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Stephanie Hsu may not have been a household name before Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEOAO), but she definitely is now. Before EEOAO, Hsu was mostly known by her fans for her Broadway performances and recurring roles on comedy series on MTV. After EEOAO, The Asian-American actress won the GAFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress, Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and a Jury Award back in 2023 for her outstanding performance as Joy in the movie EEOAO.
She is currently working on several exciting projects that showcase her ability to stand out and perform both comedy and complex characters. If you’re a big fan and love her performances (like me) here’s a list of her movies and TV shows you should definitely check out.
5 Movies Starring Stephanie Hsu
1. Joy Ride (2023)
The movie’s premise seems simple: The main character Audrey Sullivan (played by Ashley Park) goes on a trip with her group of friends on a trip to China. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. The trip turns for the worst for them which challenges their friendship as the story moves forward.
Hsu plays the character Kat Huang, a popular daytime actress and Audrey’s close friend and college roommate. Like her co-stars, Hsu plays a key role in this film’s heartwarming story of friendship, love, and self-discovery. If you loved The Hangover series you might also enjoy this crazy film.
2. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
This action-packed film centers around Shang-Chi who leaves his previous life and starts anew by renaming himself Shaun and escaping to San Francisco. All of that comes crashing down when he is chased by his past after being confronted by the Ten Rings Organization.
Hsu stars as Soo, a friend of the lead characters Shang-Chi and Katy. Hsu has less screen time in this film, but, her comedic timing adds a lot to the charm of the film.
The film was well received both by Marvel fans and critics with how well it showcased both Asian martial arts and its diverse Asian cast and crew. If you love Hong Kong martial arts movies this fresh take on the genre might be up your alley.
3. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
In the critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning film, Hsu stars as Joy Wang, the daughter of Evelyn Quan Wang, played by Michelle Yeoh. The film follows Evelyn’s struggles with managing her laundromat and her unexpected encounter with an alternate version of her husband Waymond Wang, played by Ke Huy Quan. This alternate-universe adventure leads to a battle against an all-powerful being, Jobu Tupaki.
The film’s visual style and effects are stunning and praised well, both by critics and audiences alike. The way the film explores the topics of nihilism and existentialism is very thought-provoking without feeling too academic. The film does a good job of making you question if anything matters at all in this universe you’re in.
Hsu’s performance in this film catapulted her career to new heights and helped her be recognized for her talent and hard work as an actress, proving that she can do more than just comedy.
4. Asking For It (2020)
Hsu’s talent truly shines as the main lead in this film. Her character, Jenny, is a journalist whose life turns upside down when a stalker harasses her online. The more the story progresses the more sinister the stalker becomes. She decides to take the situation into her own hands after the police do not take any legal action against her stalker.
Despite the film tackling heavy subjects and themes of harassment, there is a bit of comedic flair to it. Hsu’s performance adds emotional depth to the film even in its serious moments. We think it will resonate a lot with anyone who’s survived sexual assault and/or harassment.
5. Shortcomings (2023)
Set in modern-day California, Shortcomings explores relationships and self-discovery. Hsu plays the role of Mrs. Wong and once more showcases her ability to adapt and bring depth to the characters she portrays. She and her co-stars have brilliant chemistry, making the drama of the film feel more relatable to both Millenials and Gen Z audiences. Don’t expect to see a lot of her, though, as the movie is mostly focused on her co-stars Justin H. Min as Ben, Sherry Cola as Alice, and Ally Maki as Miko.
5 TV Shows Featuring Stephanie Hsu
1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019-2023)
Hsu joins the cast as a recurring character in this critically acclaimed series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Mei Lin. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the show follows the life of Miriam “Midge” Maisel’s journey from being a housewife to pursuing a career in stand-up comedy after she finds out her husband is cheating on her. Hsu’s character, Mei, adds depth to the series as one of Joel’s serious love interests who has ties to a gambling ring.
Hsu may not be the main character, but the show has a promising story and characters. If you love period dramas this one should be added to your watchlist. Sadly, the show has been recently canceled due to budgeting problems.
2. The Path (2016-2018)
In this thought-provoking drama series, The Path explores the inner workings of a new-age religious cult and the lives of its followers. The series tells the story of Eddie Lane who follows a spiritual movement called Meyerism. After experiencing prophetic visions, Eddie questions his beliefs and faith. Hsu plays the character, Joy Armstrong, Eddie’s niece. This is Hsu’s first role in television and she only appeared for 19 episodes.
Just like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this series has sadly ended airing after its third season.
3. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2019)
If you want something more lighthearted with a quirky and comedic premise, here’s a Netflix original series to add to your watchlist. It tells a story about a woman who, after enduring a 15-year captivity, is finally rescued from a doomsday cult. With her newfound freedom, she explores New York City alongside her roommate, Titus. Kimmy Schmidt finds herself adjusting to the complexities of modern life, attempting to catch up on all she has missed during her years in captivity.
Hsu is only in a small portion of the show. It’s a brief moment but Hsu’s comedic timing in this quirky comedy series left a lasting impression, earning her a place in viewers’ hearts.
4. Girl Code (2013-2015)
Girl Code offers another glimpse of Hsu’s career before Everything Everywhere All at Once. Hsu played a recurring role in this spin-off series of Guy Code. Hsu shared the spotlight with stars such as Awkwafina and Nicole Byer. The series is available only on MTV and focuses on topics that are relevant to women’s experiences.
5. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (2022)
Hsu’s career moved to animated movies with the show Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight where she lent her voice to the character Zhen for three episodes. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight is a series spin-off of the popular and beloved movie Kung Fu Panda. It continues the adventures of Po and his friends in search of four powerful weapons that will save the world from its destruction. The animated series premiered on Netflix and was produced by DreamWorks Animation.