Hollywood definitely has had its fair share of movies that center around a family - and often, the dynamic of the mother-child relationship. From television to film, there are many actresses that have taken on this difficult role, whether it be a sweet and gracious mother figure or a wicked and selfish one.
Actors are dynamic chameleons, and while some stay in a pretty tight box of characters, others are willing to play both the good and the evil. It's time to celebrate some actors that have convincingly played some wonderful mothers AND some horrible ones.
Laura Dern: Little Women (2019) & Big Little Lies (2017 - 2019)
Lauren Dern is an absolute queen, and she's one actress that has brilliantly played both heroic and villainous characters. In Little Women, Marmee March is an absolute saint. She is caring, selfless, and understanding.
It isn't to say that Renata Klein from Big Little Lies doesn't care about her daughter, but she's certainly more fierce and proud when it comes to parenting. It's all about looks to her, and fans have seen some scary and explosive moments.
Toni Collette: Little Miss Sunshine (2006) & Hereditary (2018)
Toni Collette is an underrated actor for her wide range of talent. In Little Miss Sunshine, Sheryl is the glue that keeps her wild and struggling family together. She's overwhelmed, for sure, but she does everything to keep them happy and healthy.
On the other hand, her horrific role in Ari Aster's Hereditary is chilling. She, too, is overwhelmed, and while she isn't a horrible parent, she does essentially blame and shame her son for killing her daughter. It's a riveting flick with a not-so-great example of parenting.
Charlize Theron: Tully (2018) & The Road (2009)
Charlize Theron is one of the most talented and versatile actors out there today, and that doesn't exclude playing both good and bad mothers. In Tully, Theron's Marlo definitely struggles taking care of her children as a single mother, but the movie is all about her finding the hope to change and do the best for her kids.
In The Road, Theron appears in her husband's flashbacks. In a post-apocalyptic world, a father and son navigate survival after their wife and mother abandoned them. Leaving your family in an apocalypse is definitely worthy of being labeled a "bad mom."
Reese Witherspoon: Big Little Lies (2017 - 2019) & Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
Laura Dern and Reese Witherspoon are both mothers on Big Little Lies, and Witherspoon's Madeline is also certainly not short of fire and sass. While she isn't perfect, Madeline does do anything and everything for her children and all she wants is the best for them.
In another hit television series, but her outbursts and selfishness definitely paint her in a pretty bad light when it comes to mothering.
Faye Dunaway: The Champ (1979) & Mommie Dearest (1981)
Faye Dunaway is an absolute icon in Hollywood, and she also had her fair share of roles as mothers. In The Champ, Annie tries to reconcile with her ex-husband and their son, who she left. Despite her past, Annie does everything she can to prove she is capable and loves her son more than anything.
While this role was certainly famous, she also floored critics with her portrayal of Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. Based on the actual memoir of Joan's daughter, Dunaway plays the mother that is both physically and verbally abusive - becoming one of the most well-known "bad" moms in film.
s O'Connor: The Conjuring 2 (2016) & A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
It isn't often that a horror movie mom can actually be a great one, but O'Connor's Peggy does her best to deal with the weird, paranormal phenomenon that seems to be plaguing her children. In the sequel to the hit franchise, The Conjuring, she's the only thing that isn't terrifying.
However, s O'Connor might just be more popular for her role as the mother in A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Monica Swinton. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi drama is literally about a son trying to gain his mother's love after she leaves him in the forest to become a robot.
Julianne Moore: The Kids Are All Right (2010) & Carrie (2013)
This actress has played many, many characters, from wholesome and regular mothers to wicked and ambitious villains. Of course, when it comes to being a parent on-screen, these are probably the two most different flicks for Moore.
In The Kids Are All Right, Jules and her partner try to keep their family in-tact and their kids happy when their youngsters reach out to their biological father and it's quirky and cute. In a totally polar role, Carrie is probably home to one of the most famously wicked mothers in film - Margaret White.
Debra Jo Rupp: That '70s Show (1998 - 2006) & The Ranch (2016 - 2020)
Debra Jo Rupp has become iconic for her role as Kitty, Eric Forman's mother, in the hit sitcom That '70s Show. She wasn't always perfect, but she cared deeply for her family. She would do anything for them and they all would've crashed and burned without her. She was a fan favorite mother from the start.
When she ed the cast of also alongside producer and lead actor, Ashton Kutcher), they definitely satirized her motherly role. She plays Abby's mom who really only loves wine. She isn't a terrible person, but she certainly isn't winning any mothering awards.
Nicole Kidman: Boy Erased (2018) & The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)
Nicole Kidman is no newbie to playing a mother on the big screen and these are only two examples of her talent in this type of role. In Boy Erased, she starts the film following her husband's wishes to send their son to conversion therapy. However, this true story takes a turn - and she decides that her son and his happiness is the most important thing.
On a totally different note, Kidman tackles a thrilling flick: The Killing of a Sacred Deer. She does her best to save her children from her husband's mistakes, but in the end, she volunteers to have one of them killed. This is definitely the worst mother she's played, and likely one of the worst things a mother has done in a movie.
