Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Elizabeth Debicki. Since the 1990’s, Debicki has become an icon. Whether it’s aristocratic figures, space scavengers or grieving sisters, Debicki has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies she has made in her career, 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. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book about millionaires that my teacher always loved dearly. I remember my teacher once acknowledged a book he considered to be timeless literature. He would love discussing a book about mysterious millionaires about which he came to deeply care. Drawn towards the green light, he would always yearn to see the iconic book depicted on the big-screen given the spotlight. In 2013, Elizabeth Debicki honoured the legendary book about mysterious millionaires in her movie “The Great Gatsby”. In the greatest role of her career, the actress portrayed an aristocratic woman that forms a friendship with a millionaire facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Debicki has spent most of her career playing likeable women in British period dramas. With “The Great Gatsby”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a literary character that’s well-known. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Debicki honoured a book about millionaires that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Jordan is first introduced to Gatsby at his party becoming aware of his mysterious past as a millionaire is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the publication of a groundbreaking book about a about a grand millionaire, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a great career through making unforgettable movies about which audiences care.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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. He would always love discussing a superhero team that got him hooked on a feeling. In 2023, Elizabeth Debicki honoured the iconic superhero team in her movie “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”. In the most villainous role of her career, Debicki portrayed a menacing space scavenger engaging in intense warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase talent for playing villains she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Chris Pratt who is also amazing, Debicki created a comic-book movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Ayesha becomes aware that the guardians are still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” 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. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic farewell towards a team in space, it’s a grand reminder of a celebrated actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences commonly embrace.
3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
“The Man From U.N.C.L.E” is a spectacular series that my grandfather always considered memorable. Several years ago, my grandfather adored the television show. He grew up to cherish a television show about spies that are stylish. In 2015, Elizabeth Debicki honoured the powerful televisions series about spies in her movie “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”. In the most mischievous role of her career, Debicki portrayed a female spy embarking on an intense adventure causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Henry Cavill who is also amazing, Debicki honoured a television series that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Victoria first meets Napolean becoming aware of his talents as a spy is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” a spy classic is its appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous television series to appreciate it. Despite taking place during the 1960’s, it tackles themes that remain relevant today. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular adaptation of a celebrated television show about a spy, it’s a sensational reminder of a fantastic actress that has made memorable movies throughout her career that commonly satisfy.
4. Tenet
Time travel is a complex topic that fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I formed a bond with a high school teacher fascinated with time travel. He would wish he could go back in time to change painful events in his past he had grown to regret. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher fascinated with the tenet of time travel, I adored “Tenet”. Released in 2019, Elizabeth Debicki’s movie captured spies embarking on time travel missions causing adversity. In the most adventurous role of her career, Debicki portrayed a female spy embarking on a time travel mission causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Kenneth Branagh who is also amazing, Debicki created a time travel movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Kat is abused by Sator causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Tenet” a sci-fi classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about time travel, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as the organization of Tenet, it’s a bold reminder of a great actress that has made unforgettable movies which are impossible to easily forget.
5. Widows
It’s challenging to cope with loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became victim of a murder. Following her death, my family was left affected. As someone that witnessed sorrow of widows, I appreciated “Widows”. Released in 2018, Elizabeth Debicki’s movie captured widows committing bank robberies. In the most emotional role of her career, Debicki portrayed a widowed woman that engages in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Viola Davis who is also amazing, Debicki created a crime drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Alice becomes aware that her husband has been killed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Widows” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most heist movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about consequences of grief which would resonate with everyone. As precious as robberies planned by widows, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has always excelled at playing strong feminist heroes.
6. The Tale
Elizabeth Debicki has often excelled at playing emotional women that face adversity. Debicki has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Debicki’s strength for playing emotional women that are frail is clearly evident in her movie “The Tale”. Released in 2018, Jennifer Fox’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Debicki portrayed a women that becomes victim of sexual abuse causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women that face distress. Working alongside Laura Dern who is also amazing, Debicki created a sexual assault drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of sexual abuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made engaging movies earning rave reviews.
7. Macbeth
It isn’t easy to adapt a celebrated Shakespeare play on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in literature, Shakespeare penned plays changing the world forever. Making an adaptation of Shakespeare poses challenges for actors. However, in 2015 Elizabeth Debicki pulled it off effectively in her movie “Macbeth”. In the most theatrical role of her career, Debicki portrayed a majestic queen seeking to prepare her kingdom for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under intense stress. Working alongside Marion Cotillard who is also amazing, Debicki created a Shakespeare adaptation that’s engaging. A spectacular tribute towards Shakespeare, it’s a strong reminder of an actress that has manufactured a career making memorable movies about which audiences care.
8. MaXXXine
Serial killers are frightening figures that have often made for engaging movies. Since Hannibal Lecter stunned police into silence, movies about serial killers have earned a huge audience. In 2024, Elizabeth Debicki captured the enduring appeal of serial killers on the big-screen in her movie “MaXXXine”. In the darkest role of her career, Debicki portrayed a famous Hollywood producer that witnesses serial killer murders causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase talent for horror she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Mia Goth who is also amazing, Debicki created a commemorated serial killer movie that’s engaging. As precious as dresses worn by Maxine, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be seen on the cinematic big-screen.
9. Everest
Mount Everest is a great mountain that has always fascinated me. I have always been fascinated with a mountain causing disaster that puts lives in grave danger. As someone with a fascination in Everest, I enjoyed “Everest”. Released in 2015, Elizabeth Debicki’s movie honoured the teams of hikers that survived Mount Everest. In the most tragic role of her career, Debicki portrayed a woman whose father climbs a mountain with life-threatening consequences causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Jason Clarke who is also amazing, Debicki created a survival drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrayal of mountain survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has made movies audiences consider to be special.
10. The Cloverfield Paradox
Elizabeth Debicki hasn’t always made great movies audiences love dearly. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Cloverfield Paradox” falls into the latter category. Released in 2018, Julius Onah’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a scientist seeking to prevent an alien invasion causing despair. Debicki brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Cloverfield Paradox” is a bad movie, it honoured Debicki’s legacy. As strong as Kiel’s desire to prevent an alien invasion, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with strong dedication that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 