5 Times Hailee Steinfeld Stole the Show & 5 Times You May Not Have Realized It Was Her
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Adriana Travisano
You win some, you lose some! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for Hailee Steinfeld's most recognizable roles in contrast with those that are generally less remembered. Our countdown includes performances from movies “The Keeping Room”, "Bumblebee", "True Grit" and more!
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for Hailee Steinfeld’s most recognizable roles in contrast with those that are generally less remembered. What’s your favorite Hailee Steinfeld role? Let us know in the comments!
Hailee Steinfeld has done her fair share of voice acting over the years but the English dub of this Studio Ghibli film was her first foray into the world of animation. She plays Anna Sasaki, a shy 12-year-old who spends the summer away, and begins to learn more about herself and her background after meeting a girl named Marnie. It’s quite a different role from the eccentricity and comedy we’ve come to know Steinfeld for, but she embodies Anna’s quiet and restrained nature in this really wonderful, down-to-earth way. Although it’s a pretty unexpected casting choice in hindsight, it’s one that just works.
Here’s one of her voice roles that isn’t so unknown. As Gwen Stacy, Steinfeld is quippy, full of energy, and a force to be reckoned with. The trilogy takes its time developing Gwen and her relationship with Miles as it changes and strengthens. There’s a depth there that Steinfeld manages to bring to the forefront with delivery that is consistently on-point, and even the quality of her voice alone feels fitting for the hero. It’s no wonder, then, that isn’t the only time she gets to play a hero – but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Taking place during the American Civil War, “The Keeping Room” follows two sisters and a servant as they fight for their survival and their home. Fair warning if you’ve never seen this one, it’s not the easiest watch and we don’t find ourselves sympathizing with oppressors for protagonists. Despite this, Steinfeld excels at evoking all the emotion and complexity that the setting demands, as well as that resulting from the distress these characters face. The Western drama genre is not one we would have imagined Hailee Steinfeld readily fitting into but she does so with grace and nuance.
Steinfeld’s Charlie Watson is a lot of fun, and a good match for all the action and heart of the “Transformers” franchise. Despite Charlie’s goofiness and juvenility, Steinfeld masterfully lets the weight of the teen’s grief simmer just beneath the surface in a lot of scenes. We also have to commend her performance considering how often in the movie her only co-star is an autobot. It’s especially noteworthy how the actress manages to turn any moments that might be cloying on the page into natural, flowing interactions. It makes the film that much more enjoyable overall.
This is one of those movies you finally get around to watching way after its release, only to find that you recognize pretty much every actor on screen. In Hailee Steinfeld’s case, it’s a bit of a shock to see her look so much younger. You might have been equally shocked to spot “Sex Education’s” Asa Butterfield alongside her, but we digress. In this military science-fiction film, we’re taken far into the future and far into space for a story about leadership, war, and morality. Steinfeld portrays Petra Arkanian, a student and commander who takes the protagonist under her wing. It’s a unique choice for her but she embodies the part well, nonetheless.
As one of the first characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to take on the mantle from a major player, there was a lot of pressure. Kate Bishop had to be likable and strong, and also share some of Clint Barton’s qualities while still being her own person. A lot of this is down to the writing, sure, but the actor makes or breaks the character in the end. Luckily, Steinfeld brought personality by the bucket load to Kate Bishop and made her someone we want to root for, even if it means saying goodbye to an old friend.
For having been just thirteen-years-old here, Steinfeld knocks it out of the park. She’s more than believable as Mattie, a head-strong farm girl who teams up with the dodgy Rooster Cogburn to seek revenge on the man who killed her father. Since this was Steinfeld’s theatrical film debut, you’re forgiven if you forgot she starred in this one. She strikes a spectacular balance between steadfast precociousness and the endearing awkwardness that stems from Mattie’s age, which is a really impressive line to toe. Even if you’re not into Westerns, Steinfeld’s performance is a must-see.
Nadine’s got problems. She’s not the most admirable character but she’s not supposed to be. Steinfeld portrays her with almost too much authenticity – there’s nothing sugar-coated about this girl. She’s insecure, makes bad choices, and generally believes the world is out to get her. She’s also a love letter to adolescence. We can’t help but see the realistic decision-making from a seventeen-year-old who’s lost the two people in her life keeping her afloat. Steinfeld brings humor, angst, and her special brand of sincerity, making Nadine a lot more digestible and relatable than she might have been otherwise.
While fans of the show will probably be able to list all the voice actors off the top of their heads, first-time viewers likely won’t recognize Steinfeld as Vi on the first watch. Vi is rough around the edges, much like some of Steinfeld’s other characters, but she’s also a total badass with too much resolve for her own good. This is a girl who’s been to prison, after all. She’s resilient from the burden of tragedy beyond her years and the weight of having to grow up too fast. Steinfeld brings all of that to life beautifully, but also seems to soften her hard edges with an undeniable likeability in her line-delivery.
As Emily Dickinson herself, the actress shines brighter than the glow of the moon and all the stars. Sorry, we’ll leave the poetic lines to Dickinson. But the point still stands: Steinfeld summons warmth and realness in her portrayal of the Victorian-era poet. The latter was known for not quite fitting the mold of what was expected for Victorian women, and who better to depict this whimsicality than Hailee Steinfeld? The humor and frankness she brings to this sapphic narrative have been widely praised, as has the entire series. If you haven’t gotten around to this one yet, it’s well worth the watch.
#5: That Was Her?: “When Marnie Was There” (2014)
Hailee Steinfeld has done her fair share of voice acting over the years but the English dub of this Studio Ghibli film was her first foray into the world of animation. She plays Anna Sasaki, a shy 12-year-old who spends the summer away, and begins to learn more about herself and her background after meeting a girl named Marnie. It’s quite a different role from the eccentricity and comedy we’ve come to know Steinfeld for, but she embodies Anna’s quiet and restrained nature in this really wonderful, down-to-earth way. Although it’s a pretty unexpected casting choice in hindsight, it’s one that just works.
#5: Stole the Show: “Spider-Verse Saga” (2018-)
Here’s one of her voice roles that isn’t so unknown. As Gwen Stacy, Steinfeld is quippy, full of energy, and a force to be reckoned with. The trilogy takes its time developing Gwen and her relationship with Miles as it changes and strengthens. There’s a depth there that Steinfeld manages to bring to the forefront with delivery that is consistently on-point, and even the quality of her voice alone feels fitting for the hero. It’s no wonder, then, that isn’t the only time she gets to play a hero – but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
#4: That Was Her?: “The Keeping Room” (2014)
Taking place during the American Civil War, “The Keeping Room” follows two sisters and a servant as they fight for their survival and their home. Fair warning if you’ve never seen this one, it’s not the easiest watch and we don’t find ourselves sympathizing with oppressors for protagonists. Despite this, Steinfeld excels at evoking all the emotion and complexity that the setting demands, as well as that resulting from the distress these characters face. The Western drama genre is not one we would have imagined Hailee Steinfeld readily fitting into but she does so with grace and nuance.
#4: Stole the Show: “Bumblebee” (2018)
Steinfeld’s Charlie Watson is a lot of fun, and a good match for all the action and heart of the “Transformers” franchise. Despite Charlie’s goofiness and juvenility, Steinfeld masterfully lets the weight of the teen’s grief simmer just beneath the surface in a lot of scenes. We also have to commend her performance considering how often in the movie her only co-star is an autobot. It’s especially noteworthy how the actress manages to turn any moments that might be cloying on the page into natural, flowing interactions. It makes the film that much more enjoyable overall.
#3: That Was Her?: “Ender’s Game” (2013)
This is one of those movies you finally get around to watching way after its release, only to find that you recognize pretty much every actor on screen. In Hailee Steinfeld’s case, it’s a bit of a shock to see her look so much younger. You might have been equally shocked to spot “Sex Education’s” Asa Butterfield alongside her, but we digress. In this military science-fiction film, we’re taken far into the future and far into space for a story about leadership, war, and morality. Steinfeld portrays Petra Arkanian, a student and commander who takes the protagonist under her wing. It’s a unique choice for her but she embodies the part well, nonetheless.
#3: Stole the Show: “Hawkeye” (2021)
As one of the first characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to take on the mantle from a major player, there was a lot of pressure. Kate Bishop had to be likable and strong, and also share some of Clint Barton’s qualities while still being her own person. A lot of this is down to the writing, sure, but the actor makes or breaks the character in the end. Luckily, Steinfeld brought personality by the bucket load to Kate Bishop and made her someone we want to root for, even if it means saying goodbye to an old friend.
#2: That Was Her?: “True Grit” (2010)
For having been just thirteen-years-old here, Steinfeld knocks it out of the park. She’s more than believable as Mattie, a head-strong farm girl who teams up with the dodgy Rooster Cogburn to seek revenge on the man who killed her father. Since this was Steinfeld’s theatrical film debut, you’re forgiven if you forgot she starred in this one. She strikes a spectacular balance between steadfast precociousness and the endearing awkwardness that stems from Mattie’s age, which is a really impressive line to toe. Even if you’re not into Westerns, Steinfeld’s performance is a must-see.
#2: Stole the Show: “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016)
Nadine’s got problems. She’s not the most admirable character but she’s not supposed to be. Steinfeld portrays her with almost too much authenticity – there’s nothing sugar-coated about this girl. She’s insecure, makes bad choices, and generally believes the world is out to get her. She’s also a love letter to adolescence. We can’t help but see the realistic decision-making from a seventeen-year-old who’s lost the two people in her life keeping her afloat. Steinfeld brings humor, angst, and her special brand of sincerity, making Nadine a lot more digestible and relatable than she might have been otherwise.
#1: That Was Her?: “Arcane” (2021-)
While fans of the show will probably be able to list all the voice actors off the top of their heads, first-time viewers likely won’t recognize Steinfeld as Vi on the first watch. Vi is rough around the edges, much like some of Steinfeld’s other characters, but she’s also a total badass with too much resolve for her own good. This is a girl who’s been to prison, after all. She’s resilient from the burden of tragedy beyond her years and the weight of having to grow up too fast. Steinfeld brings all of that to life beautifully, but also seems to soften her hard edges with an undeniable likeability in her line-delivery.
#1: Stole the Show: “Dickinson” (2019-21)
As Emily Dickinson herself, the actress shines brighter than the glow of the moon and all the stars. Sorry, we’ll leave the poetic lines to Dickinson. But the point still stands: Steinfeld summons warmth and realness in her portrayal of the Victorian-era poet. The latter was known for not quite fitting the mold of what was expected for Victorian women, and who better to depict this whimsicality than Hailee Steinfeld? The humor and frankness she brings to this sapphic narrative have been widely praised, as has the entire series. If you haven’t gotten around to this one yet, it’s well worth the watch.
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