In my humble opinion, Arielle Kebbel has truly mastered the art of playing complex characters that keep audiences on their toes. From her manipulative yet charming portrayal of Vanessa Shaw on “90210” to her supportive and resilient role as Kimberly in the After film series, Kebbel consistently brings depth and nuance to each character she plays.
Regardless of your preference for different movie genres – be it teen dramas, romantic comedies, action-thrillers, or horror – there’s a strong possibility you’ve come across Arielle Kebbel on the screen at some point. This versatile actor boasts a rich filmography that underscores her ability to adapt to various genres. Longtime fans of her work might remember her as Lindsay Forester, Dean’s (Jared Padalecki) first wife from “Gilmore Girls.” That role served as Kebbel’s major breakthrough, and in an interview with E! News, she revealed that she felt confident about getting it after reading the character description. The requirements were simple: she had to be over 5 feet 8 inches tall because she was going to be Dean’s girlfriend, and she needed to be able to talk quickly. As fate would have it, she was correct, and she added that the experience was a dizzying whirlwind as she started filming her first scenes the very next day after landing the role. “I didn’t have time to ponder over it or grasp the magnitude of what a significant opportunity it was,” Kebbel said.
After spending three seasons on “Gilmore Girls,” Kebbel’s career soared, gaining recognition for roles in a string of adolescent-themed films such as “Aquamarine” and “John Tucker Must Die.” However, Kebbel refuses to be typecast, which is evident in her diverse acting portfolio that extends beyond teen rom-coms and dramas. Fans familiar with her recent projects know she’s portrayed a wide range of characters, from a sports broadcaster on “Ballers” to a vampire assassin on “Midnight, Texas,” and even a firefighter on “9-1-1.” This article will delve into the five most memorable performances from Kebbel’s extensive career, considering not only professional achievements but also the enduring influence of her characters.
The Grudge 2
Following her charming portrayal of Lindsay in “Gilmore Girls,” Arielle Kebbel surprised fans by taking on a role in a horror film. She collaborated with Hollywood veteran Sarah Michelle Gellar in “The Grudge 2,” where the narrative followed Gellar’s character, Karen, who had survived the terrifying events of the franchise and was now in Japan. Critics generally felt that this sequel didn’t match up to its original. Nevertheless, Kebbel’s performance as Allison Fleming was remarkable enough to secure a nomination at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards for ‘Choice Movie: Scream.’
Similar to its forerunner, “The Grudge 2” employs a narrative that jumps between various events out of sequence. The film transitions between scenes set in Japan and the United States, following the resurgence of the malevolent character Kayako Saeki (portrayed by Takako Fuji) and the relentless Curse birthed from her demise in the initial movie. This Curse, unabated, brutally claims fresh victims. Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Beals, Edison Chen, and Sarah Roemer are among the actors who appear in this sequel.
In this role, Kebbel undergoes a major change, switching her iconic golden hair to a sleek black. Her character Allison accidentally discovers the curse when she, along with her friends Vanessa Cassidy (played by Teresa Palmer) and Miyuki Nazawa (Misako Uno), break into the abandoned Saeki house as a dare. Tragically, Vanessa and Miyuki succumb to the Curse, but their spirits come back to haunt Allison. Despite returning home to Chicago, Allison remains haunted by the fear that the Curse has followed her, finding it difficult to break free from this deadly destiny.
John Tucker Must Die
2006 was a bustling year for Arielle Kebbel. Fresh from a role that netted her a Teen Choice Award nomination, she landed one of the defining roles in her career – Carrie in “John Tucker Must Die.” Kebbel starred alongside rising stars such as Brittany Snow (of “Pitch Perfect” fame), singer Ashanti, Sophia Bush (“One Tree Hill”), Jesse Metcalf (“Desperate Housewives”), and Penn Badgley (from “Gossip Girl”). This teen rom-com revolved around the character Kate joining forces with Carrie, Heather (portrayed by Ashanti) and Beth (Sophia Bush) to exact revenge on their unfaithful boyfriend John (Jesse Metcalf).
The movie “John Tucker Must Die” has been likened to “Mean Girls” due to their shared theme of revenge in the plotline, as indicated by the tagline “don’t get mad, get even.” However, it distinctly offers unique variations on typical coming-of-age narratives. In this film, the female characters are portrayed as being firmly in charge, while John finds himself manipulated, reversing the usual power dynamics. Furthermore, the romance between Beth and Badgley’s character Scott helps the movie avoid the common trope of the “new girl ending up with the jock.
Kebbel particularly enjoys the movie because it’s primarily a tale of redemption over revenge. As she put it to IGN, the characters ultimately understand that they’re just wasting their time on him when they could be strengthening their relationships with each other. Each character seems to find closure in some way, which is what makes the movie so impactful. Kebbel remains enthusiastic about the 2006 film and is currently working on producing a sequel. She hinted to ET that it’s thrilling to experience the reunion and see the enthusiasm from fans.
The Vampire Diaries
Arielle Kebbel portrays diverse characters on television screens, yet fans of “The Vampire Diaries” might say that no role of hers is as unforgettable as Alexia “Lexi” Branson. Although the character was originally intended for Taylor Swift, it’s difficult to envision Lexi being portrayed by anyone else but Kebbel. Lexi makes her appearance in Season 1, Episode 8 to celebrate Stefan’s (Paul Wesley) birthday and offer insights into his complex past. What sets Lexi apart is that her demeanor appears menacing, but she’s actually quite harmless – especially considering she’s a centuries-old vampire. Initially, Lexi seems like an impediment in Stefan and Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) relationship, particularly after Elena encounters her in nothing but a towel. However, surprisingly swiftly, she becomes the couple’s strongest supporter. Sadly, in a surprising turn of events, Lexi is killed off during this very episode.
As a die-hard fan, I can honestly say that Lexi is one of my all-time favorite characters. In fact, she was so captivating that she inspired my later role on “Midnight, Texas.” When we started filming, I found myself completely smitten with Lexi. I had no idea that her character would evoke such a passionate response from the fans.
90210
Arielle Kebbel excels at teen dramas, but her character Vanessa Shaw in “90210” is quite distinct from Lexi on “The Vampire Diaries.” Joining the reboot of “Beverly Hills, 90210” during its fourth season, Vanessa quickly proves to be more complex than she initially appears. True to teen drama style, she makes a startling debut on the show by accidentally hitting Liam (played by Matt Lanter) with her car. Yet, once she discovers he’s a billboard model, her manipulative nature emerges, as she deceives him by claiming to have rescued him after a hit-and-run.
Instead of Lexi and Elena, Vanessa emerges as a romantic adversary for Annie (Shenae Grimes-Beech). Swiftly intertwining herself into every aspect of Liam’s existence, she leaves minimal space for others to enter. Over time, Liam becomes aware of her true character, but he’s already too immersed in their relationship as Vanessa persists in controlling his life and even threatening him with blackmail.
Kebbel delivers a remarkable portrayal of the complex character Vanessa, effortlessly showcasing her sweet and ruthless aspects. Kebbel found great satisfaction in breathing life into this character, expressing to TVLine that “Vanessa is unpredictable, which makes her fascinating… She’s determined to advance Liam in his career while maintaining their relationship.” It appears she’ll go to any lengths to achieve her goals, even if it means crossing certain boundaries. However, Vanessa surprises us all with a brave and commendable act to shield Liam from peril.
After Ever Happy
The fourth movie in the After film series, titled “After Ever Happy,” continues the romantic tale of Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) and Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin). Arielle Kebbel stepped into the series with the third film “After We Fell,” taking over from her “Vampire Diaries” co-star Candice Accola King as Kimberly for the rest of the films. Although the replacement was initially awkward, Kebbel swiftly adapted the character to suit her own style.
In the story of “After We Fell,” the bond between the character and Tessa, whom she considers both a little sister and a surrogate daughter, grows stronger. Meanwhile, alongside helping Tessa, Kimberly faces her own challenges as she discovers she’s pregnant and learns that her husband, Vance (Stephen Moyer), is involved in an affair at the same time. Kebbel reappears in both “After Ever Happy” and “After Everything,” where we witness Kimberly’s resilience as she chooses to stand by Vance, repair their relationship, and rebuild their family instead of tearing it apart.
Despite receiving negative reviews, “After Ever Happy” boasts a 92% positive response from its audience on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting that Kebbel delivers a compelling performance. A poignant moment in this film occurs when Kimberly takes Tessa out for coffee, offering comfort during her father’s passing and another heartbreak with Hardin. Despite her own marital struggles, Kimberly consistently supports Tessa, even when she decides to seek solace in New York. This supportive role helps Tessa realize the importance of self-care, eventually leading to a healthier relationship between herself and Hardin, as shown in the final installment of the movie series.
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2024-10-07 15:00