Not many actresses have made movies that audiences treasure like Octavia Spencer. Since the 1990’s, Spencer has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s helpful housekeepers, concerned mothers or NASA hidden figures, the actress has played characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Help
Housekeepers have always helped my family. At an early age, I formed bonds with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Dedicated to every chore, she was a great person that my family would adore. A devoted housemaid, she often devoted herself to doing her job regardless of how much she was paid. Through her abilities to assist my family, she became a person that I would value. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles housekeepers play providing help to families as powerfully as “The Help”. Released in 2011, Octavia Spencer’s best movie captured the lives of helpful housekeepers during the segregation era. In the greatest role of her career, Spencer portrayed a helpful housekeeper seeking to care for a wealthy white family facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Spencer has spent most of her career playing serious women in intense dramas. With “The Help”, however, the actress showcased rare aptitude for comedy she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Viola Davis who is also amazing, Spencer honoured a book about housekeepers that are inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Minny becomes aware that she is being mistreated by her employers causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Help” Octavia Spencer’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 25 years following the release of a film about housekeepers that are helpful, it’s a bold reminder of a great actress producing movies audiences consider special.
2. The Shape of Water
Mental disabilities have shaped my identity. At an early age, my life changed when I was diagnosed with grim Autism causing damage. I remember being treated as a stranger by my family when I was diagnosed with a mental disorder. Autism became a barrier that prevented me from achieving succes in the school system. As someone that has faced the struggles of a mental disorder, I adored “The Shape of Water”. Released in 2017, Octavia Spencer’s movie captured the life of a mute woman falling in love with an amphibian creature. In the most compassionate role of her career, Spencer portrayed a caring janitor that forms a friendship with a mute woman facing despair. Spencer has always excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “The Shape of Water” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Sally Hawkins who is also amazing, Spencer created a disability drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Zelda is aware that Elisa has fallen in love with the creature is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Shape of Water” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most fantasy films, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Elisa’s love for the creature, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured movies which audiences treasure.
3. Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that always inspired my teacher. Several years ago, I formed relationships with a teacher that appreciated the web-swinging superhero. A comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a superhero making him feel heard. He would always love watching movies about a superhero whose great power came with great responsibility. In 2002, Octavia Spencer honoured the iconic superhero with plans in her movie “Spider-Man”. In the most scene-stealing role of her career, Spencer portrayed the manager of wrestling organizations causing despair. It’s a role giving the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show as a supporting character with limited screen-time. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also amazing, Spencer honoured a web-swinging hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which the Check-in girl questions Peter whether he is ready for a wrestling match causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man” a comic-book masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would identify with. As strong as webs Spider-Man is spinning, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made captivating movies which are definitely worth appreciating.
4. Hidden Figures
NASA is a space program that always fascinated my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa liking NASA. My grandfather would always treasure mathematicians that worked for the space program changing the world forever. He grew up to embrace movies that would capture the space race. As someone treasuring a grandfather that adored NASA figures, I appreciated “Hidden Figures”. Released in 2017, Octavia Spencer’s movie captured black mathematicians that contributed towards NASA’s space program. In the most intellectual role of her career, Spencer portrayed a real-life black mathematician facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a historical woman that’s well-known. Working alongside Taraji P. Henson who is also amazing, Spencer created a portrait of NASA that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Dorothy stands up for herself to racist managers in NASA’s program causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Hidden Figures” a historical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with NASA’s space program history to appreciate it. A powerful tribute to black women in NASA’s space race, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making movies which audiences embrace.
5. Fruitvale Station
Police brutality is a sensitive subject that my friend always cared about deeply. I remember forming a friendship with an African-American kid in school that would speak out against police causing danger. He was extremely passionate about an issue that he felt needed to be addressed without a doubt. As someone treasuring memories of a companion that hated police brutality, I appreciated “Fruitvale Station”. Released in 2013, Octavia Spencer’s movie captured the true story of an African-American man that endured police brutality. In the most tragic role of her career, Spencer portrayed the mother of a black man that faced police brutality causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Michael B. Jordan who is also amazing, Spencer created a portrait of brutality that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Wanda becomes aware of her son’s death causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Fruitvale Station” a classic is its timeliness. Despite taking place in 2009, its themes of police brutality remain relevant today. Nearly 20 years after Oscar Grant faced police brutality in America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with charisma whose commemorated movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
6. Snowpiercer
Trains are compelling settings that often make for engaging movies. Ever since detectives solved murders on the orient express, trains are larger-than-life setting which have often been used in movies with success. In 2013, Octavia Spencer captured the enduring appeal of trains facing disaster in her movie “Snowpiercer”. In the most authoritative role of her career, Spencer portrayed a powerful political leader seeking control on a train facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing women in positions of power. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Spencer created a portrait of trains that’s compelling. As precious as the Snowpiercer train, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has managed to gain a huge following by making movies which entertain.
7. Gifted
Octavia Spencer has always excelled at playing emotional women under pressure. Spencer has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Spencer’s strength for playing women that are conflicted is clearly evident in her movie “Gifted”. Released in 2017, Marc Webb’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Spencer portrayed a teacher struggling to care for a gifted child facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Spencer created a portrait of gifted children that’s compelling. A dazzling portrait of fathers raising children that are gifted, it’s a bold reminder of an actress making movies that deserve to be celebrated.
8. Get on Up
Few musicians that became the talk of the town years ago are as beloved as James Brown. During the 1950’s, Brown was a beloved African-American singer that composed timeless melodies. With his charming personality, commanding stage presence and strong vocals, Brown earned a huge following. In 2014, Octavia Spencer honoured the iconic musician in her movie “Get on Up”. In the most musical role of her career, Spencer portrayed the aunt of a famous musician facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing the relative of a singer that’s well-known. A marvellous tribute towards a legendary musician crafting songs which were melodious, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that has made movies throughout her career which are precious.
9. Being John Malkovich
Sometimes, the sign of a great actress comes across when they steal the show in a supporting role. Octavia Spencer has always had the rare ability to leave a strong impression in a small role with limited screen-time. Spencer’s strength for stealing the show in movies which have limited screen-time is clearly evident in “Being John Malkovich”. Released in 1999, Spike Jonze’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the briefest role of her career, Spencer portrayed a woman in an elevator facing despair. It’s a role giving the actress an opportunity to showcase her strong screen presence. Working alongside John Cusack who is also amazing, Spencer created a drama that’s captivating. A powerful portrait inside the mind of an actor that’s one-of-a-kind, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has left a lasting legacy behind.
10. Allegiant
Octavia Spencer hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Allegiant” falls into the latter category. Released in 2016, Robert Schwentke’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Spencer portrayed a manager participating in a space competition causing despair. Spencer brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Allegiant” is a bad movie, it honoured Spencer’s legacy. As strong as bonds between teens that are allegiant, it’s an astonishing reminder of an actress with strong commitment to her craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.
The Film Buff 