Sydney Sweeney has something you cannot fake: she dares to be unpleasant on camera. Not just sweet, not just sexy, but also desperate, manipulative, broken, and sometimes hilarious. That courage made her a star in series, but it also explains why she effortlessly switches between rom-coms, horror, and true-life dramas.
She started with small roles and grew through characters that create friction. In recent years, she has also increasingly taken on the role of producer. Not as a marketing trick, but as a way to set the tone herself.
10. Immaculate (2024)
In the horror film Immaculate, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun named Cecilia. The story begins with a peaceful convent life but becomes increasingly grim. She powerfully demonstrates how her character struggles with fear and rage.
9. Sharp Objects (2018)
Although her role in Sharp Objects is limited to a few scenes in a psychiatric clinic, she makes an immediate impression. She plays a young girl struggling with deep inner pain, which seamlessly fits the dark atmosphere of the series.
In this role, you see her early talent for portraying complex and troubled characters. Without much dialogue, she establishes a stifling atmosphere that sticks with the viewer. It was one of the first times she stood out to the general public before becoming world-famous with later projects.
8. Eden (2025)
In the film Eden, director Ron Howard explores how a group of people unravels on a deserted island. What begins as a search for a better life quickly turns into a struggle filled with suspicion and power plays. Sydney Sweeney plays a central role and proves she can hold her own alongside experienced top actors like Jude Law and Ana de Armas.
7. Echo Valley (2025)
In the thriller Echo Valley, Sydney Sweeney stars opposite Julianne Moore. Sweeney plays the daughter who unexpectedly shows up at her mother’s doorstep one night, completely distraught. From that moment on, the story revolves around the question of what the truth is, who is manipulating whom, and how far you will go to protect your family.
6. Christy (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCuj6LpRgGM
Sydney Sweeney completely transformed for this role into Christy Martin, the legendary American boxer who made a name for herself in a man’s world during the nineties. Sweeney plays a woman hungry for recognition while simultaneously being confronted with her own vulnerability, showing in this intense role why she is willing to push physical and emotional boundaries for her work.
5. Reality (2023)
The entire film Reality takes place in a kitchen and living room. The dialogue spoken by the actors is exactly what was actually said during the interrogation of whistleblower Reality Winner. Sydney Sweeney plays this role very calmly and naturally, without exaggerated acting. You see her talking, laughing, and occasionally hesitating while trying to remain calm. Slowly, you notice her being backed into a corner.
4. The Housemaid (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48CtX6OgU3s
When Millie gets a job as a housemaid for a seemingly perfect (and rich!) family, it seems like the fresh start she’s been hoping for. But soon it turns out the polished facade hides a web of lies and danger, and Millie is forced to defend herself in an increasingly grim game of power and distrust. Sweeney plays a fantastic role where her character constantly balances between hope and paranoia, making you doubt what is real and what is not – exactly the kind of uncertainty that brings out her best.
3. The White Lotus (2021)
In the television series The White Lotus, Sydney Sweeney plays the role of Olivia Mossbacher. Olivia is a smart, cynical girl who looks down on the luxury she lives in. Paradoxically, she is also completely dependent on it. She considers herself morally superior to the rest, making her a rather irritating character.
Sweeney plays this role with a great balance of humor and sharpness. She knows exactly how to use the awkward atmosphere of the series to stand out in every scene.
2. Anyone But You (2023)
In the film Anyone But You, Sydney Sweeney shows she can also entertain a large audience with a rom-com. The film became an unexpected success, mainly because the chemistry between her and Glen Powell works so well. The many scenes in swimwear likely helped as well.
1. Euphoria (2019)
With the role of Cassie Howard in the series Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney had her global breakthrough. Cassie isn’t the sweetest girl in class, but what she is, is relatable. She has a deep need for love and attention. Sweeney is not afraid to show the less pretty sides of this girl, such as her poor choices and deep insecurity.
Especially in the second season, the situation for her character spirals completely out of control. She goes so far that it becomes almost uncomfortable for the viewer to watch, and that is exactly what makes her acting so strong.
Sydney Sweeney is at her best in roles that create friction and feel uncomfortable. She plays characters who lose themselves while you, as a viewer, cannot look away. If she continues on this path, this is only the beginning of a very major career.