3. The Cider House Rules (1999)
In the charming The Cider House Rules, Candy (Charlize Theron) teaches Homer (Tobey Maguire) about life outside of the sheltered orphanage he grew up in. Set during World War II, Charlize plays the lonely girlfriend of a soldier in battle with conviction perfectly suited for the period and her characters reaction pre and post-abortion is fraught with realistic emotion and inner-turmoil.
4. Monster (2003)
Charlize Therons spectacular turn as the prostitute-turned-serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, is considered one of the greatest movie performances of all time. Catapulting her onto the A-list, Monster earned Charlize her first Oscar as audiences witnessed the naturally stunning actress disappear completely into the disturbing and unflattering role of a desperate woman on the edge of sanity.