Not many actresses have made movies audiences value like Lea Seydoux. Since the 2000’s, Seydoux has become a French icon. Whether it’s spies facing dangers, lesbian lovers or inglorious Holocaust survivors, Seydoux has portrayed several characters. Given the 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. No Time to Die
James Bond is a legendary spy that shaped my father’s identity. I vividly remember forming a strong bond with a great father that appreciated the iconic character. He would always love talking about a goldeneye spy falling from the sky that had no time to die. Through his strong love for James Bond, my father gave me an appreciation for great movies about an iconic spy that I’ve grown to value. In 2021, Lea Seydoux honoured the iconic spy with no time to die in her movie “No Time to Die”. In the greatest role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a female spy that becomes involved in a love affair with Bond causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Seydoux has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines in French dramas. With “No Time to Die”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone making her first Bond movie. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also outstanding, Seydoux honoured an iconic spy that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Swann bids tearful goodbyes to James Bond on the radio causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “No Time to Die” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most James Bond movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about sexism faced by women in the workplace which would resonate wth everyone. In a franchise that has often pushed women aside, it gave female heroines a chance to shine. Nearly five years after the release of a classic film about a famous spy with no time to die bidding sad goodbye, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has made movies which always satisfy.
2. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Mission: Impossible is a spectacular action franchise that my grandfather always considered special. I remember my grandfather once appreciated a franchise about hunted spies facing danger. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he appreciated movies that forever changed his worldviews. In 2011, Lea Seydoux honoured the iconic franchise about spies following a protocol in her movie “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. In the most feminist role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a dangerous female assassin causing Ethan Hunt to face despair. With “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”, the actress showcased a villainous side to herself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Seydoux honoured a franchise about spies that are frightening. For instance, the opening scene in which Sabine is first introduced killing an assassin causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the spy franchise, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Ethan Hunt’s desire to accomplish missions that are impossible, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences consider to be special.
3. Midnight in Paris
Paris is a beautiful city that my brother always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a brother that adored Paris. He would always enjoy walking around a bright city that he considered a gorgeous sight at the time of midnight. The chance to travel to Paris was an opportunity he would always seize. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that adored Paris, I appreciated “Midnight in Paris”. Released in 2011, Lea Seydoux’s movie offered a beautiful tribute to the French city. In the most romantic role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a French woman that falls in love with a poetic writer in a doomed affair. It gave the actress a chance to embrace her nationality as a French-born movie-star. Working alongside Owen Wilson who is also amazing, Seydoux created a portrait of Paris that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Gabrielle meets Gil beginning their affair in Paris is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight in Paris” a masterpiece is its depiction of France. It captured the city in a way that few films ever have. As precious as walks that are taken by writers in Paris, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress that is an icon in the entertainment business.
4. Inglorious Basterds
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject that fascinated my teacher. Several years ago, I was taught about the mass genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He always took great pride educating students about a mass genocide in which his people tragically died. As someone treasuring a glorious teacher that taught me about the Holocaust through wise words, I loved “Inglorious Basterds”. Released in 2009, Lea Seydoux’s movie captured an inglorious genocide in history. In the most tragic role of her career, Seydoux portrayed the daughter of a Jewish farmer facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Christoph Waltz who is also amazing, Seydoux created a portrait of Nazis that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Charlotte is interrogated by Hans Landa in her house causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about trauma impacting everyone. A grand depiction of an inglorious genocide, it’s a bold reminder of an actress whose movies have never lost ability to leave audiences satisfied.
5. Dune: Part Two
The Middle East is a misunderstood country that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia great memories of growing up in Saudi Arabia. Whether it’s the precious oil economy or desert landscapes, I grew up to value the country. I’ve always believed movies are an art that have rarely captured the beauty of a country that holds a special place in my heart. As someone that grew up to value the Middle East, I adored “Dune: Part Two”. Released in 2024, Lea Seydoux’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about Arabian countries. In the most mysterious role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a majestic queen facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for conveying emotions through silence. For instance, the scene in which Lady Margot attempts to manipulate people in her kingdom causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Dune: Part Two” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a science-fiction book about dusty dune planets shining beneath the moon, it’s a bold reminder of an actress whose movies won’t be forgotten soon.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(434x379:436x381)/blue-warmest-colour-ee01eaef18c3414fb026fbef29246d0f.jpg)
6. Blue is the Warmest Colour
Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2013, Lea Seydoux successfully tackled the subject matter in her movie “Blue is the Warmest Colour”. In the most provocative role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a lesbian teen engaging in a doomed romantic affair causing despair. It’s a sensitive role that required the actress to step out of her comfort zone performing nude scenes but she succeeded. Working alongside Adele E., Seydoux created a romance that’s compelling. A strong portrait of romance between teenagers that are queer, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress without fear that succeeds in risky roles in films about which audiences care.
7. The Beast
Lea Seydoux has always excelled at playing emotional women facing trauma. Seydoux has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women facing emotional damage. Seydoux’s strength for playing tormented women facing a beast of emotions is evident in her movie “The Beast”. In the most conflicted role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a woman struggling to take care of artificial intelligence causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strengths for playing emotional women under pressure. Working alongside George McKay who is also amazing, Seydoux created a portrait of A.I. that’s compelling. An awe-inspiring portrait of artificial intelligence, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with strong presence whose unforgettable movies have always earned a massive audience.
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Wes Anderson. With their quirky characters, sharp sense of humour and compelling storytelling, Anderson’s movies have earned a huge fan following. In 2014, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Lea Seydoux in his movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. In the most quirky role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a devoted housekeeper of a hotel facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Ralph Fiennes who is also amazing, Seydoux created a portrait of hotels that’s compelling. A grand portrait of a Budapest hotel, it’s a remarkable reminder of a celebrated actress with commemorated stories to tell whose unforgettable movies cast a spell.
9. One Fine Morning
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. A sensitive subject matter, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2022 Lea Seydoux tackled the depressing subject successfully in her movie “One Fine Morning”. In the most upsetting role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a woman struggling to care for a terminally ill father facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional vulnerability she hadn’t shown before in her career. Seydoux showcased rare bravery tackling a subject of terminal illness. A powerful portrait of illness causing lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making movies audiences appreciate.
10. Beauty and the Beast
Lea Seydoux hasn’t always made great movies that audiences value. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Beauty and the Beast” falls into the latter category. Released in 2014, Christophe Gans’ French fantasy drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Seydoux portrayed a woman falling in love with a beast in a doomed affair. Seydoux brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Beauty and the Beast” is a bad movie, it honoured Seydoux’s legacy. As precious as dresses worn by Belle, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made commemorated movies with timeless stories to tell which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking in which I excel.
The Film Buff 