20 Best Monica Bellucci Movies, Ranked

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 girl 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, itis 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 of 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 lever. 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. Thestar 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.

Spectreis 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

Based on the real-life experiences of police officer Kathryn Bolkovac, the gripping The Whistleblower sees Rachel Weiszplaying 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 CliveOwen 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 (PaulGiamatti) 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 his budget back, Shoot ‘Em Up was released to favorable reviews.

11

‘The Matrix Reloaded’ (2003)

Appeared as Persephone

The second installment in The Matrixfranchise 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 Revolutionsand 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.

10

‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ (2001)

Appeared as Sylvia

Set in the 18th century in a rural province of France, Brotherhood of the Wolf depicts a mysterious string of murders by an unseen beast with enormous strength and intelligence. When King Louis sends Chevalier de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his Native American friend (Mark Dacascos) to bring the beast down, the creature’s true nature turns out to be far from what was expected.

Christophe Gans’ R-rated movie is an entertaining werewolf thriller movie that makes it worth audiences’ time by providing a gripping premise. While flawed (and far from being a perfect feature), Brotherhood of the Wolf has old-fashioned horror elements that may appeal to some and are undoubtedly satisfying to look at. Bellucci plays Sylvia, a charismatic Vatican spy.

9

‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ (1992)

Appeared as The Wife of Dracula

Centering on the centuries-old vampire Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) as he sets foot in England in hopes of causing chaos in a foreign land and seducing Winona Ryder‘s Mina Murray (the fiancée of his barrister Jonathan Harker, played by Keanu Reeves) in the meantime, this compelling adaptation of the iconic novel is a gripping Francis Ford Coppola Dracula movie adaptation and a fan-favorite take on the beloved tale.

Bram Stoker’s Draculacombines horror, romance, and humor to great results. It is not the filmmaker’s best work, but it still deserves a spot among his most notable. Visually luscious, the charming and absorbing film counts on Bellucci’s talents, as showcased in her small but striking role as one of Dracula’s three brides. The actress has named her work in Coppola’s movie as a turning point. “When I say yes to a character, it is because I wanted to share a moment of acting that is interesting for me, but sometimes that can be a big role. Sometimes, that can be a small role,” Bellucci revealed.

8

‘Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra’ (2002)

Appeared as Cleopatra

This fun adventure comedy is the perfect pick for family viewing. It follows the famous titular characters, Astérix (Christian Clavier) and Obélix (Gérard Depardieu), as the two embark on an adventure to Egypt to help architect Numérobis (Jamel Debbouze), who is building a palace for the charming Cleopatra, played by the Italian actor.

Unlike the most recent film Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, which unfortunately came out to questionable reviews, this 2002 movie is certainly among the best adaptations of the legendary comic book series. It is silly, fun, lighthearted, and very faithful to its source material. It is not hard to grasp why so many viewers liked the visually impressive Mission Cleopatra, and Bellucci’s charisma certainly adds to it.

7

‘The Apartment’ (1996)

Appeared as Lisa

This 1996 romantic mystery starring Bellucci and her ex-partner, Vincent Cassell, follows a recently engaged man who, after seeing his former greatest love, does the most for their paths to cross again. The film depicts Max’s obsession with his ex-flame and also introduces audiences to his longtime admirer (Romane Bohringer), who arranged their split.

The Apartmentmakes for an entertaining romantic comedy movie and stylish piece of filmmaking directed by Gilles Mimouni. While it isn’t the defining entry in Bellucci’s decades-long career, The Apartment is still an engaging thriller worth checking out for those who enjoy the genre. Furthermore, it is inspired by the work of renowned writer William Shakespeare, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

6

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)

Appeared as Delores

Tim Burton’s latest achievement, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, serves as the sequel to his iconic dark fantasy film. It sees three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after a family tragedy only to accidentally open a portal to the Afterlife, where they come face to face with the iconic character once more.

While not as great as the original, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is nonetheless a solid effort from the filmmaker, breathing new life into the franchise while introducing it to younger generations. Even though Bellucci does not have a lot of screen time, her character Delores—Beetlegeuse’s ex-wife, who steps into the picture with unfinished business—is still a nice addition to the Tim Burton universe; thanks to Bellucci’s incredible on-screen presence, this “soul-sucking” demon (as Bellucci herself describes her) captures the attention of audiences whenever she steps on screen.

5

‘Irreversible’ (2002)

Appeared as Alex

Irreversibleis not exactly a recommendable movie for the heavy themes it tackles and disturbing, graphic depictions of sexual assault and violence, but it is undeniably one of Bellucci’s most memorable works to date. Directed by Gaspar Noé, the upsetting film depicts the events of a tragic night in Paris as two men (Cassel and Albert Dupontel) seek to avenge the brutality committed against the woman they love.

While tough, often misunderstood, and hard to sit through (it will stick with viewers after the credits roll), Irreversible is very well executed and features memorable acting performances. With impeccable storytelling, the controversial 2002 French extremity picture, which is told in reverse chronological order, deals with themes of existential despair. “When I did this movie, I mean, nobody would believe that this film would become what it became,” admitted Bellucci in an interview.

4

‘The Man Who Sold His Skin’ (2020)

Appeared as Soraya Waldy

One of the actor’s most recent projects is The Man Who Sold His Skin, a thought-provoking Kaouther Ben Hania drama focusing on a Syrian refugee named Sam (Yahya Mahayni) whose tattooed body is turned into a living work of art and showcased in a museum to surprising, unexpected results.

With a creative and provocative premise, The Man Who Sold His Skin provides audiences with an intelligent social commentary about how manipulative the art world can be, and the saddening lack of value often put on the lives of migrants. Meditating on the use of people as commodities, the intriguing Ben Hania movie features Bellucci in one of her most believable and compelling performances (to which she immediately said yes).

3

‘The Wonders’ (2014)

Appeared as Milly Catena

Set in the Tuscan countryside, The Wonders follows a family of beekeepers. When a troubled teenage boy arrives and the preteen daughter in the family (Maria Alexandra Lungu) enters a contest to appear on a television show, the household finds their peace disrupted.

A prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival, Alice Rohrwacher‘s movie is indeed a visually pleasing one. Although its storytelling alone is compelling enough to keep audiences invested, The Wonders‘ cinematography is one of its strongest aspects. In a very natural and realistic manner, it sends out a thoughtful, heartfelt message about familial love. The actor plays the charming and hypnotizing “fairy” Milly Caetana, the host of the show. She wears a flowing white costume and white hair to match.

2

‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)

Appeared as Mary Magdalene

Illustrating the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ (Jim Caviezel) in Nazareth on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem, this biblical drama sheds light on the horror of his mother Mary (Maia Morgenstern), Mary Magdalen (Bellucci), whom he had saved from damnation, and his disciples after learning he is condemned to death.

The Passion of Christis not everyone’s cup of tea—especially considering the heavy themes it deals with and the graphic imagery it features (including a gory death scene, as expected)—however, it is worth checking for Bellucci’s acting efforts; the actor shines while giving a quiet but powerful performance that is visceral to its narrative. Needless to say, the 2004 feature is a good pick for those familiar with and moved by its story.

1

‘Malèna’ (2000)

Appeared as Malèna Scordia

After all these years, Malèna endures one of the most important Monica Bellucci films. This heartbreaking film focuses on a 12-year-old boy (Giuseppe Sulfaro) who is coming of age amid the war climate and finds himself love-stricken by a sensual woman living in a small and conservative Sicilian town.

Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore—the brilliant mind behind the iconic Italian feature Cinema Paradiso—Malèna is a deeply touching film. It has a powerful social commentary that tackles the objectification of women, who are often taken advantage of, through the male gaze. Enduring just as relevant now, this 2000 drama is undeniably a big part of Bellucci’s career and cemented her as a great protagonist. “It was an important movie because it was an Italian movie traveling around the world. For Italy, Malèna was a big deal,” the actor explained in an interview.

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