Helena Zengel

Born smack in the heart of Berlin back in 2008, Helena Zengel didn’t exactly wait around for the world to notice her. Nope, at an age when most kids are still figuring out multiplication tables, she was already making waves in the German film scene. People really started paying attention after her wild, raw performance in “Systemsprenger” (“System Crasher”) in 2019—seriously, if you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. She played Benni, a kid so unpredictable and intense you couldn’t look away, and honestly, Zengel just tore through the screen. The role snagged her a bunch of awards, and suddenly, Hollywood came knocking. Then came “News of the World” in 2020. Yeah, that’s the one with Tom Hanks. Not exactly a small deal. Helena showed up as Johanna, a young, traumatized girl who doesn’t even speak English for half the film, and still managed to steal the show from a multiple-Oscar-winner. Wild, right? She held her own with Hanks like it was no biggie. Critics all over the place couldn’t shut up about her—she was nominated for a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, which is kinda nuts for someone who wasn’t even old enough to drive. But she’s not just about those two flicks. Back in 2017, she starred in “Die Tochter” (“The Daughter”), proving early on she could handle complicated emotions and layered storytelling. Basically, Helena Zengel’s got that rare spark—talented, fearless, and just getting started. No telling where she’ll pop up next, but you can bet it’ll be worth watching.