Jena Malone: 10 Reasons Why She's the Best in the World

For anyone who has read my blog for the past few years know that I am a massive fan of Jena Malone who is my favorite actress as I would often call her the Best in the World. Back in 2011 in honor of her 27th birthday, I made a list of her finest performances from that point on at the time. Since then, she’s getting more attention for her work in The Hunger Games series while is appearing in Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film Inherent Vice. Plus, there’s rumors that she could be appear in the upcoming Batman vs. Superman film in a role that is undisclosed. Instead of making another list of her best performances, I decided to make a different list about why she is so fucking awesome. So in celebration of her 30th Birthday, here are 10 reasons why she’s the Best in the World:

1. One of the few child actresses who has gained legitimacy as an adult.

Transitioning from being an actor as a child into becoming an adult actor hasn’t been easy as some managed to rise to the occasion while others are forced to live off their past glory. Fortunately, Jena has been someone that has succeed but not through conventional means. Succeeding early on through films like Bastard Out of Carolina, Ellen Foster, and Stepmom in the late 90s, Jena took her time to transition herself as she would do such offbeat indies like Donnie Darko and The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys as variations of troubled teenage girls. By doing some indies and a few studio in the 2000s, she gained credibility which then lead to playing age-appropriate roles in films like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and an Internet short series known as WiGs where she played a mother with a gambling problem.

2. The ability to not be typecast and play all sorts of different characters.

Most actors tend to be stuck in playing characters that had made them successful to the point that succumb to parody. Though Jena is still young, she has managed to cultivate a wide range of performances that has won over audiences and given her a devoted following. While she had played variations of troubled young girls in her career, she has managed to do different things with those roles. Recent performances in films like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Messenger, and the TV miniseries on Hatfields & McCoys showcase that range. Especially in Hatfields & McCoys which shows she can have a very dark edge that will definitely make people uncomfortable.

3. She’s a natural born ass-kicker.

While Sucker Punch was a film that wasn’t well-received nor made any waves in the box office, Jena was one of the film’s bright spots as she managed to have some scene-stealing moments as she would play with guns and knives while kicking some serious ass. Yet, it is her role as Joanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is where she shows her ferocity by carrying an axe and killing people with no qualms. Her performance as Mason wasn’t just her stealing the show but she is someone that even someone like Katniss Everdeen couldn’t even deal with.

4. She’s sexy and she fucking knows it…

She doesn’t have a model’s body nor does she convey the idea of sexiness from a conventional standpoint. However, the attitude that she displays and her willingness to quite playful and showcase aspects of her body is very damn sexy. The fact that she seems comfortable with her body and feels confident in wearing skimpy underwear while not being afraid to do nude scenes just makes her much cooler. After all, if you’ve got it. Flaunt it!

5. An absolute scene-stealer.

There’s aspects about playing supporting roles that allows actors to do things and often standout. Jena is among those that is very good at where she would have these small moments in film and leave an unforgettable impression. One notable scene that is a favorite of mine in Pride & Prejudice is a dinner scene where Jena’s Lydia character just married Mr. Wickham as she reveals to Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennett that Mr. Darcy was the one who discovered them and paid Wickham’s commission. Elizabeth wants to know more as Lydia makes a line that shuts Elizabeth up and takes a sip of her wine. That’s a moment I can watch forever and never get tired of it. She was like… “my wine bitch!”

6. Fashion… Turn to the left! Fashion… Turn to the Right! Fashion…

Jena definitely has a very unique yet offbeat taste in the clothes she wears. On the red carpet, she can look very glamorous as she proves to have some amazing taste. Off the set, she definitely has a style of her own that is casual yet cool. Some of these clothes she wears definitely plays to her sense of individuality while having something that everyone can enjoy and wear.

7. Her music is actually pretty damn good



There’s a sense of vanity whenever a film star tries to make it into music to the point that they make fools of themselves. Some manage to do it for fun and not care about people’s opinions. Jena is fortunately part of the latter as her recent project in the Shoe with collaborator Lem Jay Ignacio is very interesting. While it isn’t for everyone, the album It’s Okay I think is an excellent record with some amazing songs.

8. She’s a really amazing and imaginative photographer.

She can act and she can sing. She’s also got a great eye as a photographer as she makes some nifty collages and photos that are very interesting. Some of which has her using some photoshop and other techniques to create something that is abstract. Much of it is in display of her Instagram account yet she also has a Tumblr page that she uses as her work as a photography I think is just superb.

9. One of the more interesting people on social media.

I don’t have a Twitter nor a Facebook account but she is definitely the one person I follow where she would often have interesting things to say. Her posts are often funny as well as touching whether it’s about aspects of her personal life or stories that she creates. Plus, she proves to be a very cool person who does respond from time to time. Here is her Twitter page.

10. Her aspirations to become a filmmaker.



While she lists herself on her Facebook page as an actress, musician, and a photographer, she also lists herself as a director. While she’s only made a few short films so far. They definitely show promise as it’s more about visuals and doing something that is more in tune with what she wants to do personally. Though it’s been some years since she last directed a short, it is clear that she has an eye for celluloid.

Well, that is all for reasons why Jena is the Best in the World. Wait, she’s turning 30.… there’s 20 more reasons into why she is the Best in the World…

11. That ass! 
12. Armbar! 
13. She’s the Rock to Scarlett Johansson’s Stone Cold Steve Austin. 
14. Her favorite film is Mouchette. 
15. Armbar! 
16. She can tap dance. 
17. She went naked in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. 
18. She’s funny on the talk shows. 
19. Armbar! 
20. She can play Jenga and turn it into… Jena! 
21. She knows karate! 
22. Her super-ability to make anyone laugh and cry! 
23. Armbar! 
24. She can change her hair into many colors and look cool. 
25. She has yet to work with Scarlett Johansson in a lesbian-buddy film. 
26. Oh you didn’t know! Yo’ ass better call somebody!!!! 
27. Have a nice day! 
28. She’s in a Paul Thomas Anderson film… let’s hope she gets to be a regular. 
29. Don’t piss her off or she’ll cut your fucking head off! 
& 30. Armbar!!!!

Well, that is all. So as one final note. Here is a birthday song courtesy of the Ramones.



(For those that didn’t get the armbar joke, watch this clip and fast-forward to 6:12)

© thevoid99 2014