After becoming passionate about acting while attending Muscota New School and performing in community theaters,Zazie Beetzdecided to take a shot at film and television, where she has partaken in a few exciting projects so far. Audiences may know her for the 2016 comedy-drama series byDonald GloverAtlanta, where Beetz landed her breakout role.
While there is still a promising career ahead for the German-American star, Beetz has already proven to be a talented star with a fierce screen presence. Her character in Marvel’sDeadpool 2has rapidly become a fan-favorite and one of the most unforgettable performances by the skilled actor. But which are her finest films to date? FromStill Hereto the Netflix filmThe Harder They Fall,these are the best Zazie Beetz movies.
10’Still Here' (2020)
Directed byVlad Feier,Still Hereis a fairly recent project in Beetz’s body of work. The story follows a New York journalist, played byJohnny Whitworth, who gets assigned a story about a missing young African American girl. Christian risks his career when he takes the matter into his own hands and teams up with a desperate family in an attempt to find her.
Readers who are enthusiastic about crime dramas — particularly stories inspired by real-life events — might want to giveStill Herea shot. While the writing in Feier’s movie was, by no means, flawless, the story is elevated by its fierce performances and still intriguing enough to keep the average viewer absorbed.Beetz may not have a huge role inStill Here. However, her character, Keysha, is still crucial for the story, as the lead gets his first useful clue after speaking with her. Furthermore, this social drama alsosheds light on serious issues, including systematic racism.
Watch on Roku
9’High Flying Bird' (2019)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
An often overlookedsports dramabySteven Soderbergh,High Flying Birdfinds a sports agent (André Holland) caught between a rock and a hard place. Putting his career on the line during a pro basketball lockout, Ray attempts to pull off a daring plan that could change the game forever by outmaneuvering all the power players. He also pitches a controversial business opportunity to a rookie basketball virtuoso.
On top of featuring Beetz as a former assistant (eventually recruited once again),High Flying Birdalso stars some well-known faces, such asStranger Things’Caleb McLaughlinandTwin Peaks’Kyle MacLachlan.This Steven Soderbergh is a solid effort in the genreand offers viewers an interesting look at professional sports, resulting in an entertaining watch for fans of the NBA. Its stand-out attribute, though? Possibly its creative execution: the film was entirely shot on an iPhone 8.
High Flying Bird
Watch on Netflix
Director: Pierre Perifel
For animation film enthusiasts,The Bad Guysmay take the crown in Beetz’s filmography. ThisPierre Perifeladventure comedy surrounds a gang of notorious anthropomorphic animal criminals (Sam Rockwell,Marc Maron,Awkwafina,Craig Robinson,Anthony Ramos) who pretend to seek to be rehabilitated upon being caught, only for their leader to realize that he is ready for a change for good as a new villain comes into the picture.
Beetz showcases her voice acting talents as she brings to life the lovely Diane, a criminal mastermind under the alias The Crimson Paw, in thisunconventional heist film.The Bad Guysis not a masterpiece, but it is guaranteed to appeal to animation fans looking to keep boredom at bay. It drew inspiration from some iconic crime films such asPulp Fictionand theOcean’s Trilogy. It is also clear that it has been influenced by animes, withLupin the ThirdandSherlock Houndstanding out.
The Bad Guys
Watch on Amazon Prime
7’Sollers Point' (2017)
Director: Matthew Porterfield
Matthew Porterfield’s 2017 drama is certainly among Beetz’s most underrated movies, despite the performances getting great feedback when it was first released at the San Sebastián Film Festival. The story centers around twenty-four-year-old Keith (McCaul Lombardi), an ex-convict living under house arrest alongside his dad (Jim Belushi, who arguably steals the spotlight) in Baltimore.Sollers Pointfocuses on Keith’s journey to reestablish himself amidst unemployment, neglect, and segregation.
Non-judgemental and contemplative,Porterfield’s movie — in which Beetz believably plays Keith’s ex-girlfriend, Courtney — is compellingenough to maintain viewers' intrigue. Even though it held the potential to be a greater film, this 2017 feature is anchored by its realism and its entrancing analysis of a community and a character study about limitations. Slice-of-life drama enjoyers may want to give the thoughtfulSollers Pointa try.
Watch on Vudu
6’Bullet Train' (2022)
Director: David Leitch
Featuring an ensemble cast led byBrad Pitt, this high-speed heist film byDavid Leitchwas arguably one of the finest action popcorn flicks of 2022.Bullet Trainis about what happens when five assassins (Pitt,Joey King,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Brian Tyree Henry, andAndrew Koji) board the same swiftly-moving bullet train in Japan only to find out that the missions assigned to them have something in common.
Bullet Trainis thrilling and even anxiety-inducing considering how action-packed it is (definitely a considerable pick for anyone who hates snoozefest). Among its twists and turns,Zazie Beetz surprises audiences by stepping into the shoes of an ill-fated assassin who specializes in poison. All things considered, this David Leitch blockbuster is an entertaining, humorous pick, even if not groundbreaking in the genre.
Bullet Train
5’Joker' (2019)
Director: Todd Phillips
Todd Philips’Jokeris possibly the second most well-known movie in Beetz’s filmography, even if her role isn’t major. Needless to say, that has mostly to do with the film’s worldwide appreciation. The movie is set in the 1980s and followsJoaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck (an Oscar-winning role for the actor), an aspiring — later failed — stand-up comedian whose mental health goes downhill, with the character turning to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City as a consequence.
Philips' take on the beloved DC characteris interesting and at times even relatable in his struggles, hence why the movie is so beloved by international audiences. While one of the major themes this absurdist satire strongly focuses on is the mental health issues that Arthur struggles with, it also sends sociocultural messages while examining our modern-day world. Beetz shines as a young single mother who lives in an apartment in the same building and floor as Arthur, for whom the protagonist falls.
Director: Cathy Yan
This ChineseCathy Yanmovie based on true events (16,000 pigs were found in the Huangpu River, infected with PCV in 2013) is a comedy-drama that revolves around a pig farmer, a feisty salon owner, a busboy, a rich girl, and an expat architect whose paths cross as thousands of dead pigs are found floating down Huangpu River towards Shanghai.
Dead Pigsis a solid debut effort from the highly creativeBirds of Preyfilmmaker that resulted in a hilarious feature, even if underrated. Although simplistic, the 2018 movie is enjoyable and relatable, with aesthetics that stand out and an interesting approach to a real-life event. Furthermore,Yan’s well-crafted satire focuses on capitalism and provides audiences with great performances from an ensemble cast, namely from Beetzwho plays modeling agent Angie.
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3’The Harder They Fall' (2021)
Director: Jeymes Samuel
Released on Netflix after premiering at the BFI London Film Festival where it received a limited release,Jeymes Samuel’s Western action drama features an all-Black ensemble cast filled with astounding talents, ranging from Beetz toIdris Elba,Lakeith Stanfield(who is brilliant in the role), andRegina King. The story sees an outlaw who learns that his biggest enemy — the man who killed both his parents — is being released from prison.
With generally positive reviews,The Harder They Fallis a great, enjoyable effort in the Western genre and possibly one of the most pleasantly surprising films of recent times in the category. It is also really interesting that its characters are based on real cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws of the nineteenth-century American West. The wonderfulBeetz steals the spotlight as one of the most notorious robbers in the Old West, Stagecoach Mary, in this Samuel film.
The Harder They Fall
2’Nine Days' (2020)
Director: Edson Oda
Despite its mixed reviews,Nine Daysis a thoughtful debut from directorEdson Odathat explores loss and its consequences. This existentialist fantasy drama starsWinston Dukein the lead role and tells an unconventional story that follows a reclusive man who conducts a series of interviews with human souls for a chance to be born. However, when one of his selections suddenly dies, Will questions the true meaning of life.
Not everyone will loveNine Days. Still, it is an evocative, touching, and beautifully shot feature for anyone who likes observational, cerebral films that delve into the meaning of it all.Beetz’s performance as the free-spirited Emma, who challenges lead character Will, is nothing short of incredible, hence why the film deserves to be mentioned so highly on the list.
Watch on Apple TV
1’Deadpool 2' (2018)
Beetz’s most memorable role is undoubtedly Domino inDeadpool 2, with many Marvel fans falling for her and the character for a plethora of reasons. The film centers aroundRyan Reynolds' Wade Walker as he embarks on yet another adventure. Wade assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy (Julian Dennison) with superhuman abilities from a time-traveling cyborg (Josh Brolin).
Inspired by theTerminatorseries, with Cable being a nod to the iconic character from the films,Deadpool 2offers fans of the franchise and newbies a fun time in front of the screen. Even if not as good as the first installment, this Wade Walker movie still had audiences queueing up at cinemas and ended up outgrossing its predecessor, becoming the highest-grossing film in theX-Menseries and the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time at the time of release.Beetz’s cool and collected — and extremely lucky — Domino is a key character in the movieand is undoubtedly flawlessly portrayed by the talented actor.
