Summary
- Arjona shines in Hit Man, showcasing her comedic and dramatic talents while elevating the film's energy and performance quality.
- In Morbius, Arjona's portrayal as Dr. Bancroft stands out, grounding the film despite its mixed reception and negative reviews.
- Andor cements Arjona's status as a rising star in Hollywood, holding her own against veteran actors and leaving audiences eager for more of her character, Bix Caleen.
Adria Arjona has only grown in fame and popularity as an actress in recent years, and her best movies and TV shows illustrate her trajectory in becoming one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses. With each new role she takes on, Arjona breathes life into the project and is a standout in the work, no matter how big or small her role is. For fans of the actress, the past few years have been big, as Arjona is being increasingly recognized for her great work. In the future, it's likely that Arjona will continue getting the starring roles she deserves.
She's frequently singled out for having excellent chemistry with her costars and easily molding her performance to fit into a variety of genres.
Arjona's action movie success with Hit Man is catapulting her into a new phase of her career. The positive reviews the Netflix movie has garnered are some of the best of her career and is introducing her work to a whole new audience base. She's frequently singled out for having excellent chemistry with her costars and easily molding her performance to fit into a variety of genres. Though a good portion of her work has been in the action genre, her skills hardly stop there, as she's taken on comedies, thrillers, and fantasy projects as well.
10 Morbius (2022)
As Dr. Martine Bancrof
Despite the negative reviews and reception, Morbius found fame after the fact on the internet, as many users made fun of the particularly outlandish aspects of the movie.
It's well-known that Morbius is one of the most poorly reviewed movies of the 2020s and was a flop for both Marvel and Sony. Later in Arjona's career, it might be known as one of her weakest projects, but not because of her performance or disconnect from the story. On the contrary, as Dr. Bancroft, Arjona is a much-needed tether to reality in a film that struggled to tell its story cohesively. Despite the negative reviews and reception, Morbius found fame after the fact on the internet, as many users made fun of the particularly outlandish aspects of the movie.
However, Morbius is a great example of the adage that "all publicity is good publicity" since people were talking about the film. It was an important step for Arjona because it exposed her to a new audience base and opened the door for her to be featured again in a Marvel film. Although Morbius 2 is not confirmed, there's always a chance that Marvel will revisit the material as it delves more deeply into movies that encapsulate the Spiderverse. Seeing Arjona outside the world of Morbius and in a new Marvel role would also be an exciting development.
Morbius
- Release Date
- April 1, 2022
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
- Director
- Daniel Espinosa
- Writers
- Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless
- Producers
- Avi Arad, Lucas Foster, Matt Tolmach
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
-
Dr. Michael Morbius -
Milo
WHERE TO WATCH
Morbius, released in 2022, centers on Dr. Michael Morbius, portrayed by Jared Leto, as he undergoes a transformation following an experimental treatment for his rare blood disorder. The film explores the consequences of his newfound powers, which blur the line between cure and curse, impacting his humanity.
9 Father Of The Bride (2022)
As Sofia Herrera
It's hard to compete with Steve Martin's 1991 comedy, Father of the Bride, from which the 2022 version takes inspiration. However, neither the 1991 nor 2022 installments are the first, as the story has been retold many times since the original novel was released in 1949. In Arjona's 2022 version, changes are made to update the story and make it more representational and relatable to modern audiences. Despite this, the heart of the story remains Sofia's (Arjona) relationship with her father, Billy (Andy García).
As generations and ideals clash, Father of the Bride reminds the audience of the importance of family and the difficulty of growing old and watching one's children grow up. It's a classic rom-com through and through, which is surprisingly rare for Arjona. More often, she has taken on smaller roles in bigger-budget films, but she fits right in in Father of the Bride. Her chemistry with García made their father-daughter dynamic all the more believable.
Father of the Bride
- Release Date
- July 21, 2022
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Gary Alazraki
- Writers
- Matt Lopez
- Producers
- Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Paul Michael Perez
Cast
-
Andy GarcíaBilly Herrera -
Gloria EstefanIngrid Herrera
WHERE TO WATCH
Father of the Bride follows a father as he navigates his daughter’s upcoming wedding amidst shifting expectations and emotional complexities within a large Cuban-American family. As the big day approaches, family tensions, cultural ties, and personal transformations come to the forefront.
8 Triple Frontier (2019)
As Yovanna
Netflix's Triple Frontier underutilized Arjona, but the scenes that feature her are some of the most emotionally resonant of the film.
Netflix's Triple Frontier underutilized Arjona, but the scenes that feature her are some of the most emotionally resonant of the film. It revolves around the journey of a stellar cast of male action stars who team up to steal a fortune from a notorious drug lord. Many actors in Triple Frontier, like Pedro Pascal, Oscar Isaac, and Arjona, have only grown in notoriety since the film was released, seemingly making the movie a good luck charm. However, its biggest flaw is the lack of female characters, as Arjona's Yovanna is practically the only one.
At times derivative and predictable, Triple Frontier harkens back to classic action and heist movies, adding the wartime twist of the central character's background in the military. For its genre, Triple Frontier is one of the better outings, and though it has dramatic moments, it knows not to take itself too seriously. The budding relationship between Isaac's and Arjona's characters provides the emotional heart needed to give the film an added depth.
Triple Frontier
- Release Date
- March 6, 2019
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
- Director
- J.C. Chandor
- Writers
- Mark Boal, J.C. Chandor
- Producers
- Alex Gartner, Andy Horwitz, Charles Roven, Neal Dodson
Cast
-
Tom 'Redfly' Davis -
Santiago 'Pope' Garcia
WHERE TO WATCH
Triple Frontier is an action movie that sees five former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for themselves instead of the country. But when events take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills, loyalties, and morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic battle for survival.
7 Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018)
As Jules Reyes
Guillermo del Toro did not direct the sequel to his action-thriller, Pacific Rim, leaving the follow-up to Steven S. DeKnight to less favorable but still enjoyable results. Arjona has a small role in Pacific Rim: Uprising, playing Jules Reyes, a serious and professional officer in the Pan Pacific Defense Force. After the events of Pacific Rim successfully sent the Kaiju away through the portal, there didn't seem to be a great narrative reason for the continuation of the story, but Pacific Rim: Uprising is less about the story than it is about fun.
There are some amazing Kaiju vs. Jaeger battles in Pacific Rim: Uprising, and this is what fans return to the franchise for. For projects like Pacific Rim: Uprising, it's important to view them within the context of the monster movie genre and regard them as the next generation of these beloved cult films. Though Arjona had limited screen time in the story, she was recognizable and gained experience working on a movie of this magnitude. Additionally, her work on Pacific Rim: Uprising opens the door to even bigger franchises.
- Release Date
- March 23, 2018
- Runtime
- 111 minutes
- Director
- Steven S. DeKnight
- Writers
- Emily Carmichael, Kira Snyder, Steven S. DeKnight, T.S. Nowlin, Travis Beacham
- Producers
- Guillermo del Toro, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Thomas Tull, Femi Oguns
- Prequel(s)
- Pacific Rim
- Franchise(s)
- Pacific Rim
Cast
-
Jake Pentecost -
Scott EastwoodNate Lambert
WHERE TO WATCH
A sequel to Pacific Rim, Pacific Rim: Uprising is set ten years after the events of the first film and follows Jake Pentecost, the son of Marshal Stacker Pentecost who was killed in the final battle the finally rid Earth of the Kaiju. When the Kaiju threat is reignited, Jake must work together with a team including his adopted sister Mako Mori to stop the aliens from finally realizing their plan of taking over Earth.
6 The Absence Of Eden (2024)
As Yadira
Arjona plays Yadira, a woman whom Saldaña's Esmee meets when entering the U.S. to escape the violence of her past.
Zoe Saldaña handles the emotional core of The Absence of Eden, but Arjona still has plenty to do in this quiet but devastating film. Arjona plays Yadira, a woman whom Saldaña's Esmee meets when entering the U.S. to escape the violence of her past. Esmee is soon tasked with taking care of Yadira's daughter, and the pain that each woman feels in their situation is felt acutely. At times, The Absence of Eden can be harrowing to watch, but the small and dynamic cast anchors the weighty subject matter of the story.
The story deals with the struggles faced by immigrants attempting to cross the Mexican border into the U.S., and while this topic is as relevant as ever, the story doesn't break new ground. Critics overwhelmingly agreed that the performances from Arjona and Saldaña were fantastic, and it wasn't the acting that led The Absence of Eden to disappoint audiences. As both Arjona and Saldaña are well-known for their blockbusters and action-packed projects, the emotional depths they reach in The Absence of Eden are astounding.
The Absence of Eden
- Release Date
- April 12, 2024
- Runtime
- 106 Minutes
- Director
- Marco Perego
- Writers
- Marco Perego, Rick Rapoza
Cast
-
-
Garrett Hedlund
WHERE TO WATCH
5 Emerald City (2016–2017)
As Dorothy Gale
The short-lived and relatively unknown Emerald City was released when interest in dark fairytales and the retelling of classic legends was beginning to ebb. If the show had come out a few years earlier, it could have capitalized on the popularity of series like Once Upon A Time, but it came just a bit too late. It might have been Arjona's star-making project had it taken off, as she played the updated version of Dorothy in the story's take on The Wizard of Oz.
Unfortunately, the changes the story makes to the familiar tale of Oz are just unfamiliar enough to create a disconnect with the audience. Tackling any narrative that's so embedded into the cultural mindset is difficult, and Emerald City leaned into the darkness of the story in a way that was off-putting to some viewers. However, Arjona gives her all to her version of Dorothy and makes the audience care deeply for her. Though Judy Garland will always be iconic, Arjona managed to forge her own path and stand out.
4 Irma Vep (2022)
As Laurie
Arjona plays a secondary love interest and a minor antagonist in the HBO miniseries Irma Vep. The series is based on the 1996 film of the same name and does a good job of updating the story for modern audiences. Alicia Vikander plays Mira, the protagonist of the show and of the movie within the show that the events unfold around. Mira's ex-girlfriend Laurie, played by Arjona, furthers Mira's descent into anxiety and her disconnect from reality, as their breakup had a major impact on them both.
Irma Vep was quite popular with critics, as the series was in conversation with the 1996 movie, as well as the whole of film history.
Something the series does much better than the original film is making the relationship and affection between Mira and Laurie mutual. Irma Vep was quite popular with critics, as the series was in conversation with the 1996 movie, as well as the whole of film history. Using visual shorthand and references from all sorts of material, Irma Vep was as funny as it was dramatic and one of the best-reviewed projects Arjona has been a part of.
Watch Irma Vep on Max.
3 Good Omens (2019–Present)
As Anathema Device
Unfortunately, Arjona was nowhere to be seen in Good Omens season 2, as her character's job was done after the conclusion of the first season. However, season 1 is the tighter and more cohesive story of the two and leans into the ensemble format of the show, allowing Arjona to get more opportunities to shine. The series is based on the novel of the same name, co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and is as quirky as it is delightful. Arjona plays the witch, Anathema Device, whose ancestor predicted the end of the world.
Part of the fun of watching Good Omens season 1 is witnessing each piece of the puzzle come together to stop the end of the world. It takes some time to discover what Anathema's role in the story is going to be, but the show does a great job of expanding her role even more from the novel. Participating in a fantasy series wasn't an unexpected move for Arjona, considering her work in Emerald City. However, it was a strong follow-up as Good Omens had a much greater reach and impact than her earlier show.
- Release Date
- 2019 - 2026-00-00
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Neil Gaiman, Douglas Mackinnon
- Directors
- Rachel Talalay, Douglas Mackinnon
- Writers
- Neil Gaiman, John Finnemore, Andy Nyman, Cat Clarke, Jeremy Dyson
Cast
-
Crowley -
Doon MackichanMiguel
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens follows an angel and demon as they attempt to defy the forces of Heaven and Hell in order to avert the apocalypse.
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
2 Hit Man (2023)
As Madison Figueroa Masters
Image via Netflix
Image via Netflix
Image via Netflix
Image via Netflix
Image via Netflix
While Powell had the fun job of portraying multiple characters, Arjona had the chance to delve into her character's psyche and make Madison the most complex figure in the film.
Hit Man might have cemented 2024 as the year of Glen Powell, but the movie wouldn't have been half as good without Arjona as his costar. While Powell had the fun job of portraying multiple characters, Arjona had the chance to delve into her character's psyche and make Madison the most complex figure in the film. Though they're a new pairing, the actors had the kind of chemistry usually found in colleagues who've been working together for years. They perfectly balanced the comedy elements with the physicality of their roles.
Outside of her role in Andor, Hit Man is Arjona's most high-profile role to date, and it will likely be looked back on as the project that changed the trajectory of her career. Though she's been highlighted in plenty of action movies, Hit Man was her first chance at starring in one and carrying the dramatic tension on her shoulders. Arjona handled this easily and with flying colors. When watching Hit Man, it's difficult to look away from Arjona in her scenes, as she's a reliable and hilarious stand-in for the viewer.
Hit Man
- Release Date
- May 24, 2024
- Runtime
- 116 minutes
- Director
- Richard Linklater
- Writers
- Richard Linklater, Glen Powell
- Producers
- Jason Bateman, John Sloss, Julie Goldstein, Steve Barnett, Stuart Ford, Glen Powell, Michael Costigan, Alan Powell, Shivani Rawat, Mike Blizzard, Miguel Palos, Vicky Patel, Megan Creydt, Scott Brown
Cast
-
Gary Johnson -
Madison Figueroa Masters
WHERE TO WATCH
Hit Man centers on a mild-mannered professor involved in police sting operations as a fake hit man. His life spirals into chaos when he unexpectedly falls for a potential client, initiating a series of unforeseen complications and dilemmas.
1 Andor (2022–Present)
As Bix Caleen
Andor is one of Disney+'s most successful and critically acclaimed Star Wars TV series and is a prequel to Rogue One. While Diego Luna is the star of the show, playing Cassian Andor, the titular character, Arjona holds her own against the Star Wars veteran. She plays Bix Caleen, one of Andor's friends and a black market dealer who's highly skilled with mechanics. There are many other skilled actors in Andor, including Stellan Skarsgård, but audiences can't help but wait with bated breath for scenes between Luna and Arjona.
As audiences anticipate the Andor season 2 story updates, returning to the first season and watching it with fresh eyes after Arjona's successes is compelling. Now that Arjona is an even more high-profile star, it wouldn't be surprising to see her featured more prominently in the upcoming season. Additionally, Bix goes through a lot in season 1, and it would be nice to give her the chance to be just as much of a hero as Andor. Though there are still many Star Wars shows coming out and expanding the franchise, Andor remains one of the best.
Andor
- Release Date
- 2022 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Disney+
- Showrunner
- Tony Gilroy
- Directors
- Susanna White
- Writers
- Dan Gilroy
- Franchise(s)
- Star Wars
Cast
-
Cassian Andor -
Luthen Rael
WHERE TO WATCH
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+