My Favourite Jena Malone Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood are as well-known as Jena Malone. Since the 1990’s, Malone has become a beloved feminist icon. Whether it’s rebellious teenagers, games competitors or prejudiced sisters, Malone has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer 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. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember forming relationships with a mother that was a huge fan of the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of a great author that shaped her identity. My mother grew up to value great books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that that took pride in a great author without any prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Jena Malone’s best movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s most beloved book. In the greatest role of her career, Malone portrayed a young woman struggling to care for an impoverished family facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Malone has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines in dramas. With “Pride & Prejudice”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a literary heroine that’s well-known. Working alongside Keira Knightly who is also amazing, Malone honoured an author whose stories are compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lydia becomes aware that her sister has been engaged commemorating marriage causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” Jena Malone’s best movie is its universal appeal. The film delivers a commemorated message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s book to appreciate it. Centuries following the publication of literature about women demonstrating pride experiencing prejudiced barriers causing danger, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress manufacturing movies audiences treasure.

2. Contact

Alien invasions are frightening disasters that have always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I developed bonds with a teacher that had lifelong fear of alien invasions causing damage. He would often fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher afraid of extra-terrestrial contact, I loved “Contact”. Released in 1997, Jena Malone’s movie captured astronomers seeking to communicate with aliens causing catastrophe. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Malone portrayed a gifted girl that becomes aware of alien signals causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also amazing, Malone created an alien invasion movie that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Ellie becomes aware of alien signals causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Contact” a sci-fi classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most alien invasion movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a strong message about communication which resonates with everyone. A captivating portrait of astronomers seeking to make extra-terrestrial contact, it’s a compelling reminder about a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies leaving a massive impact.

3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games is a fantastic book series that my cousin has grown to treasure. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that loved a book series he considered to be iconic literature. A huge fan of Katniss Everdeen, he always spoke fondly about a book series that became a pivotal part of his routine. In 2013, Jena Malone honoured the iconic book series readers admire in her movie “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. In the most heroic role of her career, Malone portrayed a rebellious teenage girl participating in a dangerous competition causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Jennifer Lawrence who is also outstanding, Malone created an adaptation that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Johanna attempts to seduce Peeta in the elevator by stripping causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book series to appreciate it. As strong as arrows used by Katniss Everdeen, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making movies that demand to be seen on the big-screen.

4. Into the Wild

Wilderness survivors experiencing grave danger always inspired my grandfather. I remember forming relationships with a grandfather appreciating wilderness survivors facing danger. Drawn towards the wild, he always loved discussing people surviving in wilderness leaving him beguiled. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that sought to journey into the wild, I appreciated “Into the Wild”. Released in 2007, Jena Malone’s movie honoured the true story of a man that survived wilderness catastrophe. In the most conflicted role of her career, Malone portrayed a concerned sister facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing anxious women facing distress. Working alongside William Hurt who is also outstanding, Malone honoured a book about wilderness that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Carine becomes aware that Christopher’s life in the wilderness is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Into the Wild” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the wilderness, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A wonderful tribute towards a man that survived in the wild, it’s a stirring reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured great movies leaving audiences commonly beguiled.

5. Stepmom

Stepmothers are fierce figures that can affect families. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a girl in school that had a cruel stepmother causing sorrow. She would often complain about being mistreated by a demanding stepmother that caused her to face endless pain. As someone treasuring memories of a friend with a stepmom, I appreciated “Stepmom”. Released in 1998, Jena Malone’s movie captured the lives of stepmothers raising a family. In the most vulnerable role of her career, Malone portrayed a young teenage girl that is affected by a cruel stepmother causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase vulnerability she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Susan Sarandon who is also amazing, Malone created a drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Anna becomes aware she has a stepmom causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Stepmom” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about stepmoms, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about family which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Isabel’s desire to become a stepmother, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actress making movies audiences commonly honour.

6. Cold Mountain

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a mountain, it’s worth discussing Cold Mountain. Since its publication in 1997, Charles Frasier’s book has become a literary classic. In 2003, Jena Malone honoured the iconic book about a mountain in her movie “Cold Mountain”. In the most tragic role of her career, Malone portrayed a fishing woman that becomes victim of warfare causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Jude Law who is also amazing, Malone honoured a book about warfare that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a treacherous mountain, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with dedication that has manufactured great movies which deserve utmost appreciation.

7. Donnie Darko

Jena Malone has often excelled at playing emotional women that face trauma. Malone has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional heroines facing damage. Malone’s strength for playing teenagers that experience sorrow is clearly evident in her movie “Donnie Darko”. Released in 2001, Richard Kelly’s science-fiction blockbuster showcased the actress at her best. In the most psychological role of her career, Malone portrayed the girlfriend of a teenager facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under pressure. Working alongside Jake Gyllenhaal who is also amazing, Malone created a thriller that’s engaging. As powerful as visions of Donnie Darko, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actress gaining fame years ago by playing dark characters facing sorrow.

8. Inherent Vice

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Paul Thomas Anderson. With their compelling themes, strong acting and engaging storytelling, Anderson’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2014, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Jena Malone in his movie “Inherent Vice”. In the most comical role of her career, Malone portrayed a teenage girl that becomes involved in murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase comedic timing she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix who is also amazing, Malone created a mystery that’s engaging. An insightful depiction of consequences posed by drug addiction that comes with a sacrifice, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made movies which are nice.

9. Nocturnal Animals

Tony & Susan is a legendary mystery book that has built a strong reputation. Since its publication in 1993, Austin Wright’s book has become a literary classic. In 2016, Jena Malone honoured the iconic book about animals in her movie “Nocturnal Animals”. In the most mysterious role of her career, Malone portrayed a fashion designer that becomes involved in a murder mystery causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing ambitious women seeking to achieve career success. Working alongside Amy Adams who is also amazing, Malone honoured a book about fashion that’s captivating. As strong as Susan’s love for art, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout her lasting career which hold a precious place in every viewers’ heart.

10. Stardust

Jena Malone hasn’t always made great movies that are well-known. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Stardust” falls into the latter category. Released in 2020, Gabriel Range’s music drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Malone portrayed the wife of a famous musician composing commemorated melodies facing despair. Malone brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Stardust” is a bad movie, it honoured Malone’s commemorated legacy. As strong as David Bowie’s desire to achieve stardom, it’s a stirring reminder of an actress that has played strong heroines with wisdom in memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve my dreams of film criticism.