The amazing and surprisingly ruthless Ella Purnell, known from some of the top streaming series globally, like “Yellowjackets” and “Fallout,” has actually been part of the screen landscape for a longer period than one might think. Given her recent rise to fame, it’s no wonder many perceive her as a newcomer, but that isn’t accurate. In reality, you may have noticed her in the past without being aware of it. She appeared in minor roles in “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” the 2016 reboot of “The Legend of Tarzan,” as a young, teenage antagonist in Disney’s “Maleficent,” and in the 2011 horror film “Intruders” alongside Clive Owen. Another film where audiences are recognizing Purnell is “Kick-Ass 2,” the dark comedy superhero follow-up.
If you revisit the film, Purnell is immediately identifiable as a high school mean girl; specifically, the right-hand girl of the head cheerleader. One of the key characters, Mindy Macready, or “Hit Girl,” played by Chloë Grace Moretz, encounters some unfriendly girls while attempting to blend into her ordinary, non-superhero existence. Following some harassment, the group faces their downfall when Mindy brandishes her unique “Sic” stick, causing them to vomit and soil themselves right there.
“Kick-Ass 2” didn’t exactly win over audiences, one might say. It holds a 33% critics rating and a 57% user rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The IMDB community is a bit more lenient, giving it a 6.5 out of 10 stars, based on over 298,000 reviews. All things considered, it can be viewed as a letdown of a sequel. Nevertheless, it’s fascinating to see Purnell in earlier parts, even if they are supporting.
What role does Purnell play in Kick-Ass 2, and what else has she done?
To be fair, the character Purnell portrays in “Kick-Ass 2” isn’t particularly remarkable, but that’s not her fault. The role is minor, more of a supporting character, and her lines are lively. She delivers them effectively, with remarks like, “I know right? I’m soaked!” and “But we were gonna go get high on bath salts at Logan’s house!” The excitement in those moments is decent.
If you genuinely want to see Purnell excel, you should definitely check out “Sweetpea,” which was one of two fantastic shows that achieved a perfect score for one of its latest seasons. Additionally, Showtime’s “Yellowjackets” is also worth watching, boasting its own impressive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
For something fresh, you can always catch the most recent season of “Fallout,” the successful series based on the video games, currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can revisit “Kick-Ass 2” as well. Though, if I were in your shoes, I’d forgo the popcorn to avoid any potential queasiness.