Meryl Streep, reflecting on her long career, has identified her most difficult role—a revelation that sheds light on her commitment to authenticity even when tackling controversial figures. The acclaimed actor spoke about how portraying such a role, which she describes as ‘charmless,’ truly tested her skills and pushed her limits as a performer, underscoring why the Meryl Streep most difficult role offers fascinating insight into her process.
The Demands of Taking on Complex and Real-Life Characters
Streep has consistently been known for immersing herself in layered and multifaceted characters, a trait that has supported her status as a Hollywood legend. Not every challenging part, however, comes from fiction—some roles demand that the actor wade deeply into real events, making the task both artistically and emotionally taxing. Portraying people whose struggles are rooted in real tragedies requires navigating the fine line between respecting the truth and conveying it powerfully on screen.
The True Story Behind ‘Evil Angels’ and the Chamberlain Case
Streep’s portrayal of Lindy Chamberlain in ‘Evil Angels’—also known internationally as ‘A Cry in the Dark’—stands out as her most challenging experience. The film recounts the 1980 disappearance of nine-week-old Azaria Chamberlain, a case that gripped Australia when her parents, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain (the latter played by Sam Neill), were accused of murder following Azaria’s vanishing at a campsite. The Chamberlains insisted that their daughter had been taken by a dingo, facing sharp disbelief from the public and authorities.
Although the Chamberlains were convicted in 1982, they were fully exonerated in 1988, coinciding with the film’s release. Yet, it took until 2012 for the cause of Azaria’s death to be officially declared as the result of a dingo attack, exactly as the Chamberlains had consistently maintained. The tragedy and years of scrutiny captured the pain and isolation the real-life Lindy endured—emotions Streep had to embody with honesty and restraint.
Streep’s Reflections on the Role of Lindy Chamberlain
Meryl Streep has spoken openly about how inhabiting Lindy’s perspective demanded more than technical skill. The actor did not shy away from discussing the emotional toll the role exacted, particularly as Lindy was seen by many as unsympathetic at the time.
“Lindy Chamberlain was hard. But challenging, not hard. Just challenging. Heartbreaking and kind of thankless because… basically, actors like to be loved, and I was playing a character whose job was not to be ingratiating,”
Streep told The Oklahoman.
“I was playing a charmless character. It’s much more fun to play somebody that you enjoy yourself because you know other people will enjoy it.”
– Meryl Streep, The Oklahoman
This candid reflection highlights the difference between audience approval and the professional satisfaction that comes from portraying a story with integrity. The film, guided by director Fred Schepisi and emerging after the Australian New Wave, leans heavily into the Chamberlains’ suffering and the broader tragedy that unfolded.
The Impact of ‘Evil Angels’ and Streep’s Lasting Reputation
While ‘Evil Angels’ was not a commercial hit—it only brought in $6.9 million against a $15 million budget—it remains a significant part of Streep’s filmography. Her performance, shaped by the need to depict both immense grief and resilience under public condemnation, earned her yet another Academy Award nomination, even though she did not take home the Oscar in this case.
The role of Lindy Chamberlain endures as Meryl Streep’s most difficult role, a benchmark of how actors can give voice to misunderstood figures and real-life tragedies. For audiences and performers alike, the film remains a powerful reminder of the challenges inherent in transforming true suffering into art, and why Meryl Streep continues to be revered for her commitment to authenticity and craft.
