Summary
Aubrey Plazahas made a name for herself as one of the most interesting actresses working today, with acclaimed roles in film and television. While viewers may immediately recognize Plaza as April Ludgate inParks and Recreationor for her role in the second season ofThe White Lotus, she has done so much more than just that and has had plenty of underrated roles. With a career that has struck the perfect balance between major Hollywood productions and smaller independent cinema, Plaza has many hidden gems throughout her illustrious career.
The best Plaza rolesexploited her ability to portray sardonic characters while maintaining her unique sense of wit. However,Plaza’s most underrated roles have also extended into various genres, as she’s played memorable parts in spooky horrors, intense thrillers, and even superhero series. Plaza has shown herself to be a talented and capable actress who has excelled in leading and supporting roles across various film and television parts.
10Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Aubrey Plaza as Julie Powers
One of Aubrey Plaza’s most underrated roles was her supporting performance inScott Pilgrim vs. the World. Plaza played Julie Powers, the ex-girlfriend of Scott’s bandmate Stephen Stills, and the social glue that bound many of the movie characters together, as she was friends with Ramona Flowers before she started dating Scott Pilgrim. With a hostile undertone to her character,Plaza expertly portrayed the subtle nuances and annoyance that Julie felt towards those around her.
Julie tried and failed to keep Scott away from Ramona and Plaza’s intense frustration at the title character bled into every interaction she had with him. WhileScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldwas a box office bomb when it was released, it has since become a cult classic and stands as one ofthe best vs. moviesout there. With a talented ensemble cast, Plaza was an important contributor toScott Pilgrim’slong-lasting legacy, and she even reprised her role in the anime adaptationScott Pilgrim Takes Off.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Cast
Based on Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim series of graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the titular slacker musician (Michael Cera) as he strives to earn a record deal by winning the Battle of the Bands organized by music mogul Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). After meeting and falling in love with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Scott learns that he must also defeat her seven evil exes. Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, and Brie Larson round out the film’s star-studded and quirky ensemble.
9Child’s Play (2019)
Aubrey Plaza as Karen Barclay
The long-running horror franchiseChild’s Playwas rebooted in 2019 withAubrey Plaza playing Andy Barclay’s widowed mother, Karen. This remake of the original 1988 film updated theChild’s Playseries for the Internet era as the murderous Chucky doll once again gained consciousness and wreaked havoc on the unsuspecting family. This playful adaptation got right to the heart of everything great about the killer toy story, and Plaza delivered a fun, campy performance.
Child’s Playworked well as a satire of the modern technology-obsessed way that society has progressed, which helped differentiate it from the original version of this story.Mark Hamill voiced Chucky in theChild’s Playremake, which was an inspired choice as he channeled the same sinister energy he had brought to the Joker inBatman: The Animated Series.Child’s Playwas a fun addition to the long-running franchise and stood as an underrated Plaza movie.
Child’s Play
Child’s Play is a 2019 remake of Tom Holland’s 1988 film of the same name. Instead of Chucky being a Good Guy doll, he is now a high-tech Buddi doll that becomes evil after a disgruntled factory worker disables his safety protocols and ends his own life. Child’s Play received mixed to negative reviews, and after Don Mancini released his Chucky TV show, any ideas for a sequel were shelved.
8Black Bear (2020)
Aubrey Plaza as Allison
Although Aubrey Plaza has had plenty of large roles in major Hollywood productions, some of her most underrated performances were in smaller indie films such asBlack Bear. This fascinating black comedy thriller starred Plaza as a young filmmaker named Allison, seeking solace in a remote cabin with two guests named Gabe and Blair. As the intricate and layered narrative revealed itself,Black Bearexplored the complexities of interpersonal relationships through emotionally charged and anxiety-inducing performances.
Black Bearwas written and directed by Lawrence Michael Levineand offered unnerving insights into the creative process and the chaos of artistry. As a truly challenging and stimulating film,Black Bearwas Plaza in top form as the film’s idiosyncratic nature complimented her sardonic style and unique dry wit perfectly. Not only wasBlack Beara creative success, but it also received acclaim for the environmentally friendly nature of its production, earning it the Gold “green-seal” from the Environmental Media Association (viaHR) for sustainability.
7Criminal Minds (2005 - 2020, 2022 - Present)
Aubrey Plaza as Cat Adams
Aubrey Plaza has had just as impressive a career in television as in film and has appeared in many varied and acclaimed TV series. One of Plaza’s most underrated TV roles was as Cat Adams, a recurring character onCriminal Mindswho has appeared in a total of four episodes. Known under the names Miss.45 and The Black Widow, Cat was a misandristic, psychopathic, and narcissistic serial killer first introduced in Season 11 of the long-running police procedural.
Plaza was perfectly suited to play such a complex and sinister character as Cat Adams, who was revealed to be a hitwoman and proxy killer of great skill. Cat was an important part of the Season 12 narrative arc ofCriminal Minds,as she masterminded a vendetta against Spencer Reid and led a gang in a revenge plot. As one of the most fascinating recurring characters inCriminal Minds, Plaza once again reprised her role as Cat in Season 15.
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds follows an elite team of FBI profilers from the Behavioral Analysis Unit as they analyze the nation’s most complex criminal minds, led by experienced agent David Rossi. The team works to anticipate and prevent crimes by understanding the behavior of these dangerous individuals.
6The Simpsons (1989 - Present)
Aubrey Plaza as Amber Duffman
While many viewers may have alreadyquit watchingThe Simpsonsby the time Aubrey Plaza’s guest appearance aired during the Season 34 episode “From Beer to Paternity,” it stood as one of the more enjoyable late-period episodes. With a story involvingDuffman trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Plaza played Duffman’s now adult child, Amber. This was a heartfelt episode that added complexity to the character of Duffman and included a dual narrative about Homer and Lisa’s relationship.
Plaza was a great choice for the role of Duffman’s daughter, as her recognizable voice and sarcastic demeanor were well-suited to the part. Disappointingly, Plaza only appeared in the final minutes of the episode, and although it was a memorable performance, she could have been utilized better in herSimpsonsappearance. WhileThe Simpsonshas had a lot of celebrities who have appeared as themselves, it was refreshing to see a brand new character being created for Plaza to voice.
5The Legend Of Korra (2012 - 2014)
Aubrey Plaza as Eska
While Aubrey Plaza has had an acclaimed career in front of the camera, she has also built up a significant amount of impressive voice work. One of Plaza’s most underrated animated performances was in the NickelodeonAvatar: The Last Airbendersequel series,The Legend of Korra. Plaza played Eska, the twin sister of Desna, the dual chief of the Northern Water Tribe, and Korra’s cousin.
Eska was an important character inThe Legend of Korraand wasvoiced by Plaza in 12 episodes. Along with their sibling Desna, Eska joined Team Avatar to unite in the fight against their own father after he used the energy of Harmonic Convergence to become the Dark Avatar. Eska was often presented as an emotionless character, which worked with Plaza’s sardonic speaking style; however, her attachment to Bolin was one of the few factors that could send her into a fit of rage and shine a light on her buried personality.
The Legend of Korra
The Legend of Korra is an animated series set in the Avatar universe, following Avatar Korra’s journey as she strives to master the elements and fulfill her role as a fully realized Avatar. Released in 2012, the series explores her challenges against traditional norms and her internal quest for balance.
4Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Aubrey Plaza as Darius Britt
Safety Not Guaranteedwas a quirky, low-budget indie movie that featured one of Aubrey Plaza’s most underrated performances alongside Mark Duplass in one of his very best performances. Telling the story of a man who sought a companion to travel back in time with him, Plaza played a newspaper intern going undercover to investigate his unusual classified ad. Along the way, the duo formed a strong connection, and the story of a potentially deranged man became a heartfelt exploration of how the past slips away in the blink of an eye and the future comes too quickly.
Propelled by a strong script and commitment performances, Plaza showcased her movie star potential while simultaneously starring as April Ludgate on the sitcomParks and Recreation. Produced for just $750,000 and grossing over $4.4 million (viaBox Office Mojo),Safety Not Guaranteedwas a major example of a low-budget indie movie’s potential to find extraordinary success. As a film categorized by a whole lot of heart,Safety Not Guaranteedhighlighted Plaza’s skill for comedic indie movieswith poignant messages.
3Ingrid Goes West (2017)
Aubrey Plaza as Ingrid Thorburn
Aubrey Plaza channeled her skill for playing intense and dark characters in her role as Ingrid Thorburn in the black comedyIngrid Goes West. As an obsessive young woman with a passion for social media,Ingrid Goes Westfollowed Plaza as she moved to Los Angeles to befriend her Instagram idol, Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olson.) What followed was a timely story that highlighted the shocking sociological consequences of a technology-reliant society as Ingrid became increasingly unstable in her parasocial attachment to Taylor.
Ingrid Goes Westhighlighted the pressing issue of stalking amid online culture in the 21st century and stood as one of Plaza’s most underrated roles. Through smart, topical humor,Ingrid Goes Westmanaged to walk the fine line of thrilling entertainment while delivering an engaging message.Ingrid Goes Westwas a biting satire and an incredible feature debut from director and co-writer Matt Spicer.
Ingrid Goes West
Ingrid Goes West is a dark comedy film starring Aubrey Plaza as Ingrid Thorburn, a troubled young woman who becomes obsessed with a social media influencer, Taylor Sloane, played by Elizabeth Olsen. Directed by Matt Spicer, the film explores the impact of social media on mental health and relationships as Ingrid relocates to Los Angeles in an attempt to insinuate herself into Taylor’s seemingly perfect life.
2Emily The Criminal (2022)
Aubrey Plaza as Emily Benetto
Aubrey Plaza gave one of the best performances of her career inEmily the Criminal, a thrilling crime story about a young woman who found herself pulled into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles. With relentless pacing and high-octane energy,Emily the Criminalwas a truly underrated gem that deserved to reach a far larger audience, as Plaza played an art student struggling under mountains of debt to perfection. With a strong script and excellent direction from John Patton Ford, Emily Benetto was one of Plaza’s most interesting characters.
Through a documentary style, fantastic use of music, and effective cinematography,Emily the Criminalwas a film that pulled viewers in from its opening sceneand did not let them go until the credits rolled. While there was plenty of action throughout,Emily the Criminalnever lost sight of the importance of its characters and was a breath of fresh air amid so many forgettable action-thrillers. WhileEmily the Criminalreceived acclaim from critics, it’s not as well known among everyday viewers and deserves to be spoken about as one of Plaza’s greatest acting accomplishments.
Emily the Criminal
Emily the Criminal is a thriller directed by John Patton Ford, featuring Aubrey Plaza as Emily, a down-on-her-luck young woman drowning in student debt. Desperation leads her into a high-stakes credit card fraud operation that propels her into a dangerous criminal underworld. Co-starring Theo Rossi, the film explores themes of financial distress and moral ambiguity.
1Legion (2017 - 2019)
Aubrey Plaza as Lenny Busker and Amahl Farouk / Shadow King
Aubrey Plaza showed off her villainous side in the criminally underrated superhero seriesLegion. While Plaza’s character of Lenny Busker was initially conceived as a middle-aged man, her character was changed to fit her unique sensibilities, and her role onLegionwas among the most interesting and varied in her entire career. While Lenny was killed in the pilot,Plaza returned as the mutant Shadow King, whose consciousness fell under the control of Amahl Farouk.
Legionwas a truly unique TV series characterized by incredible characters, and Plaza helped make it one of the most underrated and interesting series of the 21st century. Plaza’s role inLegionplayed into her skills for the horrific and sarcastic as she sang, killed, and joked her way through each of the show’s three seasons. In a career full of unique and fascinating roles,Aubrey Plaza’sexcellent performance inLegionwas one not to be missed.
Legion
Legion is an FX Original Series created by Noah Hawley in conjunction with Marvel Television. The psychological horror/thriller series stars Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, and Aubrey Plaza. The release pertains to comic book character Legion, otherwise known as David Haller, as he deals with a diagnosed schizophrenia and the formation of his mutant powers.
