The 10 Best Charlize Theron Movies, Ranked

Nevertheless, if you like your comedy with a bit of a kick in it and don’t mind spending time with someone you would probably never want to meet in your real life, Young Adult is a sensational character study, one that is only elevated by Charlize Theron giving one of the best performances of her career to date in the role of Mavis Gary, a divorced, alcoholic author who goes back to her hometown in Minneapolis in order to reconnect with her old flame, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson), who is now currently married with a newborn child.

This dark comedy is admittedly a bitter pill to swallow with its unlikeable lead character, uncomfortable character dynamics, and mean-spirited tone.

Similar to Tully, Theron’s follow-up collaboration with director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, Young Adult didn’t quite get the respect that it deserves.