Meet Brie Larson: The critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning “bad actor” who is proving her haters wrong, one stellar performance at a time.

Let’s be real: Brie Larson became the center of negative attention ever since she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Playing the role of Captain Marvel, the hate she received was relentless. Whether it was her acting or her off-screen moments and opinions, Brie Larson was targeted left and right on social media, and to this day, she still faces the wrath online.

Brie Larson as Captain Marvel in The Marvels (2023)| Credits: Marvel Studios

Ever since her first screen appearance in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Brie Larson has been in a ton of projects whether it is TV, films, or theatre. Therefore, calling her a “bad actor” doesn’t really make sense if you think about it. Why else would she be signing project after project and why else would she have over a hundred awards to her name? Think about it.

The Unfair Treatment of Brie Larson

It will only take you a quick search of her name online to find people badmouthing her. Especially in the day and age of social media, sharing your opinions on someone has become a very normal thing, no matter how hurtful the comments might be. Sometimes we do forget that the people we target online are, in the end, humans.

Take this Reddit thread for example.

Here you’ll see both sides of the coin – one who calls Brie Larson stoic and devoid of emotions and one who points out that she is, indeed, an Oscar-winning actress for a reason.

Keeping the MCU and Captain Marvel aside, here are three films where Larson shined bright like a diamond.

1. Just Mercy

Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson in Just Mercy (2019) | Credits: Endeavor Content

The biographical legal drama starring Michal B. Jordan revolves around the story of defense attorney Bryan Stevenson who represents poor people destined for death row. He teams up with Eva Ansley (Larson) as they strive to fight for justice.

The film was critically acclaimed upon release and is rated 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even though Larson didn’t have a leading role in Just Mercy, her grounded performance created quite an impact on the overall magic of the thought-provoking film. According to Variety’s review, her portrayal of Eva with her “antsy, cigarette-smoking defensiveness” was “just right.”

Just Mercy is available to rent/buy on Prime Video.

2. Short Term 12

A still from Short Term 12 (2013) | Credits: Demarest Films

The film proved to be Larson’s breakthrough role. As she played the distraught foster-care home supervisor, the indie film was the actress’ first leading role and she established herself as someone who was not to be taken lightly.

While Short Term 12 was praised left and right by critics, Larson’s portrayal was where the spotlight landed. According to Empire’s review, she gave “a whirling dervish” of a performance.

Larson one the Best Actress and Breakthrough Artist award at the 2013 Austin Film Critics Association as well as at the Detroit Film Critics Society. Both the film and her work were so well-received that when neither of the two ended up with an Oscar nomination, people were just confused. According to Forbes, the snub was just “shocking.”

Short Term 12 is available to watch on Prime Video.

3. Room

Brie Larson in Room (2015) | Credits: Film4

Last but not least, there was no way we were going to leave Room out of this list. She plays the role of Joy who was a captive of Old Nick for years and her son, Jack, was born in captivity.

The film has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the critical consensus praising her for her “incredible work.” The Hollywood Reporter wrote it best stating that the actors should be greatly credited for making the film what it is, especially Larson who went “beyond the already considerable range she’s previously shown with an exceedingly dimensional performance.”

Larson swept the award season winning an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Critics Choice, and so much more.

Room is available to watch on Prime Video.

Now, this brings us to the original question – is Larson a bad actor? Certainly not! She might have a few projects under her belt that aren’t up to the mark, but that doesn’t mean that she is not good at what she does! She has proven time and again why she deserves every bit of recognition she gets and Hollywood sure does respond to her. For those who think she’s one-dimensional, watching these 3 films just might change their minds.