Zoë Kravitz has been making headlines this past month for stepping into the iconic role of Catwoman in the newest addition to the DC extended universe, The Batman.
But this is far from Kravitz's first time in the spotlight. The young actress has been making waves for over a decade in a wide range of genres from big-budget superhero flicks to dramatic indie movies. Here are some of her most stunning performances from over the years.
Kimi (2022) - 3.2/5
In this dystopian film, Kravitz stars as a tech worker with a fear of leaving the house that upon witnessing a violent crime is forced to face her fear of the outdoors and investigate.
The suspenseful HBO Max original movie, Kimi, is full of quotable moments. It converges two of the most popular genres of today, sci-fi and crime, making it one of the most talked-about movies of the year so far. It is also one of the only films in which Kravitz plays the sole lead, making it a must-watch for fans of her previous work.
It's Kind Of A Funny Story (2010) - 3.3/5
Kravitz's breakout role was a small one. Kravitz plays Nia in this 2010 coming-of-age story about a suicidal teen in a psychiatric facility, supporting a star-studded cast that includes Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts.
While her part may have been small, her quippy one-liners provided memorable comedic relief in a film with heavy subject matter. Her sarcastic humor perfectly compliments the film's ironic tone. By taking the backseat to bigger names, Kravitz put herself on a list that included some of Hollywood's major players at the time, with Galifianakis coming fresh off of his part in the blockbuster comedy, The Hangover.
The Road Within (2014) - 3.4/5
Kravitz flexes her dramatic chops in The Road Within, a film where she plays a woman with anorexia who travels the country with two men, one with OCD and one with Tourette's syndrome, in hopes of spreading the ashes of one of their mothers.
In this film, Kravitz plays opposite Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy) and Dev Patel (Lion). The film has since received backlash for its choice in casting a neurotypical actor to depict a man with Tourette's, but Kravitz's role is played with sensitivity and isworth a watch.
Dope (2015) - 3.5/5
Forever a fan of the genre mash, Kravitz stars as the cool, calm, and collected love interest Nakia in this coming-of-age-comedy-meets-drug-heist.
While her primary role in this film is as a romantic interest for the male main character, Nakia breaks from the manic-pixie-dream-girl trope in a number of ways. For starters, it is not she who helps Malcolm, but vice versa. Harvard-bound Malcolm is doing just fine and instead assists Nakia in obtaining her GED— an interesting role reversal of a cinematic stereotype.
X-Men: First Class (2011) - 3.5/5
One of the most iconic superhero prequels of all time, X Men: First Class recently had its tenth anniversary. In the backstory of the legendary mutant academy, Kravitz plays the minor character Angel Salvadore.
While the part may have been small, it marked two major milestones for Kravitz. First, it marked her entry into the Marvel universe and superhero films in general, which would become a major part of her cinematic career. Second, it earned her a nomination for the Teen Choice Award for Breakout Actress that same year.
The Lego Batman Movie (2o17) - 3.6/5
Kravitz may have been discussed for her portrayal of Catwoman this year, but the role is actually a reprisal. She also voiced the character in The Lego Batman Movie several years prior.
The Lego movies are mainly aimed at younger audiences, while The Batman grapples with much more adult themes. However, both include fun and suspenseful moments that the entire family can enjoy. Consequently, it's no surprise that this film landed a spot on the list.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - 4.1/5
This dystopian sci-fi is lauded as a feminist staple. Warning of the dangers of capitalistic greed and climate change, Mad Max: Fury Road stars Kravitz as one of the many escaped wives of resource hoarder, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Burne).
Despite being led by Tom Hardy as Max, Kravitz is among a cast of other female actresses such as Charlize Theron that ultimately carry the film's success, just as their characters carry the success of the rebellion against their world's overlords.
The Batman (2022) - 4.2/5
Kravitz is the female lead of the Batman franchise's newest reprisal. Playing opposite Robert Pattinson as Batman, the crime-fighting duo Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle are the hottest couple onscreen this season.
While many may be already familiar with the movie and its positive reception, what makes Kravitz's performance special is not just her abilities alone, but her palpable chemistry with co-actor Robert Pattison. The two have experience with both blockbusters and independent dramatic roles, making them perfectly suited for DC's venture into darker themes following Joker (2019).
Big Little Lies (2017 - 2019) - 4.3/5
In HBO's empowering female-led television series, Kravitz plays the seemingly perfect Bonnie, whose troubled emotional truth slowly bubbles to the surface.
Opposite some of the most renowned actresses of all time, Kravitz entirely holds her own in a supportive but essential role. Following a major turning point for her character at the close of the first season, Bonnie takes on a more prevalent part in the subsequent episodes. Fans of mystery (and Kravitz) shouldn't miss this one.
Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse (2018) - 4.4/5
Following her success in Lego Batman, Kravitz expanded her voice-acting repertoire in Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, solidifying her place in both the DC and Marvel universes.
Here she plays Mary Jane, one of Spider-Man's love interests. The film broke with convention by appointing a Black character, Miles Morales, as Peter Parker's successor to his role as Spider-Man. Zoë Kravitz is joined by many Black cast members— a rare feat for a superhero movie barring Black Panther— but is the only one among them voicing a white character.