The role that allowed Charlize Theron to channel her inner Jack Nicholson
Throughout her career, Charlize Theron has embraced a wide variety of roles, showcasing the versatility that defines a truly exceptional actor. The ability to seamlessly transition between diverse characters and the worlds they inhabit is a rare gift, and Theron has mastered it in every film, from Atomic Blonde to Mad Max: Fury Road. However, one role, in particular, allowed her to explore new depths of complexity in her performance.
Though many of her recent films lean towards the action and superhero genres, Theron has delivered outstanding performances across a range of characters. Early in her career, one particular drama profoundly shaped her understanding of how female actors could bring complex, multifaceted characters to life.
During an interview with GQ, Theron got candid about her portrayal of the real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 biographical drama Monster. She shared: “The truth is, women are way more complex and conflicted than society wants to believe.” It is one of the most dramatic performances of Theron’s career but arguably did more for cinema as a whole than it ever did for just one actor. The performance was a rallying cry for more interesting roles for women and not to typecast good-looking blonde women as simply the eye candy of a movie.
Theron continued to share how the story allowed her to show true emotion, revealing: “Men are celebrated for showing their flaws, exposing themselves. But if a woman does it, it’s not likeable and nobody’s going to want to see it, because it’s not pretty. I’d never seen a woman do anything like this, and it scared the shit out of me. This was the kind of shit Jack Nicholson gets to do.”
Jack Nicholson is, without a doubt, one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. However, his career might have been overlooked entirely had he not been given the chance to showcase his raw talent and range in roles like the free-spirited George Hanson in Easy Rider, the unhinged Jack Torrance in The Shining, or the restrained yet rebellious Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a performance that earned him the Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’.
Theron’s concerns are understandable, given the continued sexism and stereotypes about women in Hollywood. Her role in the 2019 drama film Bombshell dealt with similar issues and was well-received by critics. However, it once again brought to light the negative treatment of the real women portrayed. The simple truth is, how can society expect to revel in the wondrous performances of our female actors if they are never given the chance to make interesting stories?
Since her nuanced portrayal of Aileen Wuornos as a victim as well as a criminal, Theron has often sought out roles in which she could portray strong and complex women. Her confidence in her ability to play this type of role has seemingly grown throughout the years.
Though Theron took a risk in portraying Wuornos with humanity and complexity, the performance paid off in spades. Theron won the award for ‘Best Actress’ at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes in 2004, proving that her portrayal of a flawed character was equal to the likes of Nicholson.
