After rising to stardom in the 2006 independent Australian film2:37, the talented actorTeresa Palmerhas proven to be among the most promising stars of her generation. She has, through the years, been in a few projects that general audiences may recognize, such as the science fictionI Am Number Four, with her latest being the limited television seriesThe Clearing.
Although she isn’t the most popular name in the industry, Palmer’s skills are undeniably great, leading her to partake in a few exciting projects that range from zombie films through television shows about witches and vampires to unsettling horror films. But which are her finest? FromWarm BodiestoLights Out,these are Collider’s picks for the best Teresa Palmer movies, ranked by their execution, entertainment value, and considering the star’s efforts.
10’The Clearing' (2023)
Creators: Matt Cameron, Elise McCredie
The Clearingis a limited Disney+psychological drama TV seriesbyMattCameronandEliseMcCredieinspired by the dark story of a real-life cult with a female leader and based on the bookIn theClearingbyJ. P. Pomare, a fictionalized tale of the Australian cult group The Family.
Anyone who likes television series based on real-life events is probably going to enjoyThe Clearing.Even if it is by no means a masterpiece on television, the 2023 series is worthwhile, withMiranda Otto— who had previously stolen the spotlight as the iconic Zelda Spellman inChilling Adventures of Sabrina—giving a highly convincing and chilling performance as a cult leader.Palmer also stands out as the young mother Freya Heywood.
Watch on Hulu
9’Warm Bodies' (2013)
Director: Jonathan Levine
This witty and paranormal zombie comedy is not your conventional love tale, and that’s what makes it entertaining.Warm Bodiestells the story of a walking-dead man (Nicholas Hoult) who saves a human girl from an attack, which ultimately results in the two forming a meaningful bond that fully transforms their worlds.
Warm Bodies' appealing pacing is part of what makes it an enjoyable watch. On top of that, this post-apocalyptic romance story also benefits from a few humorous moments and great comedic bits.It may not be the finest in Palmer’s filmography. However, it is still a somewhat underrated movie that fans of the genre may want to check out. Plus, the star convincingly brings her character Julie to life. A fun fact is that the film is based on a novel and inspired byWilliam Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet, resulting in anentertaining contemporary adaptation of his works.
Warm Bodies
8’Wish You Were Here' (2012)
Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith
Kieran Darcy-Smith’s Aussie mystery drama film benefits from a smart script that will keep audiences invested — the story centers around a man played byJoelEdgerton, his pregnant wife (Felicity Price), and his sister-in-law (Palmer) as they are forced to deal with the fallout after their vacation in Cambodia takes a tragic, unexpected turn.
The unsettlingWish You Were Herecombines the family drama with the crime thriller genres with satisfying results. It is not a groundbreaking feature at all and had the potential to be a greater film than it turned out to be. However, it is nonetheless thrilling and entertaining and includes great performances.Palmer’s Steph is a crucial character in the story, and the star brings her to life believably.
Watch on Amazon Prime
7’The Fall Guy' (2024)
Director: David Leitch
Despite the movie arguably being one of the best action comedy films of the 21st century so far, the reason whyThe Fall Guydoesn’t rank high on this list is Palmer’s extremely short screen time in it. StarringRyan Goslingas a stunt double andEmily Bluntas a movie director,theDavid Leitchpicturedepicts the relationship between the two while also illustrating the stuntman’s quest to uncover a compelling mystery involving the actor he’s doubling as.
Palmer plays Iggy Starr, the girlfriend of Aaron Taylor Johnson’s character Tom, and makes great use of her small appearances; even thoughThe Fall Guydoesn’t showcase her talents properly, it is still a film worth checking, especially for its utterly entertaining narrative — a love letter to the stunt double industry — and its top-notch execution. Anyone who likes a nice blend of action, comedy, mystery, and romance probably wants to giveThe Fall Guya try.
The Fall Guy
Watch on Theaters
6’Lights Out' (2016)
Director: David F. Sandberg
Based onDavid F. Sandberg’s acclaimed 2013 short film of the same name,Lights Outis a solid, even if flawed directorial debut even if not as great as the filmmaker’s short film. The story follows a woman, played by Palmer, who strives to protect her young stepbrother (Gabriel Bateman) from a spirit that murders people in the dark.
Blending horror and family drama, the divisive, jumpscare-packedLights Outtackles mental health in the same vein as the belovedThe Babadook, often providing audiences with intriguing allegories about depression and a captivating storyline. One of its strongest aspects is its creativity and, of course, the acting, namely Teresa Palmer’s efforts: the star perfectly embodies Rebecca’s desperate struggle to make things right.
Lights Out
Rent on Amazon
5’Ride Like a Girl' (2019)
Director: Rachel Griffiths
This Australian biographical sports drama film directed byRachelGriffithsin her debut counts with great storytelling to illustrate the inspiring story ofMichelle Payne, wonderfully played by Palmer, who made history by being the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.
Anyone who enjoyssports dramas— particularly horse riding — will likely find the powerfulRide Like a Girlappealing, if only for its motivational and feel-good narrative that sends out messages of faith, determination, and perseverance. It’s also a heartwarming girl-power film about an inspiring woman who went through a lot and overcame the odds in a male-centric sport.Palmer’s believable efforts as the real-life personality are evidently a vital aspect of this movie.
Watch on Pluto TV
4’Bear' (2011)
Director: Nash Edgerton
Nash Edgerton’s dark comedy-drama shortBearcenters around the mischievous Jack who always takes things too far, played by Edgerton himself, and illustrates his continuing adventures. The new idea up his sleeve? Organizing a surprise for his girlfriend (played by Palmer), but this has unexpected consequences.
Bearis a great example of a low-budget short movie. While short, its premise revolving around a surprise gone terribly, hilariously wrong is compelling enough to get audiences' attention (though it is arguably even better if the audiences go into it blind). Featuring a runtime of only 11 minutes,Edgerton’s movie is the perfect pick for Teresa Palmer fans who are in a rush. It was released at the internationally beloved Cannes Film Festival.
Watch on Roku
3’A Discovery of Witches' (2018 - 2022)
Creator: Deborah Harkness
Since it was released in 2018,Deborah Karkness’s BritishADiscovery of Witcheshas becomeone of the most interesting Teresa Palmer projects(especially for fantasy romance enthusiasts). The film focuses on historian and witch Diana Bishop who attempts to solve Ashmole 782’s mysteries with the help of the charming vampire Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode).
Thebinge-watchable fantasy showA Discovery of Witchesmay not be fit for everyone’s taste. Still, it is certainly a great series of its category with an irresistible forbidden love story at its center. Additionally,A Discovery of Witchesalso features striking cinematography, which elevates it to higher ground.Teresa Palmer is as charismatic as ever as Diana Bishopand has great chemistry with Goode — this helps make the romantic side of things even more appealing.
A Discovery of Witches
2’Hacksaw Ridge' (2016)
Director: Mel Gibson
Hacksaw Ridgeeasily earns a spot among Teresa Palmer’s best projects. The story is set during World War II and depicts American Army MedicDesmond T. Doss— played to perfection byAndrew Garfieldin an Oscar-nominated performance — who refuses to kill people and becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without partaking in the battle directly.
Moving and engaging are two words to describe this renowned film in which Palmer brilliantly plays Desmond’s first wife,Dorothy Schutte. The Best Picture nominee is arguably one of the best and most heartbreaking movies based on true stories and it has captured the attention of many for several reasons, including its impeccable acting, sound, and cinematography. For sure,Hacksaw RidgeisMel Gibson’s finest directorial effort.
Hacksaw Ridge
Watch on Netflix
1’Berlin Syndrome' (2017)
Director: Cate Shortland
Based on the 2012 novel of the same name byMelanieJoosten,BerlinSyndromefeatures one of the best showcases of Teresa Palmer’s talent. Even if it is not as critically acclaimed and celebrated as the previously mentioned entry, it is worth ranking in first place for the star’s efforts. The film depicts a holiday romance that leads to an obsessive relationship when a photojournalist awakens in a Berlin apartment one morning and is not able to leave because her would-be lover (MaxRiemelt) takes her hostage.
Berlin Syndrome’s most valuable elements are the acting performances — Palmer is exceptional in it — and the atmospheric, artsy direction, which helps bring the creepy story to life in an even more immersive manner. While it may not be the best movie in the kidnap thriller category, it is nonetheless worth checking, especially because of the star’s astounding efforts and theintriguing, complex psychological narrative.
Berlin Syndrome
NEXT:Teresa Palmer and Miranda Otto on ‘The Clearing,’ Scaring Children, and Their Favorite Cult Documentaries
