Aubrey Plaza Continues To Defy Expectations!

Aubrey Plaza began her acting career in comedy becoming known for her deadpan humor and sarcastic charm in films such as Funny People and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and in the TV sitcom "Parks and Recreation". In the past couple of years, though, Plaza has impressively broken free from her typecast roles and has shown the world how much range she can truly exhibit as an actress. Here are five of her projects that showcase such talent!

1. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

In her return to the Scott Pilgrim universe, Plaza provides a fresh take on the snarky character Julie Powers. The animated show challenged Plaza to redefine her approach, as voice-acting is a completely different skill than live-action acting. Her performance leans into the iconic sarcasm from the original film, but in a heightened, exaggerated format that fits the surrealism of the animation style. The outcome feels much more refined and layered, reflecting her growth as an actress over the years. (Stream on Netflix)

2. "Agatha All Along" (2024)

If one thing’s for sure, Aubrey Plaza is owning Fall 2024 like no one else, starting off with a project that’s perfect for Spooky Season. In a notable shift in her career, Plaza plunges into the superhero genre with "Agatha All Along", a spinoff from the MCU's "WandaVision". In it, she plays the powerful witch Rio Vidal, tapping into a darker, more mysterious side that balances humor with a sense of menace. The role showcases Plaza’s ability to deliver the classic moments of levity she’s become known for in a world of fantasy and supernatural intrigue. (Stream on Disney+)

3. Megalopolis (2024)

In her second major Fall 2024 project, Plaza partakes in Francis Ford Coppola's sprawling sci-fi epic Megalopolis. While the film has been met with a mixed reception, Plaza has generally been one of the most praised aspects, giving an appropriately over-the-top performance that brings some much-needed weird energy to the film. She plays a Machiavellian TV reporter in a way that is convincingly corrupt yet fully committed to the absurdity of her situation. In a stark contrast to her earlier supporting roles, Plaza elevates an otherwise dense and chaotic narrative and proves her capacity to explore new thematic territory in a grand, operatic setting. (In theatres now)

4. My Old Ass (2024)

Plaza’s most recently released project, My Old Ass, is the perfect feel-good Autumn film. She plays a grown-up version of the main character, an 18-year-old named Elliot (Maisy Stella). The two have an arresting chemistry, a remarkable feat considering they are meant to be the same person. Plaza masterfully mimics the speech patterns and mannerisms of the younger version of herself, but reframes them within an existential crisis of grief and aging. This must-see film highlights Plaza’s finesse in handling a deeply personal human story with vulnerability and relatability, and is sure to tug at your heart-strings. (In theatres now)

5. "The White Lotus" (2022)

Perhaps one of Plaza’s most celebrated recent performances is her role as Harper Spiller in Season 2 of HBO’s "The White Lotus". This character is far more layered than her previous roles, but Plaza undertakes the challenge gracefully. Harper is an intelligent, cynical lawyer caught in the tense dynamics of a couples’ vacation, and Plaza plays her with a simmering intensity and vulnerability that captivated audiences (and earned her her first Emmy and Golden Globe nominations). The show’s satirical take on privilege, relationships, and societal expectations gave Plaza the opportunity to explore dramatic tension in a way she hadn’t before. Her character’s internal struggles with jealousy and disillusionment allowed Plaza to flex her dramatic muscles in a more subdued yet powerfully resonant way. The role earned her critical acclaim and showcased her as a dynamic force in high-stakes, character-driven drama.

Aubrey Plaza’s career is an inspiring case of an actress evolving beyond expectations, taking on a wide variety of roles that defy the pigeonholing often imposed on performers who rise to fame in comedy. As she continues to push boundaries, Aubrey Plaza is certainly an actress to keep an eye on, promising to deliver excellence in each project she’s involved in!