Charlize Theron is a one of the most talented actors in Hollywood today; she is exceptionally versatile and is known for her passionate and comprehensive performances. She scored her first speaking role in 1996 as Helga in 2 Days in the Valley, and since then has played a wide range of characters. Here are four of her roles that demonstrate her flexibility as an actor – you won’t want to miss them!

1. The Italian Job – In this remake of the classic film, Theron plays Stella Bridger, the daughter of an esteemed and infamous crook, who ends up joining a team of misfit thieves in their final caper. Theron perfectly balances humour and wit with the sadness and anger, and holds her own as the only female member of the team.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road – Exhilarating, action-packed, this film is a must-see. Like in The Italian Job, Theron is intelligent, driven and fierce as Furiosa and completely embodies the character. It’s hard to tear your eyes away from her gripping, impressive performance.

3. North Country – Theron was nominated for an Oscar for this role, and it’s not hard to see why. She plays Josey Aimes, an independent woman who runs away from her violent husband and returns to her small hometown with her children. This was a pinnacle role for Theron, as it perfectly showcased her passionate, believable acting skills.

4. Monster – Surprising many movie-goers, Theron deviated from her regular roles and tackled the daunting tasks of playing real life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos. Her transformation into the character is terrifying – Theron truly personified Aileen’s mannerisms, appearance and expressions. This powerful, tragic film takes Theron to new emotional heights, and her Oscar-winning performance is unforgettable and startling.

Do you have a favourite Charlize Theron role? Tell us about it in the comments!