Arguably one of the fastest-rising stars in Hollywood right now is Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney. At 25, Sweeney has already starred in a handful of popular TV shows and movies in addition to opening her own production company, Fifty-Fifty Films. She has showcased her talents in roles ranging from a bloodthirsty vampire to a troubled teen in Sharp Objects.
Update August 8, 2023: If you are a fan of Sydney Sweeney, this list has been updated by Yosra Ben lagha with even more great performances from the rising star.
Sweeny is certainly not slowing down anytime soon. In addition to a third season of Euphoria, Sweeny will star in an upcoming romantic comedy titled Anyone But You alongside Top Gun: Maverick star Glenn Powell. In 2024 she will play the role of Julia Carpenter, aka Spider-Woman, in Madame Web for Sony Pictures. She will also star in thrillers Immaculate and Echo Valley and will also step into the role of Barbarella in an upcoming reboot. With so much in store for the star, here are her best performances so far.
12 Night Teeth
When not working on TV shows, Sweeney has starred in a few films, including Netflix's vampire-horror film, Night Teeth. In fact, behind her soft and angelic features, there's a great actor who can pull off horrifying roles that could give you nightmares. Starring alongside Megan Fox as two head female vampires, both leading ladies had only a few minutes of screen time.
The film has received mixed reviews and confused lots of fans who assumed Fox and Sweeney were the stars of the film. Despite only a few minutes of screen time, we loved to see Sweeney in a badass get-up. Sweeney's incorporation of her dark vampirical charm makes the terrifying world of vampires seem less gruesome. This role is why it's safe to say that Sweeney does not opt for typical, one-genre-only roles and likes to keep her resume inclusive and rich.
11 Everything Sucks
Another of Sweeney's 2018 TV shows came from her role as Emaline in the Netflix Original Series, Everything Sucks. The show was a parody of 90s teen culture and took place in Boring, Oregon. Although Sweeney was not the main character, she still had some memorable moments as the drama student and the object of affection for one of the main girls. The show was unfortunately canceled after one season, which left Sweeny open and available for new roles.
10 The Voyeurs
In this Amazon Prime Original Movie, Sweeney plays Pippa, who just moved into her dream apartment with her boyfriend. The view from their apartment looks directly into that of their neighbors across the street. The couple decides to spy on the other couple, which leads to them uncovering an unfortunate truth. The twist ending in this thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat. To prepare for the role, Sweeney stated how she went through a rollercoaster of emotions to bring Pippa to life, mixing some of her true self with the character.
9 Downfalls High
Moonlight Cinema
Downfalls High is another teen drama special directed by the talented and famous musician Colson Baker and based on his fifth album "Tickets To My Downfall". The movie follows an introverted and lonely teenager called Fenix and his fateful meeting with Scarlett (played by Sweeney) a popular high school student who is instantly attracted to him despite his depressive tendencies. She believes in his musical talent and gives meaning to his gloomy life.
However, Scarlett's tragic accident sends Fenix back to the mental illness challenges that he thought he overcame. Sweeney's performance as the strong, self-confident, and empathetic young teenager gives the movie its magical and dreamy aspect and also disrupts the prejudice that every popular kid is necessarily a bully. For that, this performance easily and incontestably earns its place on this list.
8 Big Time Adolescence
Big Time Adolescence is a gripping coming-of-age comedy-drama written and directed by none other than Jason Orley. The story follows the story of a college dropout who works a dead-end job called Zeke (Davidson) and Mo (Gluck), a confused and fragile teenager whose friendship with Zeke negatively influences his life and relationships. Zeke turns Mo into a drug dealer and gives him the wrong advice, ending up sabotaging his relationship.
Sweeney plays the role of Holly, Zeke's girlfriend, who ends up leaving him and developing a strong bond with Mo. After her performance in Euphoria, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Sweeney makes teenage drama sound so cool and evidently irresistible.
7 The Handmaid's Tale
Often credited for the rise of her career, Sweeney's seven-episode stint on season 2 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale was one of three reoccurring roles she had on popular TV shows in 2018. In this show, Sweeney plays Eden Spencer, an obedient girl who is married off to Commander Nick Blaine, played by Max Minghella. Her character is killed off, but she will always be remembered in an intriguing way.
6 Clementine
Clementine is a romantic drama movie directed by Lara Gallagher that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. It stars Sweeney and Otmara Marrero, whose unique onscreen chemistry almost turns the movie into the lesbian version of the famous queer drama Call Me By Your Name. The story is about a girl named Karen who, while going through a tough breakup, meets a teenage girl named Lana (Sweeney), and the pair slowly slips into a complex but completely refreshing relationship that takes them off guard. Although the movie's plot was criticized for being flat and dreary, Sweeney's performance was well-received and praised for its effortless authenticity.
5 Sharp Objects
In the first of three HBO series, Sweeney landed the role of Alice in the TV miniseries adaptation of the novel Sharp Objects written by Gillian Flynn. Sweeney made sporadic appearances as Alice, who met Amy Adams' character at a psychiatric hospital where they were both being treated for self-harm. Sweeney appeared in flashbacks and helped to truly define the chaotic background of Adams' character. Their relationship leads to one of the more emotional scenes in the TV miniseries.
4 Nocturne
Sweeney does not shy away from roles that bring out the worst in people. Her role in the supernatural drama Nocturne is that of a jealous, vindictive, and conscienceless piano prodigy called Julie, who secretly resents her sister for her undeniable and exceptional talent in music. Julie is depicted as a talented pianist who aspires to get into the most prestigious music school, the one in which her sister was already accepted.
In a climate of ceaseless, dark, and disturbing sibling rivalry, Julie tries to be exactly like her sister, taking away her boyfriend, her concert, and her teacher. However, we see that as things start working out for her, she starts losing control over her thoughts and emotions. Finally, her unhealthy competition sends her into a downward spiral that is painful to watch. Julie's hate is orchestrated and fueled by the music agenda that belonged to a previous piano student who committed suicide and that has a certain demonic power in it. Sweeney certainly outdid herself in this profoundly touching performance of a young girl tortured by her uncontrollable dark desires.
3 Reality
In one of her serious roles, Sweeney plays the role of real-life American Air Force US veteran and previous NSA translator, Reality Winner, who was responsible for the unauthorized leaking of sensitive information regarding the Russian interference in American elections. The movie Reality was directed by Tina Satter who based most of the dialogue on the FBI transcript of Reality's formal investigation. The movie was well-received and scored 93% in Rotten Tomatoes. Sweeney's effortlessly perfect performance of the protagonist's reaction to the shocking turn of events received high praise and can be considered one of her top performances.
2 The White Lotus
Starring in yet another HBO-produced show, this time Sweeney plays the almost cruel, unlikeable character Olivia Mossbacher. Her character is one of the many who are staying at a tropical resort. The show is a twisty drama that centers around these many characters. Sweeney's characters are usually ones that people can empathize with, but her role as Olivia is not one of those such roles. She still effectively plays the character, which helps show the actress' depth. While Sweeney did not return for season 2 of White Lotus, she left an impression on the series for sure.
1 Euphoria
No surprise here that her best role to date is that of the chaotic teenage cheerleader Cassie Howard. Throughout the first season of Euphoria, fans watched Cassie be a loving friend and girlfriend with a bit of a promiscuous background. In season two, her drama got the better of her when she decided to sleep with her best friend's "ex" boyfriend. Her downward spiral left fans trying to decide between Team Maddy and Team Cassie.
Underneath all the drama, Cassie is an empathetic daughter and friend. Sweeney's ability to play all the facets of Cassie helps prove the young star's ability. It is the series that launched her into stardom. With season three not expected to air on HBO until 2024, fans will have to make do with re-watching the series while they wait for the many open questions to be addressed.