4 cult films and series with Zendaya that you absolutely must see

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She is currently starring in the science fiction film of the year that everyone is talking about. She appeared in Beyonce's All Night music video. She shaped the adolescence of many viewers with Shake it up! on Disney Channel. And much more! It's indisputable: Zendaya has been Hollywood's favorite for several years.

This craze around the young actress is here to stay! The saga Duneis only in her second part as she plays the main character in Luca Guadagnino's next film (Call me by your name), which will be released on next month.

The time is therefore perfect to take stock of Zendaya's filmography. Here are the best four works that have marked Zendaya's career.

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With two seasons under the clock (for the moment), Euphoria is a real gem. If the series is such a success, Zendaya's performance has nothing to do with it. Indeed, the young actress plays the protagonist, Rue Bennett, an anxious high school student addicted to drugs since the death of her father. Throughout the episodes, we follow the evolution of her relationship with Jules, whom she meets in the first season, while she struggles to stay sober. We also dive into the lives of the characters who revolve around them. But Rue is our reference point, since she is also the narrator of the series.

Euphoriais a joy for the eyes, ears and heart. The series offers careful photography as well as a captivating soundtrack. But Rue's destiny particularly animates us. In this role of a drug addict in search of redemption, Zendaya is masterful. It’s a real tour de force that the actress offers us, who manages to grab our guts and make us cry, depending on the episode. If Rue's decisions may disappoint us, Zendaya manages to make us feel excessive compassion for her character.

For her role as Rue Bennett in Euphoria, Zendaya won two Emmy Awards. One for the first season in 2020, and a second in 2022 for season 2. It is well deserved. Euphoria can be seen (and rewatched) on the Warner Pass via Prime Video. A perfect series to understand the full extent of the actress’ talent.

Read also – No, Euphoria does not advocate drugs

After his promising debut with the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, the Spider-Man played by Tom Holland was entitled to three films: Homecoming, Far from Home and No Way Home. Since 2017, Zendaya has played Michelle “MJ” Jones, the heartbeat of Spider-Man in the MCU trilogy. As time goes on, his role becomes more and more important in the saga.

The MCU's Spider-Man trilogy has enjoyed undeniable commercial success. Its third part was particularly lucrative! It grossed nearly $2 billion at the worldwide box office. Enough to comfortably install Zendaya on the throne of Hollywood’s “darlings”. The first two films are available on Disney+.

Also read – Review of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the long-awaited return

Malcolm & Marie takes us into the intimacy of a couple played by Zendaya and John David Washington (Tenet). A filmmaker returns home with his girlfriend after the preview screening of his latest film. He is convinced that his new baby will be a success but the evening takes an unexpected turn and their relationship is put to the test…

The feature film is acclaimed for its aesthetics. Filmed entirely in black and white, the photography of Malcolm & Marieout of the ordinary. Director Sam Levinson (who is also at the helm of Euphoria) dissects this checkered romantic relationship. Available on Netflix, Malcolm & Marie is rated 3.5 out of 5 by the press and 3.8 out of 5 by AlloCiné spectators.

In 2021, Denis Villeneuve managed to get everyone to agree with his adaptation of Dune, a staple of science fiction written by Frank Herbert in 1965. The second opus, just released, confirms his talent.

We follow the adventures of Paul Atréides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant young man doomed to an extraordinary destiny which completely exceeds him. In the first film, the protagonist must travel to Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe, but the only one capable of providing the most precious resource for humanity, in order to ensure the future of his family and of his people.

In this science fiction saga, Zendaya plays Chani, a member of the Fremen, the nomadic indigenous people of Arrakis. If her role is not main in the first part, she has a prominent place in the plot of the second film, currently being shown in theaters. Chani's character has a key role alongside Paul Atreides in Dune. Zendaya breaks the screen in this role, whether through accurate dialogues or simple looks in the second film. In short, she didn’t steal her place on the big screen. The first installment is available for purchase or rental on Prime Video.

Also read – Dune 2: A controlled sandstorm (critical)

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