Top 5 Nicole Kidman Movies You Should Watch
In the gripping period war drama Cold Mountain, Kidman starred alongside Jude Law and Renee Zellweger. Her portrayal of a woman waiting for her reincarnated love was considered one of the movie’s strongest qualities.
After high-profile roles in Moulin Rouge and The Others, Kidman landed this erotic thriller from Jez Butterworth. She is sexy, mysterious and intoxicating as a Russian mail-order bride.
1. Eyes Wide Shut
The movie that arguably put Nicole Kidman on the map as a leading lady. In this gripping period war drama, she stars as a preacher’s daughter left to tend to her land after her lover is sent off to fight in the American Civil War. Kidman deservedly won the Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for her stunning performance alongside Jude Law and Renee Zellweger.
This erotic comedy thriller is perhaps more memorable for its controversial plot than it is for its stellar performances. But it is a must-see for any fan of Kidman’s, as she proves that women aren’t as innocent and complacent as their husbands think. Her scene in which she reveals her inner desires to her husband is one of the best of her career. She owns this vumoo film. Even with a somewhat thin script, she elevates it.
2. To Die For
This pitch-black thriller from Gus Van Sant about a shallow TV weather person who coerces grunge kids to kill her husband was an early highlight in Kidman’s career. Her performance as Suzanne Stone oozes narcissism and vanity, making her seem less like a real person than a movie celebrity.
The film’s social satire is more than a bit cruel at times, but it’s also darkly funny. And although the story doesn’t quite add up at the end, Kidman’s performance is still one of the best in her career.
The actress was nominated for an Oscar for this heartbreaking drama about a woman who searches for her lost son in India. While this isn’t her strongest performance, it’s certainly moving. It’s also a great showcase for Kidman’s ability to convey complex emotions and feelings with just her eyes.
3. Dogville
One of the most interesting and challenging movies Nicole Kidman ever did, Dogville is a daring experiment in filmed theater from director Lars von Trier. It stars Kidman as Grace, a woman on the run from criminals who is taken in by the uptight provincial folk of Dogville, Colorado.
Kidman’s performance is brilliant, displaying her range and skill as an actress. She is able to balance the delicate nature of her character with the darker elements of her character.
While some may find this movie difficult to watch, it is an important work that provides food for thought and is definitely worth watching. It is a film that inspires discussion and debate, which is what it was intended to do. It certainly does not shy away from the controversy and is a must-see for movie fans.
4. The Others
A gloomy and atmospheric tale of grief, loss, and narcissism, this movie proves that Nicole Kidman is not just great at thrillers. Gus Van Sant’s drama is based on true events, and although the film exaggerates some details, it still captures the delusions of a woman with narcissistic personality disorder.
This dark gothic cornucopia is one of the spookiest movies of all time, and Nicole Kidman is at her best in this role. She conveys the fluttering, panicked fear of her children and her furious determination to protect them with amazing depth.
Sofia Coppola’s Civil War-era psychological horror film has a strong Southern Gothic aura that makes it scary and disturbing. Kidman is terrifying in this film, and her tiger eyes glow with sadistic nuance. This is a must-see for fans of the actress. She was a scream queen in this film!
5. Nine Perfect Strangers
There’s been a long-held consensus that Kidman’s underappreciated performance in Jane Campion’s semi-biographical gangster movie is her finest work. As a cunning mistress to Billy Bathgate, Kidman is utterly mesmerizing and incredibly sexy.
A period war drama starring Jude Law and Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain is another one of Nicole Kidman’s more underrated movies. Her portrayal of Sue Brierley, the mother of Saroo (Dev Patel) after he is separated from his family in India, is touching and believable.
Almost a decade before Hulu’s acclaimed limited series Big Little Lies and Netflix’s own opulent limited series The Undoing, Nine Perfect Strangers was the first film to explore wealthy Americans pitching up at a wellness retreat in Hawaii with hopes of finding bliss. While it does bear some surface similarities to those shows, this Gus Van Sant thriller is rougher and odder and puts Kidman’s talents to better narrative use.
