At first blush, it may seem like German-born actress Zazie Beetz came out of nowhere to enjoy overnight success. Upon closer inspection, however, it's clear the Atlanta star has risen to the A-list following a half-decade of strong performances in indie and blockbuster fare alike. And she's just getting started!
Of course, Beetz held her own just fine opposite the immovable force, Joaquin Phoenix, in his Oscar-winning turn as Joker. The question is, how high up does the film rank among Beetz's nascent filmography. Let's find out. Here is Zazie Beetz's 10 best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes!
Wounds (2019): 51%
While far from terrible, the biggest issue for Babak Anvari's Wounds is that the director became a victim of his own success. That is, expectations were through the roof after Anvari's horrific feature debut, Under the Shadow.
Armie Hammer stars as a New Orleans bartender caught in a mind-bending mystery when he finds a cell-phone left behind at his watering hole. Beetz plays Alicia, a local bar patron who becomes somewhat romantically entangled with Will the barkeep as he delves deeper down the rabbit hole.
Once Upon A Deadpool (2018): 54%
For the uninitiated, Once Upon A Deadpool is essentially the exact same movie as Deadpool 2 minus all of the R-rated stints of foul-language and brutal violence. To the surprise of no one, it's an inferior product!
Beetz plays Domino in both versions, the cool and tough young hipster who bears the brunt of Deadpool's hilarious wisecracks. When she isn't being made fun of, she comprises part of the team Deadpool relies on to thwart the dominance of Cable (Josh Brolin).
Slice (2018): 57%
Waiting for a pizza to be delivered can be a harrowing situation, but in Slice, the idea is taken to hilariously heightened histrionics of horrifying proportions!
Set in Chicago, local Chance the Rapper stars opposite Beetz as two people trying to solve the grisly slaughter of a pizza delivery boy. With the killer's identity a mystery, it soon becomes clear that a washed-up werewolf is responsible for the murder. Beetz takes top-billing as Astrid, with Chance playing the lethal lycanthrope.
Applesauce (2015): 63%
Beetz's second feature film appearance still ranks among her top 10. Impressive, considering the micro-budgeted Onur Tukel indie cost just $75,000!
In what comes off as a talky stage play, Applesauce follows two married couples who spend the night arguing with one another. Beetz plays Rain, a side character who comes into the married couples' life. The majority of the drama in the film stems from a series of mysterious packages one of the couples continues to receive, and the dire attempt to uncover the sender.
Joker (2019): 68%
With just 68% approval rating from critics, Joker can't even crack Beetz's Top 10 movies, according to RT. Overrated much?
While all eyes gravitate toward Phoenix's manic whirlwind of a performance, it's the more staid characters like Arthur's neighbor, Sophie Dumond, that really make the larger-than-life performance work. Beetz gives a soulful turn as a single mother who may offer Arthur's only sense of salvation in a cruel and crushing world. The film is the first R-rated movie to gross one billion dollars.
Nine Days (2020): 82%
Despite opening just two weeks ago, Edson Oda's Nine Days has garnered rave reviews from critics around the globe. One of the chief reasons why is Beetz's commanding lead performance as Emma.
The experimental art film centers on a male shut-in who conducts a skein of interviews with souls who wish to be born in human form. Bill Skarsgard plays Kane, the questioner, while Beetz plays the enigmatic Emma. Tony Hale, Benedict Wong, and Winston Duke round out the international cast of this Malick-like exploration of humanity.
Deadpool 2 (2018): 84%
After learning from the comic book movie failings of The Green Lantern, Ryan Reynolds injected new R-rated life into the genre with the game-changing Deadpool. For the sequel, Wade Wilson recruited the likes of Zazie Beetz as Domino!
The deformed-faced, foul-mouthed superhero Deadpool has tons of fun skewering pop culture in both films, but it's Beetz in the sequel who is at least able to return the insolent fire. As one of the sidekicks who helps Deadpool defeat Cable, Beetz shines brighter than most of the supporting cast. As per usual!
Soller's Point (2017): 85%
Matthew Porterfield's hardscrabble drama Sollers Point remains underrated and seldom viewed, yet remains one of the highest-rated flicks Beetz has appeared in thus far in her career. Funny how that works, huh?!
The film follows Keith (McCaul Lombardi), a troubled twenty-something recently released from jail in Baltimore. Living with his dad (James Belushi) under house arrest, Keith struggles to regain footing in an ever-changing societal landscape. Beetz plays Courtney, one of the people who may or may not be able to help Keith rise up and forge ahead.
James White (2015): 92%
Although credited with the nondescript role of Girl #1, the fact remains that James White is currently the second-highest rated film of Beetz's career thus far, says RT. Go figure!
Written and directed by Josh Mond, the indie drama is a searing character study of James (Christopher Abbott), a young man in his twenties struggling to control his self-destructive tendencies. As James faces intense familial change, he does whatever necessary to overcome his demons and find a path towards lightness.
High Flying Bird (2019): 93%
Writer Tarrell Alvin McRaney followed-up his award-nominated story for Moonlight with High Flying Bird, a trenchant look at the world of professional basketball prospects in the African-American community.
Set during an NBA lockout, the film follows a dogged sports agent (Andre Holland) who recruits a young athlete with a seductive pitch that may or may not be in the player's best interest. With just72 hours to close a deal before the lockout ends, a ticking clock scenario ratchets up the tensions. Beetz plays Sam in the film, the girlfriend of the player in question.