1988 Drama, With a 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score, Won Jodie Foster the Best Actress Oscar

Jodie Foster solidified her status in the industry as one of the most respected actresses after delivering a career-defining performance in the 1988 drama The Accused .

At that time, the California native had already earned impressive accolades from her years as a child star through her teenage years, but the courtroom drama transitioned her career into more mature and adult roles.

Directed by Jonathan Kaplan, The Accused centers on a survivor's fight for justice.

Foster, who played the role of Sarah Tobias, portrayed a working-class woman who suffered a brutal assault after being gang-raped by three men in the back room of a neighborhood bar.

As the attack unfolds, she hears patrons cheering and watching from the sidelines, as though her suffering were nothing more than a disturbing spectacle.

Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of her ordeal, as she finds herself battling the legal system.

With her powerful performance, Foster earned her first Best Actress Oscar at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989 , beating iconic stars like Glenn Close for Dangerous Liaisons , Melanie Griffith for Working Girl , Meryl Streep for A Cry in the Dark and Sigourney Weaver for Gorillas in the Mist .

During her acceptance speech, she described her win as a "big deal" to her "simple life."

"There are very few things: there's love and work and family. And this movie is so special to us because it was all three of those things," she added, as cited by the Oscars.

She also left a powerful message, saying, "And mostly that cruelty might be very human, and it might be very cultural, but it's not acceptable. Which is what this movie's about."

Decades later, The Accused remains one of Foster's most acclaimed films, ranking second on Gold Derby 's list of her best movies of all time, behind her iconic film The Silence of the Lambs .

Her performance not only captivated audiences at the time but also continues to resonate with viewers today, with The Accused earning a 93 percent on the Tomatometer, or a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Commenters have highlighted how relevant the story remains today while praising the lead star for delivering not only an Oscar-winning performance but also a powerful portrayal of such a horrifying incident.

"This performance didn't just win an Oscar. It won the hearts of every woman who has ever had to endure the horror of assault and the continued injustice of having to fight against prejudice and a legal system steeped in patriarchy to be heard," one wrote.

"Possibly the best performance Foster has ever given," another added.

"Powerful rape drama," a commenter remarked about the film.

Related: 1991 Hit Film Ranked Among 'Best Movies of All Time'

This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Movies section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.