Milla Jovovich has been an action heroine for so long that she is now also a convincing and intimidating villain. The post-apocalyptic action thriller Breathe is set in 2039, when nearly everything on Earth has been suffocated by pollution. A mother and daughter are among the few humans still alive, surviving for several years until a woman (Jovovich) appears at their bunker door.
Jovovich collaborated again with Besson on a French historical epic inspired by Joan of Arc, leaning more toward Hollywood than Dreyer or Bresson. Though visually spectacular and benefiting from the actress's strong screen presence, The Messenger was a misstep in both her and the director's careers.
One of the milestones of Milla Jovovich’s career as an action star was leading one of the most successful and longest-running film franchises inspired by video games. Interestingly, the franchise drew inspiration from George A. Romero’s zombie horror. Her character, Alice, serves as the protagonist in a parallel reality of Resident Evil, trading survival horror for action-packed fights and gunfire.
