Melanie Lynskey’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked By IMDb

Melanie Lynskey is a prolific character actress who has been giving standout supporting character performances in films for many years. Since bursting into the spotlight as half of the murderous pair in Heavenly Creatures as a teen, the native New Zealander has been a recognizable face in critical darling movies like Up In The Air and has had strong turns in television on shows such as Two and a Half Men and Togetherness.

She is currently receiving rave reviews and award season buzz from her leading role as Shauna in Showtime’s Yellowjackets. Lynskey’s signature portrayal of a soft-spoken good girl with an edge shines in many of her top-rated films.

10 I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore (2017) 6.9

Lynskey’s leading turn in Netflix’s I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore is a testament to her talent for characters on an emotional cliff.

Like her Yellowjackets character, Shauna, who goes through the motions as a good wife and mother, Ruth is shown as a good citizen, putting others’ needs first but emotionally hanging by a thread. A robbery proves to be the breaking point, leading to a series of darkly comedic escalating events as she seeks retribution alongside Elijah Wood as Tony.

9 Away We Go (2009) 7.0

Away We Go is a charming dramedy about an expecting couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph) on a quest to find a place to call home.

Directed by Sam Mendes of American Beauty fame, the ensemble cast of friends and family they visit on their cross-country road trip includes Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Allison Janney, to name a few. Lynskey plays Munch alongside Chris Messina’s Tom, college friends who outwardly mask a troubled relationship, and she received high critical praise for her role.

8 Win Win (2011) 7.1

Director Tom McCarthy gives his trademark Sundance darling treatment of comedic drama and found-family connections first seen in The Station Agent to Win Win. Like other McCarthy films, the characters are flawed but find meaningful relationships in unconventional situations.

Billions star, Paul Giamatti, is a less than moral lawyer who takes charge of a young wrestler with a troubled home life. Lynskey always excels in character-driven dramas, and it is great to see her as the fresh-out-of-rehab mother, Cindy.

7 Shattered Glass (2003) 7.1

Shattered Glass tells the true story of the rise and fall of young journalist Stephen Glass, a writer for the New Republic who infamously fabricated stories in an attempt to gain fame.

Lynskey plays the character of Amy Brand in the movie, with Hayden Christensen in the lead as Glass. Her character is of a somewhat naive colleague who has almost a sort of caretaker/protector role when it comes to Glass. While it isn’t a huge part, Lynskey stands out in a strong roster of supporting cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard and Chloë Sevigny.

6 Flags Of Our Fathers (2006) 7.1

Clint Eastwood’s epic war drama Flags of Our Fathers brings to life the iconic photo of the soldiers who raised the flag at Iwo Jima and follows the story of the three surviving soldiers after they return home from war. The movie was heavily lauded when it was released, including earning four stars from Roger Ebert.

Lynskey, in another standout supporting role, plays the wife of one of the returning heroes, Keyes Beech (Jesse Bradford). Eastwood is one of the few A-list actors who successfully transitioned to become a prolific director, and Flags of Our Fathers is one of many great Eastwood biopics.

5 Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Ever After is one of the best of many non-Disney movie adaptations of the Cinderella fairytale, although now Disney owns it through their acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Starring Drew Barrymore in the titular role, the Cinderella of this world is smart and capable, with no fairy godmother necessary. Instead of magic, she befriends and receives advice and assistance from the famous Leonardo DaVinci, leading to one of the most visually stunning ball arrivals of any Cinderella.

The movie is full of great tweaks to the story. Anjelica Huston’s stepmother is particularly terrifying in her attempts to belittle Cinderella, and Lynskey, as a stepsister also on the receiving end of the abuse, has a delightful redemption arc.

4 Heavenly Creatures (1994) 7.3

Lynskey is no stranger to the horrific capabilities of teenage girls. Many years before her Yellowjackets role, Lynskey had her acting debut at the age of 16 in Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures opposite Kate Winslet. The movie recounts the true story of a dangerous friendship between two girls in the 1950s.

The darkly disturbing tale follows the intense relationship between the girls and their increasing detachment from reality, eventually leading to murder. Lynskey’s quiet darkness in Heavenly Creatures is a great preview of her capabilities as an actress and showcases the emotional depth she brings to her roles.

3 Up In The Air (2009) 7.4

Up In The Air was a breakaway hit when it was released, receiving a whopping six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. A charming character drama, the film has what is considered one of George Clooney’s best performances of all time as Ryan Bingham, a solitary man who travels the country firing people.

The film touches on the importance of human connection in an increasingly separated world. Lynskey gives a charming performance as Bingham’s sister, Julie, a nice, sweet midwestern bride marrying Danny McBride’s Jim.

2 Don’t Look Up (2021) 7.5

Star-studded doomsday black comedy Don’t Look Up is the latest movie from Adam McKay, who was at the helm of legendary comedies like Anchorman and is the co-founder of internet hub and production company, Funny Or Die.

After a limited theatrical release, the movie had its streaming release on Netflix Christmas Day to polarizing reviews. Lynskey is part of the star-studded cast as the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s comet-discovering astrophysicist. The hype of the movie piggybacking on the critical success of Yellowjackets is making for a banner year for Lynskey.

1 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012) 7.9

A teen drama that is loyal to the novel source material, The Perks of Being a Wallflower hits home as the story of a social outsider trying to find their place in high school.

Lynskey plays Aunt Helen, a pivotal character in Charlie’s story. She dies when he is a child and her death, along with his best friend’s recent death by suicide, threatens Charlie’s mental health due to his repressed memories of her sexual abuse. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the most loved coming-of-age movies and deals with some difficult topics and the struggles of teen life.

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