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Anything She’s In, We’ll Watch—Naomi Ackie Has Us in a Chokehold

  • Writer: Sahndra Fon Dufe
    Sahndra Fon Dufe
  • Feb 5
  • 2 min read

Credit: Naomi Ackie, in Blink Twice opposite Channing Tatum, showing on Amazon Video
Credit: Naomi Ackie, in Blink Twice opposite Channing Tatum, showing on Amazon Video

Anything She’s In, We’ll Watch—Naomi Ackie Has Us in a Chokehold

By Sahndra Fon Dufe

You know that one actor who shows up, and suddenly, you’re watching a movie you had no plans of watching? Yeah, that’s Naomi Ackie. The girl’s got range, presence, and the ability to make us forget she’s acting. And at this point, it’s pretty clear—whatever she’s in, we’re watching. No questions asked.


Credit: Naomi Ackie in Blink Twice, Whitney Houston: I wanna Dance With Somebody, Small Axe & Lady Macbeth
Credit: Naomi Ackie in Blink Twice, Whitney Houston: I wanna Dance With Somebody, Small Axe & Lady Macbeth

Let’s rewind for a second. Some of us first clocked Naomi in Lady Macbeth (2016), where she held her own opposite Florence Pugh in a dark, simmering period drama. 


Naomi in Lady Macbeth (2016)
Naomi in Lady Macbeth (2016)

Then Steve McQueen tapped her for Small Axe (2020), because of course, he did—she’s that good. But if you somehow missed those (which, shame on you), she definitely caught your attention as Jannah in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), where she galloped onto the scene (literally, on a space horse) and made us wonder why she wasn’t given even more screen time.


Naomi as Jannah in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Naomi as Jannah in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Hazel (Naomi Ackie) the psychologist finds Kingsley in “Small Axe” (2020)
Hazel (Naomi Ackie) the psychologist finds Kingsley in “Small Axe” (2020)

Then came Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022). Now, let’s be real. Playing THE Whitney Houston is no small feat, but Naomi said, “Bet,” and delivered a performance that had us doing double takes. She embodied the legend so well, it was almost eerie.


Naomi as whitney in Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Naomi as whitney in Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)

And just when we thought we’d seen it all, she turned around and gave us Blink Twice (2024), starring alongside Ben Hardy in a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing. 


Naomi in Blink Twice (2025)
Naomi in Blink Twice (2025)

A complete 180 from her previous work? Naturally. Versatility is kind of her thing.

So yeah, Naomi Ackie is that actress. The one who keeps surprising us, pulling us into stories we didn’t even know we needed. And honestly, at this point, she could star in a two-hour silent film about watching paint dry, and we’d still press play.

Because whatever she’s in? We’re watching. Period.

Naomi Ackie Filmography

If for some reason you’re late to the Naomi Ackie fan club (welcome, by the way), here’s where you can catch her brilliance:

  • Lady Macbeth (2016)

  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

  • Small Axe: Lovers Rock (2020)

  • Master of None (2021)

  • Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)

  • Blink Twice (2024)


TRAILER FOR BLINK TWICE STREAMING NOW ON NETFLIX- 


While Blink Twice (2024) was an extremely strange film—also starring hottie Channing Tatum (no surprise there)—Naomi’s performance was exceptional. Probably telling from its name, the psychological thriller took audiences on a wild ride, and she kept us hooked with every twist and turn. We are in love, and we are paying homage.


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