7 Keke Palmer movies that will glue you to your seats

Keke Palmer is an actress and singer, who has received two Emmy awards and a Screen Actors Guild award. Palmer made her debut as a child actor in movies like The Wool Cap. She achieved success when she performed in the movie, Akeelah and the Bee. Some of her movies include Jump In!, Hustlers, and more recently, Nope. The actress is known for her energetic and lively performances but has also given more restrained and layered portrayals. She has also worked in TV shows like True Jackson, VP and Scream Queens. The multi-talented star has released singles, a book, and has hosted a talk show as well. Here are 7 must-watch movies of Keke Palmer, that fans must check out.

Pimp, Nope, and other must-watch movies of Keke Palmer

1. Alice

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Krystin Ver Linden and starring Keke Palmer, Alicia Witt, and others, this crime thriller movie is set in the 1970s. The film is about Alice (Keke Palmer), who is enslaved on a 19th century style plantation in Georgia, by the owner, Paul Bennet. When she tries to run away, she meets a truck driver, Frank, who tells her that it is actually the 1970s and she has been misled her entire life. Now, Alice decides to team up with Frank and exact revenge on Paul, so that she can free the other people who have been enslaved on his farm. The movie has a lot of twists and turns and Palmer delivers one of the most mature and nuanced portrayals. She embodies the hardships and disillusions that Alice has faced upon knowing the truth and gives a heartfelt yet brave performance. It is therefore, one of the must-watch movies for fans of the actress and singer. While the movie has received mixed reviews and has been noted for being too self-aware and weak in parts. However, Palmer makes for a formidable and strong heroine and she elevates the movie, subsuming its weaker moments with her strong and dedicated performance.

2. Akeelah and the Bee

Starring Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, and others, this drama movie is directed by Doug Atchison and revolves around 11-year-old girl Akeelah (Palmer), who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition. The movie is inspirational in nature and features a young Keke Palmer, who delivers a forceful yet heartfelt performance as the protagonist of the film. The movie was a critical and commercial success and was noted for its avoidance of clichés about the African-American community. Palmer showcases her acting prowess even at a young age and it is a must-watch for fans of the actress. While Palmer is now known for playing strong female characters, in this movie, she comes across as an innocent and unsure child, who is trying to hone her talent. The movie is about Akeelah being a member of a dysfunctional family, who has a talent for words and spellings. Her life changes when her underfunded school’s principal decides to send her to the spelling bee competition and Akeelah gets a chance to showcase her talent. The movie is about class, grief, companionship, and strong bonds. It is emotionally compelling and gratifying and is elevated by the strong performance of Palmer, Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne.

3. Nope

Directed and written by Jordan Peele and starring Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, and others, this neo-Western sci-fi horror movie is one of the most interesting movies by Keke Palmer. The movie is about two siblings, played by Kaluuya and Palmer, who are horse-wranglers and must capture evidence about an unidentified flying object in Agua Dulce, California. The movie is inspired by Signs, Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and others. The film has equal parts of sci-fi, horror, and Western. The movie was a smash hit and was appreciated by the critics for its performances, direction, and visuals. The film is a must-watch for fans of the actress as she highlights that she is perfectly suited for a horror role. She plays the role of Emerald Haywood, who goes from an upbeat person, to someone who has a dark er side underneath. While her brother has a more static role, Palmer as Emerald, goes through a complete transformation and the movie and the actress is still able to hold her own. Palmer is able to embody both this personas of her character well. It is one of her most complex roles as the actress is well-written and the actress shines as she takes on a serious challenge. The movie is dreadful and full of suspense.

4. Hustlers

Starring Jennifer Lopez, Keke Palmer, Cardi B, and others, this crime and comedy drama movie is directed by Lorene Scafaria and is based on the New York magazine’s 2015 article by Jessica Pressler. The movie is a stylized and gritty look at a group of New York City strippers, who begin to steal money by drugging stock traders and CEOs, who visit their club. Further, they also use their credit cards. The movie was a critical and commercial hit and even though Lopez’s performance was noted, Keke Palmer also gave a scene-stealing performance. The movie has funny moments but also underscores the problems that women in this field have to go through. The movie is riveting and electric and Palmer might be in a secondary role, but she gives an enigmatic performance as Mercedes. There are moments in the movie where Palmer proves as Mercedes that she can handle high-octane roles with ease and the actress easily delivers some of the best scenes in the film. Even though Palmer is against Lopez, she holds her own. She fits in like a glove in the environment and tone of the film and yet, also comes across as herself. Therefore, it is a must-watch for fans of the actress.

5. Pimp

Directed by Christian Crokos and starring Keke Palmer, Haley Ramm, and others, this drama movie is also written by Crokos. The movie is about Wednesday (Keke Palmer), who is a female pimp and she learns the rules of the business through her father. Her mother was one of her father’s clients and after having Wednesday, her mother retires and becomes an addict. Wednesday’s father on the other hand, died due to an overdose and Wednesday must now look after her mother and her girlfriend. The movie is a must-watch for fans of the actress as it is different from something that she has regularly done. While her other movies are more coming-of-age, this gritty and emotional movie has the complex character of Wednesday at the center, which is wonderfully portrayed by Palmer. The actress shows off her acting versatility with this film and she takes on the mantle of her character, who is responsible yet intimidating. Wednesday is someone who is battling her own inner demons and Palmer is perfect in the role. From the character’s desperate need for love, to a heartbreaking conversation with her mother, Palmer as Wednesday, showcases her strong acting capabilities with each scene. The movie is a must-watch.

6. Imperial Dreams

Still from the movie (Image via Netflix)

Starring Keke Palmer, John Boyega, and others, this drama movie is directed by Malik Vitthal and focuses on a 21-year-old reformed gangster Bambi (Boyega), who is devoted to his family and his son. However, when Bambi is released from prison and comes back to his stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles, Bambi’s character is put to the test. The movie has themes of education, mass incarceration, and the obstacles in the system that prevent the rehabilitated from surviving in the society when they come back. Keke Palmer plays the role of Samaara, who is Boyega’s son’s mother and is also in prison. Even though Palmer has a secondary role in the film, her scenes are emotional and well-executed. The movie is hauntingly beautiful and compelling and focuses on Bambi’s journey as he avoids a path of crime again and wants to be better for his son and for himself. The movie allows Palmer to give a more sensitive, nuanced, and a lower-key register performance, than what she usually plays in other movies. Viewers get to see her mature side as Samaara and the movie is a dark but riveting watch that all the fans of the actress must check out.

7. The Longshots

Directed by Fred Durst and starring Keke Palmer, Dash Mihok, and others, this sports comedy and drama movie is based on the real-life events of Jasmine Plummer, who was the first girl to participate in the Pop Warner football tournament with the Harvey Colts, which was led by coach Richard Brown Jr. Keke Palmer stars as Jasmine Plummer and gives another energetic and thoughtful performance from her younger days in the world of acting. It is a must-watch for die-hard fans of the actress who want to see her during her younger days on the screen. The movie is heartfelt with moments of comedy as Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube) is a former washed-up football player and he meets his niece Jasmine, who shows talent for football. He decides to nurture her passion and the two form a unique bond. The movie is well-shot and is a breezy and lighthearted watch that also gives inspiration to the viewers to achieve their dreams. Even though Keke Palmer was just a teenager in this movie, she gives an impressive performance and her acting elevates the movie. Even at a young age, the actress knows how to embody the characteristics and feelings of her character and showcases Jasmine’s progression wonderfully and with nuance.