Charlize Theron as the 'Atomic Blonde'

In her latest film, "Atomic Blonde," South African actress Charlize Theron plays a double agent in the last days of the Cold War, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. James McAvoy plays her British agent side-kick, decked out here as a punk. Her portrayal as an "Atomic Blonde" strengthens her reputation as an actress with sex appeal and action potential.

Following her move from South Africa to the United States in the mid-1990s, Theron first played in supporting roles in Hollywood films. Her role in "The Astronaut's Wife" - playing the wife - garnered her a great deal of attention. This image shows her in the 1999 film alongside Johnny Depp, who still boasted some of his youthful charm.

Theron's beauty and radiance were evident from a very young age, when she was also a model and dancer. And her performance in historical films, such as here in the 1999 film version of John Irving's novel "The Cider House Rules," has been equally convincing.

At the turn of the millennium, Theron was playing in one film after another. She was a dependable actress in films boasting wide-sweeping settings and a variety of stars. This image shows her in the 2000 film "The Legend of Bagger Vance" alongside Will Smith and Matt Damon - as the fiancée of ex-golfer Rannulph Junuh.

Charlize Theron also caught the attention of film genius Woody Allen, who signed her on to play in his 2001 film "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion." The smallish director and actor placed his bets on a few laughs from the audience in scenes showing him alongside the tall Theron.

Theron increasingly showed just how diversified she was as an actress able to portray a wide variety of characters. As Stella, an expert in cracking open safes, she grilled Mark Wahlberg (left) and Jason Statham (right) in the 2003 film "The Italian Job."

In the 2003 film "Monster" by director Patty Jenkins, which is based on a true story, Charlize Theron plays a serial killer. She was barely recognizable in the role. She garnered a much-deserved Oscar for best leading actress for her spunky performance.

Even if, four years later, she received "only" an Oscar nomination, she still convincingly played a woman abused by her husband in "North Country." Theron had meanwhile become one of the highest paid and respected actresses in Hollywood.

A Hollywood fixture, Theron had meanwhile taken on US citizenship. In blockbusters, too, she has given radiant performances - such as here in 2012's "Prometheus," a sequel to the "Alien" saga. She played a spaceship team member alongside Idris Elba.

It was Charlize Theron who, two years ago in the Mad Max film "Fury Road," helped to launch the new female heroine role in Hollywood action films. As a hard, cold-blooded "Imperator Furiosa," she left most of the men behind in the dust. It was solely film partner Tom Hardy who could keep up with her in the film.

It's an attitude the South African seems to maintain in her latest film, "Atomic Blonde." She and director David Leitch may have placed their bets on humor and irony, but when push comes to shove, her male counterparts get the short end of the stick.