Happy Birthday Lily Gladstone: Revisiting Her 5 Best Roles As Actress Turns 38

As a passionate admirer of Lily Gladstone‘s mesmerizing artistry, I am utterly captivated by her extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to advocating for Indigenous representation in film. Her journey, much like a beautiful dance on the prairie, is a testament to resilience, grace, and raw emotion that resonates deeply with audiences.


Lily Gladstone broke new ground by becoming the initial Native American actor to secure a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars for her part in Martin Scorsese’s film “Killers of the Flower Moon”. This is merely the second time a Native American actor has been nominated, following Chief Dan George who received a Supporting Actor nod back in 1970.

Should Gladstone secure the win, she would become the first Native American actress to receive an Oscar. Her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman embroiled in the 1920s mass murders of her people due to her husband’s actions, has garnered significant praise. Notably, Gladstone rose to prominence through films such as Certain Women and remains dedicated to promoting Indigenous presence in cinema.

As the Oscars draw near, Lily Gladstone’s previous acting roles demonstrate her remarkable skillset. The ranking prioritizes the power of her performances over the general excellence of the films she starred in. Here are IndieWire’s top five film and television performances by Lily Gladstone to date.

1. Fancy Date

In Erica Tremblay’s first movie, Lily Gladstone portrays Jax, a woman looking after her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) on the Seneca–Cayuga Nation Reservation following her sister’s vanishing. When Jax’s guardianship of the child is endangered, she and Roki embark on a journey to locate Roki’s missing sister.

Although Fancy Dance wasn’t distributed for a year following its 2023 Sundance premiere, it has now been picked up by Apple TV+. Gladstone’s portrayal was applauded for its toughness and empathy, and it is anticipated that she will receive further recognition when the movie becomes more widely viewed.

2. The Unknown Country

In Morrisa Maltz’s independent film, Lily Gladstone portrays Tana – a woman from Minnesota who embarks on a long road trip to Texas. Throughout this journey, Tana deals with her grandfather’s passing by seeking solace in encounters with relatives, acquaintances, and new people she meets. This road trip serves as a means for her to heal emotionally.

In the understated movie “The Unknown Country”, Gladstone stands out as the ideal protagonist, a role that demands an actor who can convey a tale of healing and unity with limited dialogue. Remarkably, she achieves this by skillfully using subtle facial expressions to express emotions. Her performance was so powerful it earned her the Gotham Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.

3. Reservation Dogs 

Lily Gladstone features in two episodes of the Reservation Dogs series on FX/Hulu, playing the character Hotki – an Indigenous woman imprisoned and the aunt of protagonist Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis). In these episodes, Hotki, a spiritually inclined individual who has abandoned her healing practices, encounters a guardian spirit. After the tragic suicide of her son, Daniel, she provides guidance to Willie Jack.

In the Season 2 episode “Offerings,” Gladstone delivers a remarkable performance as Hotki. She skillfully depicts Hotki as rough-around-the-edges yet earthy, but beneath this facade lies deep grief over her son’s demise, leading to an emotional shutdown. Remarkably, within the confines of only 25 minutes on screen, Gladstone masterfully portrays Hotki’s subtle transformation and eventual reopening of her emotions.

4. Killers of the Flower Moon

As a devoted follower recounting my observations, I’d like to share that in the captivating film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” I see Lily Gladstone portraying the remarkable Mollie Kyle, an authentic Osage woman who was married to Ernest Burkhart from 1917 to 1926. The movie delves into the harrowing tale of how Ernest and his uncle, William King Hale, conspired to amass wealth by orchestrating the murders of Mollie’s family members. Incredibly, Mollie miraculously survived an attempt on her own life through poisoning.

In the movie, Gladstone’s portrayal of Mollie is crucial and equally significant to Leonardo DiCaprio’s role. Her acting brings a richness and depth to the character, effectively conveying Mollie’s sorrow and internal struggles. Even with less screentime compared to others, Gladstone’s subtle acting, particularly in her last scene, is one of the year’s most remarkable performances, highlighting her exceptional acting skills.

5. Certain Women 

In the movie “Certain Women” by director Kelly Reichardt, Lily Gladstone portrays Jamie, a resident ranch worker in Livingston, Montana. She develops a delicate bond with Beth, a young attorney who conducts an educational law course. (Kristen Stewart plays Beth.)

In “Certain Women,” Gladstone delivered a standout performance, earning acclaim that matched or even surpassed that of notable cast members like Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, and Michelle Williams. Her portrayal of Jamie was remarkably genuine and poignant, successfully conveying the character’s quiet resilience and profound emotions.

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2024-07-31 10:08