As a huge fan of Olivia Cooke‘s work, I must say her journey has been nothing short of captivating. From her humble beginnings on British television to her breakout role in “Bates Motel,” she’s proven time and again that she’s got the talent to tackle any role thrown her way.
Olivia Cooke has subtly emerged as one of Hollywood’s most captivating talents, despite not having won any major awards so far (but it’s only a matter of time!). Over the years, she has demonstrated her versatility through an array of varied roles, ranging from action-packed movies that ruled the box office to mature and high-energy TV series. With no signs of slowing down, Cooke continues to impress audiences on both the big and small screen. After all, she started her career in 2012 with the British show “Blackout” and has been a consistent presence ever since.
Her success is all the more interesting and well-deserved when you consider that she was rejected from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art — one of the most prestigious acting schools in not only the United Kingdom but the world. In a recent conversation with Hunger, Cooke opened up about her lack of formal training when it comes to acting. “I can only go on my particular experience, but I was really lucky to be able to learn on the job from the age of 18,” she said. “I was able to shape myself and my craft while learning from incredible professionals who have had years of experience.”
After a decade in the industry, Cooke has accumulated a wealth of experience that she can show off proudly. Ever since her initial appearance on screen, Cooke has displayed an incredible range of talent and a keen interest in exploration, often choosing intriguing roles that others might avoid. With numerous projects completed, let’s delve into the star’s filmography and rank her top five — for now.
Bates Motel
Olivia Cooke made a big entrance on the global stage through “Bates Motel,” a series prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “Psycho.” Critics adored it, with its 5-season run earning an impressive 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show premiered in 2013 and rapidly became one of A&E’s most watched programs. While the allure of Hitchcock’s “Psycho” initially drew viewers, it was the acting prowess of Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his mother that kept them tuning in week after week.
But while the duo excelled with the series’ mother-son drama, the show’s major standout was Cooke, who appeared as Emma, one of Norman’s closest friends. She became a favorite thanks to her empathetic nature, kind actions, and genuine interest in Norman and his familial issues. Though not an entirely perfect character, Emma was complex and, more often than not, the show’s most morally sound presence. Unfortunately, while playing Emma helped kickstart her career, Cooke’s time on “Bates Motel” was tough on her mental health because of the chaotic shooting schedule.
Despite that, Cooke continued to be a leading player on “Bates Motel” over the show’s five-season run. Despite being one of her earliest roles, Cooke proved herself while being surrounded by many acting veterans. While speaking with The Guardian in 2022, Cooked discussed how she learned to absorb a character’s mindset thanks to time she spent working with the beloved Farmiga. “She had the role in her bones,” Cooked said of her co-star. As the British star continues in her career, you can see just how attached Cooke becomes to her roles, often disappearing into them.
House of the Dragon
If you’re a movie or TV enthusiast, there’s a good chance Olivia Cooke was already known to you before her latest role. However, “House of the Dragon” brought the talented British actress into the spotlight for many new viewers, marking her most prominent and significant role yet. In an interview with Looper, Cooke revealed that she hadn’t watched “Game of Thrones” prior to getting the part – a fact that might come as a surprise given her convincing portrayal of Targaryen sass. Playing Alicent Hightower in the HBO series, Cooke has delivered a stunning performance across both seasons, seamlessly transitioning between expressions of worry, intrigue, and anger.
To date, playing Alicent Hightower has been Cooke’s most intricate and unforgiving role, and the “Game of Thrones” series serves as a testament to her versatility, as her character stands out among the entire cast. As the show progressed, viewers witnessed Cooke growing increasingly comfortable in her portrayal of Alicent, particularly during the second season. The audience has observed Cooke’s representation of Alicent transform and develop, resulting in a character that remains ambitious but cloaked in ambiguity.
Playing my role in “House of the Dragon” has earned me nothing but appreciation from fans and critics alike, who have admired my performance. I’m hoping this appearance might secure me an Emmy award, which I truly feel I deserve. Even without awards, I take comfort in knowing that I’ve given audiences a character who is powerful yet complex, perhaps misguided, yet relatable. It goes without saying that starring in “House of the Dragon” has significantly impacted my life and undoubtedly will open up numerous new opportunities for me in the future.
Thoroughbreds
Among the lesser-known gems from the 2010s film landscape, the black comedy “Thoroughbreds” stands out as an ingeniously twisted tale perfectly suited for today’s Generation Z. Making his cinematic debut, director Cory Finley presents this darkly humorous story about Amanda (Olivia Cooke) and Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy), two high school students who contemplate killing Lily’s stepfather (Paul Sparks). Smart, engaging, and filled with suspense, “Thoroughbreds” garnered widespread acclaim upon its premiere at film festivals in 2017. Critics have lauded the movie for its biting satire and outstanding performances, earning an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In her review for RogerEbert.com, Christy Lemire commended Cooke’s portrayal of Amanda, stating that she excels at delivering biting, understated one-liners. “Cooke might be playing a sullen, detached teenager,” Lemire wrote, “or she could simply be a cold-blooded sociopath.
For Cooke, the film “Thoroughbreds” served as a turning point, allowing her to display her dramatic prowess in an unsettling fashion. Before this dark comedy, most of Cooke’s roles had her playing subdued, melancholic characters. In “Thoroughbreds,” she was able to express the same emotions but in a more intricate manner, resulting in a character that stands out as one of her finest performances. By expressing her angst in this movie, Cooke was essentially rehearsing for “House of the Dragon,” where she frequently needs to convincingly switch from calm and composed to malicious and enraged within seconds.
Cooke’s versatility is beautifully showcased in ‘Thoroughbreds,’ a film that’s both entertainingly slick and darkly sinister. It also marks the last screen appearance of the late Anton Yelchin. He portrays a hitman, and his interactions with Cooke and Taylor-Joy’s characters are so engaging they make the ticket cost worthwhile.
Ready Player One
2017 marked the end of Olivia Cooke’s stint on “Bates Motel,” paving the way for her to explore various new roles. By this time, it was evident that she possessed a knack for dramatic performances, showcasing her skills in movies like “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” “Katie Says Goodbye,” and “Thoroughbreds.” However, fans wondered if she could handle a big-budget production. That question was answered in 2018 when she starred in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “Ready Player One,” which turned out to be a box office smash. This movie, a tribute to ’80s pop culture, delivered on its grand expectations, offering a sci-fi extravaganza that truly lived up to its hype.
In this role as Samantha/Art3mis, Cook is tasked with guarding the virtual reality system in both the real and imagined worlds from “Ready Player One”. This performance stands out among her best due to her ability to adjust to a unique style of filmmaking that necessitates a louder and more assertive approach. Through Art3mis, we witness Cook stretch her acting skills with a strong, unsubtle edge. The role was especially challenging for the actress because it involved extensive motion capture performances, a technique she had not previously employed.
During her conversation with Collider, Cooke expressed that starring in a big-budget film like “Ready Player One” was a significant step forward in her career. She further mentioned that she intends to be more thoughtful when choosing future roles. As she currently finds herself in a strong position, she can carefully select projects. In essence, she explained that she now has the ability to acquire an article’s rights, hire a writer to script it, bring on a director, and subsequently produce her own film.
Sound of Metal
Released in 2020, the film “Sound of Metal” has received critical acclaim yet seems somewhat underappreciated. Despite earning six Oscar nominations and two technical awards, it hasn’t garnered as much attention as it merits. The movie features Riz Ahmed as Ruben, a drummer in a metal band with his partner Lou (played by Olivia Cooke). They may not be superstar musicians, but they tour the country playing gigs. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Ruben starts losing his hearing, compelling them to reevaluate their relationship with music and with one another.
In the movie, Ahmed’s exceptional acting talent is prominently displayed, yet Cooke manages to hold her ground with ample screen time. This allowed her to demonstrate her singing abilities, something she found intimidating. During an interview with Collider, Cooke revealed the anxiety and effort required to capture the live performance scenes in the film. “It was truly terrifying,” she admitted. “During rehearsals, I could ignore the fact that I’d eventually have to perform on stage. In total, we did around seven takes for that particular performance, which was the most we did throughout the entire film. It was a source of fear, but also excitement.
As a gamer, I must admit, Ahmed’s co-star didn’t snag an Oscar nod next to him, but let me tell you, Cooke truly shone in that film. She delved into a role unlike any she’d tackled before – a character that was raw, unpolished, and chaotic. It was a refreshing change from her previous performances.
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2024-09-26 21:00