What's the best Naomi Watts movie?

So, I caught Birdman the other day... Honestly? The movie itself felt kind of dumb, but that one actress who pops up for those brief scenes was absolutely fantastic. If they’d actually given her more screen time, I might have actually enjoyed the whole thing...

It’s a complete waste of time, and honestly, she could have easily made it a better movie. 🤦

She’s a solid actress, I’ll give her that, but I just don't get the massive hype—it feels like people are just obsessed because she's attractive. MD is her best work by far; otherwise, she doesn't really have anything worth watching.

I mean, come on—look at the guy who started this thread. He’s got Lynch in his avatar, Twin Peaks in his location, Twin Peaks in his signature... it's obvious. It’s not the first time someone’s obsession with a director drags along people who had absolutely nothing to do with how good those movies actually are. But honestly? I don't think I've ever seen anyone go this crazy over an actress as insignificant as Naomi ☕

Noah Roberts46 said:It’s a complete waste of time, and honestly, she could have easily made it a better movie. 🤦

She’s a solid actress, I’ll give her that, but I just don't get the massive hype—it feels like people are just obsessed because she's attractive. MD is her best work by far; otherwise, she doesn't really have anything worth watching.

Not really, but that's not on her. Hollywood just doesn't give her enough credit, even though she's easily one of the best actresses working right now.

dustycanyon5, who’s your top director?

dustycanyon5 said:Not really, but that's not on her. Hollywood just doesn't give her enough credit, even though she's easily one of the best actresses working right now.

Stanley Kubrick is overrated, and Naomi Watts is the best actress alive today. 🐔

Personally, I think she's solid—she's exactly where she needs to be—but maybe she could have landed some even stronger roles by now. She's likable and definitely has the look, but honestly, it feels like she overacts in certain scenes.

Recently rewatched Mulholland Drive and honestly? It’s easily the best performance from a modern actress I've seen. It puts those overrated types like Jennifer Lawrence or Emma Stone to shame—I mean, I already mentioned how much I hated the acting in Aloha, and that was easily some of the worst stuff of the 21st century.
The actress in question is working with MD and basically anyone hitting that 21st-century mark, plus the directors who actually know how to pull a top-tier performance out of her. She’s definitely punching above her weight class here.😁
There are plenty of underrated actresses lurking in the shadows who could outact these mainstream, cookie-cutter stars any day of the week, but that's a whole different conversation. XD

I can’t wait for the day when people finally realize that there’s no such thing as a "best" movie, actor, or actress...

Amy Jones2 said:dustycanyon5, who’s your top director?

If we're talking strictly objective? It’s gotta be Ingmar Bergman...

Honestly, 🤣

It’s kind of wild how nobody ever brings up Stay. It’s such an underrated psychological thriller... Naomi Watts doesn't have a massive role in it, but she definitely makes her mark.

Michael Jackson10 said:To me... she’s just totally bland. She has these forgettable features, like those cookie-cutter actresses you see everywhere—think Diane Kruger, Jessica Biel, or Jessica Alba. Just those sweet, pretty faces I can barely remember, perfectly suited for Disney productions: gorgeous blondes with baby faces or just plain, overly perfect features. They always end up looking like washed-out versions of real, soulful actresses.
Since you brought it up, guys like Benicio del Toro have such distinct looks and facial expressions. It’s way easier to get lost in their performances because they actually feel alive, you know?

Besides, it's been proven forever that that ancient ideal of beauty—with all those symmetrical, perfect lines—is actually just boring. People crave what we call "charm," right? Something authentic and unique, even if it's super imperfect, rather than some generic beauty standard. Julia Roberts is the ultimate example of how a random mix of features that might seem "off" individually—like huge lips or a big, masculine nose—can come together to create something totally captivating.

To me, Naomi is like our version of Barbara Walters: basically built for the cosmetics industry. She has that model face that can be molded however they want. And that's exactly what the industry does—they shape them to fit a mold while the women themselves just act as "passive beauty."
On the flip side, look at Charlize Theron. She’s the total opposite: a model-type who realized she could take control of her "neutral" features instead of just being a doll, and she used that to pull off some really diverse roles.

The whole reason I’m going on this rant about reducing her to just her looks is because I think that’s exactly what you’re into. You're trying to force her into the "greatest actress" category when it would be more accurate to just call her "the most beautiful." Personally, I'd much rather watch types like Claire Forlani, Cate Blanchett, or Charlize...

As for the acting: Mulholland Drive was okay, though to me, Laura Harring was the real standout (man, I felt like she was doing all the heavy lifting while the other girl just stood there). 21 Grams was also just alright... maybe she just has bad luck and keeps running into characters with way more presence, leaving her as just eye candy to fill a role. Or maybe she's just not lead material—as they say, she's more of a supporting player than a star.

Good grief, Zec...
I'll have to take you out for a beer and some burgers sometime, my friend...
You've absolutely trashed my keyboard; I'm going to need a new one. 🙂

Amy Jones2 said:She got it because she had four titles at Cannes, including three films and a TV series.

Anyway, Naomi Watts is a solid actress, better than Monica Bellucka.

And heaven forbid, some eccentrics claim she’s even better than Damir Markovina... 🕺

Casey Cox2 said:Recently rewatched Mulholland Drive and honestly? It’s easily the best performance from a modern actress I've seen. It puts those overrated types like Jennifer Lawrence or Emma Stone to shame—I mean, I already mentioned how much I hated the acting in Aloha, and that was easily some of the worst stuff of the 21st century.
The actress in question is working with MD and basically anyone hitting that 21st-century mark, plus the directors who actually know how to pull a top-tier performance out of her. She’s definitely punching above her weight class here.😁
There are plenty of underrated actresses lurking in the shadows who could outact these mainstream, cookie-cutter stars any day of the week, but that's a whole different conversation. XD

When you say Christina, are you talking about this?

I might have to give Aloh another look if it's being hyped up this much. 🐔

dustycanyon5 said:So, I caught Birdman the other day... Honestly? The movie itself felt kind of dumb, but that one actress who pops up for those brief scenes was absolutely fantastic. If they’d actually given her more screen time, I might have actually enjoyed the whole thing...

Yeah, it's a real shame how much raw talent just gets wasted on garbage movies sometimes.
I mean, look at Al Pacino in Jack and Jill. 🤦

I honestly can't pick a single standout film—I’m such a huge fan of Eastern Promises... though if I absolutely had to choose, maybe Mulholland Drive?

I don't want this to sound silly, but in my opinion, her biggest "flaw" is just how gorgeous she is while looking like your typical, everyday girl next door. She lacks that instantly recognizable look...

She actually mentioned once how many times fans have asked for photos with her ex, L. Schreiber, without even realizing she was standing right there! 😁

But overall, she's just a top-tier actress.

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21 Grams!

To her... I don't know, she’s a pretty enough actress and certainly not unappealing, but that’s about where my enthusiasm ends.
It's not that she lacks presence entirely—I don't find myself having to Google who she is every time she pops up on screen🤣 but she isn't exactly a "must-watch" draw for me. She doesn't command my attention the way someone like Charlize Theron does.😍

The role that sticks in my mind most is from krug, where she was actually quite solid. As for her work in MD or 21 Grams, those were so long ago that I’d honestly forgotten she was even in them.🙈

copperraven43 said:21 Grams!

Absolute masterpiece! 👍

I know this thread is supposed to be all about her movies, but I honestly have to tell everyone about her series Gypsy. It’s such a great psychological drama with just enough mystery thrown in to keep you hooked. Anne Hathaway absolutely crushed that role. 🙏

21 Grams, Mulholland Drive, Ador... honestly, I think Funny Games works better if you stick with the original American version!

Oh, and I can't forget Birdman too!