In 1927, Brigitte Helm's sensational debut in Metropolis made her an instant star. Hailed as "fascinating, vigorous, dangerous" on screen, she established an international reputation with a series of hugely popular films. Helm successfully navigated the transition from silent to sound cinema and fought for greater creative influence over her work. Perpetually battling producers, she was ultimately unwilling to be controlled. In 1935, at age 27, she quit film forever. Reevaluating Helm's extraordinary career through groundbreaking archival research, this first monograph on Helm in English is the only exploration of her surviving work, seeking to broaden understanding of her historical significance and artistic achievements.