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Barbara Sukowa

Barbara Sukowa

Actor · Born February 2, 1950 (76) · Bremen, Germany

Cannes award winner · Venice award winner

Barbara Sukowa (born 2 February 1950) is a German theatre and film actress. She is known for her work with directors Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Margarethe von Trotta. She won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for the film Rosa Luxemburg (1986). Her other film appearances include Lola (1981), Europa (1990), M. Butterfly (1993), and Hannah Arendt (2012). Description above from the Wikipedia article Barbara Sukowa, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 2, 1950 (76)
From
Bremen, Germany
Works as
Actor
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 71 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 26Up 33% in 30 days

What are Barbara Sukowa's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
Self
20%
Morality
18%
Society
15%
Bonds
13%
Ideas
13%
Survival
11%
Power
11%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 12 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 13 · Intense 4

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

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 12 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1

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 11 · Full focus 3

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 15 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 15
Shadow
3 of 15
Shapeshifter
2 of 15
Mentor
2 of 15
Threshold guardian
2 of 15
Ally
1 of 15
Herald
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
12
Contemplative
7
Warm
5
Dread
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Thought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic3
  • 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 Barbara Sukowa's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Barbara Sukowa'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

71 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • ZOMA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    Actor

  • Eurotrash(2026)

    as Helene

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Leibniz – Chronicle of a Lost Painting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Kurfürstin Sophie von Hannover

  • Klandestin WT (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Mathilda

  • Iris Berben - Ein persönliches Porträt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Sukowa - Playful Like A Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • We're Not Done Yet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Bettina

  • François Truffaut: My Life, a Screenplay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Helen Hessel (voice)

  • Constellation(2024)

    Show 5 episodes · as Irena Lysenko

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Enkel für Fortgeschrittene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Philippa

  • Air(2023)

    as Kathy Dassler

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Night Agent(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacqueline Laurent

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Swarm(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Prof. Katherina Lehmann

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • White Noise(2022)

    as Sister Hermann Marie

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Daliland(2022)

    as Gala

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Out of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Voice of Lilo Stein

  • Two of Us(2019)

    as Nina Dorn

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Granny Nanny(2020)

    as Philippa

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Servant(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Aunt Josephine · as Aunt Josephine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Rocca Changes the World(2019)

    as Dodo

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Gloria Bell(2018)

    as Melinda

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Native Son(2019)

    as Peggy

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Atomic Blonde(2017)

    as Coroner

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • My Art(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Friderike Zweig

  • The Misplaced World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Caterina Fabiani / Evelyn Kromberger

  • 12 Monkeys(2015)

    Show 47 episodes · as Katarina Jones

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Salomea's Nose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Salomea (voice)

  • El cielo es azul(2013)

    as Marquez

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Hannah Arendt(2012)

    as Hannah Arendt

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Nacht ohne Morgen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Katharina

  • Vision - Aus dem Leben der Hildegard von Bingen(2009)

    as Hildegard von Bingen

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Veronika Decides to Die(2009)

    as Mom

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Die Entdeckung der Currywurst (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Lena Brücker

  • Romance & Cigarettes(2005)

    as Gracie

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Transamerica(2005)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Other Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Vera Glaubitz

  • A Birthday to Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Rosemarie

  • Liebe, Lügen, Leidenschaften (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Landau

  • 13 Conversations About One Thing(2001)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Urbania (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Clara - The Married Woman

  • The Lady in Question (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Rachel Singer

  • Cradle Will Rock(1999)

    as Sophie Silvano

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Third Miracle(1999)

    as Helen O’Regan

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Nightworld: Lost Souls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sheila Robinson

  • The Port of Last Resort(1998)

    as Annie Witting (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Office Killer(1997)

    as Virginia Wingate

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • In the Name of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Anna Loeser

  • Johnny Mnemonic(1995)

    as Anna Kalmann

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • M. Butterfly(1993)

    as Jeanne Gallimard

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Colpo di coda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Regina

  • Europa(1991)

    as Katharina Hartmann

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Voyager(1991)

    as Hannah

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The African Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Martha

  • The Sicilian(1987)

    as Camilla, Duchess of Crotone

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Days to Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Katharina

  • Rosa Luxemburg(1986)

    as Rosa Luxemburg

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 5 episodes · as Liesl Kolff

  • Un dimanche de flics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Patricia

  • Equator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Adele

  • Deadly Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Daniela Mathiesen

  • Marianne and Juliane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Marianne

  • Lola(1981)

    as Lola

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Berlin Alexanderplatz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 14 episodes · as Emilie "Mieze" Karsunke · as Mieze

  • St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Anka

  • Heinrich Heine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Amalie Friedländer

  • Women in New York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Crystal Allen

  • Unter Ausschluß der Öffentlichkeit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Viktoria Herbst

  • Tatort(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Babsi Meyer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Spiritual World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Unknownia (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 71 titles, 67 of them dated from 1970 to 2025; peak year 2019.

Biggest box office

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

$19M worldwide

Highest rated

Europa (1991)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

12 Monkeys (2015)

Film career

19702025

Peak 2019 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 9 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.

  • 1980Screen debut· Berlin Alexanderplatz
  • 1981First film· Lola
  • 1981First top-billed film· Lola
  • 2012Career best· Hannah Arendt
  • 2015Career best· 12 Monkeys

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting70 of 71: 70 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndOther crew1 of 71: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s5 · acting1980s10 · acting1990s13 · acting2000s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2010s13 · acting2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 19% of 27 roles
819606

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.

Awards

2 major awards from 2 major nominations, 1981–1986.

  1. 1986
    • Cannes award, won
  2. 1981
    • Venice award, won · Best Actress

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Barbara Sukowa's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 29; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

My Art (2016)

89th percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Air (2023)

Midcredits 94th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 39. 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 Barbara Sukowa's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 4 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 76 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles27–50 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 53 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian 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 Barbara Sukowa work with?

People who share at least 2 of Barbara Sukowa's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Margarethe von Trotta shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers