Daisy Ridley is best known for playing Rey Skywalker in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but she’s also an acclaimed actor who’s starred in a variety of great movies that weren’t set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars movies have, for better or worse, defined Ridley’s career. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was Ridley’s big break in Hollywood, and she’s now returning to the franchise in the upcoming movie New Jedi Order. Rey Skywalker is a major part of her acting career, but it’s far from the only part of it.
Since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Ridley has starred in 13 movies, video games, and even a Podcast series. Ridley’s post-Rise of Skywalker career has been incredibly impressive, and she’s managed to establish herself as much more than Rey in that time. Some of Daisy Ridley’s best movies haven’t even mentioned lightsabers or the Force, and she’s taken on some of her best roles in genres very far removed from science fiction. These 10 roles are Ridley’s very best outside Star Wars, and they all highlight something that makes her such a tremendous actor.
10
Chaos Walking – Viola
Though Chaos Walking Flopped At The Box Office, Ridley Gave A Great Performance
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Since it was released in 2021, Chaos Walking has mostly been known for being a massive box office flop. It made just $26 million against a budget of at least $100 million (via Box Office Mojo), and it never came close to adapting the next two books in the trilogy. It’s not a terrible movie, however, and most of the flaws that led to Chaos Walking being a failure weren’t Daisy Ridley’s fault. Viola was a complex character, the sole survivor of an extraplanetary expedition and the only woman on a world filled with men, and Ridley did a great job of capturing every side of her.
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5/10
6.5/10
Chaos Walking
PG-13
Sci-FiActionAdventureFantasy
Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley star in Chaos Walking, a film adaptation of the dystopian thriller novel series by Patrick Ness. Todd Hewitt has been brought up to believe that a viral germ has killed all the women in a colony world and unleashed Noise, the unique ability to read people’s and animals’ minds. Later, he comes upon a patch of silence and soon discovers its source: a mysterious woman named Viola Eade – beginning the discovery of the truth of the new world’s history.
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Release Date
March 5, 2021
Runtime
109minutes
Cast
Nick Jonas
, Tom Holland
, Daisy Ridley
, Mads Mikkelsen
, Demián Bichir
, Kurt Sutter
, Cynthia Erivo
, David Oyelowo
, Ray McKinnon
Director
Doug Liman
Writers
Charlie Kaufman
, Lindsey Beer
, John Lee Hancock
, Gary Spinelli
, Patrick Ness
, Andrew Gottlieb
Budget
$100 million
Studio(s)
Lionsgate
Distributor(s)
Lionsgate
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In fact, Ridley did such a good job as Viola that she’s one of the few things most critics and viewers agree Chaos Walking got right. Her chemistry with Todd (Tom Holland) is undeniable, and the two manage to navigate some awkward scenes with incredible amounts of poise. She also excelled in action-packed scenes, something her time as Rey likely helped with, and just generally helped turn Chaos Walking from a complete mess into a mostly enjoyable watch. Chaos Walking is far from the best movie of 2021, but it could have been a lot worse without Ridley.
9
Peter Rabbit – Cotton-Tail
Ridley’s Vocal Performance As Cotton-Tail Was Charming & Fun
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Most of Daisy Ridley’s most well-known films are live-action, but she actually has a fairly extensive filmography as a voice actor as well. One of her best voice acting roles was in Peter Rabbit, where she voiced Cotton-Tail. Ridley herself described Cotton-Tail as a “loose cannon,” “a little bit mental,” and “awesome,” and her assessment was correct. Peter Rabbit is far from Ridley’s most serious or acclaimed film, but it’s endlessly fun. Cotton-Tail’s antics are a big reason the film is as entertaining as it is, and Ridley’s vocal performance only made her funnier.
Being a talented actor is about more than just being able to deliver moving displays of emotion and support dramatic tension, and Ridley’s performance in Peter Rabbit proves that. It’s often not easy for dramatic actors to do comedic roles well, but Ridley is more than capable of it. Her delivery, timing, cadence, and almost everything that makes a joke work is on point, and Cotton-Tail was one of the highlights of Peter Rabbit because of her. It’s actually a bit of a shame that her filming schedule for The Rise of Skywalker conflicted with Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway.
8
The Marsh King’s Daughter – Helena
Ridley’s Performance As Helena Carried The Marsh King’s Daughter Through An Underwhelming Ending
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Though The Marsh King’s Daughter underwhelmed critics – it has 40% on Rotten Tomatoes – it wasn’t due to Ridley’s role as Helena. In fact, Helena is one of the best things about The Marsh King’s Daughter, and one of its most common sources of praise. Kevin Maher of the Times even praised Ridley for delivering “her strongest post-Star Wars turn,” and it’s clear to see why he thought that. Ridley expertly managed all the stress and tension Helena faced throughout The Marsh King’s Daughter, and it was largely because of her lead that the film managed to thrill at all.
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With strong performances, the dawdling pace prevents the narrative from fully being realized, but it manages to maintain interest until the very end.
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Aside from carrying the movie, Ridley accomplished quite a bit in The Marsh King’s Daughter. Her chemistry with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story alum Ben Mendelsohn was impressive, and their father-daughter relationship provided a lot of the movie’s charm. There were also plenty of times where Ridley got to display just how well she could balance between emotions – usually pure anxiety and total surrender – which is a very impressive skill.
7
Murder On The Orient Express – Miss Mary Debenham
In Murder On The Orient Express’ Ensemble Cast, Ridley Still Managed To Stand Out
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Daisy Ridley made two movies between her outings as Rey Skywalker: the first was 2016’s Murder on the Orient Express, where she played Miss Mary Debenham, and it was a resounding success. Murder on the Orient Express is an adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery novels, and it spawned a series of Hercule Poirot movies led by Kenneth Branagh. Murder on the Orient Express also stands as one of the best murder-mystery movies out there, and it’s in part due to Ridley’s performance and the way she meshed with her co-stars.
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6/10
9/10
Murder on the Orient Express
PG-13
Mystery
Based on the novel and series by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express is a mystery-drama film that follows a legendary detective known as Hercule Poirot as he finds himself in the middle of a major mystery. A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish and suspenseful mystery; the film tells the story of thirteen stranded strangers forced to confront one another amidst rising tensions. in a whodunnit that will force Poirot to race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.
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Release Date
November 10, 2017
Runtime
114 Minutes
Cast
Michael Pena
, Michelle Pfeiffer
, Penelope Cruz
, Daisy Ridley
, Kenneth Branagh
, Johnny Depp
, Leslie Odom Jr.
, judi dench
, Josh Gad
Director
Kenneth Branagh
Writers
Michael Green
Budget
$55 million
Studio(s)
20th Century
Distributor(s)
20th Century
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With regard to Daisy Ridley, the most impressive thing about her performance in Murder on the Orient Express is how well she stood out among such a talented ensemble cast. The cast of Murder on the Orient Express featured massive stars like Johnny Depp, Dame Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, and many more. They easily could have outshone Ridley, who was still an emerging star at the time, but she still managed to stand out and make the movie a memorable part of her filmography. With such tough competition, that’s no simple feat.
6
The Inventor – Marguerite
Ridley’s Role As Marguerite Gave Her A Chance To Show Off Her Singing Talents
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Another of Ridley’s voice acting roles, as Princess Marguerite in The Inventor, is one of her most underrated performances. The Inventor didn’t make very big waves when it was released in 2023, but it was a great part of that year. From its unique blend of 2D animation and stop-motion to its charming take on the story of Leonardo da Vinci, The Inventor is still worth a watch. Another big reason to watch The Inventor is because it features a rare singing role for Daisy Ridley, who has a surprisingly good musical voice.
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The Inventor
PG
AnimationAdventureBiography
Based on the later life of famed inventor Leonardo da Vinci, The Inventor is an animated biographical adventure film by writer-director Jim Capobianco. The film loosely recounts Leonardo’s journey into the heart of life by leaving his home in Italy to join the French court to continue his inventions together with the aid of Princess Marguerite de Nevarre.
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Release Date
August 25, 2023
Runtime
92 Minutes
Cast
Stephen Fry
, Marion Cotillard
, Daisy Ridley
, Matt Berry
Director
Jim Capobianco
Writers
Jim Capobianco
Budget
$10 Million
Studio(s)
Curiosity Studio
, Foliascope
, Leo & King
Distributor(s)
Blue Fox Entertainment
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While Ridley’s singing abilities are a highlight of The Inventor, they’re not the only reason Marguerite is one of her best roles. Leonardo da Vinci (Stephen Fry) is the main draw of The Inventor, and most people have likely never even heard of Princess Marguerite before. Despite playing a historical figure who is mostly known for patronizing another historical figure, Ridley made Marguerite her own. Her voice acting lent itself beautifully to The Inventor, and she elevated Marguerite into just as compelling of a character as da Vinci himself.
5
Magpie – Annette
Daisy Ridley Is The Driving Force Behind Magpie’s Intense Thrills & Psychological Story
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In Magpie, Daisy Ridley plays Annette, a mother and wife who begins to suspect that her husband, Ben (Shazad Latif), is about to start an affair with an actress. It’s a thriller with a heavy focus on the psychological, and most of that falls to Ridley’s character to convey. Luckily, Ridley more than delivered: she stunned as Annette, and she acts as the foundation of a film that was able to become a very compelling and suspenseful story. Without Ridley, Magpie would have been a forgettable thriller instead of the acclaimed film it is.
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Annette is also a special character for Ridley because she has so much range. Over the course of Magpie, Annette goes from depressed to fully enraged and back again. Ridley handles every mood Annette feels with extreme care, and she manages to make the film’s quieter moments just as gripping as the intense scenes. Even without a lightsaber, Ridley managed to make Magpie into a thrilling and suspenseful experience.
4
Ophelia – Ophelia
Bringing One Of Shakespeare’s Greatest Characters To Life Was Not Easy, But Ridley More Than Succeeded
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Playing a character created by William Shakespeare is often a proverbial Holy Grail for actors, and Daisy Ridley’s chance to do that was special in its own way. Ridley played the eponymous character in 2018’s Ophelia, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet told from the perspective of Hamlet’s love interest. In Hamlet, Ophelia eventually goes mad and dies by drowning, so Ridley had a difficult task from the start when her film decided to dive deeper into Ophelia’s decline. Despite the challenge, Ophelia is one of Ridley’s best movies, and one of her best roles.
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Ophelia
PG-13
DramaRomanceThriller
Ophelia is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet from the perspective of Ophelia, played by Daisy Ridley. Set in the Danish court, the film explores Ophelia’s life, love, and struggles amidst the political and familial intrigue that drives the tragedy. Featuring Naomi Watts and Clive Owen, the story is directed by Claire McCarthy and is based on the novel by Lisa Klein.
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Release Date
June 28, 2019
Runtime
106 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Daisy Ridley
, Mia Quiney
, Calum O’Rourke
, Nathaniel Parker
, Naomi Watts
, Rupesh Tillu
, Jack Cunningham-Nuttall
, Daniela Hirsh
Director
Claire McCarthy
Writers
Semi Chellas
, Lisa Klein
, William Shakespeare
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Ophelia also stands out among Daisy Ridley’s filmography for being one of her most daring roles. Reinterpreting Shakespeare is nothing new, but fundamentally changing a play as beloved as Hamlet was far from a safe bet. Ophelia actually suffered from comparisons to Hamlet – it has 58% on Rotten Tomatoes – but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t impressive of Ridley to play the part.
3
Only Yesterday – Taeko
Ridley’s Strongest Voice Acting Role Was In A Studio Ghibli Classic
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The best moment in Daisy Ridley’s voice acting career came in 2016, when the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli’s Only Yesterday was finally released. In Only Yesterday, Ridley voices Taeko, a woman who goes to the countryside to reminisce about her childhood and reassess her work-dominated adult life. It’s both an unusual Studio Ghibli film – in that it doesn’t feature supernatural or fantastic elements – and an unusual Daisy Ridley role. Aside from being animated, Taeko is also one of Ridley’s most nuanced and contemplative characters, and she did a tremendous job of conveying all the melancholy and wistfulness Taeko experienced while revisiting her childhood.
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only yesterday
PG
DramaRomance
A twenty-seven-year-old worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tokyo.
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Release Date
February 26, 2016
Main Genre
Animation
Cast
Miki Imai
, Toshirô Yanagiba
Director
Isao Takahata
Another reason Only Yesterday is such an achievement for Ridley is simply by nature of being a dub. Voicing over existing animation that was specifically made for the Japanese language is not easy. A voice actor often has to change their usual speaking tempo to fit the scene and the original actor’s speed in a language that is often delivered more swiftly than English is. Ridley, however, made it seem like it wasn’t even a challenge, and the English dub of Only Yesterday almost feels like it was designed to be in English. That’s a sign of how talented Ridley is in the recording booth.
2
Sometimes I Think About Dying – Fran
Ridley’s Role In Sometimes I Think About Dying Was Somber & Exceptionally Nuanced
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Sometimes I Think About Dying is very different from the rest of Daisy Ridley’s filmography, and that turned out to be an exceptionally good thing. In Sometimes I Think About Dying, Ridley plays Fran, a woman who often fantasizes about her own death, even as she starts a relationship with Robert (Dave Merheje). It’s a quiet, offbeat, and contemplative movie with a very dark and somber sense of humor, but it’s also so curiously endearing because of how Ridley approached her role. Throughout the movie, it’s clear that Ridley took the time to learn every corner of Fran’s mind, which paid off in dividends.
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7/10
Sometimes I Think About Dying
PG-13
ComedyDramaRomance
Sometimes I Think About Dying is a romantic drama/comedy based on the short film by Stefanie Abel Horowitz. Daisy Ridley stars as Fran, an awkward, introverted office worker who spends her idle time daydreaming about death. When Robert (Dave Merheje) arrives at the company, starts working, and begins to force his kindly nature onto Fran, she finds her bubble slowly being breached – and may even find romantic potential in him.
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Release Date
January 26, 2024
Runtime
91 minutes
Cast
Katy Wright-Mead
, Daisy Ridley
, Dave Merheje
, Parvesh Cheena
, Marcia DeBonis
, Meg Stalter
, Brittany O’Grady
Director
Rachel Lambert
Writers
Kevin Armento
, Stefanie Abel Horowitz
, Katy Wright-Mead
Studio(s)
Sweet Tomato Films
, Page Fifty-Four Productions
, Point Productions
, Mirror Image Films
Distributor(s)
Oscilloscope Laboratories
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Dark comedy, especially with a tone as melancholic and morbid as Sometimes I Think About Dying‘s, is never easy to pull off. It would have been very easy for Ridley’s performance as Fran to come across as overly sad or unnerving, but she more than managed to make Fran into a sympathetic lead. It also would have been easy for Fran’s straight-faced bits of humor to come across as simply odd, but Ridley expertly walks the line between too serious and too joking. Sometimes I Think About Dying put Ridley in a role she had never come close to before, and she thoroughly nailed it.
1
Young Woman and the Sea – Trudy Ederle
Ridley’s Portrayal Of Trudy Ederle Was Uplifting & Triumphant
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Though she’s played a wide assortment of interesting fictional characters, Daisy Ridley’s best role outside Star Wars was as a real person. In Young Woman and the Sea, Ridley played Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Young Woman and the Sea charts Ederle’s journey to the massive athletic accomplishment, and Ridley does a fantastic job of conveying all the challenges and triumphs such an undertaking entails. Playing a real person and conveying all their nuances and historical feats is never an easy feat, but Ridley did it masterfully.
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7/10
10/10
Young Woman and the Sea
PG
BiographyDramaRomance
Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England.
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Release Date
May 31, 2024
Runtime
100 Minutes
Main Genre
Biography
Cast
Daisy Ridley
, Tilda Cobham-Hervey
, Stephen Graham
, Christopher Eccleston
, Jeanette Hain
Director
Joachim Rønning
Writers
Jeff Nathanson
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Aside from playing a real person, Young Woman and the Sea was an impressive performance from Ridley for a variety of other reasons. There were plenty of opportunities for Ridley to command a scene and convey boatloads of emotion silently, a skill she’s becoming known for. There’s also more fiery displays of passion, and all the swimming Trudy did in Young Woman and the Sea forced Ridley to give an impressive and physically demanding performance. Young Woman and the Sea may not be as iconic as Star Wars, but it’s one of Daisy Ridley’s very best.
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Daisy Ridley
Birthdate
April 10, 1992
Birthplace
Westminster, London, England, UK