Joey Magidson
Amanda Seyfried has been on a steadily upward trajectory ever since we first came to know her in Mean Girls. The past few years especially have been very kind, as she’s really gotten an opportunity to shine. I spoke to her about Mank here back during lockdown. With The Testament of Ann Lee now in theaters (my conversation with her about that movie is here), audiences are experiencing what the festival crowd have been so taken by. So, going forth and ranking Seyfried’s best performances just makes sense right now. Join me, why don’t you?
In my review of The Testament of Ann Lee (here), I raved about her most recent work like so:
Amanda Seyfried is best in show, doing phenomenal work. That takes nothing away from a very good Christopher Abbott and Lewis Pullman, nor a quite solid Thomasin McKenzie. It just speaks to have amazing Seyfried is, giving a physical performance that matches an emotional one. Fastvold doesn’t judge Ann Lee in the slightest, taking her in on her own terms, which is a tricky narrative decision, but one that pays off hugely in terms of the work being done by Seyfried. If she scores her second Academy Award nomination, it will be richly deserved. Her shaking alone is Oscar worthy, as there are few performances this year that can match the intensity shown here.
Below, you can see how Seyfried stacks up for me. Her best work, in my eyes, came with her supporting turn in Mank, with her title role in The Testament of Ann Lee not far behind. After that, I really go to bat for her scene stealing work in Mean Girls, though Chloe is a really underrated performance. Given that her most recent performances have shown her best work, one has to assume that, even with the heights she’s at now, the best is still yet to come. Isn’t that just so exciting?
Here now is my ranking of the best performances from Amanda Seyfried. Behold:
Honorable Mention: Alpha Dog, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Mama Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Ted 2
10. Les Misérables
9. While We’re Young
8. Lovelace
7. Jennifer’s Body
6. The Last Word
5. First Reformed
4. Chloe
3. Mean Girls
1. Mank
Cinematography by Daryn Okada
What are your favorite performances from Amanda Seyfried? Let us know!
Of all the currently-working actresses who I would unhesitatingly describe myself a fan of, Amanda Seyfried might have the widest gulf between her talents and the quality of her feature film projects. After her big breakout in Mean Girls, I honestly don’t think she appeared in a truly great movie until First Reformed thirteen years later, and her filmography between 2010 and 2015 is dire.
It’s great that she’s been appearing in worthwhile films in recent years, but good lord was she horrendously utilized for well over a decade…
Like many actresses, Hollywood tried to fit her into a box, one that didn’t suit her. So, seems like better days are now here for her.