The 10 Best Natasha Lyonne Movies & TV Shows (And How To Watch Them)

There’s a lot to love about Poker Face, the Peacock mystery series created by Knives Out writer and director Rian Johnson, from its smart writing and genuinely shocking twists to its revolving door of celebrity guest stars who bring the show to life. What really pulls the show together, though, is Natasha Lyonne’s career-highlight performance as human lie detector Charlie Cale. 

As a mystery-of-the-week series that takes place on the road, Charlie is the only constant between every episode, and her ability to connect with—and call BS on—the various people she meets on the road is what makes each episode’s mystery so compelling. If you’re a fan of mysteries like Columbo and, of course, the aforementioned Knives Out, you definitely need to prioritize Poker Face.

Before Poker Face, Lyonne starred as Nadia Vulvokov in Russian Doll, a Netflix series she created with The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland and Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler. The show’s first season follows Nadia, who becomes trapped in a time loop after suddenly dying on her 36th birthday, as she tries to break the cycle alongside a man named Alan (Charlie Barnett) in a similar situation. 

It’s a dark premise, but Natasha Lyonne’s performance balances the high-stakes drama and plot twists with humor and wit. Where Poker Face’s procedural-inspired format lets Lyonne show off her ability to instantly connect with almost anyone, Russian Doll allows her to dig deep into its sci-fi adjacent story, solidifying her as one of the best leading actors on television.

While the film went unappreciated when it was initially released, But I’m a Cheerleader has since become a cult classic particularly beloved by the LGBTQ+ community. Lyonne plays Megan Bloomfield, a teenager whose parents send her to a conversion therapy camp when they suspect that she is a lesbian. However, despite the program’s efforts to “cure” her, Megan ultimately learns to embrace her sexual orientation and even falls in love with another camper. 

But I’m a Cheerleader tells a powerful story about acceptance and the harms of conversion therapy and was made at a time when few stories like it were being told. Lyonne’s role helped make her an icon to the queer community, and the movie remains essential viewing for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ film history. 

This early Netflix hit introduced Natasha Lyonne to a wider audience, including many new fans unfamiliar with the work she did as a child and teen. Orange Is the New Black follows a diverse group of inmates at a minimum security women’s prison as they navigate their lives behind bars and contend with the injustice of the prison system and the societal conditions that led them there. 

As Nicky Nichols, Lyonne gets to use that signature wit and dry humor she’s known for while also portraying an addict with a dysfunctional background who later relapses. In a show packed with excellent performances, Nicky is still a highlight of the ensemble cast, and it’s no wonder the show earned Lyonne her first Emmy nomination. With its brutal, unflinching, yet humanizing storytelling, Orange Is the New Black isn’t an easy watch, but it’s worth it for anyone interested in intense, sometimes too real, dramas like The Handmaid’s Tale.

His Three Daughters is a dramatic departure for Natasha Lyonne, who is best known for her comedic chops. The Netflix film tells the story of three sisters who reunite to care for their father in his final days. Lyonne plays Rachel, the stepdaughter who has served as her dad’s primary caretaker throughout his illness and clashes with her sisters over her habits and festering family tensions. 

While she’s best known for television these days, His Three Daughters is a good reminder that Lyonne initially broke out as a movie star. Opposite Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen, Lyonne gives a powerful performance that is truly the heart of the film and makes apparent how talented of an actor she is. If you’re a Natasha Lyonne fan, you don’t want to skip His Three Daughters, though those interested in movies about difficult sibling relationships and complex family dynamics like The Skeleton Twins will enjoy it most.

Another excellent performance from her days as a young actor, Lyonne shines in Slums of Beverly Hills. She plays 14-year-old Vivian, who must deal with both the chaos of her dysfunctional, nomadic family and the regular challenges of growing up. Vivian’s curiosity and insecurities about her body are realistic and relatable in ways that aren’t often explored in media, and it makes her the heart of the movie. It also speaks to Natasha Lyonne’s talent as a performer that she, as a teenager, holds her own so well in scenes with Oscar winners Alan Arkin and Marisa Tomei, who play her father and cousin, respectively. 

If you like crude but touching comedies that deal with dysfunctional families and coming-of-age stories like Juno and The Kids Are All Right, then Slums of Beverly Hills will hit you right in the feels.

This darkly funny slasher film stars Natasha Lyonne as Deborah, a librarian running a small family-owned theater in San Francisco. When Deborah accidentally plays security footage of herself murdering her abusive mother on the big screen, the audience mistakes the footage for a short snuff film. Seeing a chance to keep the family business open, Deborah begins making her own brutal and graphic films, committing a multitude of atrocities to delight her unaware audience. 

All About Evil isn’t for everyone, but those who love campy, gory, and low-budget horror movies will appreciate this lesser known and self-aware gem.

This classic and raunchy teen comedy includes Natasha Lyonne in a small but important role. American Pie tells the story of a group of high school boys who make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation, and Lyonne stands out as the sarcastic but wise Jessica who’s close friends with Vicky (Tara Reid). 

It might not be her best or favorite performance—Lyonne herself has admitted she initially turned down the role and couldn’t relate to the film’s content—but American Pie does show how Lyonne can turn a small part into a memorable performance. If you enjoy raunchy comedies like Superbad and The 40-Year-Old Virgin and somehow haven’t seen American Pie, it’s worth watching for its iconic status alone.

Antibirth is another gory horror movie led by Lyonne, who plays a hard partying woman named Lou that becomes pregnant after being injected with a mysterious drug. The movie explores the more gruesome elements of pregnancy and the complicated feelings that come with being able to bring new life into the world. While the film received mixed reviews, dividing critics and audiences with its bizarre plot and psychedelic visuals, the performances of Lyonne and co-star Chloë Sevigny were more warmly received. 

As with All About Evil, Antibirth’s grotesque imagery will turn off many viewers, but those interested in the pregnancy-related body horror of movies like Rosemary’s Baby should give it a watch.

As mentioned, Lyonne has been acting since she was very young, and of her various credits from her time as a child actor, her small role in Dennis the Menace is perhaps the most memorable. She plays Polly, Dennis’ teenage babysitter who falls victim to the boy’s tricks despite showing up prepared with a helmet. 

It’s a brief appearance, but Lyonne makes the most of it, showing an impressive level of skill for her age. Dennis the Menace probably isn’t worth the watch for Natasha Lyonne alone, but if you’re looking for a light and nostalgic family movie like The Little Rascals or Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, it’s a fun option.