My Favourite Shailene Woodley Films of All-Time

Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Shailene Woodley. Since the 2000’s, Woodley has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s terminally ill lovers, grieving teenagers or political figures, Woodley has played many characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has produced, 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 Fault in Our Stars

Terminal illness has shaped my identity. Several years ago, my uncle was diagnosed with terminal illness causing sorrow. A larger-than-life soul, he played pivotal roles in my family by giving it a goal. His devastating death left my family mourning. Adopting a pessimistic life attitude, my  grandfather couldn’t cope with deaths impacting his mood. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t move on from the memories of a brother that tragically died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how terminal illness impacts lives of stars as powerfully as “The Fault in Our Stars”. Released in 2014, Shailene Woodley’s best movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about terminal illness. In the greatest role of her career, Woodley played a woman affected by terminal illness causing romantic relationships to face despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: emotional, charismatic and vulnerable in her most iconic role. Woodley has spent most of her career playing feminist heroines in blockbusters. With “The Fault in Our Stars”, however, she took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of terminal illness. Working alongside Ansel Elgort who is also outstanding, Woodley created a strong portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Hazel first meets Augustus at their Cancer support meeting beginning their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fault in Our Stars” Shailene Woodley’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about terminal illness, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of dreams which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of terminal illness causing roman d to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to captivate producing memorable movies audiences appreciate.

2. The Descendants

Death can impact fathers’s abilities to raise families. Years ago, my friend’s mother died from Cancer causing sorrow. Her heartbreaking death impacted health of his father. Left devastated, he struggled raising his family without a wife he had appreciated. As someone that witnessed a father facing resentments, I appreciated “The Descendants”. Released in 2011, Shailene Woodley’s movie captured grief-stricken families. In the most emotional role of her career, Woodley portrayed a teenage girl that mourns the loss of her mother following an accident causing despair. Woodley has aptitude for playing teenagers under stress, and “The Descendants” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside George Clooney who is also outstanding, Woodley created a portrait of loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Amy says goodbyes to her mother causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Descendants” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Matt’s desire to be a good father, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.

3. The Spectacular Now

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school which sought marriage. However, immigration ended our bonds forever. When my family immigrated to Canada, I was faced with the dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that had shaped my persona. As someone treasuring memories of a spectacular girl which changed how I see the world, I appreciated “The Spectacular Now”. Released in 2013, Shailene Woodley’s movie offered a spectacular portrait of teenage romance. In the most romantic role of her career, Woodley portrays a teenager that has an affair with her sweetheart 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 Miles Teller who is also amazing, Woodley created a romance that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Amy meets Sutter becoming aware she is in love with him is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Spectacular Now” a spectacular film is its message. The film delivers a bold message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of teenagers seeking guidance in adolescence, it’s a sensational reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies earning a huge audience.

4. The Mauritanian

Wrongful conviction shaped my friend’s identity. At an early age, my friend faced outrage when his father was sent to prison for crimes he didn’t commit causing damage. He was devastated when his father was incarcerated for crimes he hadn’t. As someone treasuring a friend outraged by his father’s wrongful conviction, I loved “The Mauritanian”. Released in 2021, Shailene Woodley’s film honoured a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay. In the most political role of her career, Woodley portrayed a news reporter facing despair. It gave the actress the chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a political figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also amazing, Woodley created a portrait of wrongful conviction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Teri interviews a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay facing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Mauritanian” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the politics of Guantanamo Bay to appreciate it. Nearly 20 years after Slahi was incarcerated for chimers he hadn’t committed, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress that has made movies which deserve to be appreciated.

5. Adrift

Stories of survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my life forever changed when my family faced bombings that caused emotional damage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of my family facing a bomb blast causing trauma in Saudi Arabia. Through a miracle, my family miraculously managed to survive the worst disaster imaginable. As someone haunted by memories of a disaster that left my family adrift, I appreciated “Adrift”. Released in 2018, Shailene Woodley’s movie honoured real-life story of a hurricane survivor. In the most demanding role of her career, Woodley portrayed a woman facing hurricane despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actress to step out of her comfort zone by playing the survivor of a hurricane but she succeeded immensely. Working alongside Sam Claflin who is also outstanding, Woodley created a portrait of survival that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tammy becomes aware that she is facing a hurricane causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Adrift” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Tammy’s desire for survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has made great movies which audiences consider special.

6. Dumb Money

Finance is a tricky subject to depict in movies. It isn’t simple to make a successful movie about finance that’s enjoyable. In an industry that has often struggled to depict finance effectively, it’s worth praising “Dumb Money”. Released in 2023, Shailene Woodley’s movie offered a fantastic portrait of finance. In the most comical role of her career, Woodley played a woman that becomes involved in a financial crash causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress the rare chance to showcase her aptitude for comedy she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Paul Dano who is also outstanding, Woodley created a portrait of finance that’s compelling. A fantastic portrait of a catastrophic financial crisis that’s tragic, it’s a terrific reminder of a commemorated actress that has made iconic movies which are beloved by the public.

7. Ferrari

Few businessmen that designed cars in history are as iconic as Enzio Ferrari. During the 1980’s, Ferrari created iconic cars that changed the world. Driven to succeed, he sought to design cars that moved at a fast speed. In 2023, Shailene Woodley honoured the iconic businessman in her movie “Ferrari”. In the most supportive role of her career, Woodley played the wife of a famous entrepreneur that designed cars which are rare. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Adam Driver who is also outstanding, Woodley honoured an iconic car that’s inspiring. A fantastic tribute towards a founder that sought to design powerful cars that crossed the finishing line, it’s a great reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to make divine movies which shine.

8. Snowden

When it comes to the iconic whistleblowers that deserve recognition, it’s worth praising Edward Snowden. During the 2000’s, Snowden leaked precious information to the press earning recognition. In 2016, Shailene Woodley honoured the whistleblower seeking recognition in her movie “Snowden”. In the most complex role of her career, Woodley portrayed a woman that forms a romantic relationship with a whistleblower causing despair. It gave the actress the chance to step out of her comfort zone by honouring a political figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is also amazing, Woodley honoured Edward Snowden’s legacy. A strong tribute towards Edward Snowden, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured great films which deserve recognition.

9. White Bird in a Blizzard

Shailene Woodley has always excelled at playing emotional women that face tragedy. Woodley has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women facing emotional damage. Woodley’s flair for playing emotional characters seeking to be heard is clearly evident in her movie “White Bird in a Blizzard”. Released in 2014, Gregg Araki’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most tragic role of her career, Woodley portrayed a woman that becomes victim of a murder mystery causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotionally conflicted characters. As strong as Kat’s desire to resolve her mother’s disappearance that’s mysterious, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a world-famous actress that has manufactured celebrated movies which audiences consider precious.

10. Allegiant

Shailene Woodley hasn’t always made great movies that are worth seeing on the big-screen. 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, Woodley portrayed a teenager participating in a competition causing despair. Woodley 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 Woodley’s legacy. As strong as Tris’ desire to discover her identity, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a strong legacy making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.