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The rise of Lily Gladstone: redefining the Hollywood narrative
Lily Gladstone, born in Montana of Blackfeet and Nimíipuu heritage, is a shaping presence in modern American film. Praised for her subtle performances and powerful presence on screen, Gladstone has gone against the grain in an industry traditionally faulted for its failure to provide authentic indigenous representation. Her rise, highlighted by award-winning performances in critically acclaimed movies like Certain Women (2016) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), is a reflection of both her extraordinary talent and the gradual but considerable development of diversity in Hollywood.
Gladstone’s Hollywood career is more than a string of great performances; it is a symbol of cultural endurance and a compelling counter-narrative to the dominant cinematic conventions. Her best films are not only acclaimed for their artistic merit but are also firmly grounded in authenticity, history, and identity.
Lily Gladstone’s early path to film: grounding in heritage and artistry
From Montana to the screen: Lily Gladstone’s indigenous roots and training
Raised on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, in 1986, Lily Gladstone was educated with a strong understanding of her cultural roots. She earned her BFA in Acting and Directing with a minor in Native American Studies from the University of Montana. This double foundation in performance and indigenous studies became a kind of signature frame in which she viewed her Hollywood trajectory.
Prior to entering the national limelight, Gladstone sharpened her skills in regional theater and low-budget film. These early roles permitted her to portray rich, multifaceted characters that reflected true-life struggles, paving the way for the breakout performances that followed.
‘Certain Women’ (2016): the breakout performance that reshaped indie cinema
Kelly Reichardt and Lily Gladstone: a career-defining collaboration
Lily Gladstone’s best films list always starts with Certain Women (2016), a contemplative drama by critically acclaimed director Kelly Reichardt. In a movie that stars Hollywood veterans such as Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, and Kristen Stewart, it was Gladstone who received the most praise from critics for her softly heartbreaking performance as Jamie, a desolate ranch hand in rural Montana.
Her performance, full of subtlety and yearning, won her a number of awards, among them Best Supporting Actress awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and Boston Society of Film Critics. Critics marveled at the depth she infused into an otherwise wordless part. The New York Times added that her work “unfolds with the quiet power of a thunderstorm,” marking her as a key new talent in American cinema.
‘First Cow’ (2020): a continued artistic alliance
Although her role in Reichardt’s First Cow (2020) was minor, Gladstone’s participation in this highly praised film reaffirmed her commitment to auteur-driven, meaningful storytelling. The film itself became a festival darling, and critics applauded the consistency of Reichardt’s thematic universe, in which Gladstone remains an essential presence.
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (2023): a monumental Hollywood breakthrough
A Scorsese collaboration that redefined Native American storytelling
Lily Gladstone’s career in Hollywood continued to soar with Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), which features Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Adapted from David Grann’s non-fiction book, the movie delves into the Osage murders during the 1920s, a dark period in American history.
Gladstone performs Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman whose family is systematically murdered in a lethal conspiracy. Her performance is the emotional center of the film—firm, dignified, and heart-wrenching. Critics across the board lauded her performance as the heart of the story. IndieWire called it “a landmark performance that reshapes how Hollywood frames indigenous womanhood.”
It had its world premiere at Cannes and subsequently received a roll of nominations. Gladstone received a historic Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and an Academy Award nomination, the first Native American woman to be so honored in the Best Actress slot.
Notable awards and recognition: shattering glass ceilings
Gladstone’s performances have not only earned her critical acclaim but have also broken significant ground for Native American actors in Hollywood. Here are some of her most notable accolades:
- Golden Globe Winner (2024): Best Actress – Killers of the Flower Moon
- Academy Award Nominee (2024): Best Actress
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actress – Certain Women
- Gotham Awards: Outstanding Supporting Performance – Certain Women
These accolades underscore her growing influence in an industry increasingly open to diverse voices.
Representation and responsibility: Lily Gladstone’s cultural impact
A voice for Native American actors in Hollywood
As a Native American actress at the forefront of a new Hollywood era, Gladstone has used her platform to advocate for authentic storytelling and the inclusion of indigenous voices in filmmaking. Her public speeches, including her powerful Golden Globe acceptance, emphasized the historical absence of Native people in film and the need for systemic change.
She has also collaborated with indigenous filmmakers and participated in film panels addressing representation, such as those organized by the Sundance Institute and the Native American Media Alliance.
Breaking the mold: redefining indigenous womanhood on screen
Gladstone’s characters are multifaceted, human, and relatable, dismantling centuries of reductive stereotypes. Whether it’s the quiet longing of Jamie in Certain Women or the resilient strength of Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon, her roles reflect lived experiences and cultural truths.
Influence on independent and indigenous cinema
Championing stories from the margins
Beyond her mainstream success, Lily Gladstone has remained deeply involved in independent and indigenous film circles. She has worked with Native directors on lesser-known projects and remains active in the Native American theater community. Her presence in these spaces helps bring attention to underrepresented narratives, opening doors for future indigenous actors, writers, and directors.
Her success has sparked a renewed interest in films by and about Native Americans. Festivals like ImagineNATIVE and Red Nation Film Festival have seen increased visibility, partially due to the global recognition Gladstone has brought to indigenous storytelling.
Peer and critic commentary: reverence for a rising legend
Martin Scorsese called Gladstone “one of the most emotionally honest actors I’ve ever worked with,” and Leonardo DiCaprio noted in interviews that she “transformed every scene she was in.”
Film critics have been similarly effusive. Rolling Stone described her as “the film’s quiet conscience,” while The Guardian called her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon “revelatory.”
These endorsements from titans of the industry further cement her position as a force to be reckoned with.
Conclusion: The legacy of Lily Gladstone’s Hollywood career
Lily Gladstone’s top movies reflect a career defined not just by talent but by intention. Her performances in Certain Women and Killers of the Flower Moon are more than acting triumphs; they are cultural landmarks. With each role, she reclaims space for indigenous voices, reshapes audience expectations, and sets a new standard for authenticity in American cinema.
Her Hollywood journey, though still unfolding, already serves as a blueprint for future Native American actresses seeking to break into mainstream cinema without compromising cultural integrity.
In redefining what it means to be a leading lady in Hollywood, Lily Gladstone has not only made history—she is building its future.
