She first burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced, tall blonde star who literally soared to fame playing the iconic role of “Supergirl” in 1983. Slater, yes, that’s right—Slater—proved she was more than just a one-hit wonder with solid performances in the mid-80s. Take “The Legend of Billie Jean” (1985), for instance, where Slater delivered a compelling turn as a young woman wrongfully accused of murder. Then came “Ruthless People” (1986), and honestly, who could forget Slater in that? She played a delightfully ditsy kidnapper with such charm it was hard not to laugh along.
Now, things did slow down a bit after that. Let’s be real—films like “Sticky Fingers” (1988) and “Happy Together” (1989) didn’t exactly set the box office on fire. They were, well, mild—pleasant enough but nothing groundbreaking. But then came the big break: “City Slickers” in 1991. Slater stepped into the spotlight again, this time as the only woman on a rugged cattle drive, and wow—did audiences respond. It became her biggest hit up to that point, hands down.
After that high, though, her film choices leaned more toward the forgettable side. A lot of them just kind of faded into the background. Except, of course, for “Lassie” in 1994—a sweet family film where Slater once again showed her range. All in all, Slater has had her ups and downs, but there’s no denying her impact. Slater really made her mark, didn’t she?
When it comes to Helen Slater’s filmography, one standout moment definitely comes from her role in Ruthless People (1986), which remains her highest rated movie to date. Over the years, fans and critics alike have praised her performance in that film, often citing it as a highlight in her career. On the other hand, Helen Slater’s lowest rated project came much later with The Curse of Downers Grove (2015), a film that didn’t quite resonate the same way with audiences or reviewers. While Helen Slater has taken on a variety of roles throughout the decades, these two titles—Ruthless People and The Curse of Downers Grove—mark the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of critical reception. Still, Helen Slater continues to be recognized for her talent and versatility across different genres and eras of filmmaking.