It is no secret that Cate Blanchett has an innate ability to portray characters that are powerful and psychologically complex. Yet, no character that she has listed in her filmography is similar to another. Throughout her career, she has never shied away from a challenging role and her performances always leave her very highly regarded by critics and audiences alike.
Her versatility on screen and on stage has led to numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. The films included in this list are some of her best and most highly regarded performances on screen, as her ability to communicate with an audience is undeniable.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
10 Tár (2022)
In her most recent film, Blanchett excels in Tár, a psychological thriller detailing the complex downfall of maestro musical conductor Lydia Tár. Particular and pensive, this is a film that leaves viewers contemplating the character's emotional responsibility as Tár is accused of misconduct in the workplace. Her penchant for classical music, alongside these serious accusations, sets her apart and leaves the viewer captivated by Blanchett's seemingly effortless characterization.
As the plot thickens and various accusations of her misconduct arise, Blanchett portrays a woman who is paranoid and delusional as she seeks to remain on top. As the character descends deeper into the turbulent chaos of her visions, Blanchett remains thrilling to watch as Tár loses her grip on her success.
9 Oceans 8 (2018)
This reboot of the Oceans franchise sees Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock team up with a powerhouse group of women in this criminal comedy film. She portrays Lou, a nightclub owner, and Debbie Ocean's partner in crime as they hatch a carefully constructed plan to rob the Met Gala.
The film was applauded for its all-female lead cast and well-constructed storyline. Blanchett crafts a fantastic persona as Lou, who is unafraid of what others will think of her. Her role in the heist is to act as the voice of reason for Bullock's character, which she does so concernedly and with feeling for her friend. It is a great performance and unlike any Blanchett has done before.
8 Don't Look Up (2021)
Nearly unrecognizable in her role as Brie Evantee, co-host of the popular morning talk show The Daily Rip, Cate Blanchett gives a vibrant performance as an unsavory character. Her role in the plot is - along with adding comedic value to the film - to destabilize protagonist Doctor Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he moves further away from the person that he used to be.
Don't Look Up received mixed reviews upon release and ultimately prompted large debate over the main theme of human destruction. Blanchett's character Brie is well cemented in this debate, as her role in the media points to greater criticisms of ignoring the scientific realities of climate change.
7 The Aviator (2004)
In another film starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Blanchett portrays the vibrant Katherine Hepburn, alluding to another time in cinema. In the role where she earned her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, she is nearly unrecognizable as the natural cadence of her voice that viewers are now so familiar with is replaced with Hepburn's classic-sounding accent.
The film portrays Howard Hughes' life from 1927 to 1947, during which time he became a successful film producer. Hepburn and Hughes have an emotionally wrought romantic relationship, which sees Blanchett creating an exceptional portrayal of Hepburn's mannerisms and expressions.
6 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
In another powerful acting role, Blanchett is seen as Lady Galadriel in The Fellowship of the Ring. Galadriel's knowledge aids Frodo as well as the viewer through the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and she is an all-knowing voice of reason.
Blanchett narrates the opening of the film, where she describes the War of the Ring and the first defeat of Sauron. She also aids Frodo with knowledge in his quest to defeat Sauron and is shown to be powerful when she can resist the temptation of the ring. With the character so described as the mightiest and fairest of all Elves in Middle-earth, Blanchett lives up to this description with her performance inspiring much mystery.
5 Nightmare Alley (2021)
In another psychological thriller, Blanchett portrays the deeply unnerving sophisticated psychologist Lilith Ritter who seeks to undermine protagonist Stan. Her character provides a fitting plot twist to Nightmare Alley, where viewers suddenly feel as though their allegiance to the 'hero' of the story may change.
Ritter flits between not having the upper hand versus exerting plenty of control over Stan, with Blanchett providing a style of acting that viewers arguably have not seen from her before. Her performance is both creepy and compelling as her true purpose in her interactions with Stan is revealed.
4 Elizabeth (1998)
This breakout performance of a young Queen Elizabeth I earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Actress. Cate Blanchett's performance was so widely celebrated that it catapulted her to international recognition. She successfully portrays Elizabeth ascending the English throne and the trials she encounters from opposing forces and divisions from within her country.
This film is like looking through a window to another time, as its looming camera shots and vibrant scenes of action make it highly characteristic of a 1990s historical drama film. It is beautifully conceptualized, with Blanchett dominating the screen with her exceptional portrayal of a young Queen frustrated by those seeking to destroy her.
3 The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Based on the thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a thrilling psychological film that sees scam artist Tom Ripley traveling to Italy to persuade a rich man's son to return home to New York. In creating loyalty through lies, the plot unravels a series of very unexpected and thrilling events. This 1999 film is a testament to Highsmith's clever and colluded writing, as it continues to surprise even viewers who are familiar with the novel.
Blanchett does not have a large role in this thriller, and her part in the storyline as Meredith Logue was created specifically for the film. However, she unknowingly provides plenty of antagonism for Tom Ripley due to her ability to turn up in situations when Ripley least expects it. It is jarring as it panics him that his atrocious lies could unravel.
2 Carol (2015)
This Todd Haynes film is also based on one of Patricia Highsmith's novels and sees Blanchett portraying Carol, a woman going through a troublesome divorce who enters into a relationship with Therese. With positive LGBTQ+ representation for its faithful audience and an uplifting depiction of queer women, Carol has been named one of the best films of the twenty-first century and fits perfectly into the lesbian film subgenre.
Blanchett's performance as Carol is captivating as she portrays a woman in love. Her motivation to do right by her family whilst staying true to herself is hard-hitting. One of the shining elements of the film is how the camera lingers on Blanchett as Carol, particularly when she is looking as Therese. Her performance was enough to earn her an Academy Award nomination.
1 Blue Jasmine (2013)
For the role that resulted in her win for Best Actress win at the Academy Awards, Blue Jasmine is reminiscent of A Streetcar Named Desire as it portrays a story about Jasmine, a rich woman who loses everything and moves to San Francisco to live with her foster sister. Whilst her sister, Ginger, tries to help her the best she can, Jasmine seeks to make something of her life whilst struggling with her inner turmoil.
Jasmine struggles with a fall from grace which sees her in plenty of uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations. Blanchett portrays her character very well and tries not to be haunted by her past, which is a character type that she excels in. In many of the films featured in this list, Cate Blanchett portrays a character who is complicated and always very well-written.