best movies of 2024. She portrays a young woman who is created as the “perfect” version of an older dance instructor. The film has a lot to say about modern beauty standards and society’s morphed perception of aging (particularly in women), and Qualley’s character expertly displays how youth and success often go hand-in-hand.

Additionally, Qualley appeared in Yorgos Lanthimos’ twisted romance Kinds of Kindness and Ethan Coen’s dark comedy Drive-Away Dolls. Both of these films allowed the actress to display a more stylized, comedic style of acting that’s unlike anything she’s ever done before. Prior to these projects, Qualley was best known as a dramatic actress above all else, with her starring role in Netflix’s Maid cementing her as one of her generation’s biggest talents. Margaret Qualley’s three major roles of 2024 should be another reminder for audiences to check out her best work.

Margaret Qualley's Success With The Substance Is A Reminder To Watch Maid On Netflix

The Substance Is Just One Of Qualley''s Great 2024 Movies

The Substance has proven to be one of the most critically acclaimed movies of last year, with many critics holding it firmly in their predictions for the 2025 Oscars. It’s undeniably the actress’ most famous role to date, but it’s certainly not her first time making waves for her fierce performances. That honor would go to Maid, a limited series released in 2021 that centers around a young mother who turns to housecleaning in order to get her life back on track after leaving an abusive and coercive relationship.

Maid was the first time many audiences heard of Margaret Qualley, and her performance left quite an impression. Given the trauma that her character had experienced and the constant stress that she was under, Qualley’s performance was filled with emotion and managed to immediately get viewers on her side. She was a wholly compelling protagonist, and the way she expertly navigated this story helped raise awareness of some very important and timely themes. Credit is owed to the show’s incredible writers and directors, but none of it would have worked without Qualley.

Margaret Qualley Was Nominated For Several Awards Based On Her Performance In Maid

The Actress Received Immense Critical Acclaim

Maid was also the first instance of Margaret Qualley receiving widespread acclaim for her work, as she was nominated at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, SAG Awards, and Primetime Emmys for her performance. While she didn’t win any of the categories (most voting bodies chose Kate Winslet for her work in Mare of Easttown), it was still an excellent opportunity for the actress to get some exposure and make a name for herself. Her previous acting credits included The Nice Guys and Death Note, neither of which had allowed her to fully break out on her own.

Now, Qualley seems to be repeating her success thanks to The Substance. Her role as Sue in Coralie Fargeat’s genre-bending horror is racking up an equally impressive amount of nominations, including at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. Margaret Qualley starred in three major releases in 2024, but The Substance is understandably the one that’s received the most critical acclaim. It’s a bold, transformative performance that was just as physical as it was emotional - which awards voters frequently tend to gravitate towards.

Maid Features Margaret Qualley's Mother Andie MacDowell Playing Her On-Screen Mom

Andie MacDowell Also Starred In The Moving Drama

Incidentally, Margaret Qualley wasn’t the only member of her family who appeared in Netflix’s Maid. The actress shared the screen with her own mother: Hollywood star Andie MacDowell. The pair explored a very familiar dynamic through their characters, who were also mother and daughter, though their on-screen dynamic was very different from their relationship in real life.

In Maid, McDowell’s character has severe bipolar disorder and signs of narcissism, which make cooperating with her daughter extremely difficult.

In Maid, McDowell’s character has severe bipolar disorder and signs of narcissism, which make cooperating with her daughter extremely difficult. This is another obstacle that Qualley’s protagonist Alex has to overcome as she fights for her independence and tries to rediscover her own purpose after leaving such a dangerous and lingering relationship. Their on-screen dynamic is one of the show’s best-written ones, with neither character fully understanding their own emotions towards the other but never letting their own struggles get in the way of family.