The best and worst fake accents in movies

Ana de Armas in 'Blonde' (2022)

Marilyn Monroe fans rushed to social media after watching Ana de Armas take on the iconic role in the Netflix film 'Blonde,' with many criticizing the Cuban actress for her accent. Many complained that Armas' accent is too heavy to sound like Monroe, and that it's taking her out of character, but Monroe's estate came to Armas' defense. 

“Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history,” Marc Rosen, president of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Marilyn Monroe Estate, said in a statement to Variety, adding that everyone knows they are big shoes to fill.  "Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity, and vulnerability.”

Armas herself told The Sunday Times that it took her nine months to learn how to speak like Monroe, and she said the process was “so exhausting.”

Lady Gaga in 'House of Gucci' (2021)

Italian actress and dialect coach Francesca De Martini didn't exactly approve of Lady Gaga's vocal impression of Patrizia Reggiani, who famously hired a hitman to murder her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci. “I feel bad saying this, but her accent is not exactly an Italian accent, it sounds more Russian,” De Martini told The Daily Beast. 

De Martini had initially auditioned to be in the film, and though she was rejected, she was later called back to help Salma Hayek, who herself requested a coach. It was then that she heard Lady Gaga's accent. Gaga herself stirred anticipation around the accent after she told British Vogue that she stayed in character, with both accent and brunette hair, for nine months, but according to the dialect coach, that still wasn't enough. “There are so many different accents,” De Martini noted, adding that Al Pacino’s is more akin to New York-Italian, while Adam Driver barely has any at all.

Toni Collette in 'The Sixth Sense' (1999)

In a movie famous for its shock twist, perhaps the biggest surprise of all for audiences was discovering that Toni Collette's American accent was not her own. She's from Sydney, Australia, but she sounds so convincing that you'd never guess.

Peter Sellers in 'Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (1964)

English actor Peter Sellers rose to the challenge of playing three different roles in Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. As well as acting in his natural British tones, he carried off American and thick German accents.

Renée Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)

British fans of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel were initially up in arms about the decision to cast an American in the role of Bridget Jones. But Zellweger did her research, going undercover to work in a London office. Her plummy British accent won over the critics.

Kate Winslet in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Winslet clearly put a lot of effort into nailing her accent after 'Titanic.' Her American accent in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' was widely praised, with one BBC reviewer calling it "immaculate."

Chiwetel Ejiofor in '12 Years a Slave' (2013)

A British actor of Nigerian descent, Ejiofor had reservations about taking on the African-American lead role in '12 Years a Slave.' But his powerful performance received rave reviews and his accent was near flawless.

Margot Robbie in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013)

Australian actress Margot Robbie was widely praised for her convincing Brooklyn accent as Naomi in 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' The thick accent was so good that many people assumed she was a Brooklyn native.

Heather Graham and Johnny Depp in 'From Hell' (2001)

Johnny Depp has managed some decent accents throughout his career, but this film about London's Jack the Ripper was not his finest moment. Neither he nor co-star Heather Graham convinced with their cartoonish cockney accents.

Meryl Streep in 'Sophie's Choice' (1982)

Meryl Streep's Oscar-winning performance as a Polish Holocaust survivor in 'Sophie's Choice' is a masterclass in how to do an accent well. It's widely regarded as of the most powerful acting performances of all time.

Meryl Streep in 'The Iron Lady' (2011)

Streep's performance as former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher was note-perfect, winning her another Oscar. The icy accent was disarmingly close to that of the "Iron Lady" herself.

Cate Blanchett in 'Veronica Guerin' (2003)

Taking on the title role in a biopic about a murdered Irish journalist was serious business for Australian Cate Blanchett. The actress carried off a near-flawless accent, in a film which won rave reviews.

Nicolas Cage in 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' (2001)

Critics mauled this "droopy, disappointing film," and not least because of Nicolas Cage's appalling Italian accent. It's frequently cited as one of the most cringe-inducing accents in cinema history.

Anne Hathaway in 'One Day' (2011)

Anne Hathaway was only marginally more convincing in her role as British writer Emma in the movie adaptation of David Nicholls' novel. Brits rightly questioned just which part of the country her 'northern' accent was supposed to be from.

James Van Der Beek in 'Varsity Blues' (1999)

Maybe Caine should take solace from the fact that even American stars can get the Texas accent wrong. Connecticut-born James Van Der Beek was laughed out the park for his accent in this sports-themed movie.

Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Gangs of New York' (2002)

DiCaprio had committed previous crimes against accents. His Irish brogue in 2002's 'Gangs of New York' was widely mocked by audiences, especially in Ireland.

Angelina Jolie in 'Alexander' (2004)

This movie raised questions about the accents across the board, but it was Jolie's attempts at sounding like she came from ancient Greece that were subject to the most withering critiques. 

Nicolas Cage in 'Con Air' (1997)

Nicolas Cage helped this movie soar into 'so bad it's good' territory, thanks to his hilariously bad attempt at an Alabama accent. The California actor's version of a southern accent drew ridicule from critics and audiences.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in 'Far and Away' (1992)

Could an Australian actress and an American actor convince as an Irish couple? No, no they could not. Their performances are widely cited as two of the worst fake Irish accents of all time.