As a connoisseur of all things cinematic, I must say that Ella Purnell has had quite the diverse career thus far. While her performance as Kate in “The Ward” was heart-wrenching and poignant, it’s her role in the Starz series “Sweetbitter” that leaves me with a bit of a bitter taste.
At present, Ella Purnell is 27 years old, yet she’s swiftly gaining recognition in Hollywood for her work on genre productions. The success of “Yellowjackets,” “Army of the Dead,” and “Fallout” has positioned her as a significant figure in the science fiction and horror realms, hinting at her potential to follow in the footsteps of actresses like Neve Campbell or Sigourney Weaver. She demonstrates versatility in portraying characters that are distant and melancholic, brash and juvenile, wide-eyed and perceptive, as well as tough and emotionless. It’s quite impressive range for someone so young.
From a young age, Purnell has made a name for herself in the acting world, amassing a impressive list of notable roles. Among these projects, which ones truly shine and solidify her potential for stardom? Here are five films and TV shows that are among her strongest (and weakest) performances according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Yellowjackets
Ella Purnell gained widespread recognition due to her exceptional performance in “Yellowjackets,” a series that has been variously described as a chilling female-centric take on “Lord of the Flies,” a dark comedy with deep emotional resonance, and a horror tale with a quirky twist. Regardless of its label, it has received an impressive 96% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics. Furthermore, the show’s devoted fanbase and enduring popularity have contributed significantly to Purnell’s rise to fame and continue to support the series today.
In Season 1, Purnell portrays Jackie Taylor extensively and makes occasional appearances in Season 2. As the dominating figure of the Wiskayok High Yellow Jackets soccer team, Jackie experiences a drastic change in her life when the team, coach, and supporters meet with a tragic plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. As the seasons progress from late summer to late fall, and then to early winter, Jackie’s authority over the team and the situation becomes increasingly unstable. A disagreement between Jackie and her close friend Shauna Shipman (played by Sophie Nélisse) leads Jackie to sleep outside of their shelter cabin. On the same night, a snowstorm hits, causing Jackie to freeze to death. Tragically, the remaining team members mistakenly roast Jackie’s body instead of cremating it in a desperate attempt to survive. Shauna had already consumed a part of Jackie before they lit the fire. It’s a grim end for Jackie, but hopefully audiences will see more of her character in the future.
Fallout
With a “Fine and Dandy,” Lucy MacLean emerged as one of the beloved characters in “Fallout.” She’s optimistic, feisty… and finding herself living a life she never envisioned amidst the wasteland following the collapse of her existence within the Vaults. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Fallout” boasts a score in the low 90s, earning acclaim from both critics and audiences alike.
The story in “Fallout” not only revolves around the character arc of Walton Goggins’ Ghoul, a former cowboy star turned bounty hunter, and Aaron Moten’s Maximus, who joins The Brotherhood of Steel and becomes Lucy’s confidant. However, this narrative primarily focuses on Lucy’s growth and maturation. Following a tragic wedding event, she ventures into the post-apocalyptic landscape of Los Angeles in search of her missing father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), a former Overseer abducted by raiders. Throughout her journey, Lucy discovers her strength, encounters the Ghoul, and forges connections within The Brotherhood of Steel. Purnell skillfully navigates these narrative shifts, and Lucy demonstrates both grit and compassion as needed.
Army of the Dead
Critics from Rotten Tomatoes didn’t seem to enjoy “Army of the Dead” when it was first released, and it currently holds an average approval rating of 67%. However, the audience’s favorable response, with an approval score of 75%, played a significant role in making the Zack Snyder-directed action film a popular choice among fans, ultimately turning it into a cult hit.
In this reimagining, Purnell portrays Kate Ward, a member of a team created by her father, Scott Ward (Dave Bautista). The wealthy proprietor of a casino in Las Vegas recruits this group for an operation aimed at targeting the establishment, which is poised to become the epicenter of a tactical nuclear strike. However, due to a failed military mission involving aliens, the future has been overrun by zombies, or so it seems in Las Vegas. Scott and his team have been assigned with breaking into the casino’s safe and rescuing its remaining contents before it’s too late. As expected, complications arise.
In my perspective as a dedicated fan, Purnell masterfully shoulders the heart-wrenching narrative burden in this story. As the last surviving member of our team, her character Kate experiences an emotional rollercoaster, including dealing with the loss of her father. With the original cast mostly deceased, it falls on Kate to preserve and honor the Ward legacy in the sequel that’s coming up. The question remains whether she’ll continue the story.
Sweetbitter
Consider it as a blend of “Emily in Paris” and “The Bear.” In “Sweetbitter,” Ella Purnell made her debut playing an adult character for the first time, but unfortunately, the Starz series didn’t stand out from the crowd. It had a short run and isn’t fondly remembered by viewers or critics at Rotten Tomatoes, who gave it a 30% approval rating for Season 1. Despite Purnell’s strong performance, the kitchen-centric storyline fell flat.
The narrative revolves around Tess (Purnell), an outsider from New York City, who ventures into the demanding environment of a renowned, upscale restaurant’s kitchen. Initially, Tess encounters both the relentless stress of working in a professional kitchen and the world of drugs and casual encounters among the chefs outside work hours. Over time, Tess forms connections, learns the ropes, and gradually emerges from the background as much as possible. This typical growing-up tale is often overshadowed by other, superior chef-focused series in viewers’ minds. After the conclusion of “Sweetbitter” Season 2, the show was absorbed into public consciousness by better culinary shows.
Kick-Ass 2
In some instances, sequels fail to live up to expectations, and “Hit-Girl” (Chloë Grace Moretz) is no different. Although Ella Purnell’s role in “Kick Ass 2” might be limited, it still marks one of her less successful big-screen appearances. Regrettably, the movie quickly faded from cultural relevance upon release. Currently, it holds a 33% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 57% from fans.
Four years have passed since the events of “Kick-Ass,” and Mindy Macready (Moretz) is attempting to fit in at her regular high school, but her heroic persona keeps peeking through, particularly when dealing with bullies like Dolce (Purnell). Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the previous Kick-Ass, has been coaching Mindy on how to be a genuine superhero. Chris D’Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) reappears, now leading his family’s criminal empire as a notorious supervillain with an uncensored name. Both heroes are drawn back into action to uphold justice once more.
A romance between Dave and Mindy, a storyline where Mindy seeks revenge on her tormentors by causing them to vomit and defecate, and Jim Carrey distancing himself from the entire production following the Sandy Hook School Shooting – this project was doomed from the very beginning. If you’re a fan of Purnell’s, it might be wise to give it a miss. You can still watch the movie if you like, but keep in mind that it’s not likely to turn out well.
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2024-09-22 17:00