Octavia Spencer began her acting career in the 90s, first starring in A Time To Kill in 1996. She flew under the radar as an actress for quite some time, making a name for herself as a character-actress in smaller roles in movies and TV. Indeed, it wasn’t until she starred in The Help that the world truly started to take notice of her talent. Since then, Spencer has either led or been part of major films across all genres, cementing her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.
Spencer has been nominated for and won multiple major industry awards, from the Oscars to the Golden Globes, for films like The Shape of Water and Hidden Figures. Currently, Spencer leads the Apple TV+ series Truth Be Told, which was renewed for a third season in December 2021, per Variety, and is an anthology series about a true crime podcaster based on Kathleen Barber’s novel Are You Sleeping. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Gabrielle Union is set to star alongside Spencer. Until further details are released, here’s a look at Spencer’s eight best performances, ranked.
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8 Snowpiercer
The Weinstein CompanyCJ Entertainment
Snowpiercer was released in 2013 and was written and directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film is a story of survival, depicting an apocalyptic future where everyone is dead except for a select few that have taken refuge on a train called Snowpiercer. The film was a huge success and has also produced a very successful Netflix series of the same name. Spencer played Tanya, a mother who is set on getting her son back. The film also features performances by Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 The Shape of Water
Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Shape of Water was one of the most applauded films of 2018, and Guillermo Del Toro received the recognition he had deserved for so long. The film stars Sally Field as the main character, Eliza, a mute woman who embarks on a relationship with a mutant creature being kept at the facility where she works. Spencer plays Eliza’s best friend, Zelda, who helps her conceal the forbidden relationship. Their chemistry as friends makes the film feel warm alongside the drama and impressive visual effects.
6 Gifted
TSG Entertainment
Gifted starred Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, and Jenny Slate as the leads, and dealt with difficult issues, primarily the ongoing custody battle over Mary (Grace) between Frank (Evans), her uncle, and Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), her grandmother. Spencer stars in a supporting role as Roberta, who is a friendly neighbor to the main characters. Spencer once again proves how even in a supporting role she can steal the scene whenever she’s on.
5 Luce
Dream Factory Group
Luce was released in 2019 and did not receive the wider recognition it deserved despite the critical acclaim it received during its run at the Sundance Film Festival. The film focuses on Naomi Watts and Tim Roth, who star as a married couple whose adopted son, Luce, displays serious behavior problems. Spencer stars as Harriet Wilson, a teacher who begins to uncover what is influencing him to behave this way, making for a gripping film about family.
4 Self Made
Netflix
Self Made is a Netflix miniseries in which Spencer takes the leading role. The series is inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, a woman who builds and empire around hair care and is credited as the first Black woman in America to become a self-made millionaire. It’s been pointed out that there are a lot of liberties taken with the source material, but Spencer embodies her role and makes the viewer root for her from the beginning.
3 The Help
DreamWorks Pictures
The Help was released in 2011 and was a huge turning point in Spencer’s career. As well as Spencer, the film stars ensemble cast of women that includes Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jessica Chastain, to name a few. The film is based on the Kathryn Stockett novel of the same name, telling the story of Skeeter (Stone) who dreams of being a writer and decides to interview the Black maids in her small Mississippi town. Spencer received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the film is one of the most praised in history.
2 Ma
Blumhouse Productions
Ma was released in 2019 and did not receive the most critical acclaim, however, Spencer’s talents as an actor were given full reign in this horror film. She plays Sue Ann, a middle-aged woman who allows a group of teenagers to party in her basement if they follow her rules. Of course, this soon descends into something more sinister than the teens initially expected. Spencer’s performances carries the film, which has since spawned several viral memes.
1 Hidden Figures
Fox 2000 Pictures
Hidden Figures was released in 2016 and was a huge critical success as well as being culturally significant. The plot focuses on the true story of the Black women at NASA — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson — who served as the brains behind one of the greatest space missions in history. Spencer portrays Dorothy Vaughn, a mathematician and NASA supervisor, and her compelling performance adds to the overall impact of the film.
