Throughout her remarkable career, Naomi Watts has consistently delivered strong performances that have showcased her incredible range and depth as an actress. From the scary thrills of psychological horror to the heart-wrenching emotions of true-life dramas, they have enthralled audiences and earned critical acclaim.
Today, we revisit 10 of his most unforgettable roles, exploring the versatility that has made him a true Hollywood icon. Get ready to dive into a world of survivalist detectives, blockbuster romances with great apes, and journeys into the darkest corners of the human psyche. We’ll celebrate Watts’ ability to portray sensitivity and strength, raw emotion and quiet intensity across the scope of this captivating filmography.
10. King Kong (2005)
Stepping into the role played by Fay Wray in the original 1933 installment was not an easy choice for Watts, but she excelled. Her on-screen chemistry with the ape named Kong, played by Andy Serkis, reminded fans of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. The filmmaking of a romance between an unusual couple is so heartwarming that it gives you goosebumps, especially when Watts encounters a rampaging Kong who lays waste to New York and wraps him tightly in his arms. Naomi Watts showcased her versatile skills as an actress in this film directed by Peter Jackson.
9. Eastern Promise (2007)
Eastern Promises is one of the few gangster films that had a strong female character – played by Watts – who brings a feminist perspective to the story. In her complex role as a British-Russian midwife, Watts uncovers secrets recorded in the diary of a young patient who died before childbirth. While the film’s key battle scene grabs the most attention, Watts’ nuanced reactions to the violence bring a level of compassion that is equally worthy of praise. Viggo Mortensen’s performance in the film earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination.
8. 21 Grams (2003)
In the film, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Watts played a drug addict who starts taking drugs again after her family members are murdered in a tragic turn of events. The stories of the 21 villages were told in chronological order to keep the mystery of how they all connect into a single narrative. The depth of the narrative and its powerful message regarding mental health were ahead of its time. Watts’ portrayal in the film was one of the most successful projects of his Hollywood career and once again earned him a well-deserved Academy Award nomination.
7. I Heart Huckabees (2004)
David O. Naomi Watts plays Dawn Campbell in Russell’s charming film, I Heart Huckabees. Campbell is one of the clients of existentialist detectives Bernard Jaffe and Vivian Jaffe, played by Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin. These detectives are trying to help their clients find the meaning of their existence. Mark Wahlberg also co-stars with Watts, who steals the show with his portrayal of a goofy personality. Watts plays a deadbeat corporate employee who is dissatisfied with his life. Even though the film was criticized as a comedy, its portrayal of real-life corporate issues makes it a notable entry in Watts’ acting journey.
6. Birdman (2014)
Birdman tells the story of Riggan Thomson, an actor overwhelmed by fame, played by Michael Keaton. Riggan tried to achieve prominence on Broadway by adapting Raymond Carver’s short stories into a play. Naomi Watts plays Leslie, the Riggans’ estranged daughter who struggles to find her place in society and the world. The film is complex and metafictional, exploring themes of identity, fame, and reality. Watts’s performance is subtle, but one can sense the inner turmoil as Leslie is torn between her father’s ambitions and her own insecurities.
5. The Ring (2002)
In this popular horror film, Watts plays a reporter who is investigating a series of deaths that appear to be linked by a mysterious videotape. The film was a box office success, largely due to Watts’ emotionally charged performance, which added to the tension and suspense created by the story. Compared to other horror films of its time, The Ring was more sophisticated in its scares, avoiding cheap jump scares or gore. Instead of spawning several successful sequels, the original film remains the most worthy, with Watts’ portrayal as a key element that has never been replicated in future installments.
4. While We Are Young (2014)
In Noah Baumbach’s comedy-drama ‘While We’re Young’, contemporary culture is skewered with sharp satire. Naomi Watts plays Cornelia, a woman struggling to connect with the younger generation. She and her husband, played by Ben Stiller, become friends with a free-spirited couple in their 20s, portrayed by Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried. The film is funny, clever and incisive – much like Wilde’s plays – as it tackles themes of age, identity and success. Watts is both comedic and poignant in her performance, capturing the feeling of being out of place in a rapidly changing world.
3. Mulholland Drive (2001)
David Lynch’s suspense thriller, Mulholland Drive, is one of the landmark films of the 21st century. Naomi Watts plays Betty, an aspiring actress who comes to Hollywood with dreams of stardom. Soon, she finds herself in a bizarre, dream-like world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur. Watts gives a delicate but compelling performance as she navigates the film’s twisting plot, bringing both innocence and experience to her mysterious role.
2. Impossible (2012)
The film tells the true story of a family trapped in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Directed by JA Bayona, The Impossible stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as a couple separated from their children due to a disaster. Watts presents an emotionally charged portrayal of a mother desperate to find her children in terrible circumstances, which gives the entire play emotional weight. Her performance earned her her second Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Tom Holland, in one of his earliest roles, plays the couple’s 12-year-old son. The film grossed $198 million worldwide, making it one of Watts’ highest-grossing films.
1. Fair Game (2010)
Fair Game is a political thriller based on the true story of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative whose identity was revealed by the Bush administration. Naomi Watts plays Plame, who must fight for her reputation and the safety of her family. The film is a powerful exploration of the personal toll of government corruption and political oppression. Watts delivers a stunning performance – combining intelligence, emotion and sensitivity – as she portrays a woman who refuses to be silenced.
Also read: Happy Birthday Avril Lavigne: The singer’s top 10 tracks are being reissued as she turns 40
