Salma Hayek: 3 Best Movies of All Time
Salma Hayek, at 57, continues to be a force in Hollywood, renowned for her versatility, strong performances, and bold choices. Her career has spanned over three decades, with iconic roles that have cemented her status as one of the industry’s most respected actresses. While it’s hard to narrow down her extensive filmography, here are three of her best and most memorable performances.
1. Frida (2002)
Perhaps Salma Hayek’s most iconic role, Frida is the biographical drama based on the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Hayek’s portrayal of the celebrated artist is nothing short of extraordinary. She skillfully brings to life Kahlo’s passion, pain, and resilience, capturing the complexity of the artist’s life and work. The film follows Kahlo’s tumultuous relationship with her husband, Diego Rivera, her physical suffering from a bus accident, and her artistic revolution, which defined a generation.
Hayek not only received widespread critical acclaim for the role but also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her performance remains one of the best of her career, bringing both the heartache and fierce independence of Frida to the screen. Frida was also a game-changer, as it helped propel Hayek into a new tier of Hollywood stardom, showcasing her range and depth as an actress.
2. Desperado (1995)
Before Frida, Hayek became a household name thanks to her role in Robert Rodriguez’s action-packed Desperado. As the fiery and fearless Carolina, Hayek brought both sensuality and strength to the role of a woman entangled in a dangerous world of crime. The film is the second in Rodriguez’s Mariachi trilogy, and it stars Antonio Banderas as the titular mariachi seeking revenge.
Hayek’s chemistry with Banderas is palpable, and her performance balances toughness with vulnerability in a way that was rare for action movies at the time. The film solidified her as a talented action star capable of holding her own in intense, fast-paced films. Though it’s an action movie at its core, Hayek’s performance transcends the genre, making it one of her most memorable roles.
3. The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)
In more recent years, The Hitman’s Bodyguard demonstrated Salma Hayek’s ability to keep audiences laughing with her comedic timing and dynamic presence. Playing Sonia Kincaid, a foul-mouthed, tough-as-nails wife of an infamous hitman, Hayek brought a delightful and unexpected spark to the film.
Opposite Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, Hayek was the perfect fit for a role that required her to be both hilarious and fearless. While the movie is largely a comedy, Hayek doesn’t just rely on humor; her emotional depth also adds layers to her character. The film was a box office hit, and Hayek’s performance was one of the standout reasons audiences returned to the theater.
Honorable Mentions
In addition to these three standout films, Hayek has graced the screen with other memorable performances in films like From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Beatriz at Dinner (2017), and Like a Boss (2020). Whether in dramatic, comedic, or action roles, Salma Hayek continues to prove that age is just a number. She brings authenticity, passion, and incredible talent to every project she takes on, and her legacy in Hollywood is only growing stronger
