Movies

Juliette Lewis’ 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

BBG News

Juliette Lewis‘s most notable movie and TV appearances began during her teenage years. She first appeared in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and Martin Scorsese’s reimagining of “Cape Fear.” The daughter of renowned character actor Geoffrey Lewis, she made her acting debut as a child in the 1986 film “My Stepmother Is an Alien,” which subsequently led to a role in “I Married Dora” on television. This role paved the way for her breakout performance in “Christmas Vacation,” sharing the screen with Johnny Galecki, who would later become famous for his role in “The Big Bang Theory.

From that point onwards, Lewis’s career took off significantly due to her unique character and distinct way of speaking. She attracted Martin Scorsese’s attention when he chose her for his 1991 remake of the psychological thriller Cape Fear. Later, she landed roles in films directed by renowned directors such as Woody Allen, Lasse Hallström, Oliver Stone, Nora Ephron, and Kathryn Bigelow. More recently, Lewis has gained a new fanbase through her performances in the Showtime series Yellowjackets.

10. Jem And The Holograms (2015)

Erica Raymond

2015 saw the release of an unexpected film titled Jem and the Holograms. Initially, it underperformed at the box office, earning just $2.3 million against a budget of $5 million. However, it received mixed reviews and eventually found a larger audience through streaming platforms years later.

This movie is actually a live-action adaptation of the 1980s animated TV series Jem and the Holograms. Aubrey Peeples plays Jem, the lead singer of the band with the same name. John M. Chu (known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians) directed this film, which delves into the challenges of keeping a band together amidst forces trying to break them apart.

In the series, Juliette Lewis portrays Erica Raymond, a character modeled after the original male character, Eric Raymond from the cartoon. She serves as the primary antagonist, masquerading as Jem’s friend and accomplice but secretly plotting against her throughout the film. Initially panned upon its release, the movie garnered appreciation when it hit streaming platforms, with viewers appreciating its satirical and comedic elements, along with the strong performances delivered by the principal cast.

9. Strange Days (1995)

Faith Justin

Renowned filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow boasts an impressive body of work. In 2010, she made history by becoming the first female director to win the Academy Award for Best Director with The Hurt Locker, and she received two nominations for Best Picture for both The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. Yet, her filmography extends beyond these acclaimed dramas, as she has directed genre classics like the vampire movie Near Dark and the sci-fi thriller Strange Days. The latter film, released in 1995, delved into the apprehensions of the approaching new millennium, with its storyline unfolding on New Year’s Eve 1999.

1999 finds Los Angeles in chaos, with citizens living in constant dread as criminals hold sway over the city. The protagonist, Lenny, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, harbors affection for Faith (Juliette Lewis). Joined by Mace, a character played by Angela Bassett who holds feelings for Lenny, they embark on a mission to save Faith in this thrilling sci-fi film titled Strange Days. This production, penned by James Cameron, delves into complex mysteries set against a backdrop of futuristic, dystopian technology. Though it underperformed at the box office, critics lauded its acting and technical prowess. Over time, appreciation for the film has grown, as it continues to be celebrated for its innovative elements.

8. Opus (2025)

Clara Armstrong

In 2025, the movie “Opus” was unveiled, offering a chilling tale centered around a dangerous cult and an enigmatic figure who manages to persuade others to join him, despite clear indications of danger. John Malkovich takes on the role of Alfred Moretti, a former 1990s pop sensation who decides to return to the spotlight with a new album announcement. To generate buzz for this release, he hosts a private listening party at his Utah estate, inviting six select guests. However, upon their arrival, a journalist named Ariel (portrayed by Ayo Edebiri) discovers that Alfred resides with a cult known as the Levelists, who follow his every instruction.

In this film, Juliette Lewis takes on the role of talk show host Clara Armstrong, one of the guests invited by Alfred. However, they soon realize that Moretti had sinister intentions – inviting them to be killed. Faced with this dire situation, Ariel and Clara must figure out a means to stay alive until the end. The movie garnered mixed reactions, with many critics appreciating John Malkovich’s acting skills, but expressing confusion about the storyline itself.

7. I’m A Virgo (2023)

Justin (Voice)

2023 saw Juliette Lewis becoming part of the cast for Boots Riley’s miniseries titled “I’m a Virgo.” A sequel to his critically acclaimed work, “Sorry to Bother You,” this Prime Video production is an absurd comedy. The story revolves around Cootie, a 13-foot-tall 19-year-old character portrayed by Jharrel Jerome, who has been shielded from the world by his aunt until a group of teenage activists uncover him. In this series, Juliette Lewis lends her voice to the character Justin, who appears in the fictional show “Parking Tickets.

– The television show garnered nearly unanimous praise from critics, earning a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics admired the witty satire, humor, and emotional depth of Riley’s tale. In addition to this, they commended the diverse cast for delivering exceptional performances that stood out in the world of television. Although Lewis doesn’t have a major role because it’s a voice part and she remains unseen, she can be heard in four out of seven episodes of the highly acclaimed series. The fictional show “Parking Tickets” forms the core of the storyline.

6. Natural Born Killers (1994)

Mallory Knox

1994 saw Oliver Stone pairing up Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as Mickey and Mallory Knox, a duo of ruthless serial killers leaving a wake of death through the Midwest. This story was originally conceptualized by Quentin Tarantino, although he later distanced himself from it; nonetheless, Oliver Stone used this narrative to critique the phenomenon of national media turning serial killers into sensational figures and the public’s romanticization of such individuals. However, many criticisms were leveled at Stone for making these murderers appear sympathetic, particularly Mallory Knox as portrayed by Juliette Lewis.

Regardless, the movie “Natural Born Killers” turned out to be a massive hit, earning $110 million against a production cost of $34 million. It garnered mixed responses, with the majority of criticisms directed towards its excessive violence. Nevertheless, it received accolades for its talented cast, humor, and soundtrack, which was one of Trent Reznor’s early contributions to movie scoring. The film found a place on numerous critics’ best-of lists, as well as those that featured the worst films.

5. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Katherine Fuller

Although Quentin Tarantino had strong feelings against the film “Natural Born Killers,” his frustration was aimed at director Oliver Stone, not the movie’s actors. Later on, Juliette Lewis became part of the cast for “From Dusk Till Dawn,” a production by Robert Rodriguez, which was based on a script written by Quentin Tarantino. In this film, Tarantino and George Clooney portrayed the Gecko brothers – a duo of thieves who had committed a murder during a liquor store robbery. The brothers were wanted fugitives, and as they traveled to Mexico, they took a family hostage along the way.

In the movie, Harvey Keitel portrays a pastor taking a break with his teenage children, Scott (Ernest Liu) and Kate (Juliette Lewis). Their peaceful vacation takes an unexpected turn as they become unwilling hosts to the Gecko brothers. Juliette Lewis’ character plays a crucial role in the film, engaging in battles against vampires alongside her family and captors, and managing to survive the bloodthirsty night at the vampire bar. The movie garnered mixed yet generally positive reviews, with Juliette Lewis receiving a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.

4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

Becky

1993 saw Lasse Hallström at the helm of the poignant coming-of-age drama film titled “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” The narrative unfolds around Gilbert Grape (portrayed by Johnny Depp), a grocery store employee who resides with his troubled family consisting of his overweight mother (Darlene Cates), intellectually disabled younger brother (Leonardo DiCaprio), and two sisters. As events transpire, a young woman named Becky, skillfully acted by Juliette Lewis, finds herself stuck in town with her grandma, and she forms a bond with Gilbert.

1. In the movie, Gilbert struggles as he tries to care for his mother and brother, all while grappling with the possibility that he may be unable to leave this town and its confining lifestyle. This struggle intensifies when he encounters Becky, who embodies the freedom and escape that Gilbert longs for so deeply. The film initially didn’t fare well at the box office but gained more popularity on home video releases. Critics admired the storyline and the performances, bestowing a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. In the movie, Gilbert finds himself burdened by responsibilities towards his mother and brother, while questioning whether he can ever break free from this town and its limiting lifestyle. This becomes even more challenging when he meets Becky, who symbolizes the freedom and escape that Gilbert desperately yearns for. The film didn’t garner much success at its initial release but found greater success on home video platforms. Critics lauded the narrative and acting, awarding it a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. In the movie, Gilbert juggles looking after his mother and brother while contemplating whether he can ever leave this town and its restrictive lifestyle behind. This task proves particularly difficult when he crosses paths with Becky, who embodies the freedom and escape that Gilbert craves. The film didn’t receive much attention upon its release but gained more recognition on home video. Critics appreciated the storyline and acting, giving it a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. In the movie, Gilbert shoulders the duties of caring for his mother and brother while doubting whether he can ever break free from this town and its confining lifestyle. This becomes particularly tough when he encounters Becky, who signifies the freedom and escape that Gilbert deeply desires. The film didn’t gain much traction at its premiere but saw more success on home video sales. Critics applauded the plot and performances, assigning it a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. In the movie, Gilbert struggles to balance his caregiving responsibilities for his mother and brother while questioning whether he can ever escape this town and its limiting lifestyle. This challenge becomes even more formidable when he meets Becky, who represents the freedom and escape that Gilbert yearns for so deeply. The film initially didn’t do well at the box office but gained more popularity on home video releases. Critics commended the storyline and acting, bestowing a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Audrey Griswold

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated the unique twist in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series: each installment features new actors portraying the Griswold children. In the third film, we saw Juliette Lewis stepping into the shoes of Audrey Griswold, a role previously brought to life by Dana Barron and Dana Hill, while Johnny Galecki took over as Rusty from Anthony Michael Hall and Jason Lively. This transformation resulted in the most cherished film in the series and a timeless Christmas classic that continues to delight audiences even after several decades.

The movie portrays Clark Griswold striving to adorn his house with the most spectacular Christmas decorations to impress his arriving parents, all while harboring dreams of the pool he’s paid a deposit for. However, the anticipated Christmas bonus fails to materialize. Despite receiving a moderate 72% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes at its initial release, the film has garnered more favorable reviews in subsequent years, currently boasting an impressive 86% approval rating among audiences.

2. Yellowjackets (2021-2023)

Adult Natalie Scatorccio

Yellowjackets” is a Showtime series that switches between two distinct time periods. One timeline focuses on a high school soccer team who endure a plane crash in Canada and survive there for 19 months. During this time, they adopt a ‘Lord of the Flies’ mindset, with some even resorting to cannibalism. The other timeline is set in the present day, where those who survived reunite 25 years after the accident, only to find that their past traumas and unresolved secrets still linger.

In the TV series “Yellowjackets,” Juliette Lewis portrays the grown-up version of Nat Scatorccio, previously played by Sophie Thatcher in flashback scenes. As an adult, she grapples with the same addiction problems she faced during high school before the accident and leads a self-destructive life. The show has completed three seasons, consisting of 29 episodes, and has garnered widespread critical praise, earning a perfect score for its first season and a 94% rating for its second. Notably, Lewis was nominated for two Hollywood Critics Association Awards in the Best Actress category.

1. Cape Fear (1991)

Danielle Bowden

In 1991, Martin Scorsese re-created the 1962 film “Cape Fear.” The original film featured Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum in the roles of an attorney and a vengeful former client who sought retribution for his prison sentence for rape. In Scorsese’s version, Nick Nolte took on the role of Samuel Bowden, the attorney, while Robert De Niro portrayed Max Cady, the rapist who had been convicted of assaulting a 16-year-old girl. Additionally, teenage actress Juliette Lewis was cast as Danielle, Samuel’s daughter and the person Max targeted to cause Samuel the greatest pain.

At just 18 years old, Cape Fear brought Juliette Lewis her most notable critical recognition throughout her career. The film garnered a total of four nominations, with Robert De Niro receiving a nod for Best Actor and Lewis for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. Similarly, they were both recognized with Golden Globe nominations for their impressive performances. Notably, this was the only movie in which Lewis received any nominations at these two esteemed award ceremonies.

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2025-04-27 17:09

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