Liv Tyler was always bound to be famous. The daughter of a model and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, she’s been in the spotlight since a young age, and as a result has a back catalog of film and TV appearances that most actors would kill for, as well as playing a prominent part in one of the highest-grossing and most popular franchises of all time: the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Given how much experience she has, narrowing down her best performances isn’t exactly an easy task, but we’re pretty sure we’re up to it. If you want to know what we think the 10 best Liv Tyler movies and TV shows are, then read ahead!
10. Onegin
Pronounced Oh-Ne-Jin, this romantic drama is based on the Russian writer Alexander Pushkin’s novel Eugene Onegin. It was directed by Martha Fiennes and starred her brother Ralph in the titular role, while Tyler plays the character of Tatiana, the eventual love interest of Eugene. The film mostly stays true to the famous book and has that classic element of Russian tragedy in it.
Tyler is exceptional as Tatiana, making a mediocre film worth watching with her magnetic performance. Although it’s somewhat entertaining, the movie misses the farce and humor that makes Pushkin’s novel so great, something even an actress as good as Tyler can’t help with, as brilliant as she is in the role.
9. Armageddon
A sci-fi disaster film with plenty of star power, this brilliant 1998 movie is about a crew of astronauts who are sent to destroy a Texas-sized asteroid that’s about to hit the Earth, causing mass destruction. Tyler stars alongside Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and a whole host of other incredible names, and although she isn’t one of the crew sent into space, she is an integral part of the plot, allowing her to show off her full range of acting ability. It also has a great soundtrack, with the main song being from Tyler’s father.
8. Stealing Beauty
Another one from Tyler’s early days as an actress, but even back then it was clear to see how brilliant she was. Stealing Beauty is a meditation on loss, love, and grief, starring Tyler as a 19-year-old who heads to a Tuscan villa that belongs to some friends of her recently deceased mother. The entire film takes place in the stunning Italian region, and the gorgeous surroundings are matched by Tyler’s performance – even if some of her cast mates don’t quite reach the same heights.
7. The Strangers
This absolutely chilling psychological horror is the stuff nightmares are made of. Tyler stars as Kristen, half of a couple who are holidaying in a remote cabin before being targeted by a group of sadistic criminals. She’s truly exceptional in the role, and you can practically feel the fear emanating from the screen during her scenes – it’s fair to say that the movie wouldn’t have become such a sleeper hit if another actress had taken the role. A lot of elements of the horror flick are bound to stay with you, but perhaps the most chilling part is the answer when Tyler’s character asks why the criminals have targeted her and her partner: “Because you were home.” If you want to lose a little bit of your faith in humanity, this is the film for you.
6. The Incredible Hulk
This superhero film came out in the same year as The Strangers (2008) but couldn’t be more different, showcasing just how versatile a performer Tyler is. Her acting is made all the better by knowing that she’s a huge fan of the character – in fact, she accepted the role without even reading the script.
Tyler plays Banner’s ex Betty Ross, and her on-screen chemistry with Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner (when he’s a human, anyway) is magnetic. While the film itself was somewhat basic in a narrative sense, the action sequences and great acting make it a brilliant watch, and Tyler gets to show off a lot of her wide range. And, as the second film in the MCU, it has a lot of nostalgic value for fans of the franchise – even if the CGI is a little iffy at times.
5. The Leftovers
Not quite post-apocalyptic, but definitely supernatural in nature, this HBO series is set three years after a global event called “the Sudden Departure,” the unexplained, immediate disappearance of 2 percent of the world’s population. In the show’s world, this leads to an explosion of cults and smaller religions, with one of the main ones being a group named the Guilty Remnant, who wander around in white clothes spreading the gospel of nihilism.
Tyler only begins her arc in the second season but she’s a vital part of the show once she’s in it, playing a woman named Meg Abbott who’s slowly convinced to join one of the more radical subsections of the Guilty Remnant. Her slow but shocking radicalization is a masterclass in acting, and even as she begins to make more questionable decisions, it’s hard not to find yourself kind of rooting for her. A brilliant actress in a brilliant show.
4. Empire Records
This classic coming-of-age comedy-drama has an ensemble cast that would rival any red-carpet event, with Tyler being joined by names like Renée Zellweger and Anthony LaPaglia. It follows the attempts of a group of record store workers to stop their shop from being taken over by a record store chain, with a few other zany twists thrown in for good measure. Tyler plays an overachieving student who’s also a secret methamphetamine addict and is as captivating as she is funny. While the film itself falls flat in places, the soundtrack is astounding, and Tyler (and Zellweger) carry it through with stunning performances.
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
This famous trilogy is an epic like no other, and Tyler is a vital cog in the films. The three brilliant movies are as aesthetically beautiful as they are awe-inspiring, with stunning battle scenes, emotionally fraught moments, and plenty of orcs being sent to the slaughter. Tyler plays the Elven princess Arwen, who makes the momentous decision to ignore various of her culture’s traditions to help Aragorn and the rest of the fellowship in their quest to defeat Sauron. She’s an unbelievable on-screen presence, radiating power and empathy. Sadly, Peter Jackson cut a battle scene at Helm’s Deep with the princess in it, so we never got to see Arwen in full fighting flow, but the rest of Tyler’s performance makes up for that oversight.
2. That Thing You Do
Excellent Liv Tyler films and brilliant soundtracks seem to go hand in hand, and no movie proves this as much as That Thing You Do. Tyler stars alongside Tom Everett Scott and Tom Hanks, the latter of whom also directed the film in his debut behind the camera. The movie follows the fictional band The Oneders, who accidentally create a one-hit-wonder (see what they did there?) that leads to national stardom, and eventually the dissolution of the band. Tyler plays Faye, the one-time girlfriend of the lead singer who eventually ends up with the drummer (Everrett Scott), and puts in a charming, emotive performance, as well as being hilarious when she needs to be. A must-watch that will have you singing the catchy title song for months afterward.
1. Heavy
This stunning drama was Tyler’s first real turn as the star of a film, and boy did the young actress deliver. She plays Callie, a college dropout who begins working as a waitress in a diner owned by compulsive binge-eater Victor Molino (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and his mother, Dolly (Shelley Winters). The film also stars Debbie Harry as a cynical fellow waitress of Tyler’s, and the plot follows Victor’s growth as Callie makes him see the good in the world. Vince and Tyler’s on-screen relationship is beautifully rendered by the pair, and the tough subject of the film is sensitively handled, making this an unmissable watch – aided by Tyler’s absolute brilliance. You will shed a tear or two at this one, but the ending will also leave you feeling hopeful.
