Sydney Sweeney’s visage is at the top of the list of your streaming services, sartorial events, and social media, and hence, you cannot help but notice it. Nevertheless, amidst all the cool video snippets and the red carpet walks, there is a firm actress who is making it her mission to show that she is not Hollywood’s typical “troubled teen” or “spoiled daughter” kind. In fact, she has been going against the industry trend with her pretty face and her extraordinary talent, and it is obvious that she does not try very much and still manages to be very convincing. Ten main characters in which she shows her range and bravado are waiting for you to see them.
10. Christy Martin (Upcoming Sports Biopic)
Sweeney will have to undergo a major change for her next movie, where she will have to play the role of the glove-wielding, trailblazing boxing champion Christy Martin. She needs to go through intensive training, a physical change, and even a risky 9′-90mullet to achieve this. The idea here is not to be just the part visually but to demonstrate that she can handle a tough sports drama and eliminate any doubts of the kind of roles that she is “supposed” to be doing.”
9. Sister Cecilia in Immaculate
Horror is thriving, and Sweeney is jumping headfirst. In Immaculate, she depicts a nun whose peaceful convent in Italy has something very evil lurking within. She not only starred, but she also produced the movie, transforming a $9 million budget into a $27 million box-office success. Gory, spooky, and tense, the part demonstrates that she’s happy to get her hands dirty—both on and off screen.
8. Reality Winner in Reality
Playing whistleblower, Reality Winner demanded precision, subtlety, and an ability to channel real-life events with honesty. Sweeney fought for this part, and her performance is taut, understated, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of role that sheds all the glamour, proving she can hold her own in serious political drama.
7. Snake in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Tarantino’s ode to 1969 Los Angeles gave Sweeney a small but memorable part as Snake, one of the Manson Family members. Sharing a film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt was a career milestone—and a signal to the industry that she could seamlessly fit into big-name, big-budget productions.
6. Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus
As Olivia, the razor-tongued, know-it-all college student, Sweeney delivered one of the first season’s sharpest performances. Equal parts amusing and infuriating, Olivia earned her an Emmy nod and cemented her reputation as someone who can play entitled with just the right edge of vulnerability.
5. Cassie Howard in Euphoria
Cassie is the role that made her a household name—a heartbreak-prone teen whose messy love life and emotional spirals became both meme-worthy and deeply moving. The performance earned her another Emmy nomination, but it also risked boxing her into the “troubled girl” lane—one she’s been deliberately steering away from ever since.
4. Alice in Sharp Objects
Originally meant to be a brief appearance, her role as Alice—a fragile, damaged young woman in a psychiatric ward—grew as the director kept adding scenes to showcase her talent. Acting opposite Amy Adams, she left a haunting impression that lingered long after the credits rolled.
3. Eden Spencer in The Handmaid’s Tale
In one of her most quietly devastating performances, Sweeney played Eden, a devout young bride in Gilead whose tragic fate delivers an emotional gut punch. Innocent yet resolute, Eden was an early hint at Sweeney’s ability to portray heartbreaking sincerity.
2. Emaline Addario on Everything Sucks!
Placed in the ’90s, this short-lived Netflix show allowed Sweeney to showcase her comedic chops alongside touching moments. Playing drama club queen Emaline, she charmed the screen with charisma and emotional depth, and she was the standout in the ensemble.
1. Lana on Clementine
Leading the pack is Lana, an enigmatic and intriguing young woman in the indie drama Clementine. Her multi-faceted performance—part vulnerability, part mystery—grounds the film’s subtle tension and makes it one of her most underappreciated films.
Sydney Sweeney’s career up to this point is an exercise in not being typecast. Whether she’s wearing a habit, sporting boxing gloves, or subtly peeling away a character’s most profound vulnerabilities, she infuses every role with an intensity and authenticity that’s hard to deny. One thing is for sure—she’s just beginning.