Viola Davis is often called one of the best actors working today and it’s not hard to see how she’s achieved such a reputation. With each new film, she delivers another powerful and compelling performance to add to her incredibly successful filmography.
Though she mostly stays away from the big franchise films (with the exception of Suicide Squad), Davis has chosen her films wisely and appeared in so many acclaimed projects. If you want a glimpse at her talents or just want to see some very good movies, check out Viola Davis’ best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Get On Up (79%)
Musical biopics are extremely popular in Hollywood and Get on Up tackles one of the most electrifying and influential musicians of all time. Chadwick Boseman stars as James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul”, in this journey through his troubled childhood, problems with the law and rise to fame. Davis plays Brown’s mother who left him at a young age.
Like most of these biopics, Get on Up relied largely on the lead actor’s ability to convincingly bring a legend to life. In this regard, the film succeeded according to critics. Boseman’s performance got a lot of attention and helped elevate the film above its formulaic feel.
Antwone Fisher (79%)
Davis has collaborated with Denzel Washington on several occasions, but this marks their first film project together as well as Washington’s directorial debut. Antwone Fisher stars Derek Luke as a young Navy man who is forced to undergo sessions with a psychiatrist (Washington) following a violent incident. Once again, Davis plays the neglectful mother of the main character.
The film proved to be an effective debut for Washington behind the camera and critics applauded his skills as a director. Luke was also singled out for a breakout performance in this moving real-life drama.
Prisoners (80%)
Prisoners finds Davis as part of an ensemble in this dark crime thriller from Denis Villeneuve. Hugh Jackman stars as a father who goes to extreme lengths to find them his missing daughter and her friend. Meanwhile, a detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) investigates. Davis plays the mother of the other missing girl.
Villeneuve was acknowledged by critics for his ability to maintain the dark and dreadful feel of the film. The all-star cast also received praise for powerful performances across the board which helped keep audiences invested in the disturbing tale.
Doubt (80%)
Doubt is a movie that proves the power of Davis’ talents even with very limited screen time. Set in a Catholic school in the 1960s, the film follows a strict nun who begins to suspect there is something inappropriate going on between the new priest (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and a young student. Davis plays the young boy’s mother.
Though critics acknowledged the narrative of the film is not always the most enthralling, they maintained that the top-notch cast keeps the material alive with energy. Many critics singled out Davis for her powerful single-scene performance.
State Of Play (84%)
Davis seems drawn to intense thrillers, even when she was not getting the lead roles like she is now. State of Play stars Russell Crowe as a reporter investigating the death of a congressional aide which may involve his old friend, a successful congressman (Ben Affleck). Davis has a small role as a medical examiner.
Some critics complained about the film’s unrealistic or implausible plot twists ,which can be a problem in the genre. However, most were won over by the stellar cast and a sharp script that kept the tension high.
Far From Heaven (88%)
Even in small supporting roles, Davis was able to find herself apart of important and complex films, like Far from Heaven. The period drama set in the 1950s stars Julianne Moore as a housewife who deals with her husband’s secret life and her relationship with an African-American man in a judgmental society. Davis plays Moore’s housekeeper.
Once again, the top-notch performances from the cast sold this movie for most critics. They also pointed at the beautiful art direction as a plus and maintained that it was a moving story told with intelligence.
Widows (91%)
Widows was Davis’ opportunity to step out of the supporting roles and headline a big Hollywood film. The crime thriller finds Davis leading a group of women whose husbands were killed in a heist gone wrong. With debt and threats against their lives, the women must pick up where their husbands left off and pull off a heist of their own.
Davis’ performance was highlighted as were those of her co-stars Elizabeth Debicki and Daniel Kaluuya. Director Steve McQueen also received praise for his sleek direction and ability to mix genre entertainment with a timely message.
Traffic (92%)
Once again, before Davis was a household name, she was still popping up in award-winning movies. Traffic is a complex and dark look at the war on drugs from a number of perspectives, such as a Mexican cop, drug-addicted teens, and the family of drug lords. Davis has a small role as a social worker.
Steven Soderbergh was praised for managing to tell such a large and complex story in an engaging and powerful way. His distinct choices made the intense story even more impactful. The large cast was also praised for authentic performances, especially Benicio Del Toro in an Oscar-winning role.
Fences (92%)
Davis won a much-deserved Oscar for her performance in this drama which reunited her with Denzel Washington. Based on the acclaimed August Wilson play, Fences stars Washington as a blue-collar worker bitter about his situation while Davis stars as his wife who struggles between supporting him and having her own voice heard.
The performances from Davis and Washington were praised as some of the best of the year and their explosive scenes together were thrilling to watch. Though the movie sticks to the source material to a fault at times, the story remains powerful.
Out Of Sight (93%)
Out of Sight was one of Davis’ first films and remains her highest-rated to this day. Based on the Elmore Leonard novel, the film stars George Clooney as a bank robber who escapes from jail and plans his next score while being chased by a U.S. Marshal (Jennifer Lopez) he formed a connection with. Davis plays the wife of a gangster in a memorable scene.
Critics called the movie a highly entertaining and extremely cool crime caper. Clooney proved himself to be a real star with his charismatic performance while Lopez showed new sides of her talents.
