My biggest wish for the next few years is more Uma Thurman on my screen, because she truly is incredible, and I need her to come back in full force.
Written by Mariane Tremblay
It’s probably no surprise to anyone that Uma Thurman is one of my favourite actresses. And she’s been for years, though it’s funny because I’ve been sitting for a while, trying to figure out when, and which movie is the origin of this, and I can’t even remember. For Meryl Streep, it’s simple; I grew up watching The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Mamma Mia! (2008) and Julie & Julia (2009), and when the pandemic hit, she sang The Ladies Who Lunch on Zoom with Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald, and it just clicked. For Cate Blanchett, it’s because of my father; he made me watch Hanna (2011) and kept praising her throughout the whole movie, which, of course, had me intrigued. Then I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) in school the following year, and the rest is history. And for Nicole Kidman, well, it’s another story for another time. But for Uma Thurman, I just feel like I always knew who the Uma Thurman is.
Born in Boston in 1970 to Robert Thurman and Swedish fashion model Nena von Schlebrügge, Thurman is an actress and model (like her mother) who began her career at 15, when she signed with the agency Click Models. She made her film debut in 1987, when she starred in the teen thriller Kiss Daddy Goodnight. She then gained attention by starring in Stephen Frears' Dangerous Liaisons (1988), with Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer and in Philip Kaufman's biographical drama, Henry & June, in which she plays June Miller, a bisexual woman involved in a tormented relationship with her husband and another woman.
Throughout her career, Thurman has starred in so many iconic movies, including Pulp Fiction (1994), Batman and Robin (1997), and Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) and Vol. 2 (2004). Her filmography is just so iconic, and if you haven’t started going through it, you definitely should right now. And to help you all with that, I curated a list of my personal favourites (so far, since I haven’t watched it all yet).
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Even though she only appears on screen for roughly 20 minutes in a 159-minute film, Mia Wallace (Thurman) remains one of the most iconic characters in Quentin Tarantino’s universe—and it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Not only did she make it onto the poster of the movie, but she's also at the centre of some of the movie’s most recognisable scenes—scenes that everybody knows, whether they are cinephiles or not—the scene in which she dances to Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon or the legendary twist contest with Vincent Vega (John Travolta), and if you tell me you don't know what I'm talking about, well...
But what truly makes Mia Wallace unforgettable is the aura that Thurman brings to the character. She barely has to say anything for you to keep your eyes on her; she’s magnetic, mysterious, effortlessly cool, and impossible to ignore. Then there’s her instantly recognisable look: the black bob with bangs, the white shirt, the black trousers, the cigarette, the bleeding nose… We’ve seen it everywhere for the past three decades—posters, t-shirts, costumes, and countless pop culture references.
I feel like only a handful of actors can say they’ve portrayed a character this iconic within their filmography, but Thurman is unquestionably one of them. Beyond the cultural phenomenon, though, there’s still the film itself—and Pulp Fiction truly is one of the greatest films ever made.
This movie practically became my entire personality in college; everyone around me knew about my love for the film and for Mia Wallace. I always saw her as one of the coolest characters ever put on screen: effortlessly stylish, unpredictable, and undeniably badass.
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home, or watch on Crave Canada and Paramount.
Batman and Robin (1997)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
It's absolutely crazy to me that so many people don’t like Batman and Robin, because this movie slaps! And I think you shouldn't let the Letterboxd rating discourage you from watching. In fact, don't check it before watching (I'm serious, don't).
Everything about it is so incredibly camp; how can you not like it? The cast is amazing, the costumes and the makeup are incredible, the production design is fun... it has everything! And honestly, watching this movie, knowing it was made for children, makes so much sense as to why it is like that... A little over the top!
In this umpteenth adaptation of the DC Comic, Batman (George Clooney) and his sidekick Robin (Chris O’Donnell) attempt to foil the sinister schemes of Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who wants to make Gotham City into an arctic region as revenge against a society that he feels abandoned his wife, and the sultry botanical femme fatale, Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman), who wants to eliminate humanity to create a world where plants rule supreme (honestly, who can blame her).
I don't know if it's because of my love for Uma Thurman, but I genuinely believe she was perfect for the role of Poison Ivy. Her little quirks were ideal for portraying Doctor Pamela Isley, while her enigmatic charisma and striking, seductive beauty made her a perfect Poison Ivy. She truly had everything needed to embody the character, balancing both Pamela’s awkwardness and Ivy’s dangerously magnetic presence—and she delivered (as usual).
I'm not a DC girl; if I have to watch superhero movies, I usually turn to Marvel, but I must admit that the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman series is something else. I really love their adaptations, and I wish they had made more!
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home, or watch on Crave Canada and HBO MAX.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2003 & 2004)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Both Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 are among my favourite films ever made. When Lionsgate announced at the end of last year that they would release Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, I’m pretty sure you could hear me scream from across town. Being able to watch the extended version of these movies on the big screen felt like a dream come true. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s truly nothing like watching Uma Thurman kick ass on the big screen. Not only does she embody another of the coolest and most iconic characters in cinema history, but she also represents the very essence of the quintessential mama bear.
On the surface, the Kill Bill movies present themselves as action thrillers inspired by Japanese martial arts cinema, filled with extravagant choreography and excessive bloodshed, and even though they excel in those elements, they are so much more than that, and that’s what I love most about them. Both films follow the Bride’s (Thurman) journey for revenge against those who wronged her, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, and more specifically their leader, Bill (David Carradine), after they massacred her wedding rehearsal, killed her fiancé, and left her for dead while she was pregnant. Ultimately, Kill Bill isn’t just about revenge; it’s also about motherhood, loss, grief, and survival. And even though the Bride navigates all of these as the cold-blooded assassin she is, there’s something deeply moving about her journey, proving that mothers are willing to do—and will do—anything for their children. And honestly, I have to say that I support both her rights, and her wrongs.
More than twenty years later, the movies remain visually incredible and emotionally resonant, cementing the Bride as one of the greatest protagonists ever put on screen.
My review of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home, or watch on Prime Video, Netflix Canada or Crave Canada. Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is also available to buy at home.
The Producers (2005)
Directed by Susan Stroman
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home.
Prime (2005)
Directed by Ben Younger
Whilst Prime may not be the best romantic comedy ever made, it’s certainly one I’m particularly attached to. Perhaps I’m not entirely objective because it stars two of my favourite actresses, but there’s something about this film that makes me want to twirl my hair and kick my feet up in the air.
In her late thirties, Rafi Gardet (Thurman), a career-driven woman recently divorced, is trying to cope with the failure of her marriage with the help of her psychoanalyst, Lisa (Meryl Streep). When she meets Adam (Bryan Greenberg), a painter in his twenties, the two begin a passionate relationship, unaware that he is Lisa’s son and that she is her patient...
Could this film be better? Absolutely. Do I love it anyway? Absolutely. The cast is just so good, and so is the chemistry between everyone involved—whether it’s Thurman and Streep, Thurman and Greenberg, or even Streep and Greenberg. Meryl Streep is effortlessly funny; she truly should have done more comedies. And Uma Thurman—well, Rafi is probably one of her softest characters. She’s so precious and vulnerable, and that’s without even mentioning how effortlessly beautiful and cool mid-2000s Uma Thurman was. Obsessed.
But beyond that, I just love watching Rafi slowly regain her confidence and rediscover herself. There’s something incredibly moving about seeing a woman trying to find happiness again, learning how to enjoy life, let loose, and embrace who she is without shame. Her journey feels messy, tender, and deeply human, which makes it all the more rewarding to watch her slowly open herself back up to life and love.
No matter how many times I watch this film, I always end up heartbroken. The montage of Rafi and Adam’s relationship, combined with the way they look at each other at the end… oh, my heart. And writing all this just makes me want to rewatch the movie immediately!
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home.
The Accidental Husband (2008)
Directed by Griffin Dunne
Just like Prime, The Accidental Husband isn’t exactly the best romantic comedy out there (and the premise is pretty questionable if you stop and really think about it). But if you’re just a girl who loves Uma Thurman and rom-coms as much as I do, there’s a good chance you’ll end up enjoying it anyway. I genuinely can’t help it, I really love this silly movie.
Emma Lloyd (Thurman) is a renowned radio host and love expert who is only a few weeks away from marrying Richard (Colin Firth), her seemingly perfect match. When applying for their marriage license, they discover that Emma is "already married" to a man named Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), an irresponsible fireman. While she tries to get the marriage annulled, the situation takes an unexpected turn, and they slowly fall in love. But what does that mean for everything Emma thought she knew about love? Will she leave her "perfect match" for someone who is her complete opposite?
I’m not even sure I can pinpoint exactly what I love about this movie, but there’s something about Thurman that’s hard to put into words. It’s in the way she moves, the way she acts—there’s this awkward charm she brings to some of her characters, especially Emma, that makes them utterly endearing and relatable.
Emma is a straight-laced woman; she thinks she understands everything about love, relationships, and what makes someone "perfect" for someone else. Watching her slowly question herself, and everything she’s built her identity around, is unexpectedly charming. She has her quirks, and beneath all that control, there’s a more spontaneous, fun side to her—a side she keeps tightly restrained, especially around her fiancé, Richard. Meeting Patrick, though, cracks that open just enough for her to start becoming herself fully again, and to realise that the man she dismissed might actually be the one who fits her best.
Thurman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan feel like an odd pairing at first (which is kind of the point), but they end up having a surprisingly good chemistry. Not to mention how good they look together.
And honestly, who wouldn't risk it all for Uma Thurman?
Where to watch: Rent or buy at home, or watch on Crave Canada and Peacock.
Pretty Lethal (2026)
Directed by Vicky Jewson
Pretty Lethal is Thurman’s newest movie, and it’s a banger. Well, at least to me. As soon as it was announced that Uma would be starring in this new action thriller, I was seated. I’ve said it countless times, and I’ll say it again: to me, Uma Thurman is one of the most badass women ever put on screen, and every time she stars in a new action movie, I go crazy! And on top of that, it’s a movie about women, for women, and by women—what more could you ask for? I’m a huge fan of female-led action movies, and Pretty Lethal is one of the latest examples, and I’m obsessed. The first time I watched it, I giggled and clapped the entire time because this movie is absolutely insane—but in the best possible way. Ballerinas dancing and slicing throats in an inn in the middle of nowhere in Hungary, with Uma Thurman as the head of a family crime gang? Iconic on pretty much every level, if you ask me.
And talking about movies about women, for women, and by women: at the SXSW premiere of Pretty Lethal, she delivered such a beautiful and empowering speech about women supporting each other in the industry, and it made me fall in love with her as an actor and a human all over again:
“I was waiting while you guys were watching the film tonight. I was sitting down, and I thought, oh my gosh, in April I’m gonna be 56, and I started making films when I was 16. I’ve put 40 years into this business. And when I stand here, and get to watch women cooperating, loving working together, pushing the medium, and changing the effect on women and girls in audiences across the world, I can’t tell you. I spent my whole life wanting to see this and feel this. I tried to push it where I could. I tried to make parts better where I could. I got to be their villain. And tonight, I see what I wished for all those years. Manifested. And it’s extremely gratifying.”
It's so beautifully well put and so moving when you think about it—I got teary eyes. I love this woman so much, and everything she's done throughout her career—and my biggest wish for the next few years is more Uma Thurman on my screen, because she truly is incredible, and I need her to come back in full force just like in the 90s-00s!
Cheers to you, Uma Karuna Thurman! We love you!
Where to watch: Prime Video
Special mentions: Beautiful Girls (1996), Gattaca (1997), Motherhood (2009), Hollywood Stargirl (2022), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023).
Photos: Harper's Bazaar Taiwan and Letterboxd
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