There aren’t many figures in Hollywood who have experienced a career as diverse and a filmography as varied asKristen Stewart. She has one of the most interesting careers in Hollywood, transitioning from being a teen sensation to atarget for the criticsin the international breakout hitTwilightto anOscar-worthy actress. Stewart has proved herself as an enduring and more-than-capable actor, and her filmography is quite unlike anyone at her level in the movie business. With varying roles ranging from indie gems to huge blockbuster successes, her career has taken her tomany major film festivalsand destinations around the world. Stewart has also recently embarked on endeavours as a director, making her a up-and-coming powerhouse in Hollywood.
Stewart began acting at a young age and was initially discovered by a talent scout in her school Christmas play when she was just 8 years old, leading to a role inPanic Roomalongside Jodie Foster and earning her a nomination for the Young Artist award. Her career would then skyrocket after the success of theTwilightfranchise, entrapping Stewart in a media frenzy and making her one of the most talked about figures of the late 2000s. After the success ofTwilight, Stewart was able to recraft her image, which was so often skewed by the media, through her undertaking of indie film roles, proving her versatility as an actress. Stewart’s career is fascinating, so let’s discuss the best Kristen Stewart movies.
Kristen Stewart’s career was completely changed by 2008’sTwilight, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and based on Stephanie Meyer’s 2005 novel of the same name, so it wouldn’t be right to discuss her filmography without discussing the cult classic where she played the main character, Bella Swan.Twilightwould become a cultural phenomenon, launching the three main cast members, Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner into international superstardom. The teen vampire movie generated a strong fan base who are famously passionate, making theTwilightsaga a phenomenon reminiscent of a modern Beatle mania. Stewart wouldreflect later in her career on the intensity of playing a part which held such significance to fans.Twilightmay have been famously scrutinised by critics, but it nonetheless remains a cultural relic and is certainly a defining milestone in Stewart’s career.
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7Panic Room
Stewarts first major role came when she was only 11 years old in David Fincher’sPanic Room. Stewart acted alongside Foster, playing her daughter as they fend off intruders in their home. Stewart delivered a strong performance, earning her a Young Artist Award nomination, and the depth of her talent was apparent even at such a young age.Panic Roomwas a strong start to Stewart’s career and a pivotal moment when discussing her filmography.
6Into the Wild
Stewart starred in Sean Penn’s 2007 indie darlingInto the Wild. The movie tells the real-life story of Christopher McCandless, a man who hiked across America and into the Alaskan wilderness in the 90s.Into the Wildis an excellent move and received strong critical praise. Stewart plays a supporting role, Tracy, however it’s easy to be drawn to her strong performance. What’s more, the movie comes at an interesting point in Stewart’s career, just before she would be launched into stardom inTwilight.
5Happiest Seaon
Stewart proved her versatility as an actor in Clea DuVall’s 2020 Hulu romantic holiday drama,Happiest Season. Stewart delivers a strong comedic performance as Abby, starring alongside Mackenzie Davis who plays her girlfriend as she struggles to come out to her conservative family during the holiday season. The scenario was inspired by director DuVall’s own experiences, and is a refreshing take on the overdone holiday romance film, more suited to modern day life.
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4Still Alice
Still Aliceis a 2014 film directed and written by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland based on Lisa Genova’s 2007 best-selling novel of the same name. Stewart stars alongside Julianne Moore (who plays the titular Alice), portraying her onscreen daughter, Lydia. The film tells the story of Alice, who develops early onset dementia, and Stewart delivers a genuinely moving performancedepicting the devastation experience at the hands of the disease, making for a beautiful film that was very well received by audiences.
3Clouds of Sils Maria
Stewart was cast in Olivier Assayas’ 2014 filmClouds of Sils Maria. Stewart plays Valentine, who is an assistant to actress Maria, played by Juliette Binoche. Their relationship develops and sexual tensions ensure, making for abeautifully shot film with stellar performances from the cast. Interestingly, Stewart would remark who this andPersonal Shopper,the second film she made with Assayaswere some of the only films she starred in which she considered ‘good’.
2Personal Shopper
Stewart would collaborate with Assayas again in 2016 withPersonal Shopper. Stewart plays Maureen, a young American woman working as a personal assistant in Paris who attempts to communicate with her deceased twin brother. The film was well received by critics and Stewart’s performance was strong and the film is notable for being difficult to categorise, dealing with the pain of heartbreak to the backdrop of a haunting ghostly narrative.
Stewart has recently been causing a wave for her role inSpencer, Pablo Larraín’s psychological drama depicting the events which led to Princess Diana’s decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles. Stewart’s performance is arguably the best of her career, generating Oscar buzz and receiving rave reviews. Stewart makes a convincing Diana, and the film is a fresh take on the subject which has been brought to big and small screens several times before. The film focuses on a short time frame, making psychological struggles the main subject matter instead of retelling the whole story which audiences already know.
