7 Juliette Lewis movies and TV shows you shouldn’t miss

Juliette Lewis is an actress, singer, and musician. Lewis is known for her roles in movies like My Stepmother is an Alien, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and her breakthrough performance in Cape Fear. The actress started working in movies from a young age and is known for starring in movies with dark themes and psychological thrillers. Juliette Lewis has won nominations at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the Emmy Awards. She has also acted in movies like Strange Days, Enough, and others. Lewis also formed a band and has released songs as a solo artist. Recently, she has worked in TV shows like Wayward Pines and Yellowjackets. Here are 7 movies and TV shows of Lewis that one shouldn’t miss.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

Yellowjackets, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and other movies and TV shows featuring Juliette Lewis

1. Cape Fear

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Robert De Niro, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, and others, this neo-noir psychological thriller is a remake of the 1962 movie, which is based on a 1957 novel by John D. MacDonald. The movie focuses on a convicted rapist, Maximilian “Max” Cady (Robert De Niro), who is sent to a 14-year imprisonment after the brutal rape of a minor girl. However, Max decides to study law during his imprisonment, and when he comes out of jail, he decides to seek revenge against the public defender, Samuel “Sam” Bowden, who purposefully used lighter defense tactics so that Max would be sent to jail. The movie was a critical and commercial hit and was nominated for several awards. A suspenseful and taut thriller, the movie features Juliette Lewis in the role of Danielle “Danny” Bowden, who is the teenage daughter of Sam and delivers a dedicated and stirring performance as the frightened but brave daughter. The movie won Lewis an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and Lewis proved that even at a younger age, she could display her acting prowess and take on serious roles. The actress is known for taking roles that challenge her, and this movie was an example of her talent from a young age.

2. Hysterical Blindness

Still from the movie (Image via Apple TV+)

Starring Uma Thurman, Juliette Lewis, Gena Rowlands, and others, this television drama movie is directed by Mira Nair and is written by Laura Cahill, based on her stage play of the same name. The movie is about Debby Miller (Thurman), who has been diagnosed with hysterical blindness, which causes her eyesight to fade in and out. Set in 1987 in Bayonne, New Jersey, the movie is chaotic and full of rambunctious fun as Debby decides to have fun and find romance at all costs. She and her best friend Beth (Lewis), decide to go to a bar and have a night of fun and mayhem. The movie takes the viewers on a roller-coaster ride as Debby lets loose and has fun and adventure. The movie has important themes about women's freedom. The movie was a critical and commercial hit, and while Thurman’s performance as Debby was scene-stealing, Juliette Lewis also gave a masterful performance as the supporting actress and garnered an Emmy nomination for her role. The movie is now a cult classic, and Lewis proves that offbeat roles suit her. The actress gives an exciting and thoroughly entertaining performance as Debby’s equally fun-loving best friend, Beth. Lewis is fully in her element, and even in movies with lighter settings, she delivers a dedicated performance.

3. Ma

Still from the movie (Image via Universal Pictures)

Directed by Tate Taylor and starring Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, and others, this psychological thriller focuses on a group of teenagers who befriend a lonely and middle-aged woman. However, things take a turn when she allows the youngsters to party in her basement, only for her to begin terrorizing them. The movie received mixed reviews upon its release but is now considered a cult classic. Spener and Juliette Lewis’s performances were also praised. Lewis plays the role of Erica Thompson, who is a single mother and moves back to her Ohio hometown with her daughter Maggie. Maggie befriends a few kids at high school, and they begin to ask a veterinary technician, Sue Ann Ellington, to help them buy liquor and begin to call her “Ma”. However, Sue has other plans in mind and begins to harass the kids. Lewis is known for starring in movies with dark themes and especially in psychological thrillers. Therefore, the actress is at her most comfortable in this movie. Lewis delivers a layered and dedicated performance as she plays a single mother who is still trying to get her life back on track and must also deal with the horror that her daughter has found herself in. Lewis, therefore, delivers a strong performance.

4. Yellowjackets

Still from the show (Image via SHOWTIME)

Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, this thriller drama series has three seasons so far and premiered in 2021. The show features Melanie Lynskey, Ella Purnell, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, and others. The movie is about a group of teenagers who suffer from a plane crash in 1996 and have to survive in the wilderness. On the other hand, the show also has a secondary storyline, which takes place after 25 years and focuses on all the grown-up survivors, who try to get their lives back on track after being rescued and returning to civilization. The show was a critical and commercial success and was praised for its mystery element, performances, and the dual storylines. Juliette Lewis plays the adult version of Natalie “Nat” Scatorccio, who was harassed by her teammate during her teenage years for her drug and alcohol abuse. Therefore, even after returning back to society and finishing a rehab program, Nat struggles to maintain sobriety and even begins to contemplate sui*ide. Lewis delivers a strong and dedicated performance and is noted for her role. The actress once again proves that she can handle complex characters well, and movies and shows with psychological themes are her forte.

5. Wayward Pines

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Based on the novels by Blake Crouch, this mystery and science fiction series is developed by Chad Hodge and is executively produced by M. Night Shyamalan. The show has two seasons, and even though it received mixed reviews, it was noted for its atmosphere, tone, and performances. The series has a huge ensemble cast of actors like Carla Gugino, Juliette Lewis, Matt Dillon, and others. The show begins on a mysterious note as a US Secret Service agent, Ethan Burke (Dillon), has to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents in the small town of Wayward Pines in Idaho. The town and its residents have their own mysteries, as it looks like an idyllic town but has strict rules. No one can escape the town, and if anyone tries to, they are punished by a public execution. The second season of the show continues to showcase the rebellion by the innocent residents who want to escape the harsh rules and laws set in place by an autocratic leader and want to get out of the town. Lewis plays the role of Beverly Brown in the first season and delivers an impactful performance. The actress is known for her affinity towards mystery shows, and Juliette Lewis once again proves that she can take on complex and layered roles in projects that are serious in nature and have deep and dark themes.

6. August: Osage County

Directed by John Wells and based on the acclaimed play of the same name by Tracy Letts, this tragicomedy movie is produced by George Clooney and others. The film has an ensemble cast of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, and others. The movie focuses on a dysfunctional family that reunites at the family home when the patriarch (Sam Shepard), disappears suddenly. While the movie was praised for its performances, it also received mixed reviews for its lack of humor and dark themes. The movie’s title designates the time and location. The movie is set in the rural area outside Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and focuses on Beverly Weston, who is an alcoholic and a once-noted poet. He hires a Cheyenne woman as a caregiver for his contentious wife, Violet, and shortly after, disappears from the house. Juliette Lewis plays the role of Karen Weston, who is Beverly and Violet’s youngest daughter. The movie has a host of quirky characters, and Lewis delivers a dedicated performance as her character. While Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts were noted for their performances, Lewis also gave a strong portrayal and displayed her acting talents.

7. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Based on the 1991 novel of the same name by Peter Hedges, this coming-of-age drama movie is directed by Lasse Hallström and features Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others. The movie is about a grocery store clerk, Gilbert Grape, who lives in a dysfunctional family with his obese mother, mentally disabled brother, and two sisters, in the rural town of Endora in Iowa. The movie received widespread acclaim, and DiCaprio shot to fame with his portrayal. The film is heartfelt and poignant, and Juliette Lewis plays the role of Becky, who is the love interest of Gilbert. The film focuses on the challenges that Gilbert has to endure as his father has committed sui*ide after losing money, and his mother spends all her time eating and watching TV. Therefore, Gilbert has to look after his family and his broken house. While the focus is on Gilbert and Depp’s acting, Lewis also delivers a dedicated performance as a young girl and the heroine of the film. The movie is a coming-of-age movie about growing up amidst various difficulties, and the actress delivers a nuanced portrayal as the young girl, Beckie, who wants to help Gilbert and his family.