Ever since she gave a breakout performance in Harmony Korine's 1995 film Kids, Rosario Dawson has become one of the most talented and sought-after screen actresses. Dawson immediately struck a bond with director Spike Lee, who cast her in the 1998 film He Got Game. From there, she'd go on to work with the likes of Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Barry Sonnenfeld, Oliver Stone, Tony Scott, and several other top-tier directors.
Next up for Dawson is Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, in which she'll reprise her voice-over role as Wonder Woman. As we await the release of the film on May 5th, 2020, let's examine Rosario Dawson's 10 best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes!
Grindhouse (2007) 84%
More accurately, Dawson excels in Death Proof, Quentin Tarantino's half of the double-billed Grindhouse produced with his friend and fellow filmmaker Robert Rogriguez.
The film centers on sexually frustrated Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), who uses his tricked-out stunt car as not only a lethal weapon but also a means of sexual gratification. That is, Mike mows down sexy women with his muscle car in order to climax sexually. Dawson plays Abernathy, part of a film crew of female stuntwomen who prove more than an equal match for Mike and his sick and sordid ways.
Unstoppable (2010) 86%
The late great Tony Scott's final film Unstoppable is an absolute masterclass in film direction, editing, and thanks to Dawson and Denzel Washington's riveting turns, first-rate performances as well!
When an unmanned freight train is accidentally unhooked from its route, all hands are on deck to stop the runaway locomotive from causing irreparable damage. As the train barrels headlong toward another passenger train, a ticking clock to stop the collision falls in the hands of veteran conductor Frank (Denzel), his new partner Will (Chris Pine), and traffic-controller Connie (Dawson).
Top Five (2014) 86%
The third time proved to be a charm for Chris Rock's directorial career, as Top Five is leaps and bounds his highest-rated film to date, according to RT. We can't help think Rosario had something to do with that!
The film is framed as a documentary news profile piece, in which NY Times reporter Chelsea Brown (Dawson) interviews comedian Andre Allen (Rock). Desperate to become a dramatic actor, Andre's life is thrown into chaos when his fiancee Erica (Gabrielle Union) suggests airing their wedding on her reality TV program.
This Changes Everything (2019) 87%
Believe it or not, Dawson partook in more than a dozen projects that were released in 2019. One such project was the long-overdue documentary, This Changes Everything, a necessary examination of the gross pay disparity in the entertainment industry.
Joining the likes of Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shonda Rhimes, Patty Jenkins, Jessica Chastain and many more, the film sheds light on the systemic inequalities that have been plaguing Hollywood for decades.
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019) 88%
As the voice of Wonder Woman in Bloodlines, Dawson goes toe to toe with Dr. Cyber (Mozhan Marno), leader of the lethal crime syndication called Villainy Inc. Think he's any match for the titular superheroine?
Likely not. When Dr. Cyber conducts an incursion on Wonder Woman's homeland of Themyscira, a mobilized effort to defeat the invasion ensues. Wonder Woman finds help in the form of Steve Trevor, Silver Swan, The Cheetah and more as she protects her home turf.
Trust Machine: The Story Of Blockchain (2018) 90%
Dawson continues to lend her voice in championing social causes. In Alex Winter's 2018 doc Trust Machine, Dawson helped express support for the growing trend of cryptocurrency in the mainstream. Hey, who knew Bill S. Preston Esquire was so knowledgable?!
Billed as the very first blockchain funded, distributed, and topical documentary film, Trust Machine narrows in on specific tech-companies such as SingularDTV and Futurism Studios who are at the forefront of cryptocurrency.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017) 90%
From Artemis Crock to Wonder Woman to Batgirl, Dawson continues her trend of participating in big-budget animated superhero flicks. With a 90% critical approval, can you blame her?!
In The Lego Batman Movie, Dawson voices the role of Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl. Alongside Will Arnett as Batman, Michael Cera as Robin, and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred the Butler, Batgirl partakes in a perilous mission to thwart the Joker's (Zach Galifianakis) citywide crime spree. The real drama, however? Batman has unwittingly adopted a teenage orphan who is desperate to become his crime-fighting second in command!
Shattered Glass (2003) 91%
Fake news is given a whole new meaning in Shattered Glass, the true story of a reporter's self-inflicted downfall after it is discovered he's been making up stories from whole cloth.
Stephen Glass is a hotshot young reporter for Washington D.C. publication The New Republic. After three years on the beat, it's discovered that Glass has fabricated two-thirds of the news stories he wrote for the paper, many of which earned him praise as a top newsman. Dawson plays Andy Fox, one of Glass's unsuspecting colleagues.
The Death Of Superman/The Reign Of Superman (2019) 93%
In the 2019 DC double-feature event, Dawson reprises her role as Wonder Woman for director Sam Liu. The cartoon movies boast a whopping 93% fresh rating on RT, proving once and for all that flicks are for kids!
The first film follows Superman's harrowing battle with a supervillain named Doomsday. The second film follows the demise of Superman and the collection of superheroes vying to be his replacement. Real-life married couple Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn play Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively.
Lost In America (2018) 100%
Dawson continues to crusade for the causes that matter to her most. In addition to advocating for gender equality and the future of cryptocurrency, critics feel strongest about Dawson's dedication to the homeless epidemic.
Lost in America chronicles the widespread homeless scourge in the United States. From a perspective of great sympathy, empathy, and experience, former homeless director Rotimi Rainwater travels the nation to shed light on the recurring issues leading to and perpetuating mass homelessness in America.