The bestOlivia Cookemovies and TV shows reveal one of the most consistently uphill career trajectories of any actor to enter the spotlight in the last few decades and include a staggeringly consistent number of critically acclaimed projects. Born in 1993 in the UK, Olivia Cooke is most widely recognized for her role as Alicent Hightower in HBO’sGame of Thronesprequel,House of the Dragon,as well as shows likeBates Moteland highly celebrated movies such asSound of MetalandMe and Earl and the Dying Girl.
Olivia Cooke’s on-screen career started in 2012 in BBC miniseries likeBlackoutandThe Secret of Crickley Hall.However, it was the 2014 horrorThe Quiet Ones(which was filmed several years before it released) that allowed her to lay the foundations of her career. Word of Cooke’s performance inThe Quiet Onesquickly spread, and from there the futureHouse of the Dragonstarlanded her breakout role in the A&E horror dramaBates Motelin 2013. After season 1 ofBates Moteldebuted, Cooke’s career accelerated at a rapid pace due to her incredibly solid performances in a string of highly acclaimed movies and TV shows.
Ouija
Cast
Ouija follows a group of friends who play with an Ouija board and accidentally awaken an ancient dark spirit. The 2014 supernatural horror film was critically panned upon release but did well enough at the box office to warrant a sequel. In 2016, Ouija: Origin of Evil was released, acting as a prequel to the original film.
One of the best movies from Olivia Cooke’s early career is 2014’sOuija,in which she leads the cast as Laine Morris. Directed by Stiles White and co-written by White alongside Juliet Snowden,Ouijatakes the popular tool for communicating with spirits, a Ouija board (which is technically a Hasbro board game), and spins it into a chilling supernatural horror.While it’s not Olivia Cooke’s highest-rated movie, it does feature one of the best early performances from the futureHouse of the Dragonstar.
As one of the central characters inOuija,Olivia Cooke gets plenty of screen time throughout. Playing Laine allowed Cooke to showcase her talents as an actor, and the 2014 horror gave audiences their first glimpses of many of the skills she’d later harness in more prominent shows and movies likeBates Motel. Ouijawasn’t exactly a hit with critics, but it was a box-office success, grossing over $100 million worldwide against a $5 million budget.
Fireheart
Fireheart is an animated feature set in 1920s New York City, focusing on a 16-year-old girl who aspires to become a firefighter. As she confronts societal norms, she must embrace her bravery and skills to protect her city from impending threats.
One of the most underrated titles among the best Olivia Cooke movies and TV shows is the 2022 animated comedyFireheart.While it flew mostly under the radar with critics,Fireheartis a truly endearing story that chronicles the dreams of a teenage girl determined to become the first female firefighter. This girl, Georgia, is voiced by Olivia Cooke, and theBates MotelandHouse of the Dragonstar shows she’s just as capable of bringing characters to life when only having her vocal performance to rely on.
Many critics praised Cooke’s performance, and noted that the plot ofFireheartwas especially motivational as far as kids movies go (especially for young female viewers). While it might not have quite been the box-office smash as some of Cooke’s other feature-film appearances,it still stands out when it comes to her strongest performances - especially as it’s her only time voice acting in an animated movie so far.
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (2018) is a British period drama TV series adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel. Starring Olivia Cooke as the ambitious Becky Sharp, the series chronicles her attempts to climb the social ladder in 19th century England. Directed by James Strong, the show features Tom Bateman, Claudia Jessie, and Johnny Flynn in supporting roles, capturing the intricacies of societal and personal dynamics during the Napoleonic Wars.
Based on the 1848 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, Olivia Cooke’s performance in the complex role of Becky Sharp cements the 2018 miniseriesVanity Fairas one of her best TV shows. Cooke’s character Becky is the daughter of an opera singer and artist. A master of manipulation (especially when it comes to men),Vanity Fairfocuses on Becky as she utilizes her skills of influence and persuasion to boost her social standing among the wealthy elites of 19th-century London.
It was inVanity Fairthat Olivia Cooke showed her skills when it came to acting in period dramas - an essential side of her range as an actor for her role of Alicent inHouse of the Dragon(even if the Medieval setting takes place in a fictional world).Cooke’s performance as the cast lead inVanity Fairwas integral to its success, and the fact that it still holds an 89% rating onRotten Tomatoesspeaks for how strong an on-screen presence she was as Becky Sharp.
Ready Player One
Adapted from Ernest Cline’s novel of the same name, Ready Player One follows Wade Watts, an orphan who desperately wants to win a seemingly-impossible video game competition that would see him win ownership of the OASIS, a sophisticated virtual reality game that had revolutionized modern life. Helped by his friends and racing against time to find the hidden clues before the OASIS is claimed by an evil conglomerate, Wade’s love of the game is put to the test.
2018’s Ready Player One is the epic 2018 sci-fi from Steven Spielberg and also marks Olivia Cooke’s first appearance in a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster. Based on thenovel of the same name by Ernest Cline,Ready Player Onetakes place in a dystopian future where a shared virtual reality universe has become more significant than the decaying remnants of the real world. Co-leading the cast alongside Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke plays Art3mis (and her real-world player, Samantha), a famous figure in the virtual world who’s fighting to keep it free from the control of the sinister corporation IOI.
WhileReady Player Onewasn’t a career-changing project for legendary director Steven Spielberg, it was a significant step forward for Olivia Cooke. Her performance as Art3mis landed her several awards nominations, and like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,Ready Player Onebrought a significant amount of positive exposure to Cooke.The movie itself may not be groundbreaking, but Olivia Cooke’s performance in it is an inarguable career highlight.
Little Fish
Little Fish (2021) is a science fiction romance directed by Chad Hartigan. The film follows a couple, played by Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell, grappling with a memory loss virus that threatens their relationship. As the virus spreads globally, they strive to preserve their love and shared memories amidst an ever-changing reality.
Of all the best Olivia Cooke movies, few have a premise quite as intriguing as 2021’sLittle Fish,from director Chad Hartigan. Based on the novel of the same name by Aja Gabel,Little Fishtakes place in a future where humanity is plagued by a horrific virus. However, unlike many movies about pandemics, the disease inLittle Fishisn’t terrifying due to causing death. The virus instead erases the memories of the infected, such as Olivia Cooke’s character Emma Ryerson.
Little Fishis one of the highest-rated Olivia Cooke movies when it comes to critical reception, with a 91% score onRotten Tomatoes. Despite the sci-fi premise, the story itself is a romantic drama. The narrative focuses Cooke’s Emma and her partner, Jude (Jack O’Connell), as they fight to preserve their memories of the love they share. It’s an incredibly emotional ride, and one that’s driven by Cooke’s performance and the on-screen chemistry she shared with co-star Jack O’Connell.
Bates Motel
Bates Motel is an A&E original series that acts as a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror classic, Psycho. The TV show centers on Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore), who, with his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga), move across the country and buy a motel. However, Norman’s psyche quickly begins to unravel as he struggles with his abnormal relationship with his mother.
While Olivia Cooke has had some impressive movie roles, it’s her best TV shows that truly helped cement her career. Her first appearance as a main cast member came when she took on the role of Emma Decody in the 2013-2017 A&E horror dramaBates Motel.A loose prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary 1960 horror moviePsycho, Bates Motelfocused on the childhood of Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his strange relationship with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga).
Emma Decody was a challenging role, and Olivia Cooke’s performance as her inBates Motelwas an early sign that she had a promising career ahead of her. Not only did Cooke convincingly portray Emma’s struggles with cystic fibrosis, but she also perfectly captured the nuance of her character’s complex feelings for future serial killer Norman Bates.Her chemistry with Freddie Highmore and how she kept Emma’s relationship with Norman convincing throughout their ever-changing dynamic is especially noteworthy, and in retrospect makes it clear why Olivia Cooke was always the perfect choice for Queen Alicent in the back-stabbing and betrayal-filledHouse of the Dragon.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl centers on Greg (Thomas Mann), whose easygoing life of remaking movies with his friend Earl (RJ Cyler) takes a dramatic turn when he befriends Rachel (Olivia Cooke), a young girl with cancer. The film is based on Jesse Andrews' novel of the same name.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girlis cemented as one of the best Olivia Cooke movies due to how many accolades and awards her performance as Rachel brought her. The 2015 coming-of-age dramedy by director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon was a crucial movie in Cooke’s earlier career, bringing no shortage of attention to her skills as a performer and opening many doors. Cooke was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the San Diego Film Critics Society, Best Actress - Feature Film at the Women’s Image Network Awards, and Best Female Newcomer at the 2016 Empire Awards. She also won the Jury Award for Best Actress at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
At this point in her career, these accolades marked the first significant success for Olivia Cooke as far as critical recognition goes.Me and Earl and the Dying Girlwas also well-received by critics all round, as evidenced by its 81% rating onRotten Tomatoes.It’s also perhaps the most emotional performance of all of Olivia Cooke’s movie roles, as her portrayal of the terminally ill Rachel ensures few viewers can make it to the credits with dry eyes.
Thoroughbreds
Thoroughbreds is a psychological thriller directed by Cory Finley. The film centers on two wealthy teenage girls, Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke), in suburban Connecticut who rekindle their childhood friendship. As they reconnect, their conversations take a dark turn, leading them to hatch a sinister plan. Also featuring Anton Yelchin, Thoroughbreds delves into themes of morality and manipulation.
The 2017 black comedyThoroughbredssees Olivia Cooke co-star alongside another talent whose career flourished in the 2010s, Anya Taylor-Joy. The pair have an exceptional level of chemistry, and their performances as Amanda (Cooke) and Lily (Taylor-Joy) were highlighted by many critics. Like many of the best Olivia Cooke movies,Thoroughbredswas received incredibly well, and is yet another one of her projects with an incredibly high rating onRotten Tomatoesof 87%.
Directed and written by Cory Finley,Thoroughbredssees Cooke’s Amanda plot with her best friend Lily to murder Lily’s stepfather. It’s a truly unique viewing experience, one that’s as tense and nailbiting at points as it is uncomfortably hilarious at others.Olivia Cooke’s portrayal as the cold and emotionally flat Amanda ensures she steals many scenes, and as well as being one of the best roles of her career, it also stands out as perhaps the most unique.
Sound of Metal
Sound of Metal is an Amazon Original movie written and directed by Darius Marder. Starring Riz Ahmed, the plot follows the struggles of a drummer in a Metal band that ends up losing his hearing.
When it comes to her feature films, it’s undebatable that 2019’sSound of Metalis the best Olivia Cooke movie.Holding a near-perfect 97% score onRotten Tomatoesand receiving dozens of awards nominations and wins including multiple Academy Awards, no film Olivia Cooke has appeared in so far has even come close to matching its level of acclaim. While much of the focus was oncast lead Riz Ahmed’s performanceas Ruben Stone (a drummer experiencing hearing loss), Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of Ruben’s girlfriend Lou is equally integral to the emotional depth of the 2019 drama.
To say thatSound of Metalmakes for emotionally intense viewing is an understatement. What’s more, while Ruben is the focus, Lou has many struggles of her own, including self-harming. Olivia Cooke manages to bring the depth and nuance of the character to the screen with an uncanny level of authenticity and realism, both in terms of Lou’s struggles, and her complex relationship with Ruben as his hearing deteriorates.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
Not only is HBO’sHouse of the Dragonthe best Olivia Cooke TV show, but her performance as Queen Alicent Hightower in theGame of Thronesprequel is steadily cementing her as a household name.Debuting in 2022,House of the Dragontakes place centuries beforethe events ofGame of Thrones,showcasing the devastating Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The fact that Alicent stands out as one of the most memorable characters is a testament to Olivia Cooke’s abilities as an actor.
If Alicent had been played by someone less capable than Olivia Cooke then she would likely have faded into the background for viewers, as she’s part of a story filled with jaw-dropping action, larger-than-life Targaryen personalities, and no shortage of CGI dragons. However, Cooke’s performance as Alicent has ensured the Queen is regarded as one of the most essential ingredients of the show. WhileHouse of the Dragonmay still be ongoing, it’s already clear that it’s a career-defining role for Olivia Cooke, and will only become more significant for her by the time it concludes.
