A Latin film translator might sound like a metaphor in entertainment circles, but the truth is far more compelling when it comes to Ana de Armas. She has long held a unique allure in Hollywood, oscillating between seduction, intensity, and a rare, undeniable beauty that primes audiences for performances that linger long after the credits roll. These elements have attracted Oscar attention more than once and helped elevate a Cuban talent onto the world stage.
Ana de Armas stands among the most rapidly ascending stars from the Latin world. As the 2023 Oscar season unfolded with the ceremony approaching in mid-March, the Cuban-born performer was nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik’s Blonde. This nomination marked a milestone in a career that began when she was just sixteen in her hometown of Cuba. Her early start came when Cantabrian scout Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón selected her to join Una rosa de Francia, a pivotal moment that set her on a path toward international recognition. The decision to leave Cuban National Theater School behind opened a doorway to a horizon far larger than anything she could have imagined.
Following the film connections she cultivated, de Armas moved to Madrid at eighteen. Her early work in Cuba included projects such as El eden perdido and Madrigal in 2007. She wasted little time in Spain. It took only a few months to secure a position in front of the camera. A role in the Antena 3 series El internado instantly made her a household name in Spain, and in 2009 she joined the cast of Lies and Fat Men, broadening her reach.
Craving broader horizons, she spent time in New York to master English, then returned to Spain to star in Hispania, la ledida. Her work on the series coincided with her first steps into the US market. Her career path was charted in English for a time, while she also completed projects like Anabel in Spanish-speaking territory, alongside El callejón and Por un puñado de besos. Yet the decision to relocate permanently to Los Angeles in 2014 marked a turning point, aligning her with Hollywood’s most demanding standards and opportunities.
Initially constrained by language, de Armas dedicated months to perfecting English before landing Knock Knock, a project with Keanu Reeves. A strong professional alliance with Reeves led to an invitation to join Exposed in 2016, and she continued to build her English-language credentials with War Dogs that same year. She also appeared in Hands of Stone, a biographical portrait that showcased her range to varied audiences.
The 2017 science-fiction drama Blade Runner 2049 offered a crucial stepping stone as de Armas was chosen to portray Joi, a digital confidant in the film. Though the role was not large, reviews were favorable and the exposure helped propel her toward even larger projects. In the following years, she expanded her directorial experience on projects like Overdrive and Corazón, illustrating a capacity to lead as well as perform.
De Armas achieved mainstream prominence with Knives Out in 2019. The film earned her a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, and the ensemble cast received praise from the National Board of Review. The success of this film helped keep her momentum going into 2020, where she appeared in smaller yet meaningful roles in films such as Informant and The Night Clerk. She continued to collaborate with notable Latin-led productions, including Sergio and La Red Avispa, demonstrating continued versatility across genres and languages.
In 2021, de Armas returned to a high-profile franchise with No Time to Die, reuniting with Daniel Craig for a James Bond adventure. The following years saw her appear in Deep Water alongside Ben Affleck and The Gray Man with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, underscoring her status as a sought-after talent for major studio projects. The culmination of these efforts arrived in 2022 with Blonde, a film that cast de Armas as Marilyn Monroe. The role earned her Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, further cementing her as a leading light in contemporary cinema.
Now at thirty-one, de Armas continues to demonstrate a prolific and diverse career. In 2023 she was anticipated to take on new projects like Ghosted and Ballerina, signaling that her trajectory remains upward across multiple markets. Three countries and fifteen years of development later, her professional journey reflects a steady rise from regional beginnings to global recognition, a testament to persistence, talent, and a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of international film.