The Best Margot Robbie Movies, from ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Birds of Prey’ to ‘Babylon’ and ‘Barbie’
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2023 is a good year to be Margot Robbie. For one, the Aussie actor is starring in what may be the biggest hit of her career: “Barbie.” Greta Gerwig’s irreverent take on the iconic Mattel doll line is lighting the box office on fire — with the potential to cross the $1 billion line worldwide. But this year also marks another milestone for Robbie. In December, she’ll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the Martin Scorsese movie that made her a star.
Robbie didn’t exactly become famous overnight, though it felt like that for some American audiences in 2013. The then 22 year old was already well known in her native Australia for her regular part in iconic soap opera “Neighbours,” which she booked in 2008 when she was just 18. But for those outside Australia, audiences whose only (unlikely) exposure to Robbie was the failed ABC “Mad Men” coattail chaser “Pan Am,” her brash and hilarious performance in “The Wolf of Wall Street” was a proper star-is-born moment. Robbie more than held her own against an established great, Leonardo DiCaprio, and delivered the kind of acting turn that promises many great roles to come.
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Since then, Robbie has acted consistently, although the films she’s chosen haven’t always lived up to her abilities. Much of Robbie’s career has been spent in the trenches of the DC Extended Universe, which makes you wonder what great work she could have been doing outside of the franchise — although it’s hard to begrudge her, given how definitive her hyperactive take on comic book favorite Harley Quinn feels. Then there’s the less than spectacular films she did great work in, from misfires like “Bombshell” to little remembered flops like “The Legend of Tarzan” to recent disasters, such as “Amsterdam.”
Robbie’s best work has often come in smaller roles, or in good but flawed films. She only has brief appearances in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “Asteroid City,” but she runs away with both films as an unquestionable highlight. Conversely, she’s at the center of “Babylon” and “I, Tonya,” two divisive movies, but even their detractors wouldn’t deny the greatness of Robbie’s performances.
What makes Robbie a good actor? For one, you can’t deny her inherent magnetism; it’s hard to take your eyes off her when she’s onscreen. But beyond the obvious movie star quality, Robbie has a willingness to go big, as seen in her hammy performances in “Babylon” or as Harley Quinn, that doesn’t detract from her ability to play subtle, quieter moments. More than anything, there’s a disarming earnestness and joy to Robbie that shines through in her best work: from the sweet Sharon Tate in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…” to her curious and frustrated “Barbie,” Robbie’s characters wear their hearts on their sleeves, and make it easy for the audience to root for her in the process.
In honor of “Barbie,” IndieWire rounded up and ranked Robbie’s greatest film roles. These movies are ranked not necessarily by their quality, but by Robbie’s performance in them. Plus, we’ve included an honorable mention for our favorite Margot Robbie cameo. Read on because this Barbie can act.
Check out IndieWire’s guide to The Best Ryan Gosling Movies.
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