Penelope Cruz is a renowned Spanish actress. She is known for taking on a wide range of roles in movies across various genres. Over the years, she has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award. In addition, Cruz has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. Moreover, she made history as the first Spanish actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, further solidifying her place in the industry. Cruz turns 51 today, on April 28th.
This Award-winning Spanish actress is best known for her roles in “Vanilla Sky” (2001), “Volver” (2006), “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008), and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011). Her real name is Penelope Cruz Sanchez, and she was raised in the Madrid community of Alcobendas. Cruz as a bubbly and outgoing youngster, enjoyed acting out advertisements for her family and had aspirations of becoming an actor.
But when she started learning classical ballet at a very young age, her acting desires took a slight diversion. Cruz spent nine years studying dance, but by the time she was in her mid-teens, her passion for movies had grown to the stage where she decided to give up acting in favor of ballet. However, Cruz had an “it factor” that casting and talent agents immediately recognized, though she never received any professional acting instruction.
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When she was 15, Cruz stood out from 300 girls during an audition to win a spot with a Spanish talent agency. From there, she began appearing in Spanish TV shows and music videos, thus slowly learning the chops she needed to be in front of a camera. In 1992, Cruz landed her first big break with a supporting role in the romance-drama “Jamon, Jamon” (1992). Also appearing in the film was a young actor and Cruz’s future husband, Javier Bardem. “Jamon, Jamon” was a big hit in Spain, thus making Cruz a star in her native country.
In 2007 she earned her first Academy Award nomination for her role in director Pedro Almodóvar’s comedy-drama Volver (2006). Two years later, she went on to earn her first Oscar for her supporting role in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Cruz earned another Oscar nomination for her supporting role in 2009’s Nine, making it her third nomination in four years. If the 2000s were a breakout decade for Penelope Cruz, the 2010s would prove to be just as good.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which was about the assassination of the iconic 90s fashion designer Gianni Versace, was critically acclaimed while earning Cruz an Emmy nomination. After her acclaimed television performance, Cruz returned to film acting in 2019 with a part in Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory (2019). The film, which was Cruz’s sixth collaboration with the director, was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.
Listed below are the ten most critically acclaimed films in which she has participated by taking on versatile roles:
12. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) (Tomatometer: 80%)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) showcases Penélope Cruz in one of her most memorable roles, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Directed by Woody Allen, the film follows two American women, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), as they spend a summer in Barcelona and become entangled with a passionate artist, played by Javier Bardem. Cruz plays Maria Elena, the volatile, fiery ex-wife of Bardem’s character, whose dramatic presence and unpredictable behavior steal the show.
Critics have praised Cruz’s ability to bring intensity and complexity to her role, with The New York Times’ A.O. Scott writing, “Penélope Cruz, playing the tempestuous Maria Elena, is simply mesmerizing.” The film received widespread acclaim for its performances and lush Spanish setting, earning a Metascore of 70 on Metacritic.
11. On the Fringe – 2022 (Tomatometer: 80%)
The movie, which has an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, centers on the life of Rafa, a lawyer-activist dedicated to assisting those who are facing eviction from their homes. Rafa prioritizes his commitment to lost causes over his family, which is made up of his wife Helena and stepson Ral. Over the course of 24 dramatic hours, Rafa’s story intertwines with those of Teodora, an older woman who has lost her home after offering a financial guarantee to her son, and Azucena, a retail cashier who lives with Manuel and is about to lose her home.
ScreenDaily deemed the film to be “pacey, propulsive stuff” in which the helmer “combines a social conscience with a thriller’s sense of mounting pressure,” while Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the honesty of the proposal as the best thing about the film, otherwise praising the “impressive acting works” that Botto obtained from Tosar and Cruz, which result into something “dazzling and touching”
10. Live Flesh – 1997 (Tomatometer: 80%)
With an 85% rating on RottenTomatoes, the film is about Elena, who is uninterested in Victor and tells him to leave the apartment before her dealer gets there. Their ensuing argument and struggle draw the attention of police officers Sancho (José Sancho) and David (Javier Bardem). As Elena flees, her gun goes off, paralyzing David.
Six years later, Victor gets out of jail. He begins having an affair with Sancho’s wife. Meanwhile, David and Elena’s marriage falls apart. Critics at Rotten Tomatoes note, “Live Flesh surveys the fallout from an act of violence. It does so with a mature melodrama that sees Pedro Almodóvar working in surprisingly restrained form.
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9. Broken Embraces – 2009 (Tomatometer: 82%)
This is a 2009 Spanish film written, produced, and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. It features an ensemble cast of many Almodóvar regulars. The film stars Lluís Homar as a blind Madrilenian screenwriter. He recalls his tragic love for Lena, played by Penélope Cruz. Lena was the deceased lead actress in his last film, Girls and Suitcases. She was also the mistress of a powerful, obsessive businessman, played by José Luis Gómez.
Stylistically, the film has been described as a hybrid of film noir and melodrama. Thematically, Broken Embraces addresses themes like voyeurism, repression, prostitution, death, vengeance, fixation, illness, and drugs. Critics at Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars and wrote that “Broken Embraces is a voluptuary of a film, drunk on primary colors, caressing Penélope Cruz, using the devices of a Hitchcock to distract us with surfaces while the sinister uncoils beneath.”
8. L’immensità (2022) (Tomatometer: 85%)
In L’immensità, Penélope Cruz delivers a poignant performance as Clara, a mother navigating the complexities of 1970s Rome while supporting her transgender child, Adri (Luana Giuliani). Set against the backdrop of a transforming city, the film explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and familial bonds.
Critics have lauded Cruz’s portrayal, highlighting her ability to embody a character caught between personal desires and societal pressures. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw notes, “Clara provides the tonal touchstone for the film,” emphasizing her role as the emotional anchor. Similarly, The Irish Times praises Cruz’s “anchoring charisma,” complementing Giuliani’s performance. L’immensità has been recognized for its heartfelt narrative and strong performances, earning a Metascore of 75 on Metacritic, reflecting generally favorable reviews.
7. Open Your Eyes – 1997 (Tomatometer: 87%)
Earning a fine 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Open Your Eyes tells the story of handsome 25-year-old Cesar (Eduardo Noriega). He had it all — a successful career, expensive cars, a swank bachelor’s pad, and an endless string of beautiful women. However, after a car accident scars his face and lands him in prison, he is thrown into a strange psychological mystery.
The film’s intersecting planes of dream and reality have prompted some critics to suggest comparisons to Calderón de la Barca’s 1635 play Life Is a Dream. An American remake entitled Vanilla Sky, directed by Cameron Crowe was released in 2001, with Penélope Cruz reprising her role.
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6. Volver – 2006 (Tomatometer: 91%)
Starring Penélope Cruz and others, the plot revolves around an eccentric family of women from a region south of Madrid. Cruz plays Raimunda, a working-class woman forced to go to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter, Paula. To top off the family crisis, her mother, Irene, returns from the dead to tie up loose ends.
Volver premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or. It received critical acclaim and ultimately won two awards at the festival for Best Actress (shared by the six main actresses) and Best Screenplay.
5. Belle Epoque – 1992 (Tomatometer: 95%)
This 1992 comedy-drama, starring Penélope Cruz, is directed by Fernando Trueba and is set against the backdrop of the transition to the Second Spanish Republic. The film tells a fable-like story that balances warmth with a touch of nostalgia, creating a magical and timeless atmosphere. Its idyllic countryside setting adds to the charm, immersing viewers in the cultural and political landscape of Spain during that period. The film’s tone, marked by humor and poignancy, draws the audience into a world where personal and societal shifts intertwine.
Belle Époque received widespread acclaim for its captivating narrative and stunning performances. It won the Goya Award for Best Film, along with eight other Goya Awards, highlighting its critical success. In addition to its domestic recognition, the film also earned international praise, being named Best Foreign Language Film at the 66th Academy Awards. Penélope Cruz’s performance was particularly praised for its depth and grace, marking one of her early standout roles in Spanish cinema.
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4. Parallel Mothers – 2021 (Tomatometer Rating: 96%)
Parallel Mothers tells the story of two women who give birth under unexpected circumstances on the same day. Penélope Cruz plays Janis Martínez Moreno, a photographer whose emotional journey revolves around finding her biological child. Cruz delivers a compelling performance, showcasing her ability to bring depth and complexity to the character.
The film received praise for its emotional storytelling and masterful direction by Pedro Almodóvar. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Parallel Mothers “serves as a brilliant forum for Penélope Cruz’s talent” and “reaffirms the familiar pleasures of Almodóvar’s filmmaking.” At the same time, it highlights his capacity for growth, demonstrating that he continues to evolve as a filmmaker. Cruz’s portrayal earned her widespread acclaim, cementing her position as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
3. Official Competition – 2021 (Tomatometer: 96%)
Penélope Cruz plays Lola Cuevas, a highly eccentric Director. The film revolves around a wealthy businessman who hires a famous filmmaker to help him make a smash-hit film. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 151 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The website’s critics’ consensus reads, “Its premise may resonate most with hardcore film fans, but Official Competition’s tight focus and sharp humor have a universal appeal.
At the 2021 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, it won the award for Outstanding International Feature. At the 2021 Vancouver International Film Festival, it won the Audience Award for most popular film in the Galas and Special Presentations program.
2. Pain and Glory (2019) (Tomatometer Rating: 96%)
This film is a 2019 Spanish drama written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. It follows a film director who reflects on the choices he has made in life. The past and present come crashing down around him. Additionally, the Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus reads: “Pain and Glory finds writer-director Pedro Almodóvar drawing on his own life to rewarding effect — and honoring his craft as only a master filmmaker can.” Meanwhile, on Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100. This score is based on 42 critics and indicates “universal acclaim.”
The movie has been said to be a homage to the works of Paul Auster. At one point, while Salvador is in a heroin-induced stupor, Alberto logs on to his computer. As the camera pans across the desktop screen, an icon entitled “Paul Auster” can be seen. The narrative structure and arc of the film, with its many coincidences, are like a visual depiction of an Auster novel.
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1. All About My Mother (1999) (Tomatometer: 98%)
The film centers on Manuela, an Argentine nurse who supervises donor organ transplants at Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid. She is also a single mother to Esteban, a teenager who aspires to become a writer. In contrast, Penelope Cruz plays Rosa, a young nun who works in a shelter for sex workers who have experienced violence. Additionally, she is pregnant with someone’s child and is also HIV positive.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 91 reviews. It has a weighted average rating of 8.10/10. Similarly, the website’s critical consensus reads, “Almodovar weaves together a magnificent tapestry of femininity with an affectionate wink to classics of theater and cinema.” It describes the film as a poignant story of love, loss, and compassion. Meanwhile, on Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 87 out of 100. This score is based on 34 critics and indicates “universal acclaim.”
