Charlize Theron is the lead in the just-premiered spy action thriller Atomic Blonde.

Theron stars as a sexy undercover MI6 agent (Lorraine Broughton) who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

Broughton must in turn utilize equal parts spycraft, sensuality and savagery while deploying all of her fierce skills in order to stay alive on an impossible mission.

In the first official trailer for Atomic Blonde, we find Theron’s character kicking ass, donning lingerie, and making out with an equally-beautiful woman (Sofia Boutella).

Interest piqued…

Reviews have praised Theron for her commitment to the role.

“She absolutely kills it,” proclaims Verge, while Variety says she proves that she is more than an equal to ionic male action stars such as Schwarzenegger and Stallone.

The film’s gorgeously stylised visuals and the intense action scenes have also been applauded but most critics say it’s all a bit shallow and one dimensional (then again it is based on a graphic novel).

Theron told Entertainment Tonight about Boutella, her on-screen lover.

Seducing her? It’s very easy, she’s gorgeous! She was just great. She was the only actress that we looked at. She came over, she hung out with me and [director] Dave and there was something about her that was so genuinely innocent and yet incredibly strong, that she was really perfect for the film.”

Theron also talked about being drawn to playing strong female characters in her films, her latest spy thriller being no exception.

I think they’re all very vulnerable too. I think great strength comes from women who can be vulnerable and look at their weaknesses and find their strengths from that. I think you almost have to be incredibly vulnerable and weak in order to find strength, to survive something. So, I think that’s what I love so much about these women.”

Theron has previously played queer characters, including the Oscar winning role of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster.

In 2012, Theron was honoured by America’s largest LGBT rights group, the Human Rights Campaign, for being a vocal ally to the LGBT community. “I will always be your cheerleader and I will always be your friend,” she said at the time.

The actor further showed her support fwhen she promised not to get married until marriage equality became a reality in the USA. She is also a passionate advocate in the battle against HIV and last year powerfully called for an end to “sexism, racism, poverty and homophobia” at the International Aids Conference in Durban.

Atomic Blonde is set for release this summer. Watch the trailer below.