When Ocean’s 8 was announced, there was plenty of excitement but also some skepticism. Could this all-female spin-off hold its own against the legacy of Ocean’s 11? The answer, for many, came in the form of Cate Blanchett’s effortlessly cool and impossibly stylish Lou.

Whilst many would have guessed Ocean’s 11, with Brad Pitt and Clooney strutting their stuff in the middle of flashing slot machines and casino tables, was the best ever in the franchise.

However, after seeing Cate in Ocean’s 8, it became clear that a new contender had entered the ring. Blanchett’s Lou is sleek, charismatic, and undeniably magnetic; she steals every scene, whether she’s plotting a high-stakes heist or simply leaning against a bar with that signature smirk.

From the moment Lou appears on screen, there’s an aura of effortless confidence. Fashionably dressed in an androgynous mix of velvet suits, leather jackets, and layered jewelry, she exudes a rock star energy that feels both effortless and deliberate. Every outfit is a statement, every movement calculated but never forced. If Danny Ocean had Pitt’s Rusty as his right-hand man, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) would have Lou, a perfect counterpart who brings an undeniable edge to the film.

But Lou isn’t just about the aesthetic. She’s the backbone of the team, the one who keeps things moving when the heist threatens to go off the rails. Blanchett plays her with an air of laid-back control, the kind of person who can talk her way out of anything, and more importantly, someone you’d trust to do so. While Bullock’s Debbie is the mastermind, Lou is the enforcer, the fixer, the one who knows how to get things done, often with a knowing smirk and a well-timed eye roll.

The film heavily leans into the chemistry between Lou and Debbie, a relationship that feels deeper than just friendship or partnership. Their banter is effortless, their history is implied rather than over-explained, and the way they interact suggests a level of intimacy that goes beyond mere professional camaraderie. Whether intentional or not, their dynamic had audiences speculating about the nature of their relationship, and Blanchett’s performance only adds fuel to the fire. There’s an undeniable tension, an unspoken understanding that makes every scene between them crackle with energy.

Blanchett’s presence in Ocean’s 8 elevates the film in a way few others could. She brings the same level of precision and intensity she’s known for but with an added playfulness that makes Lou irresistible to watch. Even in the quieter moments, whether she’s stirring a drink or throwing a knowing glance Debbie’s way, there’s an electricity to her performance that keeps you glued to the screen.

While the film as a whole may not have reached the heights of its predecessors in terms of sheer spectacle, Blanchett’s Lou ensured that Ocean’s 8 had something unique: a character who was as captivating as the heist itself.

If there’s ever a sequel, one thing is certain: Cate Blanchett’s Lou better be at the centre of it all.