Ranking the Best Performances From Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart is an actress who only in the last few years has begun to properly get her flowers. A performer who once was just seen as the star of the Twilight franchise has, much like Robert Pattinson, consistently sought out daring filmmakers, edgy material, and made it her business to be challenged. In fact, it has already resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. With a new film about to hit theaters, what better time is there to rank Stewart’s best work?

Most recently, Stewart shines in Love Lies Bleeding, which comes out this weekend. My review yesterday (found here), includes this bit:

The cast, led by Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart, commits to the material. O’Brian and Stewart have a volitile chemistry that permeates all of their scenes. The physical presence and intensity of the former, as well as the consistently surprising nature of the latter, mix deftly. O’Brian really breaks through here, while Stewart adds another ace turn to her impressive resume.

For me, her best performance is in Spencer. When I saw it at the Toronto International Film Festival, I raved about it here, calling for her to win awards for the role:

Kristen Stewart deserves to win the Oscar for Best Actress, full stop. Disappearing into the role of Diana, there isn’t a moment in Spencer where you’re seeing Stewart. It’s only the Princess of Wales. It certainly doesn’t hurt that some of the paparazzi elements and external pressures laid at Diana’s feet resemble things the actress has gone through, but it’s still a performance for the ages. Tightly wound but full of personality, she shows you why this human being captured the imagination of so many. Especially in one particular sequence, she makes the woman truly come alive.

Below, you’ll see how I stack Stewart’s work, to date. Both of the aforementioned movies are mentioned, alongside a few titles I might be more partial to than most. So, you’ll see Clouds of Sils Maria, Into the Wild, and Personal Shopper, to be sure, but you’ll also find my list contains Adventureland, Camp X-Ray, and Welcome to the Rileys. What else do I cite? Well, you’re about to find out…

Here are what I consider to be Kristen Stewart’s best performances, so far…

Honorable Mention: Equals, Fierce People, JT Leroy, On the Road, The Runaways, and Seberg

10. In the Land of Women

9. Café Society

8. Into the Wild

7. Clouds of Sils Maria

6. Welcome to the Rileys

5. Camp X-Ray

4. Adventureland

3. Love Lies Bleeding

2. Personal Shopper

1. Spencer

What is your favorite performance from Kristen Stewart? Let us know!