Julia Garner hails from the United States, where she works as both a model and an actress. She has gained significant recognition for her performances in various TV shows and films. Notably, she played key roles in the series ‘The Americans’ (2015-2018), the Netflix miniseries ‘Maniac’ (2018), the Bravo true-crime series ‘Dirty John’ (2018-2019), and takes on the lead role in the Netflix miniseries ‘Inventing Anna’ (2022). In movies, she has appeared in ‘Electrick Children’ (2012), ‘We Are What We Are’ (2013), ‘Grandma’ (2015), and ‘The Assistant’ (2019).
In this write-up, we’ll present a collection of the top 20 acting performances by Julia Garner. We will separate them into two distinct categories, highlighting her outstanding film roles and her impressive television appearances. Keep in mind that the works are not ranked in any specific order.
This way, you can easily explore both sides of Julia’s remarkable talent as an actress!
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Susan
Release Date: 2012
On his inaugural day at high school, Charlie finds it challenging to engage with others due to his timidity. However, as time passes, he forms friendships – one with an upperclassman named Sam and another with his half-brother Patrick of the same age. They invite him to the annual school party and subsequently, a private gathering at someone’s residence. It is there that Charlie is served dessert without realizing it contains cannabis.
Because of the drug causing him to become more relaxed, Charlie begins discussing himself with his friends and finds they have many shared interests. Simultaneously, the young man develops a strong bond with his literature teacher who, like him, loves writing.
2. Electrick Children – Rachel McKnight
Release Date: 2012
15-year-old Rachel resides in a Mormon settlement in Utah, surrounded by her extended family. One unexpected day, she learns she’s expecting, and she starts believing it was caused by her surreptitious listening to a cassette tape owned by one of her brothers.
Her parents uncover a secret about her, which they believe to be incestuous acts involving her brother. They cast him out from their community and compel her to marry the same day. However, Rachel, convinced she is like the Virgin Mary, decides to flee into the night in pursuit of the man she believes is her father, heading for Las Vegas.
3. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For – Marcie
Release Date: 2014
The incidents detailed happened long prior to A Death Binge. At that time, Dwight McCarthy was a photographer who worked for envious spouses, capturing their husbands in the act of infidelity. On his final assignment, after saving Sally, a young prostitute, from her boyfriend Joey, he brought her back to the Old Town, which was the territory where they resided.
After getting back home, he gets a call from Ava Lord, an ex-love of his who hasn’t been forgotten, inviting him to meet up at Kadie’s Bar that very night. Upon arrival, she expresses her regret for cutting off contact with him and explains that she married Damien Lord, a wealthy man who terrifies her and is constantly followed by a menacing bodyguard named Manute.
He arrives at Kadie’s Bar, interrupting the conversation between the two and taking Ava away.
4. The Assistant – Jane
Release Date: 2019
In a more simplified and conversational style, the sentence could be rephrased as follows: Jane, who’s recently become the personal assistant to a prominent movie producer (let’s call him Pulcinella), spends her days in an office where his secretive sexual misconduct is a well-kept industry secret.
5. Hair Brained – Shauna
Release Date: 2014
At just 14 years of age, Eli Pettifog finds himself dismissed from Harvard University. Subsequently, he makes his way to Whitman College, where he swiftly befriends Leo Searly.
6. We Are What We Are – Rose Parker
Release Date: 2013
As a movie enthusiast, let me rephrase it: In our ordinary household, we’re not unlike any other family. Yet, there’s an unusual twist – we consume human flesh daily. The patriarch manages a camping business and has a pastime of putting together intricate clocks in an old shed. My wife is deeply religious and focuses on educating our children. Young Rory is petrified that monsters dwell in the basement. Our elder daughters, Rose and Iris, maintain their innocence, but a tragic incident will compel them to assume the grim responsibility of procuring the meat for our meals.
7. Martha Marcy May Marlene – Sarah
Release Date: 2011
Martha, formerly known as Marcy May, flees from an oppressive group nestled in the Catskill Mountains. She finds sanctuary in a nearby town and has dinner at a restaurant. During this meal, a fellow cult member approaches her, attempting to coax her back into their ranks, but she firmly declines. Martha then contacts her sibling Lucy by phone.
The woman takes her in and decides to accommodate her at their shared vacation residence in Connecticut with her spouse, Ted, as an alternative option. In a brief recollection, Martha encounters cult leader Patrick for the first time. Patrick gives her the new name Marcy May and integrates her into his group as a close associate of his, welcoming her to the sect.
8. Grandma – Sage
Release Date: 2015
As a moviegoer, I’d rephrase it like this: I’m a film lover and here’s my take on a character named Elle, who happens to be a lesbian poet. For the past 38 years, she was in a relationship with Violet. Sadly, Violet has recently passed away, leaving me grappling with the past. Struggling to create a new chapter in my life, I ended up terminating a four-month relationship with a younger admirer named Olivia, dismissing our bond as insignificant. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more complicated, my 18-year-old niece shows up unexpectedly at my doorstep.
As a passionate cinephile, I found myself in an unexpected situation when my friend Sage confided in me that she was pregnant and in need of $630 for an abortion, scheduled just a few hours away. Strapped for cash after covering expenses for my ex-partner, Sage’s financial situation was equally dire as her credit card had been blocked by her overbearing mother. With determination and hope, we embarked on a whirlwind adventure across the bustling cityscape of Los Angeles in search of the funds needed to help Sage navigate this challenging time.
9. Everything Beautiful Is Far Away – Rola
Release Date: 2017
In simpler terms, Lernert traverses an arid terrain, rummaging through mounds of waste in order to construct a physical form for his partner Susan. The silent robot’s head, suspended from the back of his pack, hangs like a pendant.
This threesome encounters Rola, a lively young lady who may not be skilled in surviving, but her unwavering resolve more than compensates. Together, this unexpected group embarks on a journey through the merciless desert, seeking a legendary water source that might restore their dwindling supplies and rekindle their spirit to persevere.
10. The Last Exorcism Part II – Gwen
Release Date: 2013
Following the happenings from the first movie, a pair discovers Nell Sweetzer, exhibiting a demonic countenance, near their refrigerator. She is swiftly admitted to the hospital due to her catatonic condition. Later, she is placed under the care of Frank Merle’s family residence for girls. After several months, Nell adapts to her new surroundings and even secures employment as a waitress in a hotel.
One day, she and her new companions attend a town’s costume procession, and it’s during this time that Nell starts feeling the presence of Abalam resurfacing within her. Tragically, those close to Nell start dying, all under the control of the demonic force. In fact, even her boyfriend is compelled by the sinister entity to take his own life.
11. Ozark – Ruth Langmore
Release Date: 2017–2022
As a movie enthusiast, let me put myself in the shoes of Marty, a Chicago-based financial advisor with an unconventional side hustle – I’m talking about cleaning up illicit funds for Mexican drug cartels. But when life takes an unexpected turn and trouble brews closer than expected, my family (wife Wendy, and our kids Charlotte and Jonah) and I decide to pack up and escape to a picturesque resort nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. We cleverly convince Del Río, our boss from south of the border, that this idyllic location presents an effortless opportunity for large-scale money laundering.
12. The Americans – Kimberly Breland
Release Date: 2015–2018
The narrative unfolds in the ’80s, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency – a time marked by tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Undercover Soviet spies, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, have been living for fifteen years on the outskirts of Washington D.C., disguised as a married couple. They have two children who are unaware of their secret lives. As they delve deeper into American society, their dual existence starts to become more intricate.
The secret missions he’s involved in could be compromised following the demise of one of his team members and the appearance in the area of an FBI agent, Stan Beeman, who focuses on counterintelligence. This agent has a tense connection with his spouse due to work commitments.
The show “The Americans” draws inspiration from real-life events as depicted in KGB agent Vasili Mitrokhin’s book and stories shared by FBI agents. Additionally, it employs a historical concept predating our current time to make its narrative seem more authentic.
13. Inventing Anna – Anna (Sorokin) Delvey
Release Date: 2022
The narrative unfolds around Vivian, a budding reporter, as she delves into the intriguing tale of Anna Delvey, a renowned young German heiress who not only captivated the key figures of New York’s social circle but also allegedly swindled them out of their money.
Is Anna portrayed as either the most notorious swindler in New York or the embodiment of the modern American dream? As her trial unfolds, the heiress develops a complex and intriguing relationship with Vivian, who tirelessly delves into uncovering the true identity of Anna Delvey – the woman at the heart of New York’s most captivating mystery.
14. Waco – Michelle Jones
Release Date: 2018
The mini-series delves into the 51-day bond that transpired in 1993 between the FBI, the ATF, and a religious group led by David Koresh, known as the Davidians, based in Waco, Texas. This relationship reached its tragic climax with a fiery confrontation. The story unfolds after the revelation of an illegal arms business operated by Koresh and his followers, prompting the ATF to raid their residence.
Despite Koresh raising his hands in surrender, ATF agents fired, wounding Koresh and killing some of his followers. This action triggers an immediate response from the Davidians, who were well-equipped with weapons, successfully fending off the ATF attack. However, the ATF personnel were subsequently replaced by FBI agents.
Although FBI negotiator Gary Noesner made efforts to mediate, some people preferred a more forceful approach. However, Koresh remained unwilling to leave the building. The mediation resulted in the release of several hostages, including many children. As time went on, the interventionists within the siege group gained influence, pushed Noesner out, and eventually convinced the government to grant permission for tear gas to be deployed inside the building using tanks that breached the walls.
In a bunker where they had sought shelter, a group of women and kids were trapped due to collapses. A fire broke out, whether ignited by tear gas release or self-started by the Davidians, led to the tragic death of 75 individuals, among them 21 children. As the inferno continued, Koresh’s own right hand ended his life by shooting him, following his request, and then took its own life. Noesner could only watch from afar, through a TV screen, as the Mount Carmel ranch was reduced to ashes.
15. Maniac – Ellie Landsberg
Release Date: 2018
The story centers around Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim, two individuals who find themselves inexplicably entwined within the late stages of an enigmatic drug trial. Annie, feeling disenchanted and directionless, is preoccupied with strained connections to her mother and sister. On the other hand, Owen, the fifth offspring of affluent New York industrialists, has spent his life grappling with a debated schizophrenia diagnosis.
In this rephrased version, I’ve aimed for a more natural and easy-to-read style while preserving the essence of the original text.
a series of pills, invented by Dr. James K. Mantleray, who asserts they can mend any mental issues, be it illness or heartache. He and ten other volunteers take these pills at the Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech lab for a supposedly risk-free, three-day trial. They claim there will be no complications or side effects whatsoever, promising to resolve all their issues permanently.
16. Dirty John – Terra Newell
Release Date: 2018–2019
The series “Dirty John” narrates the tale of a romantic entanglement with the captivating John Meehan, which plunged into a vortex of hidden truths, denial, control, and eventually self-preservation. The outcome was catastrophic for the entire family, leaving lasting impacts.
17. Girls – Charlie’s Roommate
Release Date: 2016
The show chronicles the lives of four companions as they strive to establish themselves in New York. The protagonist, Hannah, is a budding writer in her twenties who must reevaluate her dreams when her parents withdraw financial assistance. Alongside friends Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna, Hannah will learn how many blunders she must endure to thrive in New York amidst her ambitious undertakings.
18. Modern Love – Maddy
Release Date: 2019
Modern Love delves into various aspects of love, such as sexual, romantic, familial, platonic, and self-love, across eight 30-minute episodes. This Amazon series is inspired by the same-named column from the New York Times, showcasing unique love stories set in the bustling cityscape of New York.
19. The Get Down – Claudia Gunns
Release Date: 2016–2017
1977 serves as the backdrop for the initial portion of the first season, which is set in the challenging South Bronx district of New York City. Here, an eccentric bunch of teenagers experience the transition from traditional music styles to emerging genres specifically designed for their age group – hip-hop, funk, disco, and rap. These boys’ lives revolve around dance routines, graffiti art, and aspirations.
Amidst the crushing grip of an economic crisis, I firmly believe that music doesn’t merely salvage our world, it utterly transforms it. The narrative primarily revolves around the lives of Ezekiel “Books” Figuero and Mylene Cruz, while never losing sight of the turbulent times that befall the South Bronx. In her heart, Mylene yearns to break free from the confines of the Bronx and make a name for herself as a singer beyond its boundaries.
20. Robot Chicken – Various voices
Release Date: 2020
Robot Chicken is an adult-oriented American animated show that employs stop motion animation. Launched by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich in 2005, it airs on the Adult Swim section of Cartoon Network. The series satirically portrays various scenarios based on TV shows, movies, actors, musicians, and video games.
The initial segment of this show lives up to its title in an amusing manner, featuring a chicken who met an unfortunate end and was miraculously reborn as a robot – all thanks to a quirky scientist with a penchant for mischief. Instead of subjecting him to actual pain, the scientist opted for psychological torture by making the robot watch a long list of gruesome TV shows (a playful jab at La Mechanical Orange). The opening theme for this series was skillfully created and sung by Les Claypool, who is renowned as both the vocalist and bassist in Primus.
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2025-05-30 18:46