What can be said about Bella Thorne? Somewhat of a divisive figure within the Hollywood film industry, Bella Thorne has had an interesting career trajectory (to say the least) since her first onscreen role in 2003.
Born in 1997 in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Bella Thorne celebrated her 27th birthday in 2024. Yet, she’s experienced various ups and downs during her career, from her breakthrough work as a young actress on the Disney channel to her work in the adult film industry with the PornHub premium film Her and Him (which she also directed) in 2019.
Bella Thorne showcases her playful, colorful style in a layered turquoise and lime green tutu skirt, graphic tee, and patterned leggings, finishing the look with slouchy gray ankle boots and a pink Juicy Couture handbag at the Los Angeles premiere of “Race To Witch Mountain” at the El Capitan Theatre on March 11, 2009, in Hollywood, California (Credit: INFevents)
Despite these different experiences, Bella Thorne has made several unfortunate career decisions, particularly regarding the films she has starred in.
While we usually can think of most actors’ resumes by the strengths of the films they have worked on, in the case of Bella Thorne, we’ll be looking at the “least bad” films she has ever appeared in. If you’re interested in watching some movies starring Bella Thorne (you’re a brave soul), this is the best place to start to ensure the least amount of torture possible. Let’s get to it.
1. Best of Bella Thorne: Assassination Nation (2018) – A Critical Success with Mixed Audience Reviews
A series of hacks causing private information to leak causes a small town to seek violence in Assassination Nation.
This film features Bella Thorne as Reagan Hall, a promiscuous and devious young woman who leaks the private nudes of her best friend, Grace, a classmate of the film’s protagonist, Lily (played by Odessa Young).
Odessa Young as Lily Colson, Suki Waterhouse as Sarah Lacey, Hari Nef as Bex Warren, and Bella Thorne as Reagan Hall show off their edgy schoolgirl-inspired looks, mixing hoodies, statement knits, pleated skirts, and bold accessories in Assassination Nation (Credit: Neon and Gozie AGBO)
In the film, a small town spirals into chaos after a massive data leak exposes everyone’s darkest secrets. Blending black comedy with stylish, often brutal violence, Assassination Nation made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2018, when Bella was 20.
👠 Explore ‘Assassination Nation’ Premiere Fashion & Shoes:
- 📸 Bella Thorne’s Raisa & Vanessa floral embroidered mini dress and crystal-embellished Le Silla ‘Divina’ pumps turned heads on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Assassination Nation.
- 🖤 Charli XCX rocks a Helmut Lang leather safety pin mini dress paired with patent knee-high boots and Justine Clenquet statement earrings at the Assassination Nation premiere.
- 🎬 Dove Cameron flaunts her legs in an Alexander Wang ruched mini dress with Robert Clergerie Vionica platform ankle-strap sandals and sheer black stockings during the film’s promotional event.
Despite its provocative themes and striking visuals, the film struggled at the box office. Bella celebrated her 21st birthday later that year, on October 8.
Bella Thorne strikes a fierce pose as Reagan Hall in Assassination Nation (2018), sporting a bold cheerleader-inspired outfit paired with metallic silver athletic sneakers that complement her edgy, rebellious character (Credit: Neon and Gozie AGBO)
2. The DUFF (2015): Bella Thorne Shines in This Teen Comedy Classic
Shifting from action and thrillers to teen comedy, The DUFF stars Mae Whitman in the titular role of Bianca Piper (the designated ugly fat friend, or DUFF), alongside Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush, and of course Bella Thorne as Madison Morgan – a popular mean girl who acts as an antagonist throughout the film.
In the film, Bianca is the DUFF to two more popular students, Wesley and Jess (played by Skyler Samuels). Upon realizing this, Bianca lashes out against her former friends, drawing Madison’s ire and ridicule. Madison films an embarrassing video of her and posts it online.
Bella Thorne portrays high school queen bee Madison Morgan in The DUFF (2015), keeping it simple yet sharp in a fitted black tee that highlights her character’s effortless cool-girl style (Credit: Lionsgate / CBS Films)
At the film’s end, Bianca learns to accept herself and tells Madison off, gaining the confidence to not care about popularity.
👠 Explore Bella Thorne’s ‘The DUFF’ Premiere & Red Carpet Fashion:
- 🎬 Bella Thorne stuns in a pastel pink Versace Spring 2015 three-piece ensemble, featuring a cropped top, blazer, and asymmetrical skort with a logo-printed waistband, paired with strappy gold Jimmy Choo sandals at the Los Angeles premiere of The DUFF.
- 🏆 At the 2015 Teen Choice Awards, Bella Thorne dazzles in a bright orange strapless Balmain Resort 2016 mini dress, complemented by nude suede Stuart Weitzman ‘XChain’ sandals adorned with delicate gold chains, showcasing her gold-accented pedicure.
- 💃 Later that evening, she changes into a black Alexander Wang mini dress with zipper embellishments and neon accents, completing the look with sleek black ankle-strap ‘Atalya’ sandals, as she accepts her Choice Movie Villain award for her role in The DUFF.
Released on February 20, 2015, when Bella was 17, the film was a success with critics and at the box office, although most critics unfavorably compared it to teen comedy classics like Easy A and Mean Girls.
3. Horror Highlight: The Babysitter (2017) – Bella Thorne’s Role in This Cult-Favorite
Now, let’s delve into the genre Bella Thorne is most recognized for—horror. In the 2017 film The Babysitter, Thorne plays a supporting role alongside Samara Weaving and Judah Lewis, who star as Bee and Cole, respectively.
In the film, Bee is the cool, young babysitter of Cole, an awkward preteen boy. While Bee often acts as a protective figure to Cole, she harbors a deep, dark secret: she’s a member of a murderous demonic cult.
Bella Thorne channels a killer cheerleader vibe as Allison in the 2017 teen black comedy horror film The Babysitter, wearing a bold yellow-and-black two-piece uniform (Credit: Netflix)
Bella Thorne plays the role of Allison in the film, a friend of Bee and a fellow member of the demonic cult who seeks to use Cole as a blood sacrifice for one of their dark rituals.
Critics enjoyed this unique blend of horror with hints of comedy. Most found the film enjoyable, although many said the concept wasn’t original. Netflix released it on October 13, 2017, just five days after Bella’s 20th birthday.
4. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) – Bella Thorne in a Family Comedy Classic
Yet another film in which Bella Thorne portrays an antagonist (we’re noticing a trend here) – Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is loosely based on the popular 1972 children’s novel of the same name and features an ensemble cast including Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, and Dylan Minnette.
On October 3, 2014, Bella Thorne promotes Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Disney Store in Times Square, New York City, wearing a nude two-piece knit ensemble paired with cutout peep-toe heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INFphoto)
Interestingly, this is the only film the Jim Henson Company produced without puppetry. In it, Bella Thorne plays the character of Celia Rodriguez, the ex-girlfriend of the protagonist Alexander Cooper (portrayed by Ed Oxenbould).
Bella Thorne channels her character Madison Morgan’s polished, picture-perfect style in The DUFF (2015), wearing a silver floral-print satin dress accented with sparkling crystal jewelry and a jeweled waist belt (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
The film explores a particularly horrible day in Alexander’s life, including his being dumped by Celia, his sassy, high-maintenance girlfriend. By the film’s end, Alexander leaves Celia, finding her vapid, shallow, and downright rude.
👠 Bella Thorne’s Red Carpet Look at the ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’ Premiere:
- 🎬 Bella Thorne stuns in a vibrant orange Alberta Ferretti tiered chiffon gown with a plunging neckline, accessorized with Neil Lane jewelry and an Edie Parker clutch at the Hollywood premiere of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
- ✨ She completes her ensemble with gold foil Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ ankle-strap sandals, adding a touch of glamour to her red carpet appearance.
Critics appreciated the film’s hijinks, finding it suitable (and perhaps forgettable) entertainment for children. It was released in North America on October 10, 2014, two days after Bella’s 17th birthday. It was filmed during the summer of 2013 when she was 15.
5. A Dark Turn: Bella Thorne in Girl (2020) – A Revenge Drama with Mixed Reactions
We are starting to venture into some of Thorne’s more recent (and unfortunate) filmography with Girl, a drama film in which Thorne portrays a character known only as “Girl.”
The story is one of revenge, as the girl returns to her quaint hometown seeking to murder her abusive father, although she discovers someone has already beaten her to the punch.
The film features a small cast, including actors Chad Faust (who also directed it) and Mickey Rourke. Fans of Bella Thorne may find themselves pleasantly surprised by this film, as Thorne’s acting is perhaps her finest to date.
Bella Thorne transforms into a determined, unnamed young woman known only as Girl, seeking revenge in the 2020 thriller Girl (Credit: Screen Media Films)
Unfortunately, the screenplay and direction of the film make those efforts all for naught, and critics overall thought the film compared unfavorably to others in the female-led revenge genre.
It was released on September 25, 2020, just weeks before her 23rd birthday. Despite her rather mediocre filmography to this point, Bella Thorne is indeed an interesting figure within the Hollywood film industry. She has legitimate acting talent, yet is often pigeonholed into low-quality, typecast roles.
While a mix of successes and challenges has marked Bella Thorne’s career, her potential and determination are not denied. We hope she can eventually break out of that trend and find herself in better films with the right opportunities. Only time will tell!
Beyond her on-screen roles, Bella Thorne has also made notable appearances on the red carpet, showcasing her distinctive style. One such event was in 2012 when she attended the opening night of ‘Bring It On: The Musical’ in New York City.
Bella Thorne’s Barely-There Christian Louboutin Sandals
Bella Thorne dazzles at the Bring It On: The Musical opening night in a textured ivory Keepsake tulip-skirt dress, accessorized with a gold Alexander McQueen knuckle-duster clutch and clear-strapped Christian Louboutin ‘Icone A Clous’ sandals that elongate her 5-foot-6-inch (167.6 cm) frame
In August 2012, Disney star Bella Thorne of the “Shake It Up” TV series attended “Bring It On: The Musical” opening night in New York City.
Bella Thorne glows in a textured ivory dress paired with elegant hoop earrings at the “Bring It On: The Musical” opening night in New York City on August 1, 2012 (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / WENN)
The then-14-year-old actress was glittering in gold from her Keepsake tulip skirt dress, her Alexander McQueen knuckle-duster clutch, down to her Christian Louboutin Icone A Clous sandals.
Bella Thorne’s Alexander McQueen knuckle-duster clutch (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / WENN)
Christian Louboutin achieved the barely-there look for these sandals by placing the small gold studs on clear PVC straps.
The effect is reminiscent of delicate strands of golden beads gracefully adorning the feet, creating a captivating sight, particularly when admired from a distance.
Like the Christian Louboutin Bow Bow sandals we spotted on Rachel Weisz, Bella Thorne’s Christian Louboutin ‘Icone A Clous’ sandals are clear plastic shoes we’d wear in a heartbeat.
Bella Thorne shows off her feet and vibrant purple pedicure in Christian Louboutin’s Icone A Clous sandals, featuring delicate gold studded PVC straps and metallic heels (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / WENN)
It’s a mystery how he achieved it, but renowned women’s shoe designer Christian Louboutin transformed clear PVC into something remarkably classy and elegant.
With their barely-there straps and gold stud embellishments, the ‘Icone A Clous’ sandals not only added a touch of glamour but also helped elongate Bella Thorne’s 5-foot-6-inch (167.6 cm) frame, creating a sleek, leg-lengthening effect. Take a closer look at the Christian Louboutin ‘Icone A Clous’ sandals:
Gold Metallic Christian Louboutin Icone A Clous Sandals, $995
Stepping Out in Style: Bella Thorne’s Most Memorable Shoe Moments
Bella Thorne has consistently turned heads with her bold fashion choices and distinctive footwear. Here are some of her most iconic shoe moments:
Bella Thorne’s Edgy Look at the 2016 American Music Awards
- Event: 2016 American Music Awards
- Outfit: Bella embraced an edgy aesthetic with a black leatherette bra, embroidered pants, and a sleek tuxedo jacket.
- Footwear: She completed her ensemble with strappy Stuart Weitzman “Courtesong” sandals, adding a touch of sophistication to her daring look.
- Read more: Bella Thorne’s Stuart Weitzman sandals at the 2016 AMAs
Glamorous in Sergio Rossi ‘SR1’ Sandals at the ‘Midnight Sun’ Photocall
- Event: ‘Midnight Sun’ Photocall in Rome
- Outfit: Bella donned a Cushnie Et Ochs ensemble, featuring a ‘Vivian’ bodysuit and ‘Fay’ pants, exuding modern elegance.
- Footwear: She paired her outfit with black leather Sergio Rossi ‘SR1’ sandals, adding a sleek finish to her look.
- Discover more: Bella Thorne’s Sergio Rossi ‘SR1’ sandals in Rome
Casual Chic with Capri Positano Gladiator Sandals
- Event: Spring Outing
- Outfit: Bella embraced a relaxed vibe with a floral dress, perfect for a sunny day.
- Footwear: She opted for handmade nude Capri Positano gladiator sandals, showcasing her plum pedicure and effortless style.
- See more: Bella Thorne’s Capri Positano gladiator sandals
Sporty Flair with Floral Nike Air Max 1 Ultra Sneakers
- Event: Find Your Park Campaign Launch
- Outfit: Bella showcased a sporty look with a tied-up tank and printed leggings.
- Footwear: She completed her ensemble with floral Nike Air Max 1 Ultra sneakers, blending comfort with style.
- Explore her style: Bella Thorne’s floral Nike Air Max 1 Ultra sneakers
Bold Statement in Versace Medusa Tri-Strap Platform Sandals
- Event: #LoveYourNature Campaign Promotion
- Outfit: Bella wore a military green cady shift dress from Versace’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection.
- Footwear: She elevated her look with Versace Medusa tri-strap platform sandals, featuring chunky heels and gold-tone buckles.
- Read more: Bella Thorne’s Versace platform sandals
These moments highlight Bella Thorne’s versatile fashion sense and her ability to make a statement with every step.