Movies - TV
The 18 Best Cate Blanchett Movies, Ranked
By MARSHALL SHAFFER
18. Eyes Wide Shut
Even for its fans, Stanley Kubrick’s final film, “Eyes Wide Shut,” is an inscrutable enigma that elicits an almost compulsory reverence. Blanchett’s part in the film is small — she plays “Mysterious Woman,” a shrouded figure at a masked orgy — but even with just her voice, Blanchett provides a complex portrayal of a chilly yet enticing character.
17. Babel
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's "Babel," charts the ripple effects of a single bullet in a post-9/11 world, with a multinational scope and interconnected narrative that explores the unexpected ties between people. Blanchett’s role as Susan is quite small, but she conveys a depth of emotion and complexity of character despite her scant and vague dialogue.
16. Ocean’s 8
In recent years, Blanchett has taken a breather from heavier material to focus on pure popcorn fare, like “Ocean’s 8.” Amongst the ensemble cast, Blanchett is an able player, always adding more to any scene than she takes from it. With her colorful, crowd-pleasing character, it's clear Blanchett is enjoying herself, and she lets us in on the fun she’s having.
15. Knight of Cups
Filmmaker Terrence Malick is notorious for radically altering his films in the editing room, with some performances getting cut altogether, yet Blanchett thrives even in this environment. Blanchett fits perfectly in the ethereal “Knight of Cups,” communicating meaning through the smallest gestures and letting herself be molded by Malick's vision for the film.
14. Truth
“Truth” traces the fallout of a 2004 segment in which CBS anchor Dan Rather presented dubious claims about then-president George W. Bush. Robert Redford's portrayal of Dan Rather may be the main attraction of the film, but Blanchett as telecast producer Mary Mapes gives a fearless performance loaded with searingly righteous anger.