With decades of acting experience, Carla Gugino has proven to be one of the most versatile stars in Hollywood. After starting out in modeling at the tender age of 15, she transitioned into film and television at the suggestion of her aunt. Starring in some pretty incredible titles, such as Spy Kids and The Haunting of Hill House, her filmography has grown quite impressive. Anytime Gugino appears on screen, it is always a great treat for the viewer.
Update October 31, 2023: In honor of the release of her scene-stealing performance in The Fall of the House of Usher, this article has been updated with more great Carla Gugino performances and where you can stream them.
Her most recent role was as the mysterious Verna in the TV miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher, for which she naturally has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Gugino is continually expanding her portfolio. Her style is emboldened and graceful, no matter what character she is playing. Here are the best characters she has played, ranked.
15 Madeleine - Gunpowder Milkshake
As an action-based thriller following the life of a hitwoman named Scarlet, Gunpowder Milkshake is all about women's empowerment. Gugino plays Madeleine, a member of the Sisterhood of Assassins who moonlights as a librarian. Not only does she back Scarlet up to the fullest extent, but she also dies in the line of fire protecting a child. Her role in this cherry-bomb film is reminiscent of her appearances in Watchmen and Sin City, and a sequel is already in development.
Stream on Netflix
14 Kate Hewson - Wayward Pines
Produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Wayward Pines was a TV show based on the novel series by Blake Crouch. Mysterious and eerie, this show is about a Secret Service agent named Ethan who is investigating strange disappearances in the small town. Gugino portrays his former girlfriend, Kate, and she doesn't seem to see an issue with the town's quiet life and strict rules. The series only lasted for two seasons, but the twenty episodes are worth a watch for Gugino alone.
Stream on Hulu
13 Amanda - Mr. Popper's Penguins
The 2011 comedy film Mr. Popper's Penguins is very much self-explanatory. Following the quest of Thomas Popper, Jr. to get his father's penguins back from a zoo, he enlists the help of his children and ex-wife, Amanda (Gugino). Overall, it's a kid-friendly, feel-good film about never giving up on one's dreams even when all hope seems lost. This was one of many family films Gugino appeared in, and while not on par with Spy Kids or Night at the Museum, her presence does elevate the film.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video
12 Abby Rhodes - Entourage
Gugino appeared in 12 episodes of the HBO juggernaut dramedy Entourage, portraying Vincent Chase's savvy agent-turned-romantic partner Abby Rhodes, beginning in the third season. The fiery and determined Abby goes toe-to-toe with Ari to secure Vincent as a client and sporadically pops up over the following seasons, during which she creates some chaos for the gang.
Entourage was a smash hit series that ran for eight seasons and was the recipient of numerous accolades, including 6 Primetime Emmys and a Peabody Award, and even spawned a highly-anticipated 2015 feature film. Ari Gold, played by Jeremy Piven, dominated the screen so for a character to go toe to toe with him they needed a high-caliber actor, and Gugino gives every scene her all and truly is a force to be reckoned with.
Stream on Max
11 Lisa - Match
Carla Gugino and Matthew Lillard starred as a married couple who set out to interview a prestigious Juilliard ballet instructor (the great Patrick Stewart) for a dissertation while secretly harboring ulterior motives in the drama Match. As Lisa and Mike interview Professor Tobi Powell, their true intentions are revealed, and emotions run high during the life-altering discussion, leading to shocking revelations and discoveries. Match premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where the trio's brilliant performances earned rave reviews, with critics appreciating the compelling character study.
Stream on Tubi
10 Ingrid Cortez - Spy Kids
Sparking three sequels and an animated reboot, Spy Kids is one of the most successful children's films of the early 2000s. Gugino stars as Ingrid Cortez, who has quite a resume. She is not only the wife of Gregorio and mother to Carmen and Juni, but she is also a world-class spy. Their missions as a family are outrageous but fun for kids. If anything, it showcases her range and vast acting skills. Gugino returned for the two following films, and for many younger audiences, this was their introduction to her, and it certainly left an impression.
Stream on Netflix and Paramount+
9 Rebecca - Night at the Museum
Starring alongside Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum, Gugino portrays Rebecca, a museum docent. Currently working on her thesis about Sacagawea, Rebecca is not aware that the exhibits inside the museum come to life at night. However, Larry (Stiller) finally convinces her when he introduces her to Sacagawea one active evening. While most people might not remember that Gugino is in the film, as she might not have stolen the show as notably as Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, or Steve Coogan, and she did not return for the sequels, she is a great part of the film and was greatly missed in the following movies.
Stream on Disney+
8 Emma Gaines - San Andreas
Starring alongside Dwayne Johnson, Gugino plays Emma Gaines, who takes on a slew of natural disasters in San Andreas. As the soon-to-be-ex-wife of Raymond "Ray" Gaines (Johnson), the two reconnect in a desperate plight to rescue Blake, their teenage daughter. Although many obstacles are thrown in their way, the duo overcomes each and every one of those setbacks together until they are finally reunited safely as a family. Rumors of a sequel are currently circulating, though nothing has been officially announced. Even without a sequel, Gugino shines in the movie.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video
7 Julia - Snake Eyes
In Brian De Palma's underrated '90s mystery thriller Snake Eyes, Nicolas Cage stars as the rule-bending Detective Rick Santoro as he makes it his mission to discover who is behind a murder conspiracy that resulted in the assassination of the Defense Secretary. Gugino appears as the beautiful and enigmatic Julia Costello, who is a key witness to the attack and has a mysterious backstory that Santoro must unravel. The actress delivered a knockout performance in the flick and earned a Blockbuster Entertainment Award nod for her exceptional work in the thriller.
Stream on Paramount+
6 Sally Jupiter - Watchmen
Based on the DC Comics limited series, Watchmen is one of Gugino's top films. Playing Sally Jupiter, one of the Minutemen and the first Silk Spectre, the retired superhero character ages from 25 to 67 throughout the film. Since Gugino was only 37 during the shooting, she wore prosthetics and a silver wig to reflect the age difference and did a fantastic job. It marked the first of many collaborations with Zack Snyder.
Stream on Prime Video and Max
5 Dr. Vera Gorski - Sucker Punch
Portraying a psychiatrist in the Lennox House for the Mentally Insane, Gugino plays her most controversial role in Sucker Punch. As Dr. Vera Gorski, she is in charge of assessing each patient - all of whom happen to be young girls. The film is done in a video game/fantasy style with elaborate costumes, dance numbers, and music. It is also one of the few roles with Gugino as an antagonist. Gugino reunited with Zack Snyder, who she previously worked with on Watchmen and would later lend a voice cameo to in Man of Steel.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video
4 Daisy "Jett" Kowalski - Jett
Gugino was stellar when she portrayed the highly-skilled thief Daisy "Jett" Kowalski in the action crime miniseries Jett, showing off both her impressive physical prowess and acting skills in the exhilarating show. When Jett is forced out of retirement by a dangerous crime lord determined to exploit her unique skill set, the reformed criminal must reluctantly embrace her devious side once more in an effort to outwit her rivals. CinemaBlend raved about the actress in their glowing review and declared, "Jett plays to all of Gugino's strengths, from physical dominance to mental superiority to unimpeded confidence and so on."
Stream on Max
3 Verna - The Fall of the House of Usher
Gugino once again served up some major thrills and chills when she reunited with Mike Flanagan in the gothic horror miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's celebrated short story that takes place from 1953 to 2023 and chronicles the spectacular rise to power of the affluent yet corrupt CEO Roderick Usher and his equally shady twin sister Madeline.
Gugino is delightfully devious as the mysterious Verna, who has deep ties with the deceptive twins and brings forth retribution for their treachery. The actress was unsurprisingly singled out for her scene-stealing performance and the series was viewed six million times in its first week of release.
Stream on Netflix
2 Jessie - Gerald's Game
Playing into Gugino's acting range, her role as Jessie in Gerald's Game is stunning. After retreating to a remote cabin in the woods with her husband, she is left handcuffed to the bed after he suddenly dies of a heart attack. This psychological thriller allows Gugino to showcase a wide range of emotions as she struggles to free herself while battling her internal demons and childhood trauma.
Stream on Netflix
1 Olivia Crain - The Haunting of Hill House
In her most eloquent performance yet, Gugino plays wife and mother of five Olivia Crain in Netflix's hit series The Haunting of Hill House. This woven storyline braids three separate timelines for each of the five children together seamlessly. Centered around their mother's apparent suicide, the film circles around events being paranormal or psychological. Gugino's portrayal of Olivia is hauntingly beautiful and leaves fans wanting more. Even film critic Roger Ebert called it "essential" to watch.
Stream on Netflix
Comments
Post a Comment