Julie Delpy’s Best Roles

Julie Delpy has built a remarkable career in both European and American cinema, showcasing her immense talent not just as an actress but also as a writer, director, and musician. She first gained international attention as a teenager in the French film industry before making a seamless transition to Hollywood and independent productions. Her body of work is incredibly diverse, reflecting her ability to move between genres and languages with a unique and intelligent presence.

Over the decades, she has become known for her thoughtful and often complex characters, frequently exploring themes of love, relationships, and identity. Delpy often brings a personal touch to her projects, especially those she writes and directs, infusing them with sharp wit and a raw, honest perspective on life. This has allowed her to create some of film’s most memorable and relatable figures, cementing her status as a truly versatile and enduring artist.

‘The Countess’ (2009)

In this historical drama, Julie Delpy portrays the 17th-century Hungarian noblewoman Countess Elizabeth Báthory. The film explores the life of the countess, who becomes increasingly obsessed with her youth and beauty after her husband’s death. Delpy not only took on the lead role but also directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie, bringing her own vision to the dark legend.

The narrative focuses on the countess’s descent into paranoia and the gruesome acts she allegedly committed. It presents a more psychological interpretation of the historical figure, suggesting her actions were driven by a fear of aging and losing her power in a male-dominated world. The story follows her affair with a younger man and the extreme measures she takes to preserve her looks.

‘On the Verge’ (2021–)

Julie Delpy created, co-wrote, and stars in this television series set in pre-pandemic Los Angeles. She plays Justine, a French chef navigating the challenges of her restaurant, her marriage, and raising her child. The show follows Justine and her three close friends as they deal with midlife crossroads in their careers and personal lives.

Each of the four main characters faces a different set of relatable struggles, from relationship troubles to professional uncertainty and family dynamics. The series uses a comedic and often candid tone to explore how these women support one another while trying to make sense of their next chapter. Delpy’s character, in particular, offers a look into the pressures of balancing a demanding career with a complicated home life.

‘The Three Musketeers’ (1993)

This action-adventure film is a lively adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel. Julie Delpy plays Constance Bonacieux, the queen’s lady-in-waiting and the love interest of the aspiring musketeer, D’Artagnan. Her character becomes entangled in the political intrigue of the French court when she helps D’Artagnan and the three musketeers.

Constance is central to the plot, as she is entrusted with a secret mission by the Queen of France that puts her in grave danger. Delpy’s portrayal brought a spirited and courageous quality to the character, who is caught between her loyalty to the queen and her growing feelings for D’Artagnan. She is a key ally to the heroes in their quest to thwart the plans of Cardinal Richelieu.

‘2 Days in Paris’ (2007)

Julie Delpy wrote, directed, and starred in this romantic comedy about a French photographer named Marion. The film follows Marion and her American boyfriend Jack as they visit her parents in Paris for two days. Their trip is meant to rekindle their romance but instead highlights their cultural differences and insecurities.

The story unfolds as Jack meets Marion’s eccentric family and her numerous ex-boyfriends, leading to a series of awkward and humorous confrontations. Delpy’s character is a free-spirited artist who must navigate her boyfriend’s anxieties while revisiting her own past. The movie uses witty dialogue and realistic situations to examine the complexities of modern relationships.

‘The Hoax’ (2006)

This film is based on the true story of author Clifford Irving, who in the 1970s claimed he had co-written an authorized autobiography of the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Julie Delpy plays Nina van Pallandt, a European singer and the wife of one of Irving’s associates. Her character becomes a crucial witness when the elaborate scheme begins to unravel.

Delpy’s character is drawn into the scandal when Irving names her as someone who can corroborate parts of his story. As investigators close in, her testimony becomes pivotal in exposing the entire affair as a fraud. She portrays the elegant and composed woman who ultimately helps bring the truth to light in the high-profile case.

‘Killing Zoe’ (1993)

In this crime thriller, Julie Delpy portrays Zoe, a Parisian call girl. The story follows an American safecracker named Zed who comes to Paris to help an old friend with a bank heist. He meets Zoe on his first night, and the two form a connection before he discovers she works at the very bank they plan to rob.

Zoe’s life becomes intertwined with Zed’s and the dangerous crew of robbers. When the heist goes wrong, she is taken hostage, and her fate becomes linked to Zed’s ability to navigate the violent and chaotic situation. Delpy’s character evolves from a seemingly detached professional to a key figure caught in the middle of a desperate crime.

‘The Voyager’ (1991)

This film, also known as ‘Homo Faber’, is based on a novel by Max Frisch. It tells the story of an engineer named Walter Faber who survives a plane crash in the Mexican desert. Julie Delpy plays Sabeth, a young woman he meets on a subsequent sea voyage, and with whom he begins a fateful relationship.

As Walter and Sabeth travel together through Europe, he finds himself falling for her, unaware of a shocking connection they share from his past. The story is a slow-burning tragedy about fate and the consequences of long-buried secrets. Delpy’s portrayal of the vibrant and curious Sabeth stands in stark contrast to the emotionally reserved protagonist.

‘A Scanner Darkly’ (2006)

This animated science fiction film uses a distinctive rotoscoping technique to create its unique visual style. Julie Delpy provides the voice and likeness for the character Donna Hawthorne, a paranoid drug dealer. The story is set in a near-future dystopia where an undercover detective becomes addicted to a powerful substance he is supposed to be investigating.

Donna is the enigmatic and guarded love interest of the protagonist, Bob Arctor. Her role in the drug scene is ambiguous, leaving both Bob and the audience guessing about her true motives and allegiances. She is a complex character who is central to the film’s themes of identity, surveillance, and addiction.

‘Broken Flowers’ (2005)

In this comedy-drama, Julie Delpy has a memorable supporting role as Sherry. The film follows a confirmed bachelor who receives an anonymous letter telling him he has a son who may be looking for him. He embarks on a cross-country road trip to visit four of his former lovers to solve the mystery.

Delpy’s character is one of these past flames, and the protagonist’s visit to her is one of the key stops on his journey. Sherry is now a realtor, and their reunion is both awkward and revealing, offering a glimpse into the life she has built since their relationship ended. Her scene provides another piece of the puzzle as the main character tries to connect with his past.

‘Three Colors: White’ (1994)

This film is the second installment in a trilogy of films exploring the ideals of the French Republic. Julie Delpy plays Dominique Vidal, the wife of a Polish immigrant named Karol Karol. The story begins in Paris, where Dominique divorces her husband, leaving him humiliated and penniless.

Dominique’s actions serve as the catalyst for the entire plot, as the rest of the film follows Karol’s journey back to Poland and his elaborate plan to get even with her. Although Delpy’s screen time is limited, her character’s presence looms large over the narrative. She represents a life of beauty and desire that the protagonist feels he has lost and must reclaim on his own terms.

‘Europa Europa’ (1990)

This historical war drama is based on the real-life memoir of Solomon Perel, a Jewish teenager who survived the Holocaust by posing as an ethnic German. Julie Delpy plays Leni, a devout member of the Hitler Youth who falls in love with the protagonist, unaware of his true identity. Their relationship puts him in constant danger of being discovered.

Leni is a fervent believer in Nazi ideology, which makes her affection for the main character deeply ironic and perilous. Her character embodies the indoctrination of German youth during that era. The romance between them adds a layer of intense personal conflict and risk to the protagonist’s already precarious fight for survival.

‘Waking Life’ (2001)

In this philosophical animated film, Julie Delpy reprises her role as Céline alongside her co-star Ethan Hawke as Jesse. The movie follows an unnamed young man as he navigates a series of dream-like encounters where characters discuss topics like reality, free will, and the meaning of life. The film uses the same rotoscoping animation style later seen in ‘A Scanner Darkly’.

The scene featuring Céline and Jesse shows them in bed, having one of the thoughtful, meandering conversations that define their characters. They discuss reincarnation, collective memory, and the nature of human connection. Their appearance serves as a bridge to the ‘Before’ trilogy, offering another glimpse into their unique and intellectually charged dynamic.

‘Before Midnight’ (2013)

This is the third film in the celebrated trilogy following the lives of Céline and Jesse. Set nearly two decades after they first met, the story finds them as a long-term couple raising twin daughters while on vacation in Greece. The movie explores the realities of love, partnership, and the challenges of sustaining a relationship over many years.

Delpy, who also co-wrote the screenplay, gives a powerful performance as a woman grappling with her career, motherhood, and the evolution of her romance. The film is largely composed of extended conversations between the two leads, including a raw and lengthy argument that showcases the complexities of their bond. It examines what happens after the fairy tale ending, focusing on the hard work of love.

‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)

This film introduced audiences to Céline, a French university student, and Jesse, a young American man. The two meet on a train to Vienna and impulsively decide to spend one night together exploring the city before he has to catch his flight home the next morning. The entire film chronicles their conversations as they walk and talk, falling in love over the course of a few hours.

Julie Delpy portrays Céline as an intelligent, romantic, and slightly guarded woman who engages in deep discussions with Jesse about life, love, and their personal philosophies. Her chemistry with her co-star is central to the movie, which relies almost entirely on their dialogue to build the story. The film captures the magic and intensity of a fleeting but profound connection.

‘Before Sunset’ (2004)

In the second chapter of the story, Céline and Jesse reunite in Paris nine years after their first meeting in Vienna. Jesse is now a successful author on a book tour for a novel inspired by their night together, and Céline comes to see him at a bookstore appearance. With only a couple of hours before he has to leave for the airport, they walk through Paris, picking up their conversation where they left off.

This installment delves into how their lives have changed and what their brief encounter meant to them over the years. Delpy, who earned a screenplay nomination for her writing on the film, portrays Céline with a mixture of warmth, wit, and vulnerability. The movie unfolds in what feels like real time, building to an iconic and beautifully uncertain final scene.

Let us know which Julie Delpy performance is your favorite in the comments below.