Star Wattage: the most iconic films starring November cover sensation Naomi Watts
Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo1/11Mulholland Drive, 2001
The role that propelled Watts to superstardom, David Lynch’s surreal masterpiece explores the darker side of Hollywood in this twisted nightmarish film. In this mystery drama, Watts plays Betty, an aspiring actress who arrives in Los Angeles to start her career. When she encounters an amnesiac woman ‘Rita’ (Laura Harring) staying in her new apartment, the two team up to unravel who ‘Rita’ actually was. Originally filmed as a television pilot, before Lynch expanded it to a feature-length film, it has spawned endless essays and think pieces on its themes and labyrinthine story. Named by the BBC as the greatest film of the 21st century, Mulholland Drive still rivets viewers with its extraordinary originality.
AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo2/11The Ring, 2002
In the remake of the influential Japanese horror film Ringu, Watts plays an investigative journalist assigned to solve the mystery of a cursed videotape which causes people to die one week after viewing it. As cinemagoers cowered in their seats, Watts delivered a compelling performance that prompted viewers to keep their eyes wide-open – even at the film’s most knee-quaking scenes.
Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo3/1121 Grams, 2003
Watts scored her first Oscar nomination for this hard-hitting drug addiction drama from acclaimed auteur Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu. Co-starring Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, this tearjerker tells the story of a freak hit-and-run accident that brings three troubled individuals together. Using non-linear storytelling to deal with themes like addiction, faith and motherhood, Watts was on top form in this thought-provoking drama.
Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo4/11King Kong, 2005
The Oscar nominee achieved her greatest levels of international stardom when she accompanied Hollywood’s most famous ape to the top of The Empire State Building. Playing the struggling actress Ann Darrow who dreams of greater things, Watts travels with director Jack Black and screenwriter Adrien Brody to the mysterious Skull Island where King Kong resides. This reimagining by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson gave Watts her biggest box office success to date. When she told her mentor David Lynch about getting cast, he said ‘Naomi. Anyone who sits in the hand of King Kong will be a movie star for life.’
Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo5/11The Painted Veil, 2006
This glamorous take on the 1925 Somerset Maughan novel features Watts alongside Edward Norton as an unhappy British couple living in early 20th-century China. Watts takes on the role of an unfaithful socialite convincingly, delivering a thoughtful and engaging performance. Featuring spellbinding vistas across China and stunning performances from its two leads, the Painted Veil remains one of Watts’ most underrated roles.
AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo6/11The Impossible, 2012
Watts bagged another Oscar nomination for this heart-wrenching drama focused on the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Loosely based on real-life events, Watts plays a mother stranded with her son Lucas (Tom Holland) after the tidal wave hits. Separated from her husband (Ewan McGregor) and two other sons, the pair are forced to fend for themselves against impossible odds. The film catapulted a pre-Spider-Man Tom Holland into the watchful eyes of Hollywood casting agents, but Watts stole the hearts of audiences around the world.
Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo7/11Diana, 2013
Acting royalty playing British royalty? Well, Watts was tasked with the near-impossible challenge of portraying Princess Diana, a role that garnered her quite the media spotlight. Focusing on Diana’s relationship with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan between 1995 and 1997, it was the first attempt at a big-budget Hollywood drama on the People’s Princess. Though the film was largely derided by critics, the Oscar nominee did receive praise for her performance.
Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo8/11Birdman, 2014
Watts was reunited with 21 Grams director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu for the film that snagged Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Michael Keaton plays washed-up superhero actor Riggan Thomson attempting to make a comeback on the Broadway stage. Known for its innovative use of long camera takes, the film was both a surprise hit at the box office and an awards darling. Watts portrays one of Thomson’s co-stars, who must fight off the advances of pretentious and sexist actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton). The actress won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside her fellow actors.
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo9/11Ophelia, 2018
In this unique reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet retold from the perspective of love interest Ophelia (Daisy Ridley), Watts plays Queen Gertrude, the mother of the titular Danish Prince. One of the most iconic female parts that the Bard ever wrote, Watts plays the vain Queen convincingly in this clever reimagining.
Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo10/11The Watcher, 2020
The Netflix streaming hit from TV powerhouse Ryan Murphy, Watts was on fine form as always in this binge-worthy thriller. Featuring an all-star cast including Jennifer Coolidge and Mia Farrow, Watts and Bobby Cannavale play a couple who are harassed by a creepy stalker known only as ‘The Watcher’. Recently renewed for a second season, it remains good viewing to hold us over until Watts and Murphy’s next collaboration Feud: Capote’s Women.
11/11The November issue, starring Naomi Watts, hits newsstands on the 5 October
