Natalie Portman’s breakout role as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace should have been a dream launch for any young actor, yet for her, it had been definitive in all the wrong ways, which she wasted no time in revoking to the extent of receiving an Oscar. The film was a massive cultural event, and the trilogy put her in front of the entire world early in her career. But instead of opening every door, the role came with backlash that followed her for years.

And Portman has since said the experience felt more like a burden than a boost.

Speaking to New York magazine in 2014, as reported by ABC News, Natalie Portman said the reaction to the prequels made people question her talent. While talking about the trajectory that led to a revitalization, she recalled the time right before it, one that today marks some of the greatest installations in the Star Wars franchise. 

“Everyone thought I was a horrible actress,” she said, adding that she was in “the biggest-grossing movie of the decade” yet still struggled to find work afterward. The comment highlights the gap that can exist between commercial success and industry perception.

She also credited Mike Nichols with helping revive her career. Portman explained to New York magazine that Nichols reached out to other filmmakers on her behalf, including Anthony Minghella, which helped open doors to projects like Cold Mountain. From there, she rebuilt her reputation with roles that emphasized depth and range, including V for Vendetta and Closer.

The shift became undeniable as her performances continued to gain recognition. Her Oscar-nominated role in Closer and her Academy Award-winning turn in Black Swan reshaped how she was viewed. In hindsight, while Star Wars was a box office phenomenon, it was her later work that ultimately defined her credibility as an actor.

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That steady rebuild set the stage for a career that would completely overturn early assumptions.

Natalie Portman’s post-Star Wars: The Phantom Menace career stands as clear evidence that the early criticism never reflected her actual ability. She delivered a string of acclaimed performances in films like Closer, V for Vendetta, Black Swan, and Annihilation, each one revealing a different dimension of her craft.

Among the strongest titles to look for in her movies available on Netflix is Annihilation. In that film, she plays a scientist drawn into a mysterious and unsettling mission, grounding the story with a performance that balances intellect and emotional depth. Her role in Black Swan remains one of the strongest examples of her commitment to complex characters, requiring both physical discipline and psychological intensity.

Meanwhile, Closer and V for Vendetta helped redefine her public image by placing her in layered, adult narratives that challenged earlier perceptions tied to franchise roles. Taken together, these performances reshaped the conversation around her. Rather than being defined by early criticism, Portman emerged as one of the most versatile actors of her generation, with a body of work that makes the “bad actress” label impossible to sustain.

What do you think about Natalie Portman’s journey from early backlash to critical acclaim? Let us know in the comments.