The many faces of Nicole Kidman – the actor’s 10 best performances ranked, across film and TV

As a longtime admirer of Nicole Kidman‘s captivating performances, I wholeheartedly agree with this list that showcases her extraordinary acting abilities.

Over four decades, The Perfect Couple star Nicole Kidman has enjoyed a near-perfect career.

While it’s true that not all films or shows have been flawless, it’s also worth noting that even an artist who has worked for as long as this one has made some mistakes along the way. It’s inevitable that there would be missteps eventually. Some productions like Bewitched and The Stepford Wives may have received a lot of criticism, but they are actually better than many people realize or appreciate.

In numerous aspects, what some might label as “mistakes” are actually what have made Kidman stand out as an artist. She’s incredibly bold in her decisions, not hesitating to take risks that others in her league won’t, whether it’s mingling with Batman, winning an Oscar while sporting a fake nose, or bathing with a 10-year-old who could be the reincarnation of her deceased spouse.

In any movie, whether grandiose, absurd, or avant-garde, Nicole is unfazed – she approaches each role as if it’s a matter of life and death, a habit she’s maintained over an extended period.

That’s where the enchantment unfolds. As Nicole Kidman’s latest stint as an AMC ambassador demonstrates, it’s because of this magical experience that we visit cinemas. Magic is what draws us, and Nicole has a knack for delivering it consistently.

Even those silly camp ads of hers are more memorable and more instantly iconic than anything that’s actually shown once the movie begins. That’s just how good she is.

Indeed, it’s quite challenging, especially for those tasked with selecting only ten outstanding performances by Nicole Kidman. Unfortunately, exceptional picks like “Exotica,” “Dead Calm,” “Destroyer,” “Practical Magic,” “The Beguiled,” “Margot at the Wedding,” “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” and yes, even “Batman Forever” had to be left out.

Among any other contenders, you might have easily emerged as the best, but this situation involves Nicole Kidman. Therefore, let’s proceed without delay…

10. The Others (2001)

Appearing ethereal with her pale complexion, tall stature, and striking ice-blue eyes, Nicole Kidman might initially appear as an embodiment of perfection or a woman fixated on it. However, it’s when the veneer begins to crack that another type of perfection surfaces – one that comes from delving deep beneath the surface through her physicality. This exploration eventually exposes raw emotions like sorrow and pain.

It’s quite evident that this concept is particularly pronounced in The Others, a renowned ghost story directed by Alejandro Amenábar. By the conclusion, Nicole Kidman’s character shows noticeable signs of mental distress.

9. The Paperboy (2012)

In The Paperboy, Lee Daniels’ eccentric and over-the-top masterpiece, Nicole Kidman delivers the most outrageous and offbeat performance among all. Her portrayal of Charlotte Bless, a profane seductress caught in a whirlwind of passion and disorder, is a storm of raw sexuality and turmoil.

This is Kidman at her most fearless, and definitely most pulpy. All the proof you need that the Oscars are cowards for snubbing this daring role entirely.

8. The Hours (2002)

Among all the roles Nicole Kidman has accepted throughout her career, this one had the highest probability of earning her an overdue Oscar. Taking on the character of a historically significant figure adorned with prosthetics is often a compelling strategy for gaining Academy attention, even though it’s important to note that Kidman’s talent was never in question.

In a remarkable show of talent reminiscent of Virginia Woolf’s artistic prowess, Nicole could have lost her nose during the scene, leaving it dangling like an inappropriate mucus particle, and yet she would have delivered a powerful performance that was fitting for such a distinguished artist.

7. Big Little Lies (2017–present)

Discussion can center around the delicate balance Nicole maintains as Celeste Wright, a wealthy mother enduring an abusive marriage, striving to survive. Additionally, we can delve into the exceptional camaraderie she exhibits with an outstanding television cast, boasting Reese Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, and Meryl Streep delivering career-defining performances.

In simpler terms, despite the somewhat sensational and dramatic nature of the original content, Kidman manages to delve deep into her most intense emotions on screen, giving a particularly powerful performance.

However, what we really need to focus on is the incident you’re referring to – the one where Celeste delivered such a powerful slap to her mother-in-law that her glasses were sent flying. This is the event that left Nicole Kidman’s character so rattled that every member of the LGBTQ+ community momentarily paused their lives, gasping for air and needing time off work to recoup.

As the chilling reality of Celeste’s actions seeps into Nicole’s award-winning gaze, it undeniably earns a significant place on the list for Big Little Lies.

6. Rabbit Hole (2010)

In the past, I’ve found it effortless to appreciate Nicole Kidman. However, my admiration was challenged during the late noughties when she made some less-than-stellar choices in films like The Invasion, The Interpreter, and The Golden Compass. It seemed as though her radiance was fading. But once Kidman broke free from her string of “The” titles, she delivered an unforgettable performance in John Cameron Mitchell’s Rabbit Hole, reminding us all that there’s still a wealth of talent to be tapped from this remarkable actress.

Portraying a mother who’s just experienced the loss of her child involves intricate depth and subtlety that many actors struggle with without veering towards excessive sentimentality. Yet, Nicole Kidman masterfully embodies a character who yearns for the earth to consume her completely, making the role feel authentic and grounded.

5. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

In a less talented artist’s hands, the complexity of Eyes Wide Shut might have been overwhelming. After all, it was Stanley Kubrick’s last film, a unique blend of eroticism and eeriness that captivated and disturbed audiences simultaneously. Additionally, it featured Tom Cruise at the peak of his career, or rather, his eagerness to break free from the conventional norms associated with being Hollywood’s top actor.

In the movie, Kidman’s character isn’t extensively present, often absent for significant periods, yet when she appears, you can’t help but be captivated with wide-open eyes. Her performance is daring, haunting, and almost supernatural. The limited screen time she had significantly boosted her career and reshaped the public’s perception of her acting abilities.

4. Dogville (2003)

Following her Oscar triumph for The Hours and a protracted divorce, Nicole Kidman took on challenges she had never experienced before by collaborating with the famously demanding Lars von Trier on a project characterized by minimal sets.

In the narrative titled “Grace,” actress Nicole Kidman plays a character evading dangerous gangsters. The primary actors, including Kidman herself, took center stage, delivering raw, unfiltered performances that were strikingly devoid of the common sets and props typically associated with their work.

The result was a searing, harrowing tour de force that proved Nicole was still hungry to push herself, refusing to sit on her laurels in the wake of her extraordinary success in Hollywood.

3. To Die For (1995)

In Nicole Kidman’s career, there is a clear divide between before and after her role in “To Die For.” However, this doesn’t mean that her earlier work like “Dead Calm,” “Malice,” and “Days of Thunder” are insignificant. They were crucial milestones on the path to her becoming a top-tier actress. But it was in Gus Van Sant’s film, “To Die For,” where Kidman truly solidified her status as the A-list star we now recognize.

Her unique portrayal of Suzanne Stone is so captivatingly chilling that it’s almost lethal to watch, despite the Oscars not sharing the same opinion. After all, only Nicole Kidman can blend this weathercaster’s innocent innocence with such hauntingly sociopathic charm.

I find myself wholeheartedly cheering for Suzanne, as she meticulously orchestrates her husband’s demise, much like Nicole Kidman does with each deliberate action and chilling smile that hides a malevolent purpose.

2. Moulin Rouge (2001)

Without rules or boundaries, except for one: Avoid love. However, this tagline for Moulin Rouge underestimated the magnetic charm of Nicole Kidman in a luscious red gown, as it was precisely this performance that sparked an entire generation’s adoration for her captivating stardom.

Absolutely, Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Satine bears striking resemblances to legendary Hollywood figures like Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth, and Marilyn Monroe, yet her theatrical elegance and grace were uniquely hers. In essence, this role cemented her place among the greats as a legend in her own right.

1. Birth (2004)

At the time of its release, Birth wasn’t met with widespread readiness from anyone, with the exception of Nicole Kidman. After reading the screenplay, it was Kidman who reached out to writer/director Jonathan Glazer about starring in the lead role. However, Glazer initially hesitated to accept due to Kidman’s high profile at that time. As they conversed, Glazer came to understand that no one else could embody Anna, a vulnerable widow who held the belief that her deceased husband had been reborn as a 10-year-old child, quite like Kidman.

Throughout its entirety, this stands as Kidman’s most exceptional performance, a testament to her skill in subtly conveying doubt, vulnerability, and intense, untainted sorrow with mere eye movements or slight body gestures. Here, Nicole is undeniably commanding the role, leveraging her renowned finesse for captivating results.

In no place is this more evident than during a prolonged, uninterrupted close-up that lasts for two minutes, following the moment Anna discovers her deceased husband might have come back to life. All her thoughts and emotions are subtly expressed on her face as Nicole conveys an entire internal dialogue without uttering a word, instead relying solely on the subtle movements of her eyes and facial expressions.

Reflecting back after two decades, nothing quite compares to the soul-crushing power of that standout performance by Kidman in a nearly flawless career brimming with such moments. (From a devoted fan’s perspective)

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2024-09-11 17:35