Emily Blunt has slowly crept into national treasure territory over the last few years, after decades starring in some of Hollywood’s biggest titles. Her role in Oppenheimer continued that rise and looking back, there are so many brilliant films she’s performed in.
The London born actress, married to John Krasinski, has been back this year with The Fall Guy and IF, but what are her very best roles? We take a look…
Pain Hustlers (2023)
We only need to look back to last year for one of our favourite Emily Blunt performances and Pain Hustlers, an incredibly topical look at the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry and opioid crisis.
The crisis has crippled parts of the USA, with a huge rise in overdoses and people requiring residential rehab treatment, and Pain Hustlers explores really the catalyst for that crisis. Directed by David Yates, the movie follows the story of Liza Drake, played by Blunt, who finds herself drawn into the morally ambiguous world of selling a drug to medical practitioners that is essentially fentanyl.
Blunt herself brings a real plend of vulnerability and determination to the role, which shows the fine balance between morals and providing for your family at a difficult time, in what is a really thought provoking movie.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
A true classic in which really put Blunt on the map, The Devil Wears Prada sees her star as Emily Charlton, the highly strung assistant to Meryl Streep’s formidable fashion editor. She’s phenomenal throughout the film, with a real wit, great comic timing and super sharp delivery.
It’s a film dominated by big names, but Blunt holds her own and it’s easily her most memorable role of her early career, if not entire.
A Quiet Place (2018)
Directed by her husband John Krasinski, A Quiet Place is perhaps Blunt’s most intense performance where she helps tell a story without really even making a sound. She has this ability to convey fear, strength and love without words, in a post-apocalyptic world where creatures are hunting by sound.
Released in 2018, she followed it up with a second installment, which proves another fantastic performance. But few can argue that the first was masterful, earning Blunt a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Edge of Tomorrow, a sci-fi action film directed by Doug Liman, saw Blunt in a completely different light as she took on the role of the formidable Sergeant Rita Vrataski. Starring opposite Tom Cruise, Blunt plays a battle-hardened soldier in a world where humanity is at war with alien invaders, and time loops play a key role in their survival.
Her portrayal of the strong and fearless “Angel of Verdun” earned Blunt praise for her physical performance and commanding screen presence. The film was a hit with both audiences and critics, and Blunt’s ability to balance strength with vulnerability gave depth to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional. Her performance in Edge of Tomorrow further proved that she could hold her own in the action genre.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Blunt faced the daunting task of stepping into the iconic role of Mary Poppins, originally made famous by Julie Andrews, in Mary Poppins Returns. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film follows the magical nanny as she returns to help the next generation of the Banks family navigate difficult times.
Blunt’s portrayal of the practically perfect nanny captured the whimsical charm and magic of the character while adding her own unique spin. Her version of Mary Poppins is slightly edgier and more playful, but still retains the warmth and wisdom that makes the character so beloved. Blunt’s performance, along with the film’s dazzling musical numbers, made it a worthy follow-up to the 1964 classic and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.