Top 3: Ronan’s films showcase her acting talent

Josephine Wysocki, News Editor

April 13, 2026

Thore Siebrands

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan Opening of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast. Photo by Thore_Siebrands via Wikimedia Commons

Saoirse Ronan is an extraordinary actress with a wide range of roles, but her talent is not frequently acknowledged in mainstream media. Born of Irish descent in New York, Ronan began her acting career at the young age of 9. She received her first Oscar nomination at age 13, and has since continued to improve. Below are Saoirse Ronan’s Top 3 best tilms, from her breakout role as a child to her starring role in a novel remake.

Little Women (2019)

This Little Women remake -- the second major film that Ronan collaborated with Greta Gerwig on -- stars Ronan as the lead character: Jo March. Jo is a defiant, feminist woman in the 1860s, struggling in the midst of the Civil War. With her father away at war, Jo believes that she must take on the role of the man in the household. Throughout the film, Ronan perfectly portrays Jo’s struggle with femininity in a world where women were seen as nothing.

Overall, though the film is a revival, Ronan does a phenomenal job of making the role her own. She gives heart to Jo’s character, showing her struggle with being seen as a brainless woman with no purpose other than motherhood. During the film, she delivers a tear-jerker monologue about her struggle with womanhood and desire to be both independent and find love during a time when finding love meant losing independence.

This is Ronan’s most well known role, though many do not acknowledge the work she put into it. Ronan’s examination and portrayal of Jo is outstanding and certainly gave weight to her skills as an actress.
Lady Bird (2017)

Though Ronan acted in many films before this one, Lady Bird was her modern-day breakout role in terms of widespread fame. In the coming-of-age film, Ronan acts as a teenage girl who feels trapped in her hometown and dreams of getting out to attend college. Throughout the film, Lady Bird struggles with romance, financial insecurity, and an unsteady relationship with her mother.

Ronan’s portrayal of Lady Bird turned the character from a bratty teenager into a girl whom viewers can easily empathize with and relate to. Her acting in the movie is flawless as her character undergoes the transformation from Lady Bird to Christine. Her performance was not unacknowledged, either -- Ronan was nominated for and won several awards for the film, including her win for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and her nomination for it at the Oscars, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Awards.

Ronan’s role in Lady Bird solidified her place in the world of film, showcasing her range of talent and the emotion she is able to put into characters.
Atonement (2007)

When Ronan starred in Atonement, she was just 12 years old. At 13, after the film's release, she had been nominated Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars for her role. Atonement tells the six-decade-long story of Cecilia, a rich daughter; Robbie, her family’s housekeeper; and Cecilia’s younger sister, Briony, who is played by Ronan.

Throughout the course of the movie, Briony becomes responsible for the wrongful arrest of Robbie. She later learns of her mistake, but is unable to fix it. The end of the movie reveals an old Briony, who writes a novel -- Atonement -- about her life and her mistake.

Overall, Ronan’s performance of Briony is outstanding, especially considering her young age. She delivers complexity to the character, showing her naivety and misguided intentions. Though Briony has many flaws, and ends up causing the main destruction in the film, Ronan’s ability to make the audience connect to a character certainly is showcased here.

More than anything, the role put Ronan on the map. She was praised for her performance, proving her talent and dedication to acting.

About the Contributor

Josephine Wysocki, News Editor

Senior Josephine Wysocki is a third-year news editor. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and drinking coffee.

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Top 3: Ronan’s films showcase her acting talent

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