Since her breakout performance in the Divergent series, Woodley has taken on increasingly mature roles. In the film The Spectacular Now, she gives a natural and genuine performance as a liberated spirit who defies family expectations.
She then portrayed Lindsay Mills, an American activist who released classified CIA information, in the biographical thriller Snowden.
The Fault in Our Stars
This is not a movie for cynics and it does have its credibility-stretching moments (such as the actions of cantankerous author Peter Van Houten played by Willem Dafoe) but overall it is a spirited, touching romance and Shailene Woodley’s best performance to date.
The actress also stars in Adrift alongside Sam Claflin, another rising star. This movie is a true story about a couple that sets sail in 1983 and is hit with a storm, leaving them adrift in the open ocean. The ibomma film is well-written and crafted, making it an enjoyable drama with some surprising twists. This is one of the better Shailene Woodley movies and has a 7.7 rating on IMDb.
Endings, Beginnings
The film has a great cast that includes both Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan, as well as an excellent script from novelist Jardine Libaire and director Drake Doremus. While some of the dialogue veers into limp cliches, the actors make the most out of it with their nuanced performances. The film’s soundtrack and cinematography are also wonderful.
Shailene Woodley shines in this survival thriller adapted from Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s book Red Sky in Mourning. While it doesn’t necessarily belong on this list, it is a must-watch because of Shailene’s powerful performance. It’s an edge-of-your-seat ride as viewers follow the story of a young couple who are stranded at sea during a hurricane. It’s a must-see for all fans of the Divergent series and anyone who wants to see a great performance from Shailene Woodley.
Divergent
Unlike many films in the genre, The Spectacular Now focuses on the struggles of a young woman and her relationship with her boyfriend, an addict. Woodley and her fellow stars—such as Miles Teller, Ben Foster, Zoe Kravitz, and Tahar Rahim—give believable performances in this well-written and emotionally charged drama. It’s also a rare opportunity to see Woodley in a serious role, a departure from her usual fare. It’s also a reminder of why she’s become such a talented actress.
Nevertheless, it’s the central romance between Woodley and Ansel Elgort that elevates this movie to the status of one of Shailene’s best movies. Their onscreen chemistry is palpable, and the film offers a poignant commentary on teenage sexuality and relationships.
White Bird in a Blizzard
After completing her stint on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Woodley took on the much more prestigious role of Beatrice “Tris” Prior in the trilogy of films based off the YA novel series by John Green. Her performances in both of these films brought her even more acclaim.
In her first time directing, she created a powerful drama that explores the aftermath of a school shooting. The Fallout stars Jenna Ortega as Vada, whose trauma is eased through support from her therapist and her growing relationships with Mia and Quinton. Woodley’s gentle and supportive presence in this drama helps to highlight the power of therapy and the importance of creating new relationships to help overcome difficult circumstances.
The Descendants
In this adaptation of the Veronica Roth novel, Woodley plays Tris Prior in a dystopian society that is divided into factions based on personalities. People who value intelligence go to Erudite; those who love others belong to Amity; those who are honest are a part of Candor; selfless people join Abnegation; and those who are brave can be found in Dauntless. People who don’t fit into one category are called Divergent, and those who choose to be Divergent are considered dangerous.
This movie is a sci-fi thriller with plenty of action, and Woodley is excellent as the lead character. It’s hard to put this film down, and it’s a great way to see more of what Shailene can do on screen.
