The Movie Like Salt That Action Fans Need To See

Just as "Salt" perfectly shows off Angelina Jolie's prowess as a powerful action star, "Atomic Blonde" is an ideal vehicle for star Charlize Theron's incredible physical talents. From "The Italian Job" to "Æon Flux" to "Hancock," Theron spent the 2000s quietly establishing herself as one of the most dependable yet unsung bruisers in Hollywood. When Theron eventually got a starring role as Imperator Furiosa in "Mad Max: Fury Road," the most important action movie of the 2010s, it was already a kind of coronation — but even more than that, it was a wake-up call: Hollywood owed her more great action opportunities. That eventually came with 2017's "Atomic Blonde," a movie that shows off Theron's real-life superpowers, which have gotten her injured on set more than once.

The plot, a double-agent MI6 story set in Berlin at the height of the Cold War, is a little tidier than "Salt" — but, once again, the concept of a "plot" is almost beside the point here. The main attractions are Theron as MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton, the cool spy-world aesthetics, the constant array of wigs, and the bravura stunts — all helmed by David Leitch, also co-director of the first "John Wick." 

Like "Salt," a great deal of "Atomic Blonde" indulges in the old-fashioned thrill of watching a charismatic hero untangle a massive conspiracy while squaring off against a series of assailants. However, "Atomic Blonde" goes even further than most B-movie throwbacks thanks to its gorgeous neon-drenched cinematography and refreshingly unfussy queer storyline. Plus, it features an unbelievable single-take sequence that blew everyone away. For fans of the genre, "Atomic Blonde" is simply unmissable.