Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Margaret Qualley. Since the 1990’s, Qualley has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s sexual strippers, actors in danger or suspects of murders, Qualley has played many strong characters. Although she has only made a few films in her career, each one has been worth watching. Listed below are my favourite films made by a commemorated actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Substance
Body image impacts lives of women. At an early age, I formed relationships with a pretty girl that was concerned about body image. Called drop-dead gorgeous, she was a girl my entire school would consider to be precious. However, she never believed she was a pretty woman that was destined bright future. Lacking self-confidence, she was always concerned about what people would think about her public appearance. She yearned to use substances that could transform her into a younger version of herself changing appearance. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the experience of women seeking to change their appearance as powerfully as “The Substance”. Released in 2024, Margaret Qualley’s best movie captured the impact of body image on actresses. In the greatest role of her career, Qualley embodied a fading actress that uses a dangerous substance to become a younger version of herself causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most iconic role. Qualley has spent most of her career playing pretty women with beauty. With “The Substance”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a downtrodden actress. Working alongside Demi Moore who is also amazing, Qualley created a portrait of aging actresses that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Elisabeth realizes effects of using the substance causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Substance” Margaret Qualley’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a great message about body image that would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of actresses that lack confidence using a substance to alter their appearance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made movies earning a huge audience.
2. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
L.A. is a beautiful city that my father always loved dearly. During my childhood, I bonded with a father that adored Hollywood. Fascinated with the film industry, he adored a city that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that once loved Hollywood, I adored “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. Released in 2019, Margaret Qualley’s movie offered a captivating tribute to the film industry of the 1960’s. In the most charming role of her career, Qualley portrayed a hippie girl that becomes victim of a mass murder in L.A. causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a star-studded cast. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Qualley created a portrait of L.A. that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Pussycat flirts with Cliff becoming aware of his fame is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about Hollywood, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A touching tribute to an era once upon a time in in Hollywood, it’s a bold reminder of a great actress that has stood the test of time making movies that are good.
3. The Nice Guys
Detectives that solve murders causing danger always fascinated my brother. I remember a brother that was fascinated with the lives of detectives solving murder. He would always appreciate sleuths that sought to investigate murders causing the lives of people to deteriorate. As someone treasuring a brother that loved detectives he considered nice guys, I appreciated “The Nice Guys”. Released in 2016, Margaret Qualley’s movie offered an engaging murder mystery. In the most comical role of her career, Qualley portrayed an actress that becomes victim of a murder mystery causing despair. Qualley has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “The Nice Guys” showcased her comedic talents as an actress. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also outstanding, Qualley created a murder mystery that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Amelia becomes aware that a murder of a famous movie-star has been committed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Nice Guys” a commemorated comedic classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most detective movies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. As memorable as the murders March seeks to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences appreciate.
4. Poor Things
Feminist women with strong personalities have always inspired me. Several years ago, I bonded with a girl in school that sought to become a feminist hero. Inspiring wonder in women, she fought oppression. In a prejudiced country that pushed women aside, she always took pride. As someone valuing a girl that gave me understandings of feminism, I loved “Poor Things”. Released in 2023, Margaret Qualley’s Oscar-winning film offered a fantastic adaptation of a famous feminist book about women. In the most feminist role of her career, Qualley portrayed a woman with magical powers that cause despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under intense stress. Working alongside Mark Ruffalo who is also amazing, Qualley honoured a legendary feminist book written years ago. For instance, the scene in which Felicity becomes aware that she is not a real person causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Poor Things” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about value of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic adaptation of a famous feminist book about curious women seeking to conquer obstacles that are dangerous, it’s a strong reminder of an actress whose movies audiences consider precious.
5. Sanctuary
Sexual dominatrix are figures that always fascinated my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher was fascinated with the lives of prostitutes facing sorrow. I remember a psychology professor that was fascinated with the lives of sexual dominatrix facing danger. He would often strive to educate students about the tense professions of dominatrix whose lives deteriorate. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher that adored prostitutes shaping his identity, I appreciated “Sanctuary”. Released in 2022, Margaret Qualley’s movie captured dominatrix. In the most provocative role of her career, Qualley portrayed a dominatrix that has a doomed affair causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a provocative woman with success. Working alongside Christopher Abbot who is also amazing, Qualley created a portrait of prostitution that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rebecca first meets Hal in his hotel starting their affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Sanctuary” a great movie is its bravery. It discusses provocative themes that are rarely seen in mainstream movies today. A powerful portrait of dominatrix that are sexual, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured movies audiences consider special.
6. Stars at Noon
Maragret Qualley has always excelled at playing emotional women facing adversity. Qualley has built an image of being an actress that excels at playing emotional women facing damage. Qualley’s strength for playing emotional women unable to recover soon is evident in her movie “Stars at Noon”. Released in 2022, Claire Denis’ movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Qualley portrayed a journalist that has a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Joe Alwyn who is also amazing, Qualley created a romance that’s compelling. As memorable as the romance between stars at noon, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made great movies which won’t be forgotten soon.
7. Palo Alto
Drug addiction is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often ignored the lives of drug addicts that are misunderstood. In an industry avoiding an addiction causing sorrow, it’s worth praising “Palo Alto”. Released in 2013, Margaret Qualley’s movie offered a powerful portrait of teen drug addiction. In the breakthrough role of her career, Qualley portrayed a conflicted teenager that suffers from severe drug addiction causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress her first major break in Hollywood showcasing her talent. Working alongside James Franco who is also amazing, Qualley created a portrait of substance abuse that’s compelling. As precious as the town of Palo Alto, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress producing movies which give audiences dreams to follow.
8. Novitiate
Religion is a sensitive topic rarely depicted in movies with appreciation. Movies rarely shine a spotlight on the barriers that religious preachers fight. In an industry avoiding religions with hate, it’s worth praising “Novitiate”. Released in 2017, Margaret Qualley’s movie offered a powerful portrayal of religious nuns. In the most conflicted role of her career, Qualley portrayed a religious nun that questions her faith causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Melissa Leo who is also outstanding, Qualley created a portrait of religion that’s compelling. A remarkable portrait of religion, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which definitely deserve appreciation.
9. My Salinger Year
When it comes to the greatest authors in English literature, it’s worth discussing J.D. Salinger. During the 1950’s, Salinger published timeless stories. An awe-inspiring author, Salinger built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2020, Margaret Qualley honoured the iconic author that built an impressive career in her movie “My Salinger Year”. In the most literary role of her career, Qualley portrayed a poet that becomes fascinated with Salinger’s stories causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women driven to achieve a goal. Working alongside Sigourney Weaver who is also outstanding, Qualley honoured a legendary author that’s inspiring. Nearly 90 years after J.D. Salinger published timeless literature, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making great movies which audiences treasure.
10. Death Note
Margaret Qualley hasn’t always made great movies earning popularity. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Death Note” falls into the latter category. Released in 2017, Adam Wingard’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Qualley portrayed a woman that becomes victim of a notebook causing despair. Qualley brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Death Note” is a bad movie, it honoured Qualley’s legacy. As precious as the death note notebook Kira uses to kill, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to thrill making engaging movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to believe that my dreams of film criticism are possible to fulfill.
The Film Buff 