Top 10 Samara Weaving Performances

#10: Penelope

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017)

While she’s mainly known for her horror roles, Samara Weaving’s filmography includes a good amount of comedy and drama. The actress had a supporting role in Martin McDonagh’s 2017 award-winning drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Even with a stacked ensemble cast of industry veterans, Weaving managed to stand out as Penelope, the young and upbeat girlfriend of Charlie Hayes, Mildred’s ex-husband. The film deals with dark, heavy subject matter, but Penelope always has something positive to say. Despite limited screen time, Weaving’s performance is one of the film’s most memorable.

#9: Laura Crane

“Scream VI” (2023)

Having already worked with directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, aka Radio Silence, it’s not surprising that Samara Weaving landed a role in “Scream VI.” While she’d absolutely kill it in a leading role, she’s not the next Sidney Prescott as some fans expected. Weaving appears in the opening sequence as Laura Crane, an assistant film professor at Blackmore University. Unbeknownst to her, the date she’s waiting for is actually Jason Carvey, a student with a grudge. He lures Laura into an alley, where he’s waiting in a Ghostface mask. In this Drew Barrymore-like role, Weaving delivers a stellar performance, along with her signature scream.

#8: Bee

“The Babysitter” (2017) & “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” (2020)

One of Samara Weaving’s first leading roles was in Netflix’s teen horror-comedy “The Babysitter,” often considered her breakthrough into the mainstream. Her character, Bee, is introduced as the cool, attractive babysitter to a lonely boy named Cole. One night, he discovers she’s the leader of a satanic cult in need of a sacrifice. Bee is a complex character. She’s the antagonist, but also genuinely cares for Cole. This movie proved Weaving’s a pro at blending genres, particularly comedy and horror. She reprised her role in the sequel, “The Babysitter: Killer Queen,” where we learned more of her backstory and the truth about the pact she made with the devil.

#7: Melanie Cross

“Mayhem” (2017)

For Samara Weaving, 2017 turned out to be a huge year, with two big movies, “Three Billboards” and “The Babysitter.” After playing a small role in the former and starring role in the latter, Weaving co-starred in “Mayhem” with Steven Yeun. She played Melanie Cross, a client asking for a loan extension, who finds herself quarantined inside an office building with lawyer Derek Cho. The two team up to take on his colleagues, who’ve been infected with the mysterious ID-7 “Red Eye” virus that makes them increasingly violent. “Mayhem” and the other two films showcased Weaving’s knack for relatable, if unhinged, characters and her impressive range across drama, comedy, action, and horror.

#6: Constance Moore

“Babylon” (2022)

No matter the role, Samara Weaving always makes an impression, even with the smallest amount of screen time. In Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon,” she plays actress Constance Moore. Weaving got to show off her comedic chops with Margot Robbie’s Nellie LaRoy. The rival starlets have a heated argument on set, with Moore feeling overshadowed by new talent LaRoy. Even though it was only for a few scenes, their chemistry left us asking… “Samara Weaving and Margot Robbie comedy, when?” Weaving played another actress, Claire Wood, in Ryan Murphy’s miniseries “Hollywood,” though the character was much different than Moore.

#5: Heather

“Ash vs Evil Dead” (2015-18)

Before Samara Weaving became known as an iconic scream queen, the actress was getting her start in the horror genre with “Ash vs Evil Dead,” Starz’s 3-season continuation of the “Evil Dead” film franchise. She appeared as Heather, an aspiring dental hygienist, on a hike with her friends, Brad and Melissa. They run into Pablo and Kelly in the woods, and she makes the mistake of going back to the cabin with them. Unfortunately for Heather, her desperate attempts to leave make her the next victim. It’s cool to see Weaving in a horror title where she isn’t the strong, determined final girl. And she even briefly got to be a Deadite!

#4: Marie-Joséphine de Comarieu de Montalembert

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“Chevalier” (2022)

Stephen Williams’ period drama “Chevalier ” was inspired by the life and career of the titular French-Caribbean musician, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Samara Weaving took on the role of French aristocrat Marie-Joséphine, his forbidden love interest. However, she and screenwriter Stefani Robinson imbued the character with more depth. Marie-Joséphine is ambitious and headstrong in a time when women were expected to lead a certain kind of life, namely that of their husbands. She was also an opera singer, for which Weaving took singing lessons, and the character connects with Chevalier over their shared love of music. Weaving gave a moving, nuanced performance, proving she’s a more than capable dramatic actress.

#3: Phoenix “Nix” Degraves

“Guns Akimbo” (2019)

In this absolutely bonkers, action-packed comedy, an organization called Skizm live-streams criminals battling it out in the most violent of ways. In one of her most transformative roles, Weaving was covered in tattoos and piercings, and stepped into the combat boots of Phoenix “Nix” Degraves, the deadliest Skizm player. Before she can finally leave the game, she’s tasked with locating her next target, Daniel Radcliffe’s Miles Lee Harris. The movie is a high-octane thrill ride. Weaving matches the chaotic energy and then some. She credits Nix as the most violent character she’s played…at least, so far.

#2: Jessica Chandler

“Nine Perfect Strangers” (2021-)

It’s not often that Samara Weaving significantly changes her appearance for a role. But between the fake tan and heavy amounts of makeup, she’s downright unrecognizable in the first season of “Nine Perfect Strangers.” The Hulu series follows a group of people staying at a wellness resort called Tranquillum House. Weaving plays Jessica Chandler, who appears to be just another vapid influencer. The actress showed us what’s beneath the curated image, particularly that she’s deeply insecure and suffers from body dysmorphia. Along with the outstanding ensemble cast, Weaving balances emotion and humor perfectly. And we still get to hear her trademark scream.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Theodora “Thea” Preston, “Bill & Ted Face the Music” (2020)

Bill’s Excellent Daughter in the Franchise’s Long-Awaited Third Installment

Sofia Minor, “Borderline” (2025)

A 90s Popstar Tries to Survive a Crazed Stalker

Azrael, “Azrael” (2024)

A Stunning, Dialogue-Free Performance Set in a Post-Rapture Apocalypse

Olivia Allan, “The Valet” (2022)

Bringing the Laughs with a Heartfelt Rom-Com

#1: Grace Maccaullay

“Ready or Not” (2019) & “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” (2026)

For most audiences, 2019’s “Ready or Not” was their introduction to the amazing talent that is Samara Weaving. She plays Grace Maccaullay, a young woman marrying Alex Le Domas, who comes from a wealthy family of board game creators. On the night of their wedding, Grace goes along with the Le Domas family tradition of playing a game. After she draws the Hide-and-Seek card, she fights to escape before they can sacrifice her. Weaving perfectly conveys Grace’s cycling emotions, going from nervous and happy to shocked and terrified to angry and exhausted. She was even more of a badass in the highly anticipated sequel, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” starring opposite Kathryn Newton, who plays her estranged sister, Faith.

With “Over Your Dead Body” just hitting theaters, let us know where you think it ranks on our list.