Naomi Watts joins Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh in the new sci-fi action film “Boss Level”. It debuts on Hulu next Friday March 5th. Watts has consistently delivered effective and memorable performances over the past decade. They include:
Maria – “The Impossible” (2012)
Watts earned an Oscar nomination for her powerful work in this true story drama co-starring a fantastic Ewan McGregor and pre-Peter Parker Tom Holland.
Lesley – “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014)
Watts was part of the SAG winning ensemble in the Oscar and LCJ Best Picture of the year. She gelled right alongside a dynamite Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough and Amy Ryan.
Daka – “St. Vincent” (2014)
This indie dramedy was released around the same time as “Birdman” and largely received critical praise for stars Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy and young Jaeden Lieberher (now Jaeden Martell). But despite a not-so spectacular Russian accent, Watts earned a Best Supporting Actress SAG Awards nomination. And she would reunite with Martell on 2017’s “The Book of Henry”.
Cornelia – “While We’re Young” (2015)
Noah Baumbach’s relationship comedy is, for the most part, funny and spot-on in the emotions department. Watts, Ben Stiller, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver all play characters with something to say.
Rose Mary – “The Glass Castle” (2017)
This wasn’t the feel good movie of ’17, but the performances from Watts, Brie Larson and, in particular, Woody Harrelson, kept the film from completely falling apartment.
Amy Edgar – “Luce” (2019)
I still remember walking out of a screening of this movie in Los Angeles and feeling absolutely floored. What an experience. Every line of dialogue has intensity and meaning. Watts played a complicated mother very well. Tim Roth, Octavia Spencer and Kelvin Harrison, Jr. also knocked it out of the park.
Sam Bloom – “Penguin Bloom” (2021)
This family drama is now streaming on Netflix and is well worth your time. Watts is excellent as a wife and mother of three who was in a horrific accident and is now in a wheelchair. A magpie gives her newfound purpose in life. It’s a sweet, sophisticated movie based on an incredible true story, and Watts delivers one of the standout performances of the year so far.