It was only ten minutes. Honestly, if you blinked, you might have missed the setup for one of the most electric sequences in modern action cinema. When the credits rolled on Daniel Craig's swan song, people weren't just talking about the ending or the gadgets. They were talking about Paloma. Specifically, they were talking about No Time to Die Ana de Armas and how she managed to steal a nearly three-hour movie in less time than it takes to cook a decent pasta.
She shows up in Santiago de Cuba wearing a plunging navy gown, looking like a classic Bond archetype, and then she proceeds to upend every single cliché associated with the franchise.
The Paloma Problem: Why Less Was More
Usually, a "Bond Girl" is there to be rescued, to betray, or to die. It's a tired cycle. But Paloma felt different because she was genuinely good at her job while being a total disaster at the social grace part of being a spy. She's nervous. She tells Bond she’s only had three weeks of training. It’s a hilarious, humanizing moment that makes you think, "Oh, she’s going to get shot immediately."
Then the bullets start flying.
Suddenly, this rookie is clearing rooms with John Wick-level precision. She’s kicking guys through railings and dual-wielding pistols while barely messing up her hair. The contrast is the magic. You’ve got the grizzled, weary James Bond looking at her like, "Wait, who is this kid?"
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was brought on to punch up the script, clearly had a hand in this. You can feel the Fleabag energy in Paloma’s frantic "I forgot my lines" vibe during the initial meet-up. It’s a breath of fresh air in a franchise that often takes its own brooding self-importance a bit too seriously.
What No Time to Die Ana de Armas Taught Us About Action Stars
We need to talk about the training. Ana de Armas didn't just show up and let a stunt double do the heavy lifting. She spent months working with the stunt team, specifically training in tactical firearms and hand-to-hand combat. This wasn't her first rodeo—she’d already done Blade Runner 2049—but this was different. This was high-speed choreography in heels.
Physicality matters. When you watch the behind-the-scenes footage, you see the bruises. You see the repetition. It’s why the scene works. There’s a weight to her movements. Even though Paloma is supposed to be a "rookie," the actress playing her is a pro.
Breaking the "Bond Girl" Curse
For decades, the women in Bond movies were accessories. Even the "strong" ones usually ended up being a foil for Bond’s ego. Paloma doesn't care about Bond’s ego. She’s a fan, sure, but she’s there to do a job. When the job is done, she leaves. She doesn't stick around for a romantic sunset or a tragic betrayal. She drinks her drink, gives him a salute, and vanishes.
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That’s a radical shift for the 007 universe.
It’s also why fans were so frustrated. Social media blew up the weekend the movie came out. "Give Paloma her own movie" was trending for a reason. People felt cheated that such a vibrant, capable character was relegated to a single sequence. But maybe that’s the point. By leaving us wanting more, she became more iconic than the characters who actually survived to the end of the film.
The Chemistry Factor
Chemistry is something you can't fake. Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas had already worked together on Knives Out, where their dynamic was completely different. In that film, she was the quiet nurse and he was the eccentric detective. They clearly trust each other. You can see it in the way they move around each other during the SPECTRE party fight. It’s a dance.
If you look at the history of the franchise, very few pairings feel this natural. Usually, it's Bond leading and the woman following. Here, they felt like teammates. Sorta.
The Technical Brilliance of the Cuba Sequence
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga shot the Cuba scenes with a specific kinetic energy. The lighting is warm, the colors are saturated, and the camera stays close to the action. It’s a masterclass in blocking.
Think about the bar fight.
The way Paloma uses the environment—the bottles, the chairs, the sheer architecture of the room—it’s brilliant. It’s not just "hit person A, then hit person B." It’s a sequence that tells a story about her competence. She isn't just lucky; she's tactical.
Wait, was she actually a rookie?
There’s a popular fan theory that Paloma was lying. People think she was actually a high-level operative pretending to be new just to keep Bond on his toes. Honestly? It’s a fun thought. But the performance works better if she really is that good after only three weeks. It adds to the mythos of the character. It makes the world feel bigger, like there are heroes everywhere, not just in MI6.
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Comparing Paloma to Other Modern Bond Women
If you look at Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) or Nomi (Lashana Lynch), they serve very specific narrative functions. Madeleine is the emotional anchor, the "reason" Bond does what he does. Nomi is the professional rival, the one who reminds him he’s a relic.
Paloma? Paloma is the joy.
She’s the reminder that being a secret agent can be, well, fun. Amidst the heavy themes of legacy, DNA-targeting viruses, and terminal heartbreak, her ten-minute segment is a jolt of pure adrenaline. It’s the sequence you rewatch on YouTube while the rest of the movie sits on your shelf.
The Cultural Impact of the Navy Dress
We have to mention the dress. Designed by Michael Lo Sordo, that navy silk gown became an instant classic. It’s a "bond girl" staple, but the way Ana de Armas wears it—moving through a gunfight without it looking like a costume—is impressive. It’s fashion as armor.
It’s rare that a piece of clothing becomes as synonymous with a character as the action they perform, but in the case of No Time to Die Ana de Armas, the two are inseparable. It’s the juxtaposition of high fashion and high-stakes violence.
Where Does She Go From Here?
Since No Time to Die, Ana de Armas has leaned even harder into action. The Gray Man and Ballerina (the John Wick spin-off) are direct results of producers seeing what she did in Cuba. She proved she could carry a franchise. She proved she could handle the physical demands of the genre while maintaining a sense of humor.
But there’s a downside.
The "Paloma effect" means she’s now pigeonholed into "capable but quirky" roles. It'll be interesting to see if she returns to the quiet, dramatic work of her earlier career or if she stays in the blockbuster lane.
The Reality of the "Three Weeks of Training"
In the movie, Paloma claims she had three weeks of training. In reality, the production of a Bond film is a massive machine. The Cuba sequence took weeks to film, but the preparation took months.
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- Weaponry: De Armas had to learn how to handle Beretta and Sig Sauer pistols comfortably.
- Choreography: Every kick and punch was practiced until it was muscle memory.
- Stunt Coordination: Working with the legendary Olivier Schneider (who also worked on Spectre and John Wick).
This wasn't a "show up and look pretty" gig. It was a "show up and sweat" gig. The result is one of the most celebrated cameos in the history of 007.
Why We Might Never See Paloma Again
The Bond franchise is currently in a state of flux. With Daniel Craig gone, the "Craig-era" characters are likely retired. It’s a bummer. While there have been rumors of a Paloma spin-off, Eon Productions is notoriously protective of the brand. They don't really do "cinematic universes" in the way Marvel does. They do one Bond, one story, and then they reset.
It's a shame, really. Paloma is a character who feels like she has a thousand stories to tell. Where did she come from? Who trained her? What does she do on a Tuesday when she isn't taking down SPECTRE agents?
Lessons for Future Action Filmmakers
If there’s one thing directors should take away from the Paloma phenomenon, it’s that character matters more than screen time. You don't need two hours of backstory to make an audience care. You need a distinct voice, a clear motivation, and a moment of surprising competence.
Ana de Armas gave us all three.
She didn't try to be James Bond. She didn't try to be a femme fatale. She just played a person who was really good at a very dangerous job and happened to be having a great time doing it. That’s why we’re still talking about her years after the movie came out.
Actionable Insights for Bond Fans and Film Buffs
If you want to truly appreciate what went into this performance, there are a few things you should do:
- Watch the Behind-the-Scenes: Look for the "Being James Bond" documentary or the Blu-ray extras. The footage of Ana training is eye-opening.
- Compare the Styles: Watch the Cuba sequence, then watch a fight scene from Goldfinger or The Spy Who Loved Me. Note the difference in how the female characters are filmed. Notice how the camera treats Paloma as an equal in the fight, not just a bystander.
- Check Out "Ballerina": If you’re a fan of the Paloma energy, keep an eye on the John Wick universe. It’s the spiritual successor to her work in Bond.
- Look at the Scripting: Read up on Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s contributions to the script. Understanding the "Waller-Bridge touch" helps explain why Paloma feels so much more human than previous Bond women.
The impact of Paloma isn't just about a good fight scene. It’s about a shift in how we view supporting characters in massive franchises. Sometimes, the most interesting person in the room is the one who only stays for a drink. Ana de Armas didn't just play a role; she created a benchmark. Future Bond movies have a very high bar to clear if they want their supporting cast to be half as memorable as the girl in the navy dress.