She's the provocative British girl who took the world by storm with her electrifying, unbridled, and uncomplicated aesthetic. But now the question is: Can Charli xcx do what even stars like Beyoncé and Harry Styles have struggled to do – truly shine on the big screen?
In a memorable scene in her new film The Moment, Charli is seen in the backseat of a taxi, wiping her makeup off with a tissue. The camera pans to her signature face: dark halo-like hair, painted lips that already look tired, thick eyebrows. She removes a few badly placed rhinestones from her eyelids – and for a moment, regret and shame appear on her face. It’s a rare moment of sincerity in Aidan Zamir’s sharp satire of 21st-century pop stardom: what if Charli had lost control after the success of her album Brat in 2024? The film is presented as a “mockumentary,” but its ambition to be taken seriously is real.
The Moment is already being seen as Charli's big turn from music to cinema, especially after its sensational premiere at the Sundance festival. There, she promoted not one, but three films in which she stars. Gregg Araki's dark comedy I Want Your Sex was generally well received, while The Gallerist, starring Natalie Portman, was considered a disappointment by critics.
When the indie drama Eruption premiered in Toronto last year, the New Yorker praised the “classical intelligence” of Charli’s screen presence and her energetic yet restrained performance. This week she also appears in 100 Nights of Hero, a charming feminist tale, and is on the soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights. According to IMDb, Charli has starred in nine feature films — and the list is growing. Why does she suddenly seem to be “everywhere, always”?
Unlike many singers who test the cinema with small steps, Charli seems to be entering with vigor – but in fact she is proceeding with caution. On stage she is always the absolute protagonist; in film, on the contrary, she accepts secondary roles, often as a "cameo". In I Want Your Sex she plays against her type: a reserved lover, far from the provocative image that has made her famous.
In 100 Nights of Hero, set in a patriarchal medieval world, Charli appears as Rosa – sweet, simple, without the vamp makeup that usually characterizes her. Gentle gestures, an unexpected sensitivity and an emotional purity make the character convincing. It's a stark contrast to her public persona – and that's exactly what works.
Her first truly major role comes with The Moment, where she openly pokes fun at herself: her hair, her commercial deals, even her old songs. She is both the star and the butt of the joke. But beyond the humor, her performance as an artist under pressure is nuanced. In one touching scene, a fan tells her that her music saved her from suicide – and Charli’s reaction is tense, sincere, without turning into a caricature.
Her greatest strength as an actress is her face: the micro-expressions, the ironic glances, the fake smiles. In the comedy series Overcompensating, she exploits this skill for comic effect, playing a parodic version of herself.
Charli may not have an incredible range of roles yet, but she's smart in her choices. She prefers indie films, directors with a strong vision, and projects that align with her tastes. Unlike many musicians who make the mistake of thinking that charisma is enough, Charli seems to understand that cinema requires skill.
Her taste in film is her secret weapon. Her list of films on Letterboxd went viral for its erudition and eclecticism. She herself has admitted that, when she's not working or partying, she watches films. And it shows.
Upcoming projects, including a collaboration with Emerald Fennell for Wuthering Heights, show a smart strategy: Charli is not trying to become a mere “movie star,” but to maintain creative control and her own identity. If this approach continues, it’s not impossible that Charli xcx will not only be a singer who acts – but a true author of her own screen presence. /GazetaExpress/
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