My Favourite Julianne Moore Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses have made movies audiences adore like Julianne Moore. Since the 1990’s, Moore has become an icon. Whether it’s women with memory loss, mothers or pornographic actors, Moore has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies she produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that definitely deserves to be celebrated.

1. Still Alice

Memory loss is a painful process causing people to face stress. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that suffered from Dementia. Over the last few years, I noticed my grandmother becoming forgetful. She would have the habit of forgetting places, events and people in life that were once important. It was heartbreaking to see a grandmother I loved dearly losing her memory. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the anguish experienced by people that have memory loss as powerfully as “Still Alice”. Released in 2014, Julianne Moore’s best movie captured the sad life of a woman with Alzheimer’s Disease. In the greatest role of her career, Moore portrays an intelligent linguistics professor that suffers from severe memory loss which causes her family to face despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Moore has spent most of her career playing strong women in positions of authority. With “Still Alice”, however, the actress took a big step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of memory loss. It isn’t easy to capture emotions faced by people with Alzheimer’s Disease, but Moore succeeded. Working alongside Kristen Stewart who is also amazing, Moore created a portrait of memory loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Alice first becomes aware that she suffers from severe memory loss running across her university’s campus causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Still Alice” Julianne Moore’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Alzheimer’s Disease, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about family which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of memory loss causing lives of women to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to captivate by making bold movies which audiences appreciate.

2. Magnolia

It’s always challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the loss of a housekeeper that died. As someone haunted by loss of a loved one causing trauma, I adored “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Julianne Moore’s movie captured individuals impacted by loss in America. In the most emotional role of her career, Moore portrayed a temperamental woman struggling to care for a dying father causing despair. Moore has always had an aptitude for playing emotional women under stress, and “Magnolia” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Moore created a portrait of loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Linda loses her temper shouting at managers of a pharmacy for asking her personal questions causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of individuals in Los Angeles affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma whose timeless movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

3. Boogie Nights

Pornographic actors are controversial figures that always fascinated my teacher. My teacher always admired adult actors putting their lives in danger. He praised bravery of adult actors that starred in provocative movies. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher fascinated with adult actors facing fights, I adored “Boogie Nights”. Released in 1997, Julianne Moore’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the adult film industry. In the most provocative role of her career, Moore portrayed an adult actress facing despair. It’s a challenging role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing an adult film actor. Working alongside Mark Wahlberg who is also amazing, Moore created a portrait of the adult industry that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Amber is deemed an unfit mother by the court causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Boogie Nights” a masterpiece is bold appeal. Unlike most movies about the adult film industry targeted to a small audience, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of hardships that adult actors face, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made movies that audiences embrace.

4. Crazy Stupid Love

Divorce is a devastating process that causes stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriage. I recall the night when she had a fight with her husband. Following the separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. As someone that witnessed my aunt fall out of love, I adored “Crazy Stupid Love”. Released in 2011, Julianne Moore’s movie captured the impact of divorce on families. In the most romantic role of her career, Moore portrayed a woman that has a devastating divorce causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing vulnerable women under pressure. Working alongside Steve Carell who is also amazing, Moore created a portrait of marriage that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Emily announces to Cal that she wants a divorce causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Crazy Stupid Love” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriage that would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of the divorce process causing families to experience stress, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies achieving success.

5. The Hours

Depression is a powerful emotion that shaped my personality. Several years ago, I struggled to find a stable job causing sorrow. My inability to find stable employment affected by happiness. As someone that has witnessed depression over several hours, I adored “The Hours”. Released in 2002, Julianne Moore’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about depressed women. In the most downbeat role of her career, Moore portrayed a housewife that suffers from depression causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing conflicted women. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Moore created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Laura contemplates suicide causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hours” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about depression which would resonate with everyone. Despite its focus on women in 1950’s America, its strong themes of mental health remain relevant today. A spectacular adaptation of a book about suicide, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to make movies leaving audiences satisfied.

6. The Big Lebowski

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have made movies that are as beloved as the Coen Brothers. With their sharp humour, colourful characters and meaningful themes, the Coen Brothers’ movies have earned a huge following. In 1998, the brothers showcased their strengths as filmmakers when they cast Julianne Moore in their movie “The Big Lebowski”. In the most comical role of her career, Moore portrayed the eccentric daughter of a drug-dealer facing despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actress a chance to showcase flair for comedy she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Jeff Bridges who is also amazing, Moore created a comedy that’s compelling. As powerful as the Dude, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made memorable movies which audiences have valued.

7. The End of the Affair

Affairs are short-term romantic relationships that rarely last forever. A short-term romance, an affair causes couples in broken marriages to face despair. In 1999, Julianne Moore beautifully depicted the end of a romantic affair in her movie “The End of the Affair”. In the most depressing role of her career, Moore portrayed a novelist that engages in a doomed affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing conflicted women. Working alongside Ralph Fiennes who is also outstanding, Moore created a portrait of a romantic affair that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of frightening romantic affairs that cause the lives of doomed lovers to crumble, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences consider to be special.

8. Far From Heaven

Julianne Moore has always excelled at playing emotional women. Moore has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women under stress. Moore’s strength for playing emotional women is evident in her film “Far From Heaven”. Released in 2002, Todd Haynes’ movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Moore portrayed a housewife that discovers her husband is queer causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing anxious women facing a toll. Working alongside Dennis Quaid who is also amazing, Moore created a marriage that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of housewives facing despair, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated actress that has made a strong career by manufacturing great movies about which audiences care.

9. May December

Age gap romance is a tricky subject to tackle. Stories of couples with huge age gaps are rarely told in movies. In an industry that often ignored lovers with huge age-gaps facing disaster, it’s worth praising “May December”. Released in 2023, Julianne Moore’s movie offered a powerful portrait of an age-gap love affair. In the most sensitive role of her career, Moore portrayed a woman having an affair with a younger man causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a woman in an age-gap romance. Working alongside Natalie Portman who is also amazing, Moore created an age-gap affair that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of hardships that couples in age-gap romances face, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made memorable movies which audiences embrace.

10. Psycho

Julianne Moore hasn’t always made great movies audiences adore. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Psycho” falls into the latter category. Released in 1998, Gus Van Sant’s remake was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Moore portrayed a woman that becomes the helpeless victim of a psychotic serial killer causing despair. Moore brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Psycho” is a bad movie, it honoured Moore’s legacy. As strong as Norman Bates’ desire to be psychotic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actress that has produced iconic movies captivating the public which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.