Carey Mulligan is a dedicated and talented English actress who has been acting for roughly 16 years and counting. However, she is finally getting her due credit with her recently released movie, Promising Young Woman. Critics and audiences are raving about the actress for her portrayal of Cassie, calling her bold and captivating in her newest film. Now, Mulligan is in possible consideration for the top acting awards in the upcoming award season.

Throughout her career, Mulligan has featured in several movies, from periodic romances to thriller-dramas. Additionally, she has featured in several critically acclaimed films, many of them adaptations of novels in which she plays strong female characters.

10 Northanger Abbey (2007) – 7.2

Northanger Abbey is one of the two Jane Austen influenced works that Mulligan has starred in and make it on this list. It is a coming-of-age drama that mocks the Gothic novel genre in which a young girl tries to understand what love is like in the real world, but misunderstands its nature from reading these Gothic novels.

Carey Mulligan plays Isabella Thorpe, who is a close friend of the central character, Catherine Morland. The movie is also one of several period pieces that Mulligan has featured in.

9 Far From The Madding Crowd (2015) – 7.2

Based on the 1874 novel by Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd exemplifies the testament of love and fate between two people. After Bathsheba Everdene rejects a local farmer’s marriage proposal, things unfold when they continue to cross paths with each other.

As the fourth adaptation of the novel, the film was noted for its bona fide retelling of the story with great direction and captivating performances. The chemistry between Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts was also said to be genuine and beautiful. Mulligan elegantly and flawlessly captured the essence of Bathsheba Everdene from the novel. Many critics consider her rendition of Everdene as one of the best.

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8 Shame (2011) – 7.2

In this erotic drama, Brandon Sullivan is a bachelor in New York City and having the time of his life. Unfortunately, he struggles as a sex addict, and his life gets even more complicated when his sister moves in with him. Shame is directed by Steve McQueen and also stars Michael Fassbender.

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Considering the film is rated NC-17, Mulligan’s role as Sissy Sullivan is her boldest and most unusual role. However, it showed the actress’s willingness to go beyond her comfort zone of typical and innocent female characters. The actress also sings in the movie during one scene and she did not go unnoticed for her performance, receiving a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Movie Supporting Actress.

7 The Great Gatsby (2013) – 7.2

Based on the 1925 book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a writer recalls his moments in New York City during the roaring 20s, as the neighbor of a millionaire, Jay Gatsby. He especially highlights the blossoming and passionate relationship between his cousin Daisy and Gatsby. Alongside Carey Mulligan as the lead female character, the movie has an ensemble cast consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.

The Great Gatsby is one of these films where the critics hated the movie, but the general audience loved it. The movie is admired for its vibrant visuals depicting the 1920s, with many finding it to be overall entertaining.

6 An Education (2009) – 7.3

An Education is centered around a young schoolgirl, played by Carey Mulligan, and her exploration of the real world as an upcoming adult. Along the way, she meets an older gentleman and slowly develops a relationship with him, which only distracts the young student from her future studies.

It is no surprise that Mulligan’s first major movie in a leading role was also her breakthrough. Considering that she had a standout performance, she was nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress. She won her first BAFTA as Jenny Mellor and since then has become one of the most recognizable and sought out actresses in Hollywood.

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5 Mudbound (2017) – 7.4

Directed by Dee Rees, Mudbound follows a powerful story of two families whose story converges and intertwines during a period of war and racism. The movie was critically praised for its brilliant screenplay and strong performances by the cast.

Playing the mother and wife Laura McAllan, Mulligan easily and naturally adapts to her role. Although outshone by Mary J. Blige, Mulligan still gave a memorable performance in the movie.

4 Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) – 7.5

In this comedy-drama, a folk singer struggles to make a career in music and deals with the consequences. He eventually seeks some close friend’s help to make his big break and become a profound musician.

Mulligan teamed up with the Coen Brothers for 2013’s Inside Llewyn Davis. She plays a frustrated ex-lover of Llewyn Davis, Jean. Like some of her other films, Mulligan also performed songs live in the movie, showing range and authenticity in her role.

3 Pride & Prejudice (2005) – 7.8

Based on the 1813 novel by Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice primarily focuses on the second child, Elizabeth Bennet, as she meets the peculiar Mr. Darcy. As the daughters slowly come of age, they look for potential suitors for marriage, while also dealing with those who may jeopardize their plans of finding true love.

Mulligan made her film debut in this romantic drama, another Jane Austen adaptation. She played Kitty Bennet, one of the younger siblings of the Bennet family. Although portraying a supporting character, Mulligan was vibrant in her role and complemented her prominent co-stars, Rosamund Pike and Keira Knightley. This adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is considered to be one of the best.

2 Drive (2011) – 7.8

In this action thriller, a driver, who never reveals his name, works different jobs as a Hollywood stuntman and getaway driver. However, one day, he becomes enamored by a beautiful neighbor and her son. Unfortunately, things get complicated for the driver when her husband returns from jail and a robbery goes wrong.

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In Drive, Carey Mulligan starred alongside an incredible cast, consisting of Ryan Gosling and Oscar Isaac. Although she was merely a supporting character as the innocent and hardworking mother, Mulligan gave quite a convincing performance in the movie and had great chemistry with Gosling. The actress earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as Irene.

1 Skylight (2014) – 8.5

Skylight is a live play that was eventually released as a movie, similarly executed like Hamilton. The play made into a film centers on a schoolteacher named Kyra Hollis, who receives a visit from an older ex-lover.

It is no surprise that Mulligan has a background in theater. As usual, she received praise for her performance in the leading role. The play itself was also well-received by critics for its touching story.

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About The Author


Fariba Rezwan
(165 Articles Published)

Based in South Florida, Fariba Rezwan is a list writer for CBR and Screen Rant. Though working on her graduate degree at the University of Florida, her science education does not take away her love of movies and TV shows. She is a huge geek and considers herself a huge fan of many fandoms, including Star Wars, Marvel, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, and many more. Expect to see her watch movies on the first day they come out. While she will watch any film, she especially likes superheroes, mysteries, sci-fi, and thrillers. However, since she is in her early 20s, she also takes the time to educate herself about cinema by watching classics and well-received films. While she aspires to become a physician one day, she also hopes to try out screenwriting during her spare time.

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