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Franka Potente

Franka Potente

Actor, also director, writer and producer · Born July 22, 1974 (52) · Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Franka Potente is a German film actress and singer. She was born on July 22, 1974 in Münster North Rhine-Westphalia and raised in nearby Dülmen. She first appeared in the comedy After Five in the Forest Primeval (1995) and gained critical recognition in the action thriller Lola rennt (released in English as Run Lola Run) (1998). Potente received Germany's highest film and television awards for her performances in Run Lola Run and Opernball. After half a decade of critically acclaimed roles in German films, Potente gained Hollywood's attention by playing the role of Barbara Buckley in Blow (2001) and the female lead with Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity (2002). In 2006, she starred with Eric Bana in the Australian film Romulus, My Father, for which she was nominated for an Australian Film Industry Award for Best Lead Actress. Also in 2006, she wrote and directed Der die Tollkirsche ausgräbt, a silent comedy. She has also appeared in several American television series including, The Shield in 2007, House M.D. in 2009 and Psych in 2010. As of 2011, she played Hilda in a BBC drama The Sinking of the Laconia. When not working on location, Potente lives in Berlin.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 22, 1974 (52)
From
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Works as
Actor, also director, writer and producer
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

What are Franka Potente's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 96th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
28%
Self
17%
Bonds
15%
Ideas
13%
Morality
13%
Power
10%
Society
5%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 3 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 10 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 3 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 6

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 11 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 12
Ally
2 of 12
Shapeshifter
2 of 12
Shadow
2 of 12
Mentor
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Melancholic
12
Dread
8
Thrilling
4
Warm
4
Other
21

How their films linger

Thought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Franka Potente's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Franka Potente's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • 23 000 Lives(2026)

    as Anne

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Castlevania: Nocturne(2023)

    Show 11 episodes · as Erzsebet Báthory (voice)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Mayfair Witches(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as Annamieke

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Echo 3(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Hildy

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Dark Winds(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Irene Vaggan

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Home(2020)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Haunted Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as The Onibaba Witch

  • Princess Emmy(2019)

    as Queen Karla (voice)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Between Worlds(2018)

    as Julie

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • 25 km/h(2018)

    as Ute

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Titans(2018)

    Show 12 episodes · as May Bennett / Mother Mayhem

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Muse(2017)

    as Susan Gilard

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Taboo(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Helga

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Der Island-Krimi: Tod der Elfenfrau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Der Island-Krimi: Der Tote im Westfjord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Solveig Karlsdóttir

  • The Conjuring 2(2016)

    as Anita Gregory

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Bridge(2013)

    Show 11 episodes · as Eleanor Nacht · as Elwood Reid

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Copper(2012)

    Show 23 episodes · as Eva Heissen

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Beate Uhse - Das Recht auf Liebe(2011)

    as Beate Uhse

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anne Frank / Charlotte Brown

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Sinking of the Laconia(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hilda Smith

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Small Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Valerie

  • Shanghai(2010)

    as Leni Müller

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Che: Part Two(2008)

    as Tania (Haydee Tamara Bunke Bider)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Die Brücke(2008)

    as Elfie Bauer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Manhunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Beate Klarsfeld

  • Eichmann(2007)

    as Vera Less

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Bourne Ultimatum(2007)

    as Marie Helena Kreutz (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Romulus, My Father(2007)

    as Christina

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Psych(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Nadia

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Der die Tollkirsche ausgräbt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • The Elementary Particles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Annabelle

  • A Life in Suitcases(2005)

    as Trixie Boudain

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 3: From Sark to the Finish(2004)

    as Trixie Boudain

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Lydia

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Creep(2004)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Bourne Supremacy(2004)

    as Marie Helene Kreutz

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea(2004)

    as Trixie Boudain

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Blueprint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Iris Sellin

  • Anatomy 2(2003)

    as Paula Henning

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • I Love Your Work(2003)

    as Mia Lang

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story(2003)

    as Trixie Boudain

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • All I Want(2002)

    as Jane

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Bourne Identity(2002)

    as Marie Helena Kreutz

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Shield(2002)

    Show 3 episodes · as Diro Kesakhian

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • La mer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Storytelling(2001)

    as Toby's Editor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Blow(2001)

    as Barbara Buckley

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Princess and the Warrior(2000)

    as Simone 'Sissi' Schmidt

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Anatomy(2000)

    as Paula

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Paradise Mall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mona Wendt

  • Südsee, eigene Insel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Kassiererin

  • Downhill City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Peggy

  • Am I Beautiful? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Linda

  • Run Lola Run(1998)

    as Lola

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Opera ball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Gabrielle Becker

  • Opernball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gabrielle Becker

  • Blood Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Lisa Manocci

  • Die drei Mädels von der Tankstelle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Lena

  • Coming In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Nina

  • It's a Jungle Out There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Anna

  • Zwei Brüder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mara

  • Liminal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles, 62 of them dated from 1994 to 2026; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

$293M worldwide

Highest rated

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19942026

Peak 2001 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 10 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1996Screen debut· It's a Jungle Out There
  • 1996First top-billed film· It's a Jungle Out There
  • 1998Breakout· Run Lola Run
  • 2018Career best· Titans

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 63: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting2 of 63: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 63: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1990s12 · acting2000s27 · 26 acting · 1 crew2010s17 · acting2020s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 21% of 24 roles
960616

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Franka Potente's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 29; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 42 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

23 000 Lives (2026)

91st percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Midcredits 98th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Franka Potente's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles53–92 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles22–67 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles51–84 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles26–88 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles37–89 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Franka Potente work with?

People who share at least 2 of Franka Potente's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Frank Griebe shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles