The name Alia Shawkat may only be recognizable in more indie cinephile circles, but many will recognize the seasoned character actor's face. Shawkat has been in the entertainment business since the age of 10 and has over 90 credits to her name across a multitude of movies, television shows, and short films. Most recently, she appeared alongside Jeff Bridges in FX’s The Old Man, garnering excellent reviews.
Fans of iconic coming-of-age comedy flicks Whip It and The To Do List will be sad to learn that these performances do not rank in the actor's top 10 credits. In these, Shawkat perfects "the best friend" archetype, transcending the restrictive box these roles are usually limited to. These are the highest-rated shows and movies featuring Alia Shawkat, ranked by their fan-rated IMDb scores.
Amreeka (2009) 7.0
Amreeka premiered to great reviews at the 25th Sundance Film Festival, as the directorial debut of Cherien Dabis. Based on her own experiences as a Palestinian immigrant to the US, it concerns the lives of a family as they move from the West Bank to post-9/11 Chicago.
Shawkat stars as the niece of the main character Muna, played by Nisreen Faour. She has links to the Middle East, and likely related to the experiences of her character, as her father hails from Iraq. The film was widely appreciated, and legendary critic Roger Ebert described it as a ‘heart-warming and funny first feature.”
Green Room (2015) 7.0
In this terrifying thriller from Jeremy Saulnier, Alia Shawkat plays the bassist in a punk band that finds themselves in the unfortunate situation of performing to a room filled with neo-Nazi skinheads. After playing a cover of The Dead Kennedy's 'Nazi Scum F--k Off', and then witnessing a murder, the band find themselves trapped in the bar's Green Room in a desperate and escalating situation.
The band played their own instruments in the film, and an excellent ensemble cast of the late great Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots and Patrick Stewart; who plays the malevolent skinhead ringleader. Although the film didn't make much at the box office, it was noted by many as one of the best recent horror films.
Three Kings (1999), 7.1
In Alia Shawkat's first role, she plays the daughter of an Iraqi rebel Amir Abdullah, in this David O’Russell film. The black comedy war film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze as U.S soldiers on a gold heist mission in Iraq.
A box office success, Three Kings was also a favorite of Bill Clinton as the director's commentary revealed that he enthusiastically screened the film for colleagues at the White House. However, the film has also become infamous for provoking a huge argument and subsequent fallout of Clooney and O’Russell.
First Cow (2019), 7.1
Alia Shawkat kicks off Kelly Reichart's First Cow, as a modern-day mushroom forager who discovers mysteriously placed human bones. The story then switches to two travellers in 1820, who steal the milk of a prized dairy cow in their mission to get rich quickly on the American Frontier.
Distributed by A24, the drama adaptation of Jonathan Raymond's novel, 'The Half Life' fell victim to the covid pandemic and was pulled from cinemas in March 2020 to be released on VOD. Despite this, the film received brilliant reviews, with 119 critics including it in their 10 best films of 2020 lists.
Ruby Sparks (2012), 7.2
Alia Shawkat has a ing role in this fantasy film directed by the makers of indie sensation Little Miss Sunshine. Paul Dano plays Calvin, a lonely writer who finds a way to invent a character who will love him and bring her into his reality, raising some heavy questions when she does anything that he wills her to in his writing.
Shawkat plays Mabel, a fan of Calvin whom he goes on a brief date with. She represents a real woman, in contrast to his idealized version of a girlfriend: Ruby. Praised for its excellent writing (written by Zoe Kazan, who plays the eponymous character) and charming performances, the critic's consensus was overwhelmingly positive.
20th Century Women (2017), 7.3
Set in 1979, the titular 20th Century Women are those that surround the main character, Jamie, as he comes of age in a boarding house in Santa Barbara. Starring Annette Bening as his mother, and also featuring performances from Greta Gerwig, Elle Fanning, and of course, Alia Shawkat.
She plays the punk best friend of Gerwig's character, Trish, who has a brief love affair with Jamie. ing a fabulous ensemble cast, she shines in this minor role. The film itself gained director Mike Mills an array of award nominations and wins, gaining a coveted nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 2017 Academy Awards.
Search Party (2016 - 2022) 7.6
Alia Shawkat was at the helm of this much-loved cult tv show, as lead character Dory Sief. It's a witty satire of millennial culture, as a team of self-absorbed New Yorkers finds themselves absorbed in the mystery of the disappearance of an old college alumnus. Shawkat's character leaps at a chance for recognition and fulfillment after years of going-nowhere jobs.
The sitcom concluded in January of this year, and was praised throughout its run. Often regarded as a new comedy classic, this is one whodunit that never lets fans down with acerbic humor and excellent performances.
The Old Man (2022 - ) 7.9
After an excellent and absorbing first season, Shawkat's latest TV project comes very highly recommended. Jeff Bridges is at the center as The Old Man, a retired CIA agent who is on the run from multiple assassins when the organization attempts to tie up their loose ends. Fellow iconic actor John Lithgow is the officer in charge of his capture, as he leads the operation to take him out.
Despite featuring these titans of cinema, Shawkat stands out in her performance of Agent Angela Adams. Collider said that she "steals the show" with her powerhouse performance, making it a must for fans of her acting.
Broad City (2014 - 2019) 8.8
The modern classic Comedy Central show utilized Alia Shawkat for just one fantastic episode. Broad City concerns the everyday yet outrageous shenanigans of 20-something Abbi and Ilana as they try to get by in NYC.
In her cameo, she plays the object of Ilana's affection at a party and the two begin to date before Abbi tells her what everyone else is thinking: that they look exactly alike. Before this appearance, fans of both Shawkat and Ilana Glazer had noted their physical similarities. Highly rated across all Broad City episodes, season 2's "Coat Check" technically beats out the next entry on the list for its overall series' ranking.
Arrested Development (2003 - 2019) 8.7
Nothing could have beaten Alia Shawkat's longest and most loved role as Maeby Fünke in Arrested Development. She grew up on the show in the sixteen years it was on the air, as she starred alongside the likes of Micheal Cera, Jason Bateman, Will Arnet, and Jessica Walters on the zany sitcom.
Featuring the wealthy Bluth family and their fall from grace (and the dysfunction that follows- or that has always been present), the show gained a cult following and pioneered the single-camera format in comedy TV. Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, it has gained consistent positive reviews and resonated with audiences with long-running gags and numerous catchphrases. And rightly so, being Alia Shawkat's best role.
