Best Emma Watson Performances

Hi, Everybody! This blog post is a highlight of Emma Watson's acting career. Today I saw on Twitter that she is retiring from acting to focus more on her activism, while these are speculative rumors at this point, for now let's look back on the Harry Potter actress' best roles.

10. Lena- The Colony

While this historical thriller had very harsh reviews from mostly Chileans due to historical accuracy and that it was sentimental to say the very least, there's no denying that Watson's performance was a highlight. Taking place in early 1970s Chile during the Chile Military coup, it follows Lena as she infiltrates the militia group to rescue her boyfriend. Despite the film's shortcomings, her determination was captivating to watch.

9. Ila- Noah

Darren Aronofsky's Noah was by no means a masterpiece, but this biblical epic had some highlights including Emma's performance as Ila, the significant other to Douglas Booth's character, Shem. While Ila's name wasn't mentioned in the story of Noah's Ark, Darren took the opportunity to flesh out this original character. She hit a lot of emotional beats with this multilayered character and showing off her range as an actress. This is yet another performance highlight in a flawed movie.

8. Herself- This is the End

This Is the End was praised for its story, humor and many cameos including Emma Watson as herself. This is the first time that Watson appeared in a comedy movie. Watson being left behind by James Franco, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride is one of the best scenes in the entire film. Wielding an axe and misunderstanding a very weird conversation about her, and beats the shit out of everyone and steals their shit was comedy gold.

7. Lucy- My Week with Marilyn

While Emma's known for playing main characters, her role is a supporting one alongside Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, who was a Personal Assistant in one of Marilyn Monroe's films and Michelle Williams as Marilyn respectfully. She had a few short scenes, but her performance was fierce and great to watch.

6. Pauline Fossil- Ballet Shoes

In this film made by the BBC, Watson plays a child actress and a young orphan who attends a performing arts school alongside her adoptive sisters and compete with her fellow classmates for roles in plays. She eventually becomes a standout in her entire class and becomes a stage actress, which resembles Emma's rags to riches story in which she used to perform in theater. It's one of Emma Watson's best performances.

5. Nicki Moore- The Bling Ring

Her first role in an R-rated film, and she's completely unrecognizable as Nicki Moore, a woman who was part of The Bling Ring, a criminal group who stole personal jewelry from celebrity homes including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. While it was jarring to see Emma play a ditzy troublemaker but she pulls off this role perfectly. Hermione would certainly not approve of these schemes, it's also not the first time that child performers have played against-type characters, making Watson's role as Nikki a unique one to see.

4. Belle- Beauty and the Beast

Not only did Emma Watson pull off the role of the Disney princess in Live-Action perfectly, she got to show off her singing chops and she certainly did not disappoint despite the mixed reaction to her vocals. It was her first time singing! What did you expect? Regardless, Emma pulled off playing this role, as you can tell that this was a character that she was born to play. I just can't imagine dancing with a guy with a bulky mo-cap suit.

3. Margaret "Meg" March- Little Woman

Her most recent role on this list, Emma Watson played the oldest sibling in the March family, Meg. Greta Gerwig's second film in her directorial career, Greta managed to adapt the groundbreaking novel of the same name by adding Emma's unique energy and passion, you see Meg's chemistry with her siblings, fall in love and start a family. 

2. Sam- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

A year after Deathly Hallows Part 2 came out, Emma starred in a main role alongside Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller in one of arguably one of the greatest coming-of-age movies in recent memory! Let's just say that SHE pulled off the role perfectly, even speaking in an American accent a year later, which is pretty rare for English actors who have appeared in films with British accent speaking roles. For the most part however, Watson's accent can be slightly heard in a few scenes, but it stills holds up after nearly 10 years. As Sam, she delivered an inspiring performance, making this role her own. Sam will make you laugh, cry and cheering for her as Emma hits every emotional beat in this film.

1. Hermione Granger- Harry Potter franchise

You knew that this was coming, you just had to. The first ever screen role of Emma Watson's career, she took on the role of a lifetime as one of Harry Potter's closest friends, Hermione Granger and it was the PERFECT casting choice. Not only did HP fans grew up watching Hermione's character grow, they got to literally see Emma Watson grow up. She's intelligent, brave and resilient which makes her the best character in the entire franchise and my FAVORITE character! In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione was more fleshed out and nuanced  and it had one of the defining character moments when Hermione punched Draco Malfoy in the face, and in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 where she had no choice but to oblivate her parents was HEARTBREAKING. No one can play Hermione Granger quite like Emma Watson. 

Thank you soo much for reading and be sure to share your thoughts below.