Honestly, if you'd told me back in 2012 that the fierce-browed model stomping runways would become a movie star, I might've been skeptical. Cara Delevingne's transition from modeling to acting hasn't been smooth sailing – we'll get into that later – but she's built a filmography that's way more interesting than most people realize. Let's cut through the noise and talk about what really matters: her actual work on screen.
Cara Delevingne's Breakout Roles (Where It All Began)
Remember when Cara Delevingne movies started popping up? Her early roles were trial by fire. She didn't just dip her toes in acting; she cannonballed into blockbuster territory.
Paper Towns (2015)
This was her first leading role after modeling, playing Margo Roth Spiegelman – that manic pixie dream girl trope turned sideways. Plot summary: A guy's mysterious neighbor disappears after a night of revenge pranks, leaving clues for him to find her. Released July 24, 2015; directed by Jake Schreier; co-starring Nat Wolff. Box office pulled in $85 million worldwide. I actually rewatched this recently – Cara's performance captures Margo's restless energy well, though the script doesn't fully escape YA clichés.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Love it or hate it (personally, I think the editing's a mess), this superhero flick put Cara on the mainstream map as Enchantress. Ancient goddess possessing an archaeologist? Sign her up. Released August 5, 2016; directed by David Ayer; alongside Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Fun fact: She endured 8-hour makeup sessions for that gyrating CGI creature form. Grossed $746 million globally despite brutal reviews.
Hidden Gems & Underrated Cara Delevingne Films
Here's the thing with Cara Delevingne movies: Her best work often flies under the radar. Forget the blockbusters – these projects show her actual range.
Her Smell (2018)
Raw indie drama where Cara plays a supporting role as punk singer Cassie. Released October 26, 2018; directed by Alex Ross Perry. Elisabeth Moss dominates as a destructive rockstar, but Delevingne holds her own in chaotic studio scenes. Filmed on grainy 16mm – the opposite of glossy superhero fare. Available on Prime Video.
Life in a Year (2020)
Tearjerker alert! Cara plays a terminally ill teen convincing her boyfriend (Jaden Smith) to live her bucket list in one year. Released November 27, 2020; directed by Mitja Okorn. Shot in Toronto – that generic city doubling for NYC. Critics hated it (24% Rotten Tomatoes), but I know folks who bawled their eyes out. Worth streaming if you need catharsis.
Where to watch these Cara Delevingne films:
- Her Smell: Prime Video rental ($3.99), Apple TV
- Life in a Year: Netflix (selected regions), Amazon Prime
- Pan (2015): HBO Max (as warrior mermaid – yes really)
- Tulip Fever (2017): Hulu, historical drama with disastrous box office ($9 million vs $25m budget)
Cara's Acting Strengths (And Where She Struggles)
Having binge-watched her filmography, here's the real tea:
✅ Natural at: Chaotic energy roles (Her Smell), dry humor (Carnival Row), physical characters (Valerian's action scenes). Her modeling background helps with physicality – she moves interestingly.
❌ Criticisms: Emotional depth in dramas sometimes feels surface-level. London Fields (2018) was a disaster – miscast as a femme fatale. Rotten Tomatoes score? 0%. Ouch. She admitted later she took roles for "wrong reasons." Learned from it though.
Carnival Row & TV Work: Where Cara Shines
Her TV role changed perceptions. Fantasy series Carnival Row (2019-2023) gave Cara Delevingne her meatiest part: Vignette Stonemoss, a refugee fae warrior. Two seasons on Prime Video.
Why it works: Vignette's grit and vulnerability fit Cara perfectly. She learned sword fighting and fae sign language. Orlando Bloom co-stars as human detective Rycroft Philostrate. Filmed in Prague – those gloomy cityscapes are real locations.
Episode count:
- Season 1: 8 episodes (August 2019)
- Season 2: 10 episodes (February 2023)
Binge time: Roughly 15 hours total. Budget was massive – $10M+ per episode. Unfortunately canceled after S2 despite cliffhangers.
Latest Projects & Future Cara Delevingne Films
What's filming now? Rumor has it she's attached to a sci-fi thriller called "Utopia" – no release date yet. Recently wrapped:
Tell It Like a Woman (2022)
Anthology film with Cara in a segment about addiction counselors. Released October 7, 2022; co-starring Jennifer Hudson. Minimal dialogue – relied on facial acting. Streams on Apple TV+.
American Horror Story: Delicate (2024)
Guest role in Ryan Murphy's horror anthology. Played a mysterious character in Episode 4. Aired September–October 2023. Proof she's game for weird genre work.
Cara Delevingne Movie FAQs Answered
Got questions about Cara Delevingne movies? I've seen them all – here's straight talk.
What's Cara Delevingne's highest-rated film?
Critically, it's Her Smell (83% RT). For audiences? Carnival Row (7.9/10 IMDb). Avoid London Fields like expired milk.
Did she quit modeling for movies?
Not entirely. She still models selectively (see 2023 Burberry campaign), but acting's her focus since 2015. Modeling taught her "how to convey emotion without speaking," she told Variety.
Why do some people criticize her acting?
Early roles leaned on her look over depth (Suicide Squad's CGI mess didn't help). But watch Carnival Row Season 2 – massive improvement. She openly says she had to "learn on the job."
Will there be more Cara Delevingne films?
Absolutely. She has two projects filming, plus producing ambitions. Expect smaller indies over blockbusters – seems to be where her passion lies now.
Final thoughts? Cara Delevingne's film journey mirrors her personality: messy, bold, unapologetic. Forget the modeling headlines – dive into Carnival Row and Her Smell to see what she's capable of. And hey, if you only remember her as Enchantress... maybe give Paper Towns another shot. It’s better than you think.
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