Not many actresses have the charisma of Zoe Saldana. Since the 1990’s, Saldana has become a beloved feminist icon. Whether it’s comic-book heroines, space scavengers or fierce lawyers, Saldana has portrayed several interesting characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Emilia Perez
Transgender communities are rarely portrayed with respect in movies. Several years ago, I witnessed grim hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought to change his sexual identity in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was an unusual boy that my entire family would admire. However, his bold decision to reveal that he was transgender ended relationships with family forever. No longer the cousin I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Few movies I’ve ever seen have captured ways transgender people change their sexual identity as powerfully as “Emilia Perez”. Released in 2024, Zoe Saldana’s best movie captured hardships faced by the transgender community. In the greatest role of her career, Saldana portrayed a hard-working lawyer that seeks to care for a transgender drug-dealer facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Saldana has spent most of her career playing strong heroines in comic-book blockbusters. With “Emilia Perez”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by making her first LGBTQ musical. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actress chances to showcase flair for singing melodies she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Karla Sofia Gascon who is also amazing, Saldana created a portrait of the transgender community that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rita first meets Manitas becoming aware that he wants to change his gender identity causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Emilia Perez” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the transgender community, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of hardships experienced by transgender Mexicans whose lives deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to captivate manufacturing unforgettable movies that audiences appreciate.
2. Star Trek: Into Darkness
Star Trek is a spectacular science-fiction series that always impressed by grandfather. I remember a grandfather that adored a series about galaxies facing danger. A huge fan of Leonard Nimoy, he would always enjoy watching films in a series that gave him joy. In 2013, Zoe Saldana honoured the series about galaxies facing darkness in her movie “Star Trek Into Darkness”. In the most methodical role of her career, Saldana embodied a space scavenger facing despair. Saldana has always excelled at playing Nyota throughout the Star Trek franchise. With “Star Trek: Into Darkness”, however, the actress brought vulnerability to the heroine audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Simon Pegg who is also amazing, Saldana honoured a sci-fi series. For instance, the scene in which Nyota becomes aware her spaceship is being attacked causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Star Trek: Into Darkness” a spectacular film is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Star Trek to appreciate it. It tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone regardless of their interest in Star Trek. A tribute to a science-fiction series about galaxies experiencing darkness, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has become a commemorated icon in the entertainment business.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean is a fantastic franchise about pirates that earned my brother’s appreciation. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a cousin that adored Jack Sparrow. I remember he would love seeing movies in theatres about a pirate he grew up to treasure. In 2001, Zoe Saldana honoured the franchise about Caribbean seas in her movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. In the most comical role of her career, Saldana portrayed a quirky female pirate facing despair. Saldana is known for her serious roles in intense dramas. With “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, however, the actress showcased flair for comedy she hadn’t shown in her career. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Saldana honoured a franchise about pirates that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Anamaria confronts Jack Sparrow for stealing her ship causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking beginning of a world-famous franchise about pirates travelling Caribbean seas, it’s a brilliant reminder of a great actress that has made strong movies.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy are a spectacular superhero team that shaped my teacher’s identity. I remember a high school teacher that adored a team saving the galaxy from danger. In 2014, Zoe Saldana honoured the iconic team saving the galaxy in her movie “Guardians of the Galaxy”. In the most heroic role of her career, Saldana portrayed a strong heroine teaming up with a band of misfits to save the galaxy from warfare causing despair. Saldana has always excelled at portraying strong feminist heroines, and “Guardians of the Galaxy” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Chris Pratt who is also amazing, Saldana honoured an iconic superhero team. For instance, the scene in which Gamora is first introduced meeting up with the Guardians for the first time to participate in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Guardians of the Galaxy” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A great introduction towards a world-famous team defending galaxies in space, it’s a grand reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences embrace.
5. Avatar
Avatar is an awe-inspiring franchise that always inspired by mother. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a mother that loved the planet of Pandora. In 2009, Zoe Saldana honoured the iconic sci-fi franchise that raised the bar for motion-capture in her movie “Avatar”. In the most technical role of her career, Saldana portrayed a fierce avatar warrior seeking to survive on a doomed planet facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a motion-capture character. Through stunning motion-capture technology, Saldana created a heroine that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Neytiri is first introduced meeting Jake Sully beginning their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Avatar” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about dangers of harming the environment that would resonate with everyone. As precious as the planet of Pandora, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma that has made unforgettable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.
6. Colombiana
Zoe Saldana has always excelled at playing emotional women that face trauma. Saldana has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing heroines facing emotional damage. Saldana’s strength for playing women facing a dilemma is clearly evident in her movie “Colombiana”. Released in 2011, Olivier Megaton’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Saldana portrayed a contract killer seeking vengeance for her parents’ murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase his strength for playing strong women. Saldana showcased strong commitment to performing stunts she hadn’t shown in her career before. As strong as Cataleya’s desire for vengeance, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with strong presence whose movies attract a huge audience.
7. Infinitely Polar Bear
Bipolar is a devastating disease that shaped my aunt’s identity. Several years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with Bipolar causing sorrow. A painful illness, it affected her abilities to achieve happiness. As someone treasuring an aunt with Bipolar facing despair, I adored “Infinitely Polar Bear”. Released in 2014, Zoe Saldana’s movie captured Bipolar disorder. In the most tender role of her career, Saldana portrayed a housewife seeking to care for a husband with Bipolar facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of illness. Working alongside Mark Ruffalo who is also amazing, Saldana created a portrait of Bipolar that’s compelling. A breathtaking portrait of Bipolar disorder, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
8. Premium
Over the past decade, the romantic comedy genre has declined in popularity. With their cardboard characters, lacklustre storytelling and poor acting, most romantic comedies are a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost stardom, it’s worth praising “Premium”. Released in 2006, Zoe Saldana’s movie offered a compelling African-American romance. In the most likeable role of her career, Saldana portrayed a woman in a doomed romantic affair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase flair for romance she hadn’t shown before in her career. Saldana showcased promise in one of her first roles before she became a well-known star. A powerful portrait of compassionate lovers with wisdom, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies achieving stardom.
9. The Terminal
Airports are settings that I always hated. As someone that hates travelling, airports are places that I find frightening. With their crowds, rules and delayed flights, I have never been fond of airports. As someone that hates being stuck in a terminal, I was surprised by how much I loved “The Terminal”. Released in 2004, Zoe Saldana’s movie captured airports. In the most romantic role of her career, Saldana portrayed an airport officer that falls in love in a doomed affair. It’s a role that gave the actress the rare chance to showcase comedic timing she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Saldana created a bold airport comedy. As strong as Viktor Navorksi’s desire to survive an airport terminal, it’s a powerful reminder of an actress whose memorable movies audiences consider to be special.
10. The Words
Zoe Saldana hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Words” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Brian Klugman’s drama about the life of a writer was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Saldana portrayed a woman having a doomed affair with a writer causing despair. Saldana brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Words” is a bad movie, it honoured Saldana’s legacy. As precious as words Rory seeks publish, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has managed to accomplish great feats making memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I will always cherish.
The Film Buff 