Some Walking Dead characters really defined what the series was about, from Morgan’s version of Negan to the incredible Andrew Lincoln as Rick. But the character I need to give more attention and flowers to is the incredible Danai Gurira, who plays Michonne.
Michonne had a bit of a cameo in the season 2 finale but made her speaking debut in the season 3 premiere, “Seed.” From there, Gurira earned fans' love, admiration, and respect time and time again for her portrayal of the badass, katana-wielding survivor.
However, Gurira is more than just a zombie-slayer. While one of her best shows on here connects to the world as a whole, three other films you must check out really showcase her abilities. These are the four best shows and films for Danai Gurira fans.
Black Panther (2018)
I remember the moment I saw Gurira in Black Panther; I knew I was going to love her absolutely. And you know what? I was entirely right. Her as Okoye, a warrior general who is one of the leaders of the Dora Milaje, is perfect casting, and I genuinely don’t think there could have been anyone better.
If you didn’t see Black Panther when it was released, the film is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a timeline of films that several Walking Dead stars have appeared in. This film follows the titular superhero, Black Panther, who goes by T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the King of Wakanda, after his father is killed. He is challenged for the throne by someone who claims to be his cousin, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who wants to use Wakanda’s resources to begin a revolution.
This will not be the first post that praises Black Panther, and it certainly won’t be the last. If you haven’t watched this film, do so. You really don’t need to watch all of the MCU films to enjoy it (my dad hadn’t, and he got a kick out of this). And if you love watching Gurira kick butt, this is perfect.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Is it a little bit of a cheat to put the sequel to Black Panther on here? Maybe. But there’s a clear reason why this is also one of Gurira’s best films.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes place a few years after the first. T’Challa is dying from a terminal illness. This is because, in real life, Chadwick Boseman sadly passed away from colon cancer, and Marvel chose not to recast the role.
The movie follows his sister, Shuri, who is now grieving the loss of her brother after he sadly passed but is also dealing with a new threat to Wakanda.
I don’t really want to get into the details of the film because it deals well with grief and how people grieve in different ways. But for fans of Gurira, this is the film to watch. The first film is her action movie, but the sequel gave her so much more space to show her acting and character, as well as how she reacts to this new sense of responsibility after T’Challa passes on. She gives a masterclass, and both she and Shuri’s actress, Letitia Wright, are incredible.
Mother Of George (2013)
We can’t just have every movie on here be from Marvel, which is why I’m going to put Mother of George on here, a movie that was released pre-The Walking Dead, for fans of Gurira to check out. The premise is simple: it follows a Nigerian couple who move to Brooklyn to open a restaurant while also dealing with a common issue: fertility.
What really makes this a great choice for Gurira fans is that this is a more grounded piece. Yes, she is a badass, and it is incredible to watch her kick butt and take down walkers, bad guys, or whatever the case may be. But at the end of the day, Gurira is also a serious actor who has some serious talent, and this movie really reflects that.
Her character, Adenike, is the kind of young woman who feels pressure from her family to act a certain way, which any young woman could relate to. Gurira portrays that anxiousness and more.
The Ones Who Live (2024)
Alright, I’ll be quick on this one, but if you haven’t watched The Ones Who Live, you need to. It’s a Walking Dead miniseries that is essentially a love story in the apocalypse, where Rick and Michonne somehow find their way back to each other after years of searching—and now have to fight to get back home.
If you love Gurira but also love Michonne just as much, this is the series for you. The Ones Who Live gives her so much more room to show Michonne’s range and character, and it takes her to another level that made me love her so much more. Is it annoying that we couldn’t get this story in the mainline series? Sure. But it’s still a great show to check out, nonetheless.
You can watch all eleven seasons of The Walking Dead on Netflix to relive Michonne. But if you want to check out Gurira, these four projects are some of the best.
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