figure in the Ozarks’ criminal underworld. The role earned Garner multiple Emmy Awards and widespread critical acclaim for her powerful and nuanced performance.

‘Waco’ (2018)

In this miniseries that dramatizes the 1993 standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians, Garner played Michelle Jones. Michelle was one of the wives of the group’s leader, David Koresh, and the younger sister of his first wife, Rachel.

Her character is shown to be a devoted follower of Koresh and a mother to one of his children living within the Mount Carmel compound. The series provides a look inside the community and the lives of the people who were at the center of the tragic event.

‘Maniac’ (2018)

She appeared in the surreal science fiction miniseries ‘Maniac’ as Ellie Landsberg. Ellie is the sister of Annie Landsberg, one of the main characters played by Emma Stone. Her character appears primarily in flashbacks and in the dream-like sequences generated by a pharmaceutical trial.

Ellie’s death is the source of the deep-seated guilt and trauma that drives Annie to participate in the trial. Garner’s performance is central to understanding the emotional core of Annie’s story and her journey toward healing.

‘Dirty John’ (2018–2019)

In the first season of this true-crime anthology series, Garner played Terra Newell, the youngest daughter of Debra Newell. The series tells the real-life story of how Debra was manipulated and terrorized by a con artist named John Meehan.

Terra is initially portrayed as a strong-willed young woman who is suspicious of her mother’s new boyfriend from the very beginning. Her character’s story culminates in a dramatic and violent confrontation that was a key event in the real case.

‘The Assistant’ (2019)

Garner delivered a subtle and widely praised lead performance as Jane, a recent college graduate working as an assistant for a powerful entertainment mogul. The film follows her over the course of a single day, showing her mundane routine and the toxic environment she endures.

Through a quiet and internal performance, Garner conveys Jane’s growing unease as she becomes aware of the insidious abuse happening just beneath the surface of her workplace. The film is a powerful commentary on the systems that enable workplace harassment.

‘Modern Love’ (2019)

She starred in an episode of the romantic anthology series ‘Modern Love’ titled “So He Looked Like Dad. It Was Just Dinner, Right?”. She played Maddy, a young woman who develops a complicated relationship with an older man at her tech company.

Maddy’s story explores her longing for a father figure and how those feelings become entangled with her professional and personal life. The episode examines the complexities of human connection and the blurry lines that can exist in relationships.

‘Inventing Anna’ (2022)

Garner took on the lead role of Anna Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin, in this miniseries based on a true story. The show follows a journalist who investigates the case of the woman who tricked New York’s social scene into believing she was a wealthy German heiress.

To portray the enigmatic con artist, Garner developed a distinctive and specific accent that became a major topic of discussion. Her performance captured the charm, ambition, and baffling confidence of a woman who built an empire on lies.

‘The Royal Hotel’ (2023)

In this tense thriller, Garner starred as Hanna, one of two American friends who take a temporary job at a remote pub in the Australian Outback. What starts as a way to earn money quickly turns into a psychologically fraught and dangerous situation.

Alongside her co-star Jessica Henwick, Garner’s character must navigate the pub’s volatile environment and the increasingly menacing behavior of the local patrons. Her performance anchors the film as it explores themes of toxic masculinity and female solidarity.

‘The Fantastic 4: First Steps’ (2025)

Garner made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. She portrayed Shalla-Bal, a version of the iconic cosmic character the Silver Surfer, herald of the planet-consuming entity Galactus.

The high-profile role cast her as a powerful being imbued with the Power Cosmic, capable of traveling through space on a silver surfboard. Her performance in the blockbuster film was a major step into the world of large-scale, effects-driven franchises.

‘Apartment 7A’ (2024)

She starred in this horror film which serves as a secret prequel to the classic movie ‘Rosemary’s Baby’. The story delves into the events that took place in the Bramford apartment building before Rosemary Woodhouse moved in.

Garner played a young dancer who moves into the infamous New York City apartment building and is groomed by her sinister neighbors for a terrifying purpose. Her role is central to uncovering the conspiracy that sets up the events of the original film.

‘Wolf Man’ (2025)

Garner starred in this horror-thriller film centered on a family being terrorized by a lethal predator. The movie is a modern re-imagining of the classic Universal monster story, focusing on the suspense and family drama.

She played the role of the mother, Charlotte, who must protect her family when her husband begins to show signs of a terrifying transformation. Her character is a key figure in the struggle for survival against the monstrous threat.

Let us know which Julia Garner role is your favorite in the comments.