Australian actress Samara Weaving hasn’t quite broken into the A-List, but there’s little doubt she’s destined for it. Ever since her three-episode role as Heather on Ash vs. Evil Dead, it’s become clear that she’s two things: a scream queen and a performer who’s capable of far more than screams.
Weaving would find her breakthrough into the cinematic world via horror, and she’ll more likely than not put out scary movies every now and then, but with roles in the recent release The Valet and HBO’s critically acclaimed Nine Perfect Strangers, it stands to reason that the actress will continue turning in phenomenal work in every genre.
Monster Trucks (2016) — 32%
Monster Trucks isn’t the most prestigious project in which Weaving has taken part, but it is a fine, light movie with a wide appeal.
Monster Trucks follows Tripp (Lucas Till), a high school student who is impressively proficient with automobile construction. When a tentacled creature finds itself alone and scared, surrounded by people who fear what they don’t understand, it finds someone worth caring for in Tripp. Weaving portrays Brianne, the girlfriend of one of Tripp’s bullies.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) — 35%
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins was an attempt to restart a dying franchise, but it didn’t succeed. While entertaining, the film is deeply flawed, including the fact that it has Weaving on board as Scarlett, one of the franchise’s better characters, yet it does very little with her.
The plot follows Henry Golding’s (Crazy Rich Asians) Snake Eyes, a deadly warrior with a lone wolf attitude and a score to settle. Fortunately, he finds himself in league with the shadowy Clan Arashikge, but he might make more enemies than friends.
Guns Akimbo (2019) — 51%
One of Daniel Radcliffe’s most iconic movies thus far just as it’s one of Weaving’s, Guns Akimbo is an inventive sci-fi actioner that takes aim at the video game industry and, specifically, those who fuel it.
An indictment of online toxicity and a look at an obsession with violence as long as the violence doesn’t directly impact our own lives, Guns Akimbo follows Radcliffe’s 20-something gamer who gets on the wrong side of some very bad people and wakes up with a gun bolted to each of his hands.
100% Wolf (2020) — 67%
While not on par critically with the best Disney animated movies, 100% Wolf did well with critics, to the point there’s a sequel in the pipeline for 2023.
The kid’s movie follows Freddy Lupin, a young werewolf with the goal of becoming the toughest of his bloodline. Unfortunately, he’s less of a fearsome lycanthrope than he is a sweet little poodle. Weaving portrays Batty, a stray pup colloquially called “Houdini” because of her talent for escaping well-trained captors.
The Valet (2022) — 71%
Hulu’s The Valet, a remake of a 2006 French film, features Weaving and Eugenio Derbez in charming, funny, romantic roles, yet their relationship is far more than it seems.
The plot follows Weaving’s Olivia, a movie star who gets caught smooching a married man. In that photo, as well, is a valet, Antonio (Derbez), who Olivia enlists to pose as her boyfriend so she doesn’t see her star power fade or her lover’s marriage die. Weaving brings her all to the movie, as does Derbez, and critics responded very positively.
The Babysitter (2017) — 72%
Bee, one of the most memorable movie babysitters, went a long way toward expanding Weaving’s exposure. Weaving carries The Babysitter, and every bit of its memorability is due to her.
While The Babysitter: Killer Queen didn’t match the modest bar set by the original, it also didn’t include Weaving in a prominent role. While the two aren’t necessarily related, The Babysitter greatly benefitted from giving the performer a role that was central and layered.
Bill & Ted Face The Music (2020) — 82%
After going on an Excellent Adventure with historical figures and a Bogus Journey down to Hell, Bill & Ted Face the Music as middle-aged men.
The plot follows the two dim best friends as they work on a song they’ve been told will save the world. On a separate adventure with a similar purpose are their daughters: Theodora “Thea” Preston and Wilhelmina “Billie” Logan. Weaving portrays Theodora, daughter of William S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter).
Mayhem (2017) — 84%
Mayhem is an office-set horror actioner that easily stands as one of Steven Yeun’s best movies as well as being one of Weaving’s.
Yeun portrays Derek Cho, an ambitious young man who has recently been terminated from his law firm for things beyond his control. However, tides may turn for him once a vicious virus permeates throughout the building. Weaving portrays Melanie Cross, a secret badass who attempted to appeal to Cho’s empathy and reason, only to be rejected. Now, the two must team up to survive the day.
Ready Or Not (2019) — 88%
Ready or Not, directed by Scream‘s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, is a masterful modern horror film that plays with tropes without making itself seem redundant. It’s an intelligent film with a lightning pace and a star-making turn from Weaving.
The performer portrays the lead role of Grace, a young woman who is marrying a seemingly-sweet guy at his affluent family’s estate. However, when someone is brought into the fold, they’re forced to play a game, which is chosen at random. Unfortunately, Grace has to play hide and seek, and the consequences of being found are deadly.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) — 91%
Martin McDonagh’s Oscar darling, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, is easily Weaving’s most well-reviewed film and it will probably stand as such for some time. With that said, Weaving’s role is rather small.
McDonagh’s film follows Frances McDormand’s Mildred Hayes, a woman whose daughter was murdered, yet Chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) and his force don’t seem to be able to track down the responsible party. So Hayes takes matters into her own hands and puts up some fairly provocative billboards, at the behest of her ex-husband, Charlie (John Hawkes). Weaving portrays Penelope, Charlie’s young new wife, who never quite seems to know what’s going on.
