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Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth Winstead: A range of roles the versatile actor took under her belt

Although Winstead established herself as a scream queen with roles in several horror films, the actor has also been a part of a range of films spanning multiple genres

Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth Winstead: A range of roles the versatile actor took under her belt
Shilpa S

Last Updated:

As an actor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead is one who has sampled all that Hollywood has to offer. From roles big and small in mainstream and independent films, to portraying a range of characters in multiple genres, Winstead has tried them all over the span of her over two decade long career.

She earned the title of scream queen after appearing in a plethora of films and shows in the horror genre, joining the ranks of seasoned stars such as Neve Campbell and Jamie Lee Curtis who have had the crown. But not one to limit herself, Winstead has also dipped her toe in comedy, romance, drama, science fiction, satire and even the superhero genre as well. She has also garnered rave reviews for her performances in independent films as well.

As the actor turns another year around sun, here is a list of films where she gives some memorable performances.

1

10 Cloverfield Lane

7.3
The second instalment in the Cloverfield film franchise, this 2016 film tells the story of a young woman who finds herself in an underground bunker with two strange men in the aftermath of a car accident. There she is told that due to a strange attack, the outside world cannot be inhabited by human beings and that she must stay in the bunker for years. Winstead stars as the woman, Michelle, who is wary of the strangers who claimed to have saved her life and tries to get to the bottom of the strange situation on her own. The film opened to positive reviews and she was praised for her layered performance of her character.

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2

Final Destination 3

5.9
The third instalment in the Final Destination film series, this 2006 film continues the saga of death chasing after a group of people who narrowly manage to escape it. Winstead portrays Wendy Christensen, a woman who has a premonition of the roller coaster she's about to board derailing and killing all those on board. Although she manages to escape her fate along with a few others, she realises that the survivors mysteriously keep dying in the order they were supposed to. With this realisation that her turn may come soon, she tries to cheat death yet again before it's too late. Although the film received mixed reviews, Winstead was praised for her role with many critics believing she was able to authentically capture the emotions and frustrations of her character.

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3

Fargo

9.4
Inspired by the 1996 Coen Brothers film of the same name, this black comedy series is a part of the same universe as the film and follows an anthology format, with each season revolving around a different story and characters. Winstead joins the series in its third season, starring alongside Ewan McGregor and Carrie Coon. Set in 2010, the story revolves around that of a couple, Ray Stussy and Nikki Swango, whose plan to steal a priceless stamp go awry, and they find themselves entangled in a case of double homicide. Winstead plays Nikki, a cunning and determined parolee, a character which the actor claimed she had never played the likes of before.
4

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

7.7
One of the quirkiest rom coms to grace the silver screen, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, tells the story of a young man, Scott, vying for a girl’s affections, who must battle against her evil ex-boyfriends to win her over. Winstead stars as Ramona Flowers, a cautious delivery girl and Scott’s love interest. Winstead had brought in her facets to the character, aided by the film’s writer, and had also extensively trained for filming the film’s action sequences as well. Although the film was not a commercial success, it went on to gain a cult following.

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to Watch

5

The Thing

6.5
A prequel to John Carpenter’s cult classic 1982 film of the same name, this 2011 film traces the origin story of the alien parasite that reared its head in Antarctica. The film tells the story of a group of scientists who are called in to investigate an alien organism which is discovered in Antarctica. During their investigations, they realise that not only is the specimen alive, but that it is hostile and aggressive. Winstead stars as Kate Lloyd, an American paleontologist. Her character was based on Ellen Ripley, the protagonist from Ridley Scott’s Alien films. Although the film opened to negative reviews, Winstead was singled out for her performance, which many considered the film’s saving grace.

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