In the modern cinematic world of accomplished actresses, Asian-Canadian actress Sandra Oh has undoubtedly showcased her unequivocal talent. Oh’s powerful performances wholly capture the audience in an array of emotional experiences which make her characters that much more enjoyable. The 50-year-old actress effortlessly manages to make audiences laugh one minute, only to burst into tears the next. By doing so, she has displayed a strong versatility which bleeds into the roles that she beautifully portrays. Oh initially rose to prominence for her notable role as Cristina Yang in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.

Born in Nepean, Ontario to middle-class South Korean immigrants, Oh is widely regarded as a role model, especially when she became the first woman of Asian descent to host the Golden Globe Awards in 2019. Since her monumental run on Grey’s Anatomy, the versatile actress has received numerous accolades for her outstanding work in film and television, including two Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and twelve Primetime Emmy Award nominations total. Recently, Oh has found more modern success with leading roles in BBC’s Killing Eve and Netflix’s The Chair. Here are Sandra Oh’s best performances, ranked.

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9 Double Happiness

     Fine Line Features

Oh’s feature film debut in the 1994 Canadian drama, Double Happiness, highlighted her acting prowess in dramatic comedy very early on in her career. Directed by Mina Shum, Oh plays Jade Li, an aspiring actress who strenuously tries to juggle the wishes of her traditional Chinese family and her own personal ambitions. Oh’s authentic portrayal of self-identity and family roots received tremendous critical praise, thus earning her the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Rabbit Hole

     Lionsgate

Based on a play of the same name, Rabbit Hole conveys a strong message of irreversible grief and immense loss. Despite Oh experiencing a limited role in the film, her awe-inspiring performance proves to be significant for the film’s main characters, Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaaron Eckhart), a couple dealing with the death of their young son. Oh plays Gabby, a fellow grieving parent who attends the same counseling meetings and lends her own expertise in healing to help the couple. Her stand-out performance is emotionally gripping and not to be overlooked.

7 Meditation Park

     Telefilm Canada

Once again in collaboration with Mina Shum, Meditation Park sees Sandra Oh playing Ava, a concerned daughter who desperately tries to introduce her mother to a world of independence and self-worth by detaching herself from her husband and Ava’s father. Oh beautifully blends the importance of women’s equality and the empowerment of women as a whole. Moreover, Shum’s script aids in Oh’s breathtaking performance as the film explores a realm of individual journey and the uplifting of assumed weaker women.

6 Catfight

     Dark Sky Films

In Onur Tukel’s Catfight, Oh memorably portrays Veronica Salt, an unhappy alcoholic wife and mother living in New York. While attending the same event as her former college friend, Ashley (Anne Heche), forgotten friends transform into bitter enemies as the two engage in some genuinely hilarious brawling moments. The chemistry between Oh and Heche further establishes the film’s credibility and entertaining pacing. Moreover, Oh perfectly displays her versatile acting range as she delves into the world of comedy.

5 Grey’s Anatomy

     ABC

Grey’s Anatomy will forever be known as the breakthrough performance in Sandra Oh’s magnificent career. Oh famously portrayed Cristina Yang, a cutthroat, dedicated intern considered by critics and audiences alike to be one of the greatest television characters of all time. Oh’s monumental performance as Cristina captivated the entire Grey’s fanbase and sparked a wide following of appreciation and love. In doing so, her ultimate exit from the show in 2014 resulted in many fans turning away from the Shondaland show for good. Nevertheless, Oh’s memorable performance remains one of the very best of her career.

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4 Sideways

     Fox Searchlight Pictures

Sandra Oh once again displays her incomparable acting brilliance in the comedic genre with her role in Alexander Payne’s Sideways. Oh delivers a truly stand-out performance in her role as Stephanie, a wine pourer who pursues an affair with one of the main characters, Jack. Once the news of Jack’s engagement becomes known by Stephanie, her complete meltdown makes for one of the funniest moments in the entire film. The film was so well received that it earned an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Picture, with many critics believing that Oh should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

3 Raya and the Last Dragon

     Walt Disney Pictures

In recent years, Raya and the Last Dragon has become one of Disney’s most beloved animated features. The film follows Raya, a brave warrior princess training to become a Dragon Gem Guardian. Critically praised for its voice acting, Sandra Oh memorably portrays Virana, the mother of Namaari, a pivotal rival of Raya. Oh lends her voice in a thrilling adventure with plenty of memorable moments and gorgeous animation. Moreover, Sandra’s moving portrayal remains a staple in the minds of Disney lovers all around the world.

2 The Chair

     Netflix

Netflix’s The Chair featured an ensemble cast, with Sandra Oh memorably leading the string of colorful characters. In the 2021 Netflix series, Oh plays Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, the new head of the English department at the fictional Pembroke University. As the department battles a steady decline in students’ interest, Kim also struggles with the swirling controversy of her complicated personal life. Upon the show’s release, Oh received renowned praise for her strong use of physical and verbal comedy.

1 Killing Eve

     BBC

It should come as no surprise that Sandra Oh’s powerful performance in BBC’s Killing Eve sits at the top of this very list. Oh’s staggering performance is engaging from the initial jump, with critics eventually labeling it as the performance of her career. In the popular series, Oh portrays Eve Polastri, a highly-intuitive MI5 agent assigned with the task of hunting down a female assassin, Villanelle (Jodie Comer). The two eventually engage in a cat-and-mouse chase, with a looming obsession and care for each other blossoming in the process. Both Comer and Oh’s performance have been significantly praised, with the latter receiving a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award nomination for the role.