Sandra Oh’s Best Performances, Ranked
Sandra Oh remains a definite force in the world of movies and television. Here are her very best performances, ranked.
In the modern cinematic world of accomplished actresses, Asian-Canadian actress Sandra Oh has undoubtedly showcased her unequivocal talent. Oh’s powerful performances wholly capture the audience in an array of emotional experiences which make her characters that much more enjoyable. The 52-year-old actress effortlessly manages to make audiences laugh one minute, only to burst into tears the next. By doing so, she has displayed a strong versatility which bleeds into the roles that she beautifully portrays. Oh initially rose to prominence for her notable role as Cristina Yang in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Born in Nepean, Ontario to middle-class South Korean immigrants, Oh is widely regarded as a role model, especially when she became the first woman of Asian descent to host the Golden Globe Awards in 2019. Since her monumental run on Grey’s Anatomy, the versatile actress has received numerous accolades for her outstanding work in film and television, including two Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and twelve Primetime Emmy Award nominations total. Recently, Oh has found more modern success with leading roles in BBC’s Killing Eve and Netflix’s The Chair. Here are Sandra Oh’s best performances, ranked.
Update November 9, 2023: Following the release of Quiz Lady on Hulu, this article has been updated with more great performances by Sandra Oh.
10.Double Happiness (1994)
Oh’s feature film debut in the 1994 Canadian drama, Double Happiness, highlighted her acting prowess in dramatic comedy very early on in her career. Directed by Mina Shum, Oh plays Jade Li, an aspiring actress who strenuously tries to juggle the wishes of her traditional Chinese family and her own personal ambitions. The feisty Jade struggles to keep her independence and chase her dreams, and much to her parents’ shock finds herself falling for a white grad student (Callum Rennie) in the process.
What Makes It Great
Oh’s authentic portrayal of self-identity and family roots received tremendous critical praise, thus earning her the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. Audiences were blown away by her dynamic debut, and the role served as a crucial stepping stone for her illustrious career that would lead to other projects in the ensuing years. The New York Times raved about Oh’s compelling role, declaring, “Ms. Oh’s performance makes Jade a smart, spiky heroine you won’t soon forget.”
Stream on Tubi
9.Rabbit Hole (2010)
Based on a play of the same name, Rabbit Hole conveys a strong message of irreversible grief and immense loss. Despite Oh experiencing a limited role in the film, her awe-inspiring performance proves to be significant for the film’s main characters, Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart), a couple dealing with the death of their young son. The engrossing drama chronicles the emotional grief and trauma the pair face as they seek comfort from others on their respective healing journeys, as they attempt to cope with the profound loss through group therapy.
What Makes It Great
Oh plays Gabby, a fellow grieving parent who attends the same counseling meetings and lends her own expertise in healing to help the couple. She develops a deep connection with Howie while dealing with her own personal heartache. Her stand-out performance is emotionally gripping and not to be overlooked, and she shines brightly alongside Eckhart and Kidman in the touching picture. Time magazine named Rabbit Hole one of the Top 10 Movies of 2010, and it proved to be a critical and commercial success upon its release.
Stream on Prime Video
8.Quiz Lady (2023)
Oh appeared alongside the always delightful Awkwafina when they portrayed two polar opposite sisters in the comedy Quiz Lady, centering on the high-strung, game show-loving Anne Yum as she enlists the help of her chaotic and free-spirited older sister Jenny (Oh) to help pay off their mother’s hefty gambling debt. Together, the mismatched siblings go on an enlightening and exciting cross-country journey to earn the crucial money, doing so by turning Anne into a bonafide game show champion.
What Makes It Great
The on-screen pairing between Awkwafina and Oh was comedy gold, and the actresses perfectly played off one another as their characters found themselves in one zany misadventure after another. Watching Oh let loose and serve up a completely uninhibited performance as the spontaneous Jenny was a major treat for viewers and her chemistry with Awkwafina was off the charts; Cultured Vultures wrote, “Sandra Oh and Awkafina are absolutely hilarious in this. There’s heart and charm to Quiz Lady that makes it well worth a watch.”
Stream on Hulu
7.Meditation Park (2017)
Once again in collaboration with Mina Shum, Meditation Park sees Sandra Oh playing Ava, a concerned daughter who desperately tries to introduce her mother, Maria, to a world of independence and self-worth by detaching herself from her husband and Ava’s father. Oh appears alongside Cheng Pei-pei in the complex film, as her character goes on a deep quest of self-exploration after she discovers her husband may be cheating on her, causing her to turn to her child Ava for some encouragement and insight.
What Make It Great
Oh beautifully blends the importance of women’s equality and the empowerment of women as a whole. Moreover, Shum’s script aids in Oh’s breathtaking performance as the film explores a realm of individual journey and the uplifting of assumed weaker women. Both talented actresses showed off their ability to captivate audiences and endear them to their difficult plights, and moviegoers walked away from the drama feeling inspired by its thought-provoking premise.
Currently unavailable for streaming
6.Catfight (2016)
In Onur Tukel’s Catfight, Oh memorably portrays Veronica Salt, an unhappy alcoholic wife and mother living in New York. While attending the same event as her former college pal, Ashley (Anne Heche), forgotten friends transform into bitter enemies as the two engage in some genuinely hilarious brawling moments. When they meet up and reconnect at a high-profile cocktail party, Veronica and Ashley’s unspoken hostilities rear their ugly heads that leads to an epic showdown between the ladies.
What Makes It Great
The chemistry between Oh and Heche further establishes the film’s credibility and entertaining pacing. Moreover, Oh perfectly displays her versatile acting range as she delves into the world of comedy, doing so effortlessly. Her turn as the alcoholic and entitled housewife Veronica clashed brilliantly with Heche’s struggling artist character Ashley, and the battle scenes between the duo were a delight for audiences to witness. Upon its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Catfight garnered widespread praise for its savvy use of satire and humor and for its engaging screenplay.
Stream on Netflix
5.Grey’s Anatomy (2005 – Present)
Grey’s Anatomy will forever be known as the breakthrough performance in Sandra Oh’s magnificent career. Oh famously portrayed Cristina Yang, a cutthroat, dedicated intern considered by critics and audiences alike to be one of the greatest television characters of all time. Cristina’s unique and heartwarming bond with Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey quickly captivated audiences, as the loyal lady constantly encouraged and reminded her pal about her own self-worth and power.
What Makes It Great
Oh’s monumental performance as Cristina captivated the entire Grey’s fanbase and sparked a wide following of appreciation and love. She starred as the fiery and determined Yang for ten sensational seasons and during her run at Seattle Grace Hospital, the actress won numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award. Her ultimate exit from the show in 2014 resulted in many fans turning away from the Shondaland show for good. Nevertheless, Oh’s memorable performance remains one of the very best of her career, and her character is a beloved fan-favorite.
4.Sideways (2004)
Sandra Oh once again displays her incomparable acting brilliance in the comedic genre with her role in Alexander Payne’s Sideways. Oh delivers a truly stand-out performance in her role as Stephanie, a wine pourer who pursues an affair with one of the main characters, Jack (Thomas Haden Church). Once the news of Jack’s engagement becomes known by Stephanie, her complete meltdown makes for one of the funniest moments in the entire film and is a standout cinematic portrayal for the gifted Oh.
What Makes It Great
The film was so well received that it earned an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Picture, with many critics believing that Oh should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Oh herself believes her work in Sideways is some of her very finest, and the masses truly agreed as the dramedy went on to earn over $109 million and swept the awards season; it landed on both Empire and Total Film’s lists of the greatest movie of all time and is without-a-doubt one of Oh’s most memorable cinematic portrayals.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video
3.Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
In recent years, Raya and the Last Dragon has become one of Disney’s most beloved animated features. The film follows Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a brave warrior princess training to become a Dragon Gem Guardian. Critically praised for its phenomenal ensemble cast and voice acting, Sandra Oh memorably portrays Virana, the mother of Namaari, a pivotal rival of Raya and the chieftess of the Fang tribe. The visually stunning picture features the additional talents of stars like Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, and Daniel Dae Kim.
What Makes It Great
Oh lends her voice in a thrilling adventure with plenty of memorable moments and gorgeous animation. Moreover, Sandra’s moving portrayal remains a staple in the minds of Disney lovers all around the world. Raya and the Last Dragon delves into themes including forgiveness, gender equality, and reconciliation, and the fantasy flick was lauded for including a largely Asian-American cast. The uplifting film earned an Academy Award and Golden Globe nod for Best Animated Feature and received an A CinemaScore from moviegoers.
2.The Chair (2021)
Netflix’s The Chair featured an ensemble cast, with Sandra Oh memorably leading the string of colorful characters that also includes the talents of Holland Taylor and David Morse. In the 2021 Netflix series, Oh plays Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, the new head of the English department at the fictional Pembroke University. As the department battles a steady decline in students’ interest, Kim also struggles with the swirling controversy of her complicated personal life.
What Makes It Great
Upon the show’s release, Oh received renowned praise for her strong use of physical and verbal comedy and further proved to audiences that she’s truly a performer who can do it all. She was the recipient of countless prestigious nominations including a Saturn and Critics’ Choice Award, and fans couldn’t get enough of Oh’s scathing one-liners and overall amusing portrayal of the determined Ji-Yoon Kim. Fans of both Oh and the Netflix original have been anxiously hoping for a second season, though a follow-up has not been announced since its 2021 premiere.
1.Killing Eve (2018 – 2022)
It should come as no surprise that Sandra Oh’s powerful performance in BBC’s Killing Eve sits at the top of this very list. Oh’s staggering performance is engaging from the initial jump, with critics eventually labeling it as the performance of her career. In the popular series, Oh portrays Eve Polastri, a highly intuitive MI5 agent assigned with the task of hunting down a female assassin, Villanelle (the fantastic Jodie Comer). The two eventually engage in a cat-and-mouse chase, with a looming obsession and care for each other blossoming in the process.
What Makes It Great
Both Comer and Oh’s performances have been significantly praised, with the latter receiving a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award for their phenomenal portrayal. The sensational spy thriller series ran for four universally acclaimed seasons (though fans were less-than-pleased with the final entry), yet Oh nonetheless dominated every scene and storyline she was in. The actress was actually shocked to have nabbed the prominent lead role, as she was “brainwashed” for years after being typecast as simply the best friend. Killing Eve has since become a staple in Oh’s impeccable acting resume and truly captured her unparalleled magic on screen.
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