Summary
Over the years,Kaya Scodelario’s filmography has included some incredible movies, but some were better than others.The astonishing actress made her start as a teenagerin one ofthe best TV shows of all time, the British dramaSkins. After her screen debut in 2007 as Effy Stonem, Scodelario went on to appear in several more brilliant projects.
Many of these titles varied greatly in terms of genre, withthe actress featured in stories that ranged from horror to drama to comedy to holiday-themed movies.Following the success of her career, Scodelario found further success and was applauded inreviews for the recent TV showThe Gentlemen.While Scodelario quickly became better known for her TV work, she also contributed stellar performances in plenty of popular and engaging films.
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10Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Role: Claire Redfield
Despite the mixedreviewsofResident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, Scodelario’s performance as Claire Redfield was notable. While theResident Evilmoviesweren’t always the most successful, in this particular installment,Scodelario was praised for the depth she brought to the character of Claire.
Much like the video game series,Scodelario’s Claire Redfield inResident Evilwas so much more than Chris’ younger sister. The actress’ past roles in thriller movies have been generally strong-willed and brave, and Claire was no different. One criticism ofResident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon Citywas a lack of characterization.
Even though Claire’s backstory was relatively absent, Scodelario still made the character realistic and relatable.Claire was compelling, and Scodelario’s portrayal of the vulnerable yet tough Redfield sibling was apparent throughout.This was especially clear in moments in which Claire was upset or in danger, in which the actress brilliantly demonstrated her emotional range as a performer.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
Cast
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is an action/horror movie that returns to the origins of the massively popular Resident Evil franchise. Fan and filmmaker Johannes Roberts brings the games to life for a new generation of fans. The once booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company’s exodus left the city a wasteland…with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, a group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.
Role: Carina Smyth
While she faced a lot of pressure after joining such a popular franchise so late, Scodelario’s performance as Carina Smyth inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Taleswas good.Dead Men Tell No Talesreceived a varied response from critics and audiences, butone factor that was consistently highlighted was Carina’s subplot.
The smart and ambitious astronomer crossed paths with the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow early in the movie’s runtime, although Carina was far more interesting than the film series’ lead. What worked so well about Scodelario’s character was that she wasn’t second to Sparrow, and she wasn’t just an accessory to the famous pirate.
Scodelario did a great job of ensuring the character didn’t slip into the archetype of the damsel-in-distress.
Scodelario’s chemistry with Brenton Thwaites, who played Henry Turner, was spectacular, too. Even in moments where Carina faced prejudices, especially regarding her intelligence or societal purpose,Scodelario did a great job of ensuring the character didn’t slip into the archetype of the damsel-in-distress.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
The fifth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales follows young Henry Turner as he enlists Captain Jack Sparrow to release his father, Will Turner, from the curse binding him to the Flying Dutchman. Their quest puts them in the path of ghostly pirate-hunter Captain Salazar, with whom Sparrow has a storied past. To save his old friend, Sparrow must confront his own past to reunite Will with his long-lost son.
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8This Is Christmas
Role: Emma
This Is Christmaswas a rather different project for Scodelario compared to her previous work. In theChristmas rom-com movie, Scodelario played Emma, a London worker who was invited to a holiday party by fellow commuter Adam.Both the actress and Alfred Enoch, who portrayed Adam, were celebrated for their on-screen rapport, which perfectly added to the Christmas spirit and overall tone of the film.
Some of their most vulnerable moments drove the movie’s emotional narrative, which made the story more natural and believable. However,the best part about Scodelario’s performance was Emma’s character development.Emma beganThis Is Christmasas quiet and reserved, but by the end, she’d come out of her shell and was more decisive.
DID YOU KNOW:Both Kaya Scodelario and Alfred Enoch are half Brazilian.
Emma was more complex than the average rom-com female protagonist, and Scodelario presented the character’s flaws in a gritty and accurate way. Despite Emma being otherwise likable, one criticism of the actress’ performance was that her character took some time to connect with.
This Is Christmas
This Is Christmas (2022) follows an eclectic group of commuters who ride the same train every day and realize their lives are interconnected. As they come together to celebrate the holiday season, their shared experiences spark unexpected friendships and joyful connections. Directed by Chris Foggin, the film is a heartwarming tale celebrating community and the spirit of Christmas.
7Don’t Make Me Go (2022)
Role: Annie
Scodelario’s moving role as Annie inDon’t Make Me Gowas beautiful, both in moments that were heartbreaking and warming.Annie was the girlfriend of Max, a father to a teenage daughter with a terminal illness who set off on a cross-country trip.Despite Scodelario being less prominent in the film compared to her previous roles, she still stood out inreviews forDon’t Make Me Go.
Annie’s characterization was authentic yet complicated, which Scodelario enacted brilliantly.Annie and Max’s relationship wasn’t serious, but his diagnosis changed their dynamics and added drama to the tone of the film. Scodelario’s connection with Max actor John Cho was also notable, despite their limited screen time together.
While their relationship was, at times, an odd factor in the movie, Annie’s existence inDon’t Make Me Goworked well. Annie wasn’t an evil stepmother or tried to be an obstacle in Max’s relationship with his daughter,which gave Scodelario the opportunity to portray a character that refreshingly differed from the stereotype.
Don’t Make Me Go
Don’t Make Me Go is a 2022 drama directed by Hannah Marks. The film stars John Cho as Max, a single father who discovers he has a terminal illness. Determined to make lasting memories, Max takes his teenage daughter Wally, played by Mia Isaac, on a road trip to find her estranged mother. As they journey together, the film explores themes of family, love, and the challenges of facing life’s uncertainties.
6Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile (2019)
Role: Carole Ann Boone
Scodelario appeared as Carole Ann Boone in the incredibleNetflix movie based on a true story:Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.Her performance as the wife of famous serial killer Ted Bundywas eerie but engaging and became stronger as the movie progressed.
As Boone reunited with Bundy, fell in love with him, and married him during his trial, Scodelario’s dramatic talents became increasingly visible.The nuance the actress brought to the character highlighted the complexities of Booneand how easily she fell for Bundy’s manipulation. Her chemistry with Bundy actor Zac Efron in theTed Bundy moviealso played a big part in her success in the role.
While Efron’s presence as the charming Bundy was very prominent, Scodelario ensured that her character was still important. This was especially evident in moments when her character’s loyalty to Bundy was under pressure, and Scodelario was praised for these particularly emotional and tense scenes.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
A dramatized film based on the true story of the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile tells the story as read by a former girlfriend, Elizabeth Kendall. The film explores Elizabeth’s life with Bundy. It chronicles the various arrests and allegations levied against him and the chaos Elizabeth and her daughter went through via their approximation with the killer.
5The Maze Runner (2014)
Role: Teresa
Scodelario was a noteworthy part ofThe Maze Runnercast. Teresa was the only main female character, butthe actress did an amazing job of ensuring that she wasn’t overshadowed by the various large personalities surrounding her.The role of Teresa helped Scodelario’s movie career soar massively, despite having previously starred in multiple big theatrical titles.
Teresa’s connection with Thomas, played by Dylan O’Brien, was set up fascinatingly. Teresa already had a past with Thomas, which added more layers to both actors’ solid performances. Although Teresa’s character could have been more developed, which thankfully happened in laterThe Maze Runnermovies,her first appearance encapsulated the mystery and strength of her personality.
Scodelario was great at translating Teresa’s determination to the silver screen, which made the suspenseful atmosphere of the film even better. The best part of Teresa’s character, however, was how she didn’t let being the only girl impact her, which Scodelario brilliantly layered into her delivery.
The Maze Runner
The first installment in the Maze Runner franchise, The Maze Runner, is based on James Dashner’s 2009 novel of the same name. When sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up in the middle of an intricate maze with no memory, he falls in with a group of other boys who have been working to find their way out of the labyrinth. The maze is filled with deadly techno-organic creatures, and Thomas strives to find his way out of the maze while trying to recover his lost identity.
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4Wuthering Heights (2011)
Role: Catherine Earnshaw
Scodelario led one of the best interpretations of theromantic period drama movieWuthering Heightsas Catherine Earnshaw. While Bronte’s iconic character Cathy was always bold and very different compared to other women of that time period, Scodelario brought a new angle to her.
Between the brooding looks and emotional body language, Scodelario truly became Cathy.
Thisadaptation ofWuthering Heightsdiverted from the source material through James Howson as Heathcliff, who was born into slavery, which made the already complicated storyline between the two lovers even more complex. However, this provided a great challenge that Scodelario nailed.Between the brooding looks and emotional body language, Scodelario truly became Cathy.
Scodelario’s raw and intense take on the legendary Gothic literary figure was brilliant when she was both alone on-screen and with others.Her ability to convey Cathy’s turbulent feelings throughout the many stages of her difficult relationship with Heathcliff was significantly praised,allowing the actress to show off her acting range well. The chemistry Scodelario shared with Howson was also notable, which was important for the film’s storyline, and it highlighted just how tragic Cathy and Heathcliff’s love story was.
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights, directed by Andrea Arnold, is a film adaptation set in the late 18th-century Yorkshire moorlands, following Heathcliff, rescued by Mr. Earnshaw, as he develops an intense relationship with his foster sister Cathy, set against the backdrop of a secluded farm.
3Crawl (2019)
Role: Haley
The 2019 movieCrawlwasanother project that was different from Scodelario’s past works, but it was one that she was hugely successful in. Scodelario starred alongside Barry Pepper as father and daughter Haley and Dave, who become trapped underneath their home during a hurricane and are forced to defend themselves against a group of violent alligators.
Despite the somewhat cheesy premise, especially for a horror film, Scodelario’s acting inCrawlmade the film suspenseful.Scodelario’s role as Haley led to her nomination for Best Actress at the National Film & TV Awards in 2019.Even though she lost to one ofJennifer Lopez’s best movies,Hustlers, her performance was still celebrated.
It was gripping both physically and emotionally, with Haley quickly jumping between action-packed sequences and profound conversations with her father.Scodelario took an already brave character and made her more dimensional,andCrawl’s flashback scenes served as a great way of displaying this to audiences.
Crawl
Crawl is a horror thriller set during a Florida Hurricane. It follows a young woman named Haley who refuses to heed the mandatory evacuation order to search for her father, who went missing at the beginning of the storm. When Haley finds her father seriously injured, they discover the hurricane is the least of their problems. Suddenly, their home is besieged by a group of massive alligators looking for their next meal.
2Moon (2009)
Role: Eve Bell
2009’sMoonwas Scodelario’s first movie. The actress played Eve Bell, the daughter of the main character, astronaut Sam. Despite her limited screen time, she still managed to steal the spotlight in her minimal scenes. What worked so well about this character, however, was thatScodelario’s most impactful moments inMoonalways saw on her own.
Eve was always separated from Sam, which created quite the acting challenge. Her innocence and the fact she was so unaware of who her father was contributed to the eerie and isolated tone ofMoon. Even though Scodelario’s role was small,her appearance helped drive the emotional elements of the narrative.
Her sweet and almost naive conversation with Sam, especially when he discovered that her mother and his wife had died years previously, was integral to Sam’s character development inMoon. Considering thatMoonwasthe actress’ first stint in the movie world, her brief yet nuanced performance was a stellar introduction to the silver screen for Scodelario.
Moon
Duncan Jones presents Moon, a sci-fi mystery drama that follows Astronaut Sam Bell, who has spent the last three years working at a lunar mine in isolation and is coming up at the end of his shift. However, as Sam prepares to return home to his family and meet his daughter for the first time, he begins to experience vivid hallucinations of a younger version of himself and begins to experience hazardous events. Before Lunar Industries arrives to relieve him of duty, he must uncover the reason for his recent psychosis and free himself of his mental prison.
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1The Truth About Emanuel (2013)
Role: Emanuel
The Truth About Emanuelproduced one of Scodelario’s most compelling performances to date. Scodelario played the titular character,a 17-year-old girl in deep turmoil and haunted by the death of her mother.Emanuel’s grief and battle with guilt were simply beautiful, and the actress amazingly translated the character’s obsessive concern that her mother’s demise during childbirth was her own fault.
Emanuel’s swimming dream sequence was a perfect demonstration of Scodelario’s talents.
There were some parallels between Emanuel and Scodelario’sSkinscharacter Effy Stonem, but there was never a moment in which the two were too similar.Emanuel’s swimming dream sequence was a perfect demonstration of Scodelario’s talents.
The heartbreaking scene caused the character to slip into her delusional yet touching memories, which shone a light on the film’s themes of motherhood and psychological trauma.The Truth About Emanuelwas awarded the Ashland Independent Film Award for Best Acting Ensemble in 2013, and while the accolade was shared with the rest of the cast,Kaya Scodelarioeasily stood out from the rest of the group.
The Truth about Emanuel
The Truth About Emanuel, directed by Francesca Gregorini, stars Kaya Scodelario as Emanuel, a troubled young woman who becomes intrigued by her new neighbor, Linda (Jessica Biel). What begins as a friendship soon spirals into a journey that forces Emanuel to confront her emotions and haunting past. The film intertwines themes of loss, delusion, and acceptance while maintaining a sense of mystery.
