A household name in Italy and the rest of the world, Monica Bellucci is a top-notch model and actor. She had her breakthrough role in the arthouse movie The Apartment in 1996, which earned the star a César Award nomination for Most Promising Actress. However, Bellucci’s breakout was in Francis Ford Coppola‘s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as it was the movie that introduced Bellucci to Hollywood and gave her some exposure.
Nevertheless, the star’s most memorable performances to date are arguably the tragic Malèna and the controversial Irreversible, which remain talked-about films even today. Later came her roles in American blockbusters like Spectre, for which she oozed charm and made history by becoming the oldest—and, arguably, one of the most elegant—Bond girls seen on screen. To celebrate her compelling career, we look back at the best Monica Bellucci movies so far.
20
‘Memory’ (2022)
Appeared as Davana Sealman
This one-person army action starring none other than Liam Neeson follows season assassin-for-hire battling early-stage Alzheimer’s. Struggling to outmaneuver his enemies while grappling with his deteriorating memory after realizing he has become the target of a powerful criminal organization, he must rely on his fading skills to survive.
While Neeson takes center stage in this Martin Campbell picture, Bellucci brings sophistication to her role as Davana Sealman, a key character who becomes woven into the moral dilemmas of Neeson’s hitman. Memory may be a tad too formulaic for its own good and not a groundbreaking film by any means. However, it is still popcorn entertainment for fans of action thrillers, particularly those who enjoy a more character-driven approach.
19
‘Under Suspicion’ (2000)
Appeared as Chantal Hearst
While Under Suspicion may not be Bellucci’s most acclaimed feature, it showcases her presence in a gripping psychological thriller alongside two acting legends: Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. The Stephen Hopkins movie centers around a wealthy attorney in San Juan who comes to the police station for “10 minutes” of follow-up questions to find a 12-year-old girl’s body in a park. However, as the questioning intensifies, the night takes a tense and unexpected turn.
Those who enjoy slow-burn and dialogue-driven thrillers that keep audiences on edge are probably going to at least try and give Under Suspicion a watch. While Bellucci’s role as Chantal, the much younger wife of tax attorney Henry Hearst, is somewhat limited in terms of screen time, she delivers a magnetic performance and showcases her powerful screen presence, and her character’s strained relationship with her husband adds another layer of tension to Hopkins’ film. Though Under Suspicion received mixed reviews upon release, some viewers praised the movie’s performances.
18
‘Dobermann’ (1997)
Appeared as Nat the Gypsy
Directed by Jan Kouen, Dobermann centers around the titular, ruthless criminal (Vincent Cassel), who leads a series of brutal bank robbers. However, after a complex bank robbery, they are hunted by the police in Paris, with sadistic Cop Christini (Tchéky Karyo) leading the mission.
Although not the very best of Monica Bellucci’s features (namely for its formulaic narrative, among other aspects), Dobermann is nonetheless an entertaining watch thanks to its style and performances. With an expected strong on-screen presence, Bellucci brings to life a fierce and fearless young woman who is a crucial part of the story, as she is the right hand for the film’s central character. Dobermann is visually rich and immersive, with Kounen’s direction capturing the plot’s gritty essence quite well.
17
‘On the Milky Road’ (2016)
Appeared as Bride
Starring and directed by Emir Kusturica, On the Milky Road is a visually poetic and surreal war drama. The three-part film recounts three periods in a man’s life: his time as a lucky milkman navigating a war-torn landscape, his escapades and growing connection with the woman he loves, and his later life as a monk.
This 2016 film is a standout mostly for its unique blend of fantasy, romance, and war. Although it may not be for everyone, it is a nice pick for anyone who appreciates unconventional stories and visually rich films. Filled with the filmmaker’s signature surrealism and whimsical cinematography, it delivers visually pleasing visuals on top of its captivating performances—Bellucci, of course, is a highlight, gracing audiences with her compelling performance and ethereal beauty.
16
‘The Best Years of a Life’ (2019)
Appeared as Elena
This sequel to Lelouch’s classic A Man and a Woman stars Jean-Louis Trintignant and Anouk Aimée in the lead roles and focuses on an old man looking back at memories of a former lover. Through the film, audiences are invited to take a glimpse into their affair as youngsters, tackling themes of love, time, and memory.
Bellucci is Jean-Louis’ daughter, Elena, stepping into the shoes of the character with warmth and tenderness, and adding emotion and vulnerability to the film. At its core, The Best Years of a Life is a great meditation on relationships, showcasing themes of love across different life stages and how they evolve with time. The chemistry between the two leads, played by Trintignant and Aimée, is also worth noting.
15
‘Tears of the Sun’ (2003)
Appeared as Dr. Lena Kendricks
Starring Bruce Willis alongside Bellucci in the lead roles, Tears of the Sun is yet another solid choice for war thriller aficionados. Set against the backdrop of the dense Nigerian jungle, Antoine Fuqua’s movie illustrates a Special-Ops commander leading his team to rescue a doctor who refuses to leave unless the team also rescues 70 refugees.
Bellucci shines as Dr. Lena Kendricks, a strong-willed and compassionate doctor who plays a huge role in the film’s core. The star brings both vulnerability and strength to the role, making Dr. Kendricks a compelling and likable character amid the movie’s intense chaos of war. Although it got mixed feedback, Fuqua’s movie is an engaging and visually striking picture with great chemistry between its two charismatic leads.
14
‘Spectre’ (2015)
Appeared as Lucia Sciarra
The twenty-fourth installment in the James Bond series centers around Bond’s quest to uncover the meaning of a cryptic message from the character’s past. He heads on an adventure to uncover the existence of the organization named SPECTRE and learns about who’s behind his anxieties and most recent missions.
Spectre is hardly the best Bond film of the bunch, with many considering it a complete miss for a number of reasons. However, the Daniel Craig-led picture is still worth the audience’s time, if not only for Bellucci’s charming Bond girl, Lucia Sciarra, the widow of one of Bond’s latest kills. Although her character was unfortunately underused, Bellucci made history by gracefully becoming the oldest Bond girl in the franchise’s decade-long story at the delightful age of 50.
13
‘The Whistleblower’ (2010)
Appeared as Laura Leviani
Image via Samuel Goldwyn Films
Based on the real-life experiences of police officer Kathryn Bolkovac, the gripping The Whistleblower sees Rachel Weisz playing the cop who served as a peacemaker in post-war Bosnia and outed the U.N. for covering up a sex trafficking scandal.
While Kondracki’s film is not a groundbreaking masterpiece, it is a relevant picture that those keen on social commentary films may want to check out, as it sheds light on human rights violations and the complicity of those in power. Bellucci steps into the shoes of Laura Leviani, the head of the repatriation program who refuses to help repatriate young women. Despite being a supporting character in this entertaining true crime drama, she still delivers a solid performance during the screen time she is provided.
12
‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ (2007)
Appeared as Donna Quintano
Following a gunman played by Clive Owen who teams up with a sex worker named DQ, brought to life by Bellucci, Shoot ‘Em Up sees its protagonist attempting to protect a newborn from further attacks after saving him from assassins. In the meantime, Smith and DQ attempt to unearth a dying senator’s scheme to harvest bone marrow from babies, while hitman Hertz (Paul Giamatti) tries to stop them.
While Shoot ‘Em Up’s plot sounds like it came straight out of a fever dream, the Michael Davis flick is actually good enough to keep viewers’ boredom at bay. Even if it is far from a masterpiece in the action genre, the 2007 feature is still worth checking out if only for its decent performances, including Bellucci’s, and action sequences that provide moviegoers with a dose of popcorn entertainment. Despite being something of a box office flop that earned less than half of its budget back, Shoot ‘Em Up was released to favorable reviews.
11
‘The Matrix Reloaded’ (2003)
Appeared as Persephone
The second installment in The Matrix franchise follows freedom fighters Neo (Keanu Reeves in one of his most iconic roles), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) as they lead the revolt against the Machine Army and attempt to change humankind’s tragic fate, which includes extinction.
Bellucci plays Persephone, the wife of the Merovingian (Lambert Wilson), in this entry to the beloved saga. She returns to The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Resurrections, although for an even smaller screen time. While none of these films are on par with the original and first installment when looking back at it, Reloaded is still an enjoyable watch with arguably better action sequences. Although the movie was well-received by critics and grossed over $739 million, it was also a bit divisive due to its confusing storyline.
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