You may still be new to Hollywood, but Kylie Spaeny She's already managed to do more in her young career than most actors could dream of. From intense indie dramas to blockbuster franchises, the star has shown an incredible range of creativity – and she's only just getting started.
Spaeny's journey has been an impressive ascent for an actress who grew up in southern Missouri with eight siblings. She first found her calling in theater, before moving on to film and catching our attention in the 2018 sci-fi thriller Pacific Rim UprisingLater, it was her raw, bold performances in smaller films that showed her depth.
2023 was Spaeny's real breakthrough year. She portrayed Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola's hit biopic in a very moving way. Priscilla She has rightfully gained worldwide attention and critical acclaim, with many praising her “transformative” performance. Although she has been acting for less than a decade, Spaeny has a filmography worth looking at. Here are all of her film roles to date, ranked.
9 Deputy (2018)
Deputy A dramatic portrayal of Dick Cheney's ambitious political career. A satirical work that chronicles his days as a college student through becoming President Ford's youngest White House chief of staff in 1974, as well as his relationship with his wife, Lynne. As the driving force behind the title, Vice President Cheney uses manipulation to pull the strings throughout the geopolitical shifts of the two-year Bush administration and changes the world.
Spani has a short supporting role.
Deputy A film that unravels the mystery surrounding one of the most influential figures in modern history, featuring a stellar cast including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Tyler Perry, and Sam Rockwell. McKay carefully directs the film, bringing out the nuanced layers, ambition, and moral struggles of each character through years of transformation.
Despite the box office disappointment, Deputy It ended up winning several awards. Spaeny played a supporting role, but her involvement in such a prominent project deserves mention.
8 Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
The film takes place in 1969 on a fateful night, in a dilapidated hotel located on the border between California and Nevada, Bad times at the El Royale Hotel A new neo-noir thriller. Six strangers and a hotel employee find themselves under close scrutiny from each other as their dark pasts and hidden agendas are revealed. Mysteries within mysteries unfold and nothing is as it seems at the El Royale.
Stylish neo-noir thriller
Written and directed by Drew Goddard, Bad time like El Royale This is a standout film in the mystery genre due to its skillful direction and subtle atmosphere. The cast, which includes Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, and Chris Hemsworth, delivers strong performances.
Cailee Spaeny stands out among the A-list stars as Rose, the sister of Dakota Johnson's character. Her multi-layered and intriguing story puts her in situations where she is kidnapped and forced to fight, revealing her ability to play complex characters.
7 How It Ends (2021)
End-of-the-world movies are usually dark and intense, as the story is heading towards the end of the world. How to endWritten and directed by Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones, “The Invincible Girl” takes a different approach to the concept. The film follows Lisa as she wanders the streets of Los Angeles before a meteor destroys the Earth. Her younger self accompanies her on her journey to tie up loose ends with friends and family.
The Honest End of the World Journey
A weird and fun comedy, How to end The film combines drama and introspection to tell a refreshing story about a young woman dealing with regret and the power of forgiveness. While Lister-Jones is adept at capturing the surreal moments before the impending apocalypse, Spaeny also brings vulnerability, wisdom, and innocence to her portrayal of young Lisa. The film includes similar interactions between several other characters thanks to the creative and revealing storytelling.
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6 Craft: Legacy (2020)
A sequel to the 1996 film, Craft: Legacy Written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones, this supernatural horror film stars Cailee Spaeny as Lily Schechner, who moves to a new town with her mother and is bullied at school. Elsewhere, Frankie, Tabby and Lourdes attempt to practice magic but fail because they need a fourth member to complete their coven. When Lily uses her mind to fight the school bully, the girls befriend her, and together they begin experimenting with spells and magic.
Establishing a fan-favorite franchise
There’s something about watching teenage witches practice magic and ultimately experience the consequences of unchecked power that has entertained audiences for decades. Lister-Jones puts a fresh spin on the classic story, depicting Spaeny’s journey from outsider to powerful witch in a compelling, emotionally charged, and nuanced story. The film also explores empowering themes of childhood and friendship.
5 Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)
The film takes place ten years after the events of the first film. Pacific Rim Uprising The film follows former Jaeger pilot Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, who gets a chance to live up to his father's legacy by returning to the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps after transmissions from the energy core trace him to Amara Namani, a young prodigy played by Cailee Spaeny, who has built a mini Jaeger of her own. The two work together to confront a new Kaiju threat that seeks to destroy humanity.
A powerful introduction to the sci-fi genre.
Wars can be won, but battles never end. And sometimes, even winning doesn't get you to the finish line. Pacific Rim Uprising A film based on the same idea and expanding Guillermo del Toro's world by introducing us to new characters and more exciting events. Spaeny's role as Amara brings a youthful energy to the film, while John Boyega shines strongly from beginning to end. Despite the great visuals, the second part was criticized for deviating from the essence of the original film and lacking depth.
4 On the basis of sex (2018)
On the basis of gender The film tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Beginning with her struggle for equal rights for women and what she had to overcome in order to become an American citizen, especially after her husband was diagnosed with cancer and she had to care for their infant daughter, Jane. The film follows how she took on groundbreaking cases as an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, eventually rising to the rank of the second female justice to sit on the nation's highest court, forever changing American law.
Spaeny's leading roles were in short order.
A biographical legal drama that deserves a lot more attention than it gets, On the basis of gender This film is a tribute to Ginsberg's legacy. The film received positive reviews for its direction and screenplay, which struck an effective balance between drama and emotional beats. Spaeny played Jane, Ruth's daughter. Her performance added a personal touch to the story. Despite her teenage years, Spaeny maintained her composure against heavyweights Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer.
3 Civil War (2024)
Written and directed by Alex Garland, Civil war Set in the near future, the United States is torn apart by conflict between an authoritarian federal government and secessionist movements. We follow a team of war journalists, including the celebrated Lee Smith, her colleague Joel, and their mentor Sammy, as they travel from New York City to Washington, D.C., to interview the deposed president. Cailee Spaeny plays Jessie Cullen, an aspiring photojournalist who accompanies them.
An exciting novel about a dystopian world.
A24's most expensive film to date, produced on a budget of $50 million, Civil warThe film has recoup its investment, grossing over $122 million worldwide. The film is a masterclass in tension and atmosphere, with its direction and cinematography providing a very realistic and frightening portrayal of what a nation in turmoil looks like. Spaeny's turn as Jesse is raw and compelling, standing out among the performances of Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson.
2 Alien: Romulus (2024)
Caylee Spaeny is the talk of the town right now because of Alien: RomulusThe ninth installment in the Alien film series. The film takes viewers to the year 2142, where Ryan Carradine (Spenny) leads a group of young space colonists on a risky mission to an abandoned space station to retrieve cryogenic chambers. However, they soon discover that the spacecraft is infested with deadly aliens and their clones. Ryan and the team must use their wits to survive the threat.
Reimagining the Terrifying Space Horror
An exciting addition to the premium franchise, Alien: Romulus This film is widely praised for effortlessly combining elements of horror and science fiction. Directed by Fede Alvarez, it revives one of the greatest cinematic series with its intense events and disturbing suspense.
Spaeny is a force to be reckoned with as Wren. She is both fierce and vulnerable. Critics have called her “the best weapon in the arsenal” and even called her “the closest thing to a brave Ripley,” which is high praise for a rising star.
1 Priscilla (2023)
in PriscillaCailee Spaeny plays the sensitive, wide-eyed Priscilla Beaulieu. The film is a fascinating portrait of the woman behind the legend, offering an intimate look at Priscilla and her complex relationship with Elvis Presley. From their first meeting in Germany, Priscilla’s move to Graceland to be with Elvis, to her whirlwind romance with the icon and the challenges she faced living in his shadow, the film delves into the emotional ups and downs of Priscilla’s struggle for identity and independence.
Cailee Spaeny's Career-Defining Works (So Far)
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, this dramatic film is inspired by Priscilla Presley’s memoir, Elvis and Me. The film is beautifully crafted to capture the essence of the characters and their stories with skill, empathy and depth. Spaeny gives a raw and deeply moving performance as the title character, earning her critical acclaim, audience applause and a Golden Globe nomination. Additionally, Priscilla This film is highly praised for its exciting direction and production design that is accurate to the time period.
