My Favourite Rachel Weisz Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Rachel Weisz. Since the 1990’s, Weisz has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s favourite political leaders, star-crossed lovers or grieving mothers, Weisz has portrayed several strong characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Favourite

Competitions can often cause friendships to fall apart. Several years ago, my competition with a friend caused sorrow. I remember my friendship with a companion faced disaster when we competed to be the favourite student of a teacher. His jealousy whenever I achieved higher grades caused our relationship to fade. Our competitive desires to be the favourite student of a teacher we loved caused our friendship to end in ways which were destructive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured negative consequences of competitions as powerfully as “The Favourite”. Released in 2018, Rachel Weisz’s movie captured competitions between women vying for the affections of the queen in the 18th Century. In the greatest role of her career, Weisz embodies a fierce woman engaging in an intense competition that causes despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Weisz has always been one of those actresses with an aptitude for conveying emotions through her body language, and “The Favourite” showcased her strengths clearly. Working alongside Emma Stone who is also amazing, Weisz created a portrait of competition that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lady Sarah discovers with horror that Abigail is having an extramarital affair with the Queen causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Favourite” Rachel Weisz’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a universal message about the dangers of competition which would resonate with everyone. Despite its focus on royal women during the 18th Century, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Centuries after women engaged in threatening competitions to become the favourite mistresses of the Queen, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made engaging movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

2. The Lovely Bones

Child abduction is a painful process that causes parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother faced panic when she lost my brother in a store that was gigantic. Fearful my brother had been abducted, the incident left my mother emotionally affected. When my mother achieved the task of finding my brother, she felt relieved. As someone haunted by child abduction that shook my bones, I adored “The Lovely Bones”. Released in 2009, Rachel Weisz’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about child abduction. In the most tragic role of her career, Weisz embodies a mother struggling to face the disappearance of her child causing despair. With “The Lovely Bones”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of child abduction. Working alongside Saoirse Ronan who is also amazing, Weisz created a portrait of child abduction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Abigail discovers that her daughter has been murdered causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lovely Bones” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a profound message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. A captivating adaptation of a book about child abduction, it’s a compelling reminder of an actress whose movies deserve celebration.

3. The Light Between Oceans

Miscarriages shaped my aunt’s identity. Years ago, I witnessed my aunt face painful miscarriages causing sorrow. No matter how hard she tried, she could never recover after her baby died. Her inability to give birth to children left my family emotionally affected. As someone witnessing an aunt enduring miscarriages causing heartbreaking emotions, I adored “The Light Between the Oceans”. Released in 2016, Rachel Weisz’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about miscarriages. In the most emotional role of her career, Weisz embodies a woman whose child is adopted by a couple having miscarriages causing despair. Weisz has an aptitude for conveying emotions through silence, and “The Light Between Oceans” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Hannah confronts the couple that have adopted her child causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Light Between Oceans” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a bold message about miscarriages which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. A bold portrait of miscarriages causing couples to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to captivate manufacturing timeless movies audiences appreciate.

4. Oz: The Great and the Powerful

The Wizard of Oz is a legendary musical that my mother always loved dearly. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a mother admiring a musical about wizards somewhere over the rainbow. She would always speak fondly about a legendary musical influencing her identity. In 2013, Rachel Weisz honoured the legendary musical in her film “Oz: The Great and the Powerful”. In the most villainous role of her career, Weisz embodies a wicked witch causing citizens of a magical land to face fear. Weisz has spent most of her career playing strong heroines with sympathetic personalities. With “Oz: The Great and the Powerful”, however, the actress showcased a villainous side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Oz discovers the truth that Evanora is the Wicked Witch causing fear is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Oz: The Great and the Powerful” a great fantasy film is universal appeal. Unlike the 1939 musical, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. A wonderful tribute towards a memorable musical about wizards that are great and powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies audiences consider special.

5. Black Widow

Black Widow is a wonderful heroine that inspired my friend years ago. I remember a friend that adored the comic-book character. A comic-book nerd, he would always praise a heroine that made him feel heard. While Black Widow was a heroine he grew up to value, my friend criticized her sexist depiction in the MCU. As someone treasuring a friend that adored Black Widow years ago, I admired “Black Widow”. Released in 2021, Rachel Weisz’s movie did a fantastic job of honouring a famous comic-ook heroine. In her most heroic role, Weisz embodies a mother raising heroines facing a burden to bear. Weisz has an aptitude for conveying emotions through her body language, and “Black Widow” showcased her strengths. Working alongside Scarlett Johansson who is also amazing, Weisz created a family dynamic that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Melina has a reunion with her daughters causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Widow” a great comic-book movie is its appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A bold tribute towards a symbol of feminism, it’s a bold reminder of an actress whose movies have achieved stardom.

6. The Mummy

Archaeology is a field that my grandfather has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a grandfather that would love to dig up treasure. He was fascinated by the process in which artifacts were excavated. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that loved digging up mummies, I adored “The Mummy”. Released in 1999, Rachel Weisz’ movie honoured archaeologists searching for ancient mummies. In the most adventurous role of her career, Weisz embodies an intelligent librarian embarking on adventure to find mummies causing fear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing commemorated female heroines. As strong as Rick’s desire to find an ancient mummy, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actress that has made timeless movies which audiences regard highly.

7. The Lobster

Rachel Weisz is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing women that are powerful. Weisz has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing commemorated women with courage. Weisz’s strength for playing brave women overcoming disaster is clearly evident in her film “The Lobster”. In the most courageous role of her career, Weisz embodies a woman living in a strange dystopian world experiencing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actress the opportunity to step out of her comfort zone by playing a quirky character. Working alongside Colin Farrell who is also amazing, Weisz created a character that’s compelling. As strong as David’s desire to find a romantic partner, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made timeless films which audiences treasure.

8. The Constant Gardener

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about gardeners, it’s worth discussing The Constant Gardener. Since its publication in 2001, John Le Carre’s book has become a literary classic. In 2005, Rachel Weisz honoured the legendary literature about gardeners in her film “The Constant Gardener”. In the most feminist role of her career, Weisz embodies a political activist whose husband is murdered causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase emotional vulnerability she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Ralph Fiennes who is also amazing, Weisz honoured an iconic book that’s lasting. As beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about women that are murdered, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has garnered a huge following by making movies audiences have treasured.

9. Disobedience

Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has followed the tradition of ignoring stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely ever attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2017 Rachel Weisz successfully tackled the subject with experience in her film “Disobedience”.  In the most courageous role of her career, Weisz embodies a queer woman engaging in an affair that faces despair. It’s a role that gave the actress chances to step out of her comfort zone by playing a lesbian. Working alongside Rachel McAdams who is also amazing, Weisz created a lesbian romance that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of queer women experiencing a doomed romantic affair, it’s a profound reminder about an actress that has built a great career taking on risky roles without fear.

10. The Bourne Legacy

Rachel Weisz hasn’t always made great movies that are memorable. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Bourne Legacy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Tony Gilroy’s movie was a disaster that failed to honour an iconic character. In the most shallow role of her career, Weisz embodies a female agent facing despair. Weisz brought emotion to the role standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “The Bourne Legacy” is a problematic movie, it honours Rachel Weisz’s enduring legacy. As strong as Jason Bourne’s legacy, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her ability to captivate audiences whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking I value highly.