Every Viola Davis Performance: RANKED
#27: Viola Greer aka Grandma
“Get Rich or Die Tryin’” (2005)
Top 10 Shocking Reveals We Learned from Oprah+ Viola: A Netflix Special Event
Released in 2005, this semi-autobiographical drama was intended to propel 50 Cent from rapper to actor. The reviews and box office didn’t do much for 50 Cent’s career, but it was an early indicator of Davis’ potential. In one of her more substantial roles at the time, Davis plays the grandmother of 50 Cent’s Marcus. From a young age, Marcus is frequently left with his grandparents, which eventually turns into a long-term situation. While Mr. and Mrs. Greer do their best to raise Marcus, they struggle to keep him away from the crime world. Although we wish she had more screen time, Davis is reliably strong as a woman full of regret and disappointment. Yet, she never loses her instinct to protect those she loves.
#26: Ellen
“Madea Goes to Jail” (2009)
Top 10 Iconic Vera-Ellen Dance Scenes
We know what some of you are thinking: Oscar-winner Viola Davis was in a “Madea” movie? It’s true, but that’s not what’s surprising. What’s surprising is the power that Davis brings to the at times goofy production. While we get to see Tyler Perry do his over-the-top schtick, Davis couldn’t be more believable as a former prostitute and addict who turns her life around as a minster. Ellen dedicates her career to helping troubled girls and women. As someone who’s survived the streets, Ellen can be blunt when she needs to be, but she’ll also give others space to express their feelings. Some would debate whether the dramatic and comedic scenes go together, but nobody can deny that Davis fully commits to her role.
#25: Amarie “Amma” Treadeau
“Beautiful Creatures” (2013)
This gothic romance came out amid the peak of “Twilight,” and it shows in the execution. For many, the film fell short of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl’s novel, bombing at the box office. At the very least, “Beautiful Creatures” gave us some fun performances. Where Jeremy Irons and Emma Thompson camp it up, Davis takes a more grounded approach as Amma, a seer who serves as a mentor to our young heroes. The character is a composite of a librarian and maid from the book. Davis was grateful that the character wasn’t a maid in this adaptation with the librarian part preserved. As Amma, Davis is wise, maternal, and resourceful, bringing dignity to what can otherwise be a straightforward supernatural teen love story.
#24: Liz Ingram
“The Unforgivable” (2021)
Top 10 Best Viola Davis Performances
While this Netflix drama wasn’t the biggest critical hit, it emerged as an audience favorite, accumulating over 85 million hours worth of views during its first week. This can be largely attributed to its cast, which includes a lead performance from Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis in a key supporting role. Davis brings great nuance to Liz, a woman who lives in a home once owned by Bullock’s Ruth, who’s fresh off a 20-year sentence. Liz’s husband agrees to help Ruth find her estranged little sister. Liz objects, although Davis helps us to see where she’s coming from. The animosity between Liz and Ruth builds to a powerhouse argument about second chances. Davis unearths Liz’s compassion as she comes to see eye-to-eye with Ruth.
#23: Delia Shiraz
“Eat Pray Love” (2010)
Julia Roberts leads this adaptation of the best-selling memoir as Elizabeth Gilbert, a middle-aged woman who is finally driven to get a divorce and see the world. As Elizabeth’s best friend and editor Delia, Davis acts as a voice of reason. Delia lays down the various reasons why Liz’s impulsive decisions might come back to bite her. At the end of the day, though, Delia supports her friend’s choice to pursue more out of life. Davis finds just the right balance as a woman who’s practical, but not judgemental. Even if she has reservations about Liz’s plans, Delia remains her rock throughout.
#22: Lila Walcott
“Lila & Eve” (2015)
Davis makes up one half of this crime drama’s titular duo, starring as Lila opposite Jennifer Lopez’s Eve. Both play mothers grappling with grief following the deaths of their murdered children. Where Lila tries to power through the five stages, Eve wishes to add a sixth: revenge. The two soon find themselves taking the law into their own hands with Eve being the wild card and Lila being the more pragmatic one slowly getting in deeper than she anticipated. The deeper she gets, Lila finds that she has more in common with Eve than she ever imagined. Although the writing might prove divisive, the two actresses are exquisitely cast with Davis, in particular, shining as a woman torn between acceptance and her true desire.
#21: Gail Friedman
“Trust” (2010)
Few actresses offer better emotional support than Davis. Her characters can be understanding, patient, and down-to-earth, but they also know when to speak up and lay down some tough love. Davis brings all of this to her role as Gail, a hospital counselor who meets with Liana Liberato’s Annie, whose experiences online take her to some traumatic places. Like many fourteen-year-olds, Annie initially thinks she knows everything, making excuses when she’s clearly being taken advantage of. Gail tries to help Annie see what’s really going on between her and the much older “Charlie,” or so he calls himself in a chat room. Davis’ character was named after Gail Abarbanel, the founder and director of the RTC. It’s an inspiring performance worthy of the name.
#20: Detective Parker
“Disturbia” (2007)
How Detective Pikachu Is Canon With The Anime
A modern spin on “Rear Window,” “Disturbia” centers on a young delinquent under house arrest who suspects his neighbor is up to no good. Davis makes the most out of a relatively small role as Detective Parker, who delivers Kale’s ankle monitor. Although Parker is no-nonsense, you don’t get a sense that she’s out to get Kale like some other authority figures. She wants to see Kale reform and tries giving advice to keep him out of trouble, but he’s eventually forced to step out of line. With another performer in the role, this could’ve been a fairly run-of-the-mill part. With Davis, the character evolves from a vessel for exposition to a three-dimensional presence.
#19: Major Gwen Anderson
“Ender’s Game” (2013)
Top 10 Movies That Killed a Major Character off Early
If you ever need somebody to play a commanding authority figure, Davis should be on speed dial. Be it a mayor in “Law Abiding Citizen,” a CIA Director in “Knight and Day,” an FBI agent in “Blackhat,” or a judge in “Custody,” nobody garners respect like Viola. Her turn as Major Gwen Anderson is no exception. Along with Harrison Ford’s Colonel Graff, Anderson takes a special interest in the titular Ender, enlisting him for Battle School. Where Graff takes a sterner approach, viewing Ender as a cadet above all else, Anderson sees that he’s still a child whose emotions shouldn’t be brushed off. While Anderson is second-in-command, she’s more than willing to stand up to Graff, feeling responsible for the kids in her care.
#18: Tonya Neely
“The Architect” (2006)
Tonya Harding Scandal: Top 5 Facts You Should Know
On Rotten Tomatoes, “The Architect” sits towards the bottom of Davis’ filmography. Even when the material is underwhelming, Davis delivers a gravitas that elevates the entire production. Davis is authentic as always as a woman trying to build a better community for her neighbors, her children, and herself. Tonya articulates what many others want to say, but they lack the words or determination. She hits roadblocks every step of the way with her efforts often going underappreciated. We’ve all met somebody like Tonya, who never relents even as her arguments fall on deaf ears. Had Tonya been the main focus, we feel “The Architect” would’ve been better received. With the tools she’s given to work with, Davis almost single-handedly builds a studier foundation.
#17: Sybil
“Far from Heaven” (2002)
In recent years, Davis has expressed regrets about playing maids, which we can understand. We don’t think Davis would accept a role in “Far from Heaven” today, but her character does play a subtle link between two worlds. As the title suggests, this period drama evaluates the idyllic 1950s, which actually weren’t so ideal when you strip away the Technicolor magic to reveal the repressed emotions. As Julianne Moore’s Cathy falls for Dennis Haysbert’s Raymond, Davis’ Sybil senses the inevitable heartbreak. Sybil tries to stay out of her employer’s business, but with a simple glance, Davis conveys what most audiences suspect: this time period isn’t going to be kind to their interracial romance. Even with little dialogue, Davis says a lot.
#16: Michelle Obama
“The First Lady” (2022)
Michelle Pfeiffer VS Zoë Kravitz VS Anne Hathaway as Catwoman
This Showtime series assembles three generations of First Ladies with Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Davis as Michelle Obama. Although these three come from different backgrounds, they each share more in common than simply being married to the President. They all changed the world for the better. Davis portrays Mrs. Obama as someone initially reluctant to get involved in politics out of concern for her family’s safety. Once in the White House, though, Michelle isn’t content with being a hostess. She uses her influence to improve healthcare, children’s diets, and epidemics plaguing the nation. Davis has never been one to get sidelined, making her perfect to play a First Lady who by no means lived in her husband’s shadow.
#15: Amanda Waller
“Suicide Squad” (2016) & “The Suicide Squad” (2021)
Top 10 Greatest Amanda Bynes Movies
When we heard Davis had been cast as Amanda Waller in the DCEU, fans knew it was a match made in heaven. The bad news is that Davis debuted in “Suicide Squad.” The good news is that she was given a vastly superior script with “The Suicide Squad.” Even in the lesser 2016 film, Davis was easily among the best aspects. Just listening to someone talk about supervillains isn’t especially riveting, but nobody delivers exposition with more raw intensity than Davis. In the 2021 follow-up, Davis continues to shine as Waller emerges more ruthless, living by the phrase, “the end justifies the means.” It’s easy to loathe Waller, but Davis captures the cunning nature that made the character such a scene-stealer in the comics.
#14: Abby Black
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” (2011)
Following the events of 9/11, people tried to make sense of the tragedy. Oskar, a precocious boy whose father was at the World Trade Center, searches for closure by tracking down the lock to a mysterious key. He encounters numerous people along the way, the first being Davis’ Abby. In her first scene, Davis juggles an assortment of emotions as she deals with a crumbling marriage and the young boy who suddenly appears at her doorstep. Despite her frustration, Abby opens up to Oskar and comes to recognize his grief as well. Although it seems like this will be the first and last time they meet, Abby plays a more substantial role in Oskar’s journey than expected, putting both on a path to healing.
#13: Dr. Gordon
“Solaris” (2002)
Every Lady Gaga Acting Performance: RANKED!
From a morgue doctor in “State of Play,” to a head physician in “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” to a professor in “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” Davis’ characters have quite the collection of doctoral degrees. Dr. Gordon likely has the most advanced degree, being qualified for a space mission. Davis had already popped up in a few Steven Soderbergh films like “Out of Sight” and “Traffic.” Soderbergh’s “Solaris” provided the meatiest showcase for Davis yet as a doctor who thinks with her head, offsetting George Clooney’s Dr. Kelvin, who thinks with his heart. Gordon comes to see the emotionally-driven Kelvin as a threat to the crew and Earth. Although she can come off as cold, Gordon is consistently the most sensible person onboard.
#12: Nona Alberts
“Won’t Back Down” (2012)
In some cases, Davis is the sole reason to check a movie out. In this film’s case, there’s one other reason: Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays a mother juggling two jobs. She teams up with Davis’ Nona, a teacher willing to fight for the inner city’s neglected and mistreated students. “Won’t Back Down” is more well-intentioned than it is successful in bringing anything new to the topic at hand. Davis and Gyllenhaal bring just enough, however, to make the film stand out. The two actresses share an endearing dynamic with Davis as a woman losing her spark before Gyllenhaal’s Jamie reminds her why she became an educator. While the film is about the education system, it’s just as much about women taking control of their lives.
#11: Miss Rayleen
“Troop Zero” (2019)
Gone But Not Forgotten: 10 Actors We Still Miss Think About Everyday
Young protagonist Christmas Flint introduces Miss Rayleen as an intergalactic warrior and the story’s most intelligent person. The first part of that statement isn’t exactly accurate, but the latter half is. Christmas and her fellow members of the dubiously named Troop Zero just want a chance to shine. Rayleen identifies with them, agreeing to be their troop mother. Just as the troop is full of misfits, Rayleen takes an unconventional approach. She doesn’t talk down to the kids, telling them like it is. Although Rayleen can be almost brutally frank, she also proves nurturing, uplifting, and fierce in the face of adversity. We’d rank this performance on a scale from 10 to 0, but if the film proves anything, it’s that numbers don’t mean much.
#10: Eva May Fisher
“Antwone Fisher” (2002)
Every Rom-Com Sequel: RANKED!
2002 saw more movie audiences take notice in Davis and this biopic arguably provided the best platform for her. Almost a decade-and-a-half before Denzel Washington directed Davis to an Oscar-winning performance, the two collaborated on “Antwone Fisher.” Davis is downright devastating as Antwone’s mother, who gives birth as a teenager while facing incarceration. Although Davis is absent for much of the film, the reunion between the mother and son delivers on the buildup. Where Antwone is still standing strong, we see the toll that the past decades have taken on Eva May. While she can’t bring herself to say much, Davis expresses all of her character’s guilt, hesitance, and sorrow. Antwone bares his soul, but his mother is too broken inside to confront the past.
#9: Susie Brown
“Get on Up” (2014)
Another biopic where she plays an estranged mother, Davis is given more screen time in “Get on Up.” The stage belongs to the late Chadwick Boseman’s electrifying performance as James Brown, but Davis is equally powerful as his mother. When Susie Brown can take no more of her cruel husband, she struggles to take her son along. The audience is shocked when they cross paths again. Now a prostitute, Susie is unrecognizable from when we last saw her. James can still spot his mother from a crowd, but she treats him like a stranger. She doesn’t reenter her son’s life until he becomes a success, igniting feelings of anger and shame. While Susie is easy to despise, Davis finds her humanity, almost summoning empathy.
#8: Nancy Birch
“Prisoners” (2013)
Top 10 Greatest Nancy Meyers Movies
In this emotionally-draining thriller, Davis’ Nancy endures every parent’s worst nightmare. On Thanksgiving, Nancy’s daughter goes missing along with another young girl. Although the story mainly focuses on one father’s guilt and desperation, “Prisoners” also explores the agony that the mothers experience. When Nancy sees the extreme measures that the fathers have taken, she takes a more humane approach. She puts her own safety in potential jeopardy as she appeals to the captive suspect, balancing unbearable sadness with uncontainable bravery. Nancy is a mother above all else in this moment, willing to do anything for her daughter while sympathizing with the tortured young man in her presence. Like the other parents, Nancy is a prisoner in her own right. A prisoner of grief.
#7: Veronica Rawlings
“Widows” (2018)
Almost two decades after playing an off-screen parole board officer who releases Danny Ocean, Davis starred in a completely different kind of heist movie. While Veronica is a resourceful woman, she never envisioned herself orchestrating a heist. That was her husband’s department. When her husband is taken out of the picture and she’s backed into a corner, Veronica steps up as the big boss with a few other women who aren’t that experienced with robberies. Learning through her husband, Veronica maintains a domineering presence. Underneath that confidence, she’s well aware that this could end with her either behind bars or six feet under. We sense Veronica’s fear, but Davis masks it with such resilience that we’d take orders from her too.
#6: Aibileen Clark
“The Help” (2011)
Although this Best Picture nominee also garnered her a Best Actress nomination, Davis has reservations about “The Help” in retrospect. While not the most complex exploration of race relations, the film’s heart is in the right place and aspired to challenge some stereotypes. Whatever your thoughts on the film are, it’s hard to find fault in the ensemble with Davis giving an especially gut-wrenching performance as a maid compelled to tell all. In a way, the film’s ending mirrors an important turning point in Davis’ career. Standing up to her oppressive employer, Aibileen leaves with her head held high, choosing to retire. Davis was far from retired, but moving forward, she’d stop playing the help in favor of pursuing roles that evoke power.
#5: Ma Rainey
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (2020)
The True Story Behind Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Speaking of power, few figures in Davis’ filmography possess more presence than blues icon Ma Rainey. This adaptation of August Wilson’s play sets itself in 1927, a time when women of color had little control over their lives. Ma Rainey is an exception with the recording studio having to play by her rules, even if it means halting a session to get her a Coke. To her credit, it was a very hot summer day, which shines through in Davis’ performance. Beyond the sweat, tears, and makeup, Davis pours her soul into playing a singer who looks exhausted while also beaming with life. Reuniting with Chadwick Boseman for his final film, the picture encapsulates two acting legends at the top of their Oscar-nominated game.
#4: Annalise Keating
“How to Get Away with Murder” (2014-20)
Being an Oscar nominee, some were surprised that an actress of Davis’ status would take on a network drama. With TV arguably developing more layered female characters, however, we can see what drew Davis to the small screen, especially with a part like Annalise Keating. An attorney and law professor who doesn’t shy away from her sometimes unethical tactics, Annalise was a role of a lifetime, making Davis the first Black recipient of the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy. Davis runs the gamut as a character who can blur the lines between hero, villain, and antihero. Whichever label you choose, we root for Annalise even at her most merciless. As assertive as Annalise is, Davis also infuses the character with vulnerability.
#3: Rose Lee Maxson
“Fences” (2016)
Davis and Denzel Washington both won Tony Awards for their hard-hitting performances in a rival of August Wilson’s play. When Washington decided to immortalize their performances on the silver screen, many predicted that Davis would at long last add an Oscar to a mantle. Indeed, Davis deservingly found herself just a Grammy away from an EGOT with this emotional rollercoaster. Davis plays a faithful housewife who attempts to keep the peace in her chaotic home. While Rose Lee remains loyal throughout, she’s eventually prompted to shink her sharp-tongued words into her alcoholic, adultering husband. In what might be the most masterful scene of her career, Davis unleashes all of her character’s sadness, rage, regret, disappointment, and strength in a tidal wave of superb acting.
#2: Mrs. Miller
“Doubt” (2008)
Top 10 Terminators From Each Movie: RANKED!
Although Davis is in “Doubt” for barely eight minutes, she leaves such an impact that it feels as if she’s on screen for much longer. Whether or not you consider this her breakthrough performance, you can see why the role earned Davis her first Oscar nomination. Holding her own against an equally astounding Meryl Streep, Davis is heartbreaking and haunting as the mother of a son possibly being targeted by a priest. Although Mrs. Miller can at first seem uncaring, she’s actually trying to keep her son alive above all else. Even if Sister Aloysius’ suspicions prove true, Miller fears that her son may face even worse treatment from his homophobic father. Torn between two horrible options, Miller leaves Aloysius and the audience shaken.
#1: General Nanisca
“The Woman King” (2022)
It feels as if Davis’ career has been building towards playing General Nanisca, a beacon of empowerment. Leading a female group of warriors in West Africa, Nanisca commands the respect of her fellow soldiers and the King that she protects. Be it on the battlefield or in training, Nanisca rarely lets her defenses down. As she grows closer to a young newcomer, played by Thuso Mbedu, we see a different side of Nanisca that even she didn’t know existed. Whether driven by orders or emotions, Nanisca is iron-willed in the face of every challenge. A title like “The Woman King” deserves an actress of a royal caliber. Only Davis could do this role full justice, turning in a performance as epic as the movie itself.
