1. Obvious Child (2014)
This is the role that defined Jenny Slate as a leading lady capable of more than just scene-stealing side characters. As Donna Stern, a stand-up comedian navigating a messy breakup and an unplanned pregnancy, Slate is a revelation. The film, a rom-com
centered on a character's choice to have an abortion, required a performance that was funny, real, and completely devoid of judgment. Slate delivers, using her own comedic persona to ground Donna in a reality that is hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human. It’s a brave, star-making turn that proved her ability to carry a film with nuance and unflinching honesty.
2. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)
What started as a series of beloved YouTube shorts became a profoundly moving, Oscar-nominated feature film, thanks in large part to Slate's voice work. As Marcel, a one-inch-tall shell searching for his family, she delivers a performance of breathtaking tenderness and wit. Using a tiny, high-pitched voice, Slate imbues Marcel with a vast emotional landscape—curiosity, grief, hope, and profound wisdom. It’s a testament to her skill that a character so small can contain such immense heart, making audiences forget they're watching a stop-motion creation and instead feel like they're listening to a deeply soulful friend.
3. Gifted (2017)
In a film centered on a custody battle over a child prodigy, Slate provides the story’s warmth and moral compass. She plays Bonnie Stevenson, a teacher who recognizes her student's extraordinary abilities. While the central drama unfolds between other characters, Slate’s role is crucial. She is the audience's anchor—kind, observant, and genuinely concerned for the child’s well-being. It’s a supporting role, but her gentle, grounded presence offers a necessary counterbalance to the film's heavier emotional conflicts, showcasing her ability to make a lasting impression even without being the central focus.
4. I Want You Back (2022)
This film proves Slate is an absolute force in the classic romantic comedy space. She and co-star Charlie Day play two recently dumped strangers who team up to win back their exes. Slate’s character, Emma, is stuck in a rut and terrified of being left behind. She’s messy, a little desperate, but endlessly charming and relatable. Slate shines in these kinds of roles, where her brand of quirky, vulnerable humor feels not just funny, but deeply authentic. You root for her not just to find love, but to find herself, which is the hallmark of a truly great rom-com performance.
5. Landline (2017)
Reuniting with 'Obvious Child' director Gillian Robespierre, this 1990s-set family dramedy sees Slate in a more restrained and mature role. She plays Dana, a woman on the verge of marriage who discovers her father is having an affair, leading her to question her own fidelity and future. The film is a complex look at family secrets and the messiness of love. Slate’s performance is less about punchlines and more about quiet uncertainty, capturing the anxiety of a woman caught between who she is and who she is supposed to be. It's a subtle, deeply felt performance that expands the scope of her dramatic range.
6. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
In a film bursting with unforgettable characters and multiverse-spanning chaos, it’s a feat to make a mark in a small role, but Slate does just that. She plays 'Debbie the Dog Mom,' a laundromat customer who, in one universe, becomes a formidable foe wielding her small dog like a weapon. The role is pure, absurd fun, and Slate leans into the film's wild energy perfectly. Her appearance is a fantastic example of her comedic instincts and her willingness to be part of an ambitious, unconventional ensemble. It’s a brief but memorable flash of Slate's unique, game-for-anything energy that contributes to the film's chaotic brilliance.
