Top 10 Greatest Margot Robbie Performances
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#10: Jane Clayton, Baroness Greystoke “The Legend of Tarzan” (2016)
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While this movie seemed promising, the finished product left something to be desired. “The Legend of Tarzan” did do well at the box office, bringing in $356 million, but the critics gave it mixed reviews. The consensus seemed to be that the writing and direction was lacking and that Robbie did as much as she could with the material she was given as Jane. As one writer for The Guardian put it, "Committed performances aren’t enough to save this film from uncomfortable colonial optics, uninspiring CGI and tedious plotlines." We do think it’s worth a watch, even if just for Robbie’s performance.
#9: Tanya Vanderpoel “Whisky Tango Foxtrot” (2016)
The same year that she starred in “Tarzan”, Margot Robbie took a supporting role in a genre-defying war dramedy, starring Tina Fey, called “Whisky Tango Foxtrot”. She plays Tanya Vanderpoel, a journalist with the BBC who Fey’s character befriends as the plot progresses. The tone of the film is difficult to pin down, and it received mixed reviews, with the Rotten Tomatoes consensus stating that “Tina Fey and Martin Freeman are just barely enough to overcome the picture's glib predictability and limited worldview.” Robbie herself didn’t get an opportunity to do her best work here, but when she’s onscreen, she does what she can, and does it well.
#8: Ann Burden “Z for Zachariah” (2015)
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If you haven’t heard of this 2015 film, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. An adaptation of the sci-fi novel of the same name, “Z for Zachariah” was one of Margot Robbie’s first starring roles, and stands out in her career as a genre that she hasn’t really worked much in since. Her character, Ann Burden, is living in a post-apocalyptic world and is just trying to survive. She is given great material to work with here, and shows off her dramatic chops alongside acting heavyweights Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine. This movie was definitely an indicator of the great things to come from the actress.
#7: Queen Elizabeth I “Mary Queen of Scots” (2018)
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Robbie has quickly made a name for herself taking on real-life figures with remarkable results. In 2018’s “Mary Queen of Scots”, Robbie plays Elizabeth I opposite Saoirse Ronan, who portrays the titular Mary, during the period of the 16th century when Elizabeth’s accession was put into question and Mary is put forward to replace her. Robbie is virtually unrecognizable here, trading in her Australian accent for an English one, and stripping away her natural beauty to show the harrowing effects the trying times had on the queen. Though the film takes some historical liberties, what’s always clear is the electrifying chemistry between Ronan and Robbie, showing that both are at the top of their game and just getting started.
#6: Jess Barrett “Focus” (2015)
Early in her film career, Robbie nabbed a spot starring alongside Will Smith in this crime film/romantic dramedy. Paired with this A-lister, her star shone bright; she proved herself capable of being just as compelling as her hugely successful co-star. In the movie, she plays Jess, an up-and-coming con artist who teams up with Smith’s Nicky Spurgeon to learn the ropes. The two end up becoming romantically involved, which makes their jobs all the more complicated. Reviews were mixed, but critics agreed that the acting was one of the film’s high points.
#5: Daphne de Sélincourt “Goodbye Christopher Robin” (2017)
Margot Robbie worked with Domhnall Gleeson again for this 2017 film which tells the story of A. A. Milne, the man who gave the world Winnie the Pooh. “Goodbye Christopher Robin” looks at the melancholy tale behind the creation of the famed bear and his friends in the 100 Acre Wood, while also focusing on the historical context that inspired it. Robbie plays Daphne de Sélincourt, Milne’s wife, who has an at times contentious relationship with him. Margot does excellent work here, and cements her reputation as a period actress.
#4: Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn “Suicide Squad” (2016)
Regardless of your feelings about the film as a whole, Margot Robbie’s performance in “Suicide Squad” deserves a high spot on our list, because if there’s any role that shows off her star power, it’s this one. Robbie is magnetic as Harley Quinn, managing to strike that perfect balance of maniacal and endearing, while adding her own spin on the character unlike anything we’d seen before. In a film that received its fair share of negative feedback, Robbie’s performance was one of the bright spots that critics praised, saying they hoped she’d continue to appear in future films in the franchise.
#3: Herself “The Big Short” (2015)
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This movie put Margot Robbie front and center in a most hilarious way. Producers clearly knew that they’d have a hard time having moviegoers understand the complex economic concepts that were necessary to understand the plot of “The Big Short”, so they brought in the celebrity guns. Robbie, looking gorgeous and glamorous in a bubble bath, explains ideas like mortgage-backed securities and subprime loans, acting as herself in this film. The final result is funny, and honestly quite effective! The entire cameo may have been something of a joke, but it definitely worked, and it’s hard to imagine too many others pulling it off.
#2: Naomi Lapaglia “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
Margot Robbie’s breakthrough role occured in 2013 when she starred alongside the great legend Leonardo Dicaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street”. While Leo was undeniably the star of the show here, playing real life figure Jordan Belfort, Robbie had a key supporting role as his wife Naomi Lapaglia. Prior to this, Robbie had had only had somewhat minor roles, and it was this part that helped her make it big. The way she got the role is sure to become Hollywood lore, because during her audition she slapped Leo across the face in a totally unscripted move, impressing the casting directors in the process. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Donna Freedman “Neighbours” (1985-) Laura Cameron “Pan Am” (2011-12) Annie / Bonnie “Terminal” (2018)
#1: Tonya Harding “I, Tonya” (2017)
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By 2017, Margot Robbie’s career was already thriving, but this role took her to the next level. By taking on the part of Tonya Harding in biopic about the infamous American figure skater, Robbie downplayed her signature good looks and managed to earn herself an Academy Award nomination in the process. Her performance, which was praised by critics, was funny, poignant, emotionally raw and delightfully irreverent. Though she didn’t take home the statue, her part in “I, Tonya” has cemented her as a serious Hollywood A-lister.
