Top 10 Best Winona Ryder Performances
Girl, Interrupted, Stranger Things, Reality Bites, Little Women, The Age of Innocence, Black Swan and Heathers are some of Winona Ryder's best performances! For this list, we'll be counting down the best film and TV performances to date in the career of Winona Ryder.
#10: Abigail Williams
“The Crucible” (1996)
Set during the height of the infamous Salem witch trials, Abigail Williams dabbles with witchcraft while trying to win back her married ex-lover. While the film may not have been a box office success, much praise was heaped upon the cast for their strong performances. As Williams, Ryder is magnetic, pushing and pulling at the emotions of the other characters as she delves deeper into her own manipulative mind. From the opening scene, it’s clear that Ryder’s character will be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the film.
h4>#9: Elizabeth ‘Beth’ MacIntyre
“Black Swan” (2010)
A dark and twisted psychological film of the likes that only Darren Aronofsky is capable of, “Black Swan” is the story of an ambitious ballet dancer’s descent into madness after being named the lead in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Winona Ryder plays Beth MacIntyre, the production’s former prima ballerina. Known for taking on difficult roles, Ryder knocks this performance out of the park. While she only has a couple of scenes, one can’t help but marvel at the depth of her character’s shocking behavior. Thankfully Ryder is more than capable of handling the role, delivering a strong performance that isn’t soon forgotten.
#8: May Welland
“The Age of Innocence” (1993)
Set in late 19th century New York and directed by one of Hollywood’s most beloved directors in Martin Scorsese, “The Age of Innocence” was a critically acclaimed romantic drama that scored Winona Ryder her first Oscar nomination. The film takes place during America’s Gilded Age, a time of extreme decadence, and tells the story of Newland Archer, a newly engaged man who finds himself falling in love with another woman. Ryder plays Archer’s finance, May Welland; and is spectacular in the role. Working alongside Hollywood heavyweights Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer, Ryder easily holds her own; proving once again what a talented actress she is.
#7: Josephine ‘Jo’ March
“Little Women” (1994)
Set in the period of the American Civil War, “Little Women” is based on the classic piece of literature of the same name. It follows the March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – and the different paths their lives take due to their very different personalities. Winona Ryder plays Jo, a spirited young woman with a passion for writing. Ryder is magnificent in the role, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Jo March is the heart and soul of the film and Ryder does an excellent job of bringing the character to life in a positive and believable way.
#6: Lelaina Pierce
“Reality Bites” (1994)
A ‘90s cult classic, “Reality Bites” is a coming of age dramedy starring Ethan Hawke, Ben Stiller and of course, Winona Ryder. Ryder plays Lelaina, a videographer who struggles to navigate the tumultuous post-college world while attempting to balance love and friendship. While the film wasn’t exactly a critical or commercial success, it is often considered one of the ‘90s’ most accurate depictions of the lives of Generation X’ers. Ryder’s performance in the film received positive reviews, with one critic calling it her “greatest role since Heathers”.
#5: Susanna Kaysen
“Girl, Interrupted” (1999)
“Girl, Interrupted” is the story of Susanna Kaysen, a young woman who suffers a nervous breakdown that ultimately lands her in a psychiatric hospital. While there, she befriends Lisa, a charismatic sociopath and one of the facility’s most senior residents. The chemistry between Ryder and co-star Angelina Jolie is palpable, and both young women are at the top of their game in this film. Both actresses received praise for their performances, with Jolie taking home the Oscar for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role. A poignant tale of self-discovery, “Girl, Interrupted” is must-watch material for Winona Ryder fans.
#4: Joyce Byers
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
The smash hit of 2016, “Stranger Things” is a science-fiction horror series set in the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana. Ryder plays Joyce Byers, a distraught mother willing to do anything to find her missing 12 year-old son Will. The show is a brilliant blend of all things ‘80s and plays heavily on the nostalgia that exists for the decade. While “Stranger Things” features plenty of strong performances, Ryder is in a league of her own. She was recognized for her role when she was given a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama TV Series at the Golden Globes.
#3: Kim Boggs
“Edward Scissorhands” (1990)
This quirky love story is one of the most beloved films of all-time, and is arguably director Tim Burton’s crowning achievement. “Edward Scissorhands” is the tale of a man, who as you may have already guessed, has scissors for hands. Winona Ryder plays Kim, a teenager living in the suburbs who falls in love with Edward despite his physical flaws. A critical and commercial success, the film received numerous awards nominations with many praising Ryder for her performance. An iconic flick that is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, accepting her role in “Edward Scissorhands” is easily one of the best career moves Winona Ryder has ever made.
#2: Lydia Deetz
“Beetlejuice” (1988)
Beetlejuice…beetlejuice….beet….just kidding! Another of Tim Burton’s wacky creations, “Beetlejuice” is the unconventional story of two ghosts who decide to haunt their former home in order to scare off the family who just moved in. Things start to go awry however when they hire obnoxious freelance bio-exorcist ghost Betelgeuse to do the job for them. Ryder plays Lydia, a Goth teenager who befriends her new home’s deceased inhabitants. A teenager herself when the film was released, Ryder proves more than capable of holding her own, delivering an iconic performance in one of the decade's best films.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Corky
“Night on Earth” (1991)
Mina Harker
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992)
Vinni Restiano
“Show Me a Hero” (2015)
h4>#1: Veronica Sawyer
“Heathers”(1988)
This is the cult classic that put her name on the map, and Winona Ryder is pure cinematic gold in the black comedy. “Heathers” satirizes the high school experience in dramatic fashion, focusing on a quintessential high school clique and the rebellious new kid in town who decides to kill them all. It sounds bleak but it’s actually one of the funniest movies you’ll ever see, made even better by Ryder’s darkly subversive performance and deadpan delivery. A box office failure, the film is now considered one of the best films of the ‘80s; and in 2017 came in at number 412 on Empire’s list of “The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time”.
