Liam Neeson is the star of your M-Net Sunday night movie this weekend, The Commuter. Since we’ve already covered his top roles here, we’re turning instead to his super talented co-star, Vera Farmiga, with a look at her top five roles.
Madolyn, The Departed (2006)
Based on Infernal Affairs, this remake moves the action from Hong Kong to Boston. In a film crammed frame to frame with men, Farmiga – as the only female lead – holds her own remarkably well.
MORE HERE: 10 movies you (maybe) didn’t know were remakes.
Alex Goran, Up in the Air (2009)
George Clooney may have been the star, but he’s supported by two wonderful actresses in this dramedy about a corporate downsizer. One is Anna Kendrick, the other Farmiga, of course. Together they made movie magic, with all three landing acting nominations at the 82nd Academy Awards.
MORE HERE: 10 best plane movies.
Captain Colleen Goodwin, Source Code (2011)
Playing Air Force Captain Colleen Goodwin, Farmiga’s no-nonsense performance instilled just the right note of urgency in this twisty, time-travelling sci-fi from Duncan Jones. Farmiga could easily have played the hard-nosed military role to type, but instead pushes through the stubborn veneer to allow her character to do the right thing.
MORE HERE: The best train movies.
Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring (2013)
Farmiga has become a bona fide scream queen with roles in Orphan and Bates Motel (more on that later), but what really cemented her place in horror history was her part in The Conjuring. She plays Lorraine Warren, a real-life paranormal investigator who explored things that go bump in the night with her husband Ed Warren. Farmiga reprised the role for The Conjuring 2 and The Nun, and will return to the character this year, in the third Annabelle film.
Norma Bates, Bates Motel (2013 – 2017)
Serving as a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho, Farmiga takes on the role of Norma Bates in Bates Motel. Norma's presence looms large in the film, even though she’s only ever heard, not seen. Despite this, the character became as iconic as her son Norman Bates, presenting a daunting challenge for Farmiga – and boy did she deliver! In a powerhouse performance, she retains Norma’s infamous obsession, while providing depth and perspective to a character never fully given her due.
MORE HERE: 10 TV series based on movies.
Get on board with Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in The Commuter, your #SundayNightMovie on 13 January at 20:05 on M-Net channel 101.
Feature image: Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in The Commuter.