Frances McDormand is one of those actors who critics can’t seem to help but love. Whenever she appears in a movie, she instantly commands attention with her powerful, compelling and honest performances. With two Oscars for Best Actress to her name and three other nominations, there’s no denying she is one of the great modern actors.
McDormand has that rare ability to steal the show in supporting roles or carry a movie as its lead. She can mix hilarious comedic moments with powerful dramatic ones, sometimes within the same role. Unsurprisingly, she has been a part of some highly acclaimed films. Here are Frances McDormand’s best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Mississippi Burning (83%)
McDormand earned her first Oscar nomination for this harrowing film set in 1960s Mississippi. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe play two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of Civil Rights workers in the area while combating the rampant racism in the area. McDormand plays the wife of a racist lawman.
Mississippi Burning may not accurate to the real-life tragedy at the center of the story, but it is a gripping drama about the horror of racism. It packs a powerful punch in this smart drama featuring solid performances from a talented cast.
Darkman (84%)
Long before he was bringing famous Marvel heroes to the big screen, Sam Raimi created his own superhero with the wild action thriller Darkman. Liam Neeson stars as a scientist who is attacked and left for dead but uses his experiments to turn himself into the terrifying vigilante Darkman. McDormand plays the hero’s wife.
The movie lets Raimi fully embrace his unusual sense of humor in a big, fun movie. Though the character is an original creation, the movie feels like it has jumped right off the page of a comic book. Critics enjoyed the broad style of the film and its wild visuals.
Almost Famous (89%)
McDormand gave one of her best scene-stealing performances in a supporting role in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Set in the 1970s, the film follows a young boy who is sheltered by his overprotective mother (McDormand). With dreams of being a music journalist, he joins an up-and-coming band on a wild, life-changing tour.
Critics loved the way the movie draws you into its intoxicating era with this love letter to music at the time. With memorable performances and a sharp script, it became a surprisingly warm-hearted gem.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (90%)
McDormand won her second Oscar for her powerhouse performance in this complex comedy-drama. She plays a grieving mother in a small Missouri town who advertises a criticism of the local police who have failed to solve her daughter’s murder.
The film handles the tricky balance between drama and comedy incredibly well. Writer-director Martin McDonagh crafts a hilarious, heartbreaking and thoughtful script about violence and anger. Along with McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson give great performances.
Raising Arizona (91%)
As we’ll see throughout this list, McDormand, who is married to Joel Coen, is a regular fixture in the Coen Brothers’ films. Raising Arizona was their second film about a couple played by Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter who steal a local quintuplet when they can’t have children of their own. McDormand plays an enthusiastic friend obsessed with children.
The film was a great display of the Coens’ versatility as it was broad, slapstick comedy. The colorful characters and sharp humor help to create an eccentric and purely entertaining ride.
Moonrise Kingdom (93%)
Wes Anderson is another skilled writer-director whom McDormand has worked with several times. In Moonrise Kingdom, McDormand joins the all-star ensemble to tell the story of two young kids who run away together which sends their small island community into chaos.
Anderson’s signature humor and whimsy are used to great effect in this sweet and funny tale of young love. McDormand is joined by the likes of Bruce Willis, Bill Murray and Edward Norton who all contribute to the charming ensemble.
Fargo (93%)
McDormand won her first Oscar for another Coen Brothers film and one of their most acclaimed films. Fargo stars McDormand as a kind and pregnant sheriff investigating a series of murders that lead to a bizarre and deadly kidnapping case.
The movie cemented the Coens’ quirky style while also balancing shocking violence with pitch-black humor. McDormand gives a wonderful performance as the friendly and upbeat cop who is also determined and effective at her job.
Lone Star (94%)
Lone Star is the gripping neo-Western tale from acclaimed director John Sayles. Chris Cooper plays the sheriff of a small border town who investigates an unearthed skeleton from years ago. As he looks into the murder, he begins uncovering the secrets of the town and his father, a renowned lawman.
The movie is a smart and gripping murder mystery with a fantastic cast who all give powerful performances. It has been hailed as one of the great and influential films to come out of the 90s independent film scene.
Blood Simple (94%)
McDormand made her film debut in Blood Simple which also served as the debut for Joel and Ethan Coen as filmmakers. McDormand plays a woman married to a sleazy bar owner. When she begins having an affair, her husband hires a private detective to kill her and her lover.
The film is a brilliant noir thriller that introduced the Coens as huge talents in the business. The tense and gripping atmosphere of the film is made more effective by the strange black humor that pops up. McDormand gives a stunning performance in her first film.
Short Cuts (95%)
McDormand got the chance to work with another legend in the business in Robert Altman’s Short Cuts. The film tells various stories about individuals living in Los Angeles and struggling with their own messy relationships.
Despite the large and ambitious story, Altman proves to be a master of handling the massive ensemble and the various storylines in a satisfying and rewarding way. McDormand is part of an amazing group of actors, including Robert Downey Jr., Tim Robbins, and Lily Tomlin, who all do great work in the film.
