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The actress has grown immensely since her ingénue days, with her resume displaying an impressive range of roles — from period pieces to thriller, psychological, and romance, proving that she has the skills and talents, and not just a pretty face critics have been so harshly spouting. Her latest performance in American spy filmThe 355, as Marie Schmidt, Kruger revolutionizes the spy genre. Kruger is set to star in psychological drama seriesSwimming With Sharkspremiering this coming April. She is also currently working onJoy WomackbiopicJoika. While the actress is booked and busy, there is plenty of time to catch up on her filmography.
Into The Fade(2017)
In the German drama thriller,Into The Fade, Kruger plays the titular role of Katja, a German woman whose life falls apart when her husband and son are killed in a nail bomb attack by two neo-Nazi terrorists. As the trial proceeded, the defender settles the case in favor of the defendants. Hit with a combination of humiliation, immense grief, and the need for justice, Katja takes matters into her own hands.
Kruger’s range and talent are put in the spotlight as she dives into the character of a grieving widow, and mother. To portray a character that has gone through hell and back, having lost loved ones — to be in that dark, earth-shattering mindset, yet still moving on in the journey with such strength and toughness. It isn’t an easy task, to take on such an emotionally taxing and complex storyline. It’s no surprise the actress received so manyaccolades and awardsfor her performance — it is so real and raw that there simply isn’t room for anything else.
The Bridge(2013)
Enjoy shows likeCriminal Minds, orCSI? Serial killer dramaThe Bridgemay be the tv series for you then. Kruger plays Detective Sonya Cross, of the El Paso Police Department. The series takes place at the US and Mexican border, as the body of an American judge known for their anti-immigration views is found murdered on the bridge between El Paso and Juárez.
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Authorities from both sides of the border must work together to take down a serial killer — with issues of illegal immigration and trafficking being tied into the string of cases. Kruger’s acting abilities are once again brought to the test as she portrays a character on the Asperger/autism spectrum, and a by-the-book attitude.
Inglourious Basterds(2009)
Let’s rewind back to World War II,Inglorious Basterdstakes place during the first year of Germany’s occupation of France. Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a group of Jewish US soldiers to assassinate Nazi leaders of the Third Reich. But coincidence would have it, theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) had the same plan of revenge on the Nazis for her family’s death.
Kruger plays Bridget von Hammersmark, a popular German film star in Nazi Germany. Bridget is also a spy for the Allies, with Operation Kino being her brainchild. It’s wild to think that Diane Kruger may not have played the role as many can agree that she played a central part in the movie, and her performance was truly sensational.
The 355(2022)
The international espionage thriller follows CIA agent Mace Brown (Jessica Chastain), as she joins forces with three international agents on a mission to retrieve a top-secret weapon that’s capable of disrupting communications and global consequences as it has fallen into mercenary hands.The 355is taken from the code name given to an anonymous female spy during the Revolutionary War. Kruger plays a German Federal Intelligence agent.
As the four women embark on a mission to save the world, they try to stay one step ahead of a mysterious player who’s tracking their every move. Although Marie and Mace don’t see eye-to-eye at first, the pair form respect and friendship for each other as the movie progresses. Kruger captivates the essence of Marie, her ability to deliver in such subtle yet strong ways is evident throughout.
Un Plan Parfait(2012)
Known for more serious fare, Kruger likewise did well in a fun romantic comedy,Un Plan Parfait. In this French film, directed byPascal Chaumeil, Kruger plays Isabelle, a woman who’s in a happy and successful relationship with her boyfriend. But when a family curse of every marriage ending with divorce looms around, Isabelle takes matters into her own hands as she dashes to the alter with a stranger in hopes of breaking the curse threatening to ruin her happiness.
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Un Plan Parfaitgives a fresh and unique storyline that’s both comedic and heartwarming while bringing together the unlikely pairing of Diane Kruger andDany Boone.
Les Adieux À La Reine(2012)
A period drama taking place during the first days of the French Revolution. The story retells the days leading up to the storming of the Bastille through Sidonie Laborde’s (Léa Seydoux) eyes. She was the official reader of the Queen of France,Marie Antoinette(Diane Kruger), and although the pair held a platonic relationship, the former harbored deep feelings for the Queen. In this more realistic depiction of the last days of the doomed Queen, audiences are brought into a lush and extravagant, yet tumultuous world.
Even though everyone knows how the story ends, thanks to history — the decadence, degradation, and modern sensibility ofLes Adieux À La Reineoffers an intoxicating and sumptuous element that lures viewers in. In one of Kruger’s most challenging and high-profile roles, she proves once again the extent of her talents. Her ability to portray a layered and self-indulgent Marie Antoinette makes the events leading up to the Queen’s downfall both thrilling and heartbreaking.
Mr. Nobody(2009)
Science fiction dramaMr. Nobodytakes place in 2092 as the last mortal human, Nemo Nobody (Jared Leto) reflects on his past, and the “what ifs” if he had done certain things differently through nonlinear storytelling. It all starts when a young Nemo must choose between his mother and father. As Nemo recounts his life and corrects his past mistakes, audiences are shown three different versions of Nemo during his adult life — with different houses, different wives, and different children. Kruger plays Anna, Nemo’s “one true love.”
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The storyline may seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s more exhilarating than anything else — with the versatile appeal of that as a fantasy and love story. Although Diane Kruger only exists in one of the three-part storylines, she was able to interpret her character as a fully realized individual that is captivating.
National Treasure(2004)
American action-adventure filmNational Treasurefollows Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), a historian, and ancestor of a treasure hunt family, as he races against time to steal the Declaration of Independence before a team of mercenaries does. Kruger plays Dr. Abigail Chase, the curator, and chief executive at the National Archives.
The film is an entertaining adventure story, perfect for families to watch together. It’s no wonder why the film received praise for the action scenes, entertainment values, and acting performances from the cast. Kruger’s wit and stealth as Abigail added great value to the entirety of the movie.
Swimming With Sharks(April 2022)
In thepsychological thriller series,Swimming With Sharks,audiences are brought into the dark and twisted depths of Hollywood, in a female-driven narrative. The story follows Lou Simms (Kiernan Shipka), a naive seeming intern who becomes obsessed and enamored with her boss, Fountain Pictures’ notorious CEO, Joyce Holt, played by Diane Kruger. As the series continues, Lou Simms witnesses the many manipulators and schemers of the studio, there is also intrigue. But there’s more than meets the eye as viewers are shown the extent the newcomer intern will do to get close to her boss, as her obsession continues to grow.
It’ll be interesting to see Kruger in the role, as viewers have seen the emotional range the actress is capable of portraying — from playing a grief-stricken widow inInto The Fade, to a double agentInglorious Basterdsand the doomed Queen of France inLes Adieux À La Reine.
Joika(TBD)
Joikais a biopic based on the true story of elite American dancerJoy Womack(Talia Ryder), one of few foreigners who got accepted to – and graduated from – Moscow’s infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy. At the school, Womack meetsTatiyana Volkova(Diane Kruger), the mentor who inspired her to jeté, to extraordinary heights. Womack not only gave her blessing for the film but also choreographed the ballet sequence.
As Kruger is set to don ballet shoes once again, it’ll be exciting to see the actress not only bring her dancing skills to the screen but also how she’ll captivate the essence of Tatiyana Volkova and the relationship she had with Joy Womack.
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