Not many actresses have made movies that audiences like as much as Rosamund Pike. Since the 1990’s, Pike has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s prejudiced lovers, psychotic killers or con-artists in dangers, Pike has played several characters. Given the sheer number of movies that she made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Gone Girl
It’s always challenging to face the end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage. I’ll never forget the tense night when she had a heated argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. Following her heartbreaking separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. No matter how hard she tried, my aunt couldn’t move on from a divorce that left her terrified. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured marriages gone wrong as powerfully as “Gone Girl”. Released in 2014, Rosamund Pike’s best movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about broken marriages. In the greatest role of her career, Pike embodies a cunning woman that disappears out of thin air causing her marriage to face despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, calculated and menacing in her most memorable role. Pike has always had an aptitude for playing manipulative women with strong positions of authority, and “Gone Girl” showcased her strengths as an actress clearly. Working alongside Ben Affleck who is also amazing, Pike created a portrait of a broken marriage that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Amy delivers her cool girl monologue explaining the clever way in which she planned her scheme causing her husband to face despair is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Gone Girl” Rosamund Pike’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about broken marriage which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most murder mysteries, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. A strong adaptation of a beloved book about women that disappear out of thin air causing marriages to face despair, it’s a bold reminder of a star that has built a great career making films about which audiences care.
2. Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author. She was often drawn to the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride & Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Rosamund Pike’s movie has become a literary classic. In the most romantic role of her career, Pike embodies a woman seeking to be married to assist her family cope with poverty causing despair. With “Pride & Prejudice”, the actress showcased a soft side to herself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Kiera Knightley who is also amazing, Pike honoured Jane Austen’s literature. For instance, the scene in which Jane is overcome with joy after Mr. Bingley proposes to her for marriage is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Centuries following the publication of literature about prejudiced lovers penned by a world-famous author, it’s a bold reminder of an actress whose movies audiences will always treasure.
3. Saltburn
Social class is a barrier that affected my family. Years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they found that their housekeeper was a thief. I remember that he was a kind person that treated my grandparents in a kind manner. However, appearances are deceiving. My grandparents were shocked to find that he was a thief that had stolen jewelry. As someone haunted by a housekeeper that sought wealth to earn, I adored “Saltburn”. Released in 2023, Rosamund Pike’s movie captured Britain’s social class disparity. In the most wealthy role of her career, Pike embodies a snobbish upper-class woman seeking to care for an estate that becomes a burden to bear. Pike has always had an aptitude for playing manipulative characters with evil intentions, and “Saltburn” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Lady Catton is overcome with joy when she first meets Oliver at her estate is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Saltburn” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the Saltburn estate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress that has made memorable movies audiences appreciate.
4. The World’s End
Doomsday scenarios are frightening disasters that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I met a teacher discussing doomsday tragedies causing damage. I remember a teacher that was fascinated by doomsday disaster. He would often fear the day that world would face a doomsday with a price to pay. As someone treasuring a teacher that feared the world’s end, I admired “The World’s End”. Released in 2013, Rosamund Pike’s comedy offered a hilarious depiction of a doomsday disaster tragedy. In the most comical role of her career, Pike embodies a woman that becomes the victim of a doomsday disaster causing despair. With “The World’s End”, Pike showcased an aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Sam works with her friends to fight aliens causing the world to face despair is one of the funniest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The World’s End” a comedic masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A hilarious depiction of doomsday disasters which are dangerous, it’s a fantastic reminder of a famous actress that has made memorable movies audiences consider to be precious.
5. I Care a Lot
Con-artists have conniving figures that affected by family. Several years ago, my grandfather was deceived by a con-artist causing sorrow. I remember my grandfather was shocked to discover that his real estate owner was a criminal. As someone treasuring a grandfather that came to care a lot about con-artists, I adored “I Care a Lot”. Released in 2020, Rosamund Pike’s movie captured con-artists deceiving the elderly. In the most mischievous role of her career, Pike embodies a cunning legal guardian that deceives seniors facing despair. Pike has an aptitude for playing cold women with calculated personalities, and “I Care a Lot” showcased her strengths as a performer. For instance, the scene in which Marla gives a warning to a client that spits in her face causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “I Care a Lot” a great con-artist movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crime which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Martha’s desire to deceive elderly people, it’s a powerful reminder of an actress that has produced movies which are memorable.
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6. An Education
Age gap romance is a tricky subject to depict in movies. Hollywood has avoided telling stories of romance between young women and older men. In an industry ignoring stories of relationships that face destruction, its worth praising “An Education”. Released in 2009, Rosamund Pike’s movie captured age gap romance. In the most provocative role of her career, Pike embodies a woman witnessing her teenage friend engaging in an age gap romantic affair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a provocative character. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also captivating, Pike created an age gap romance that’s compelling. A dazzling depiction of age gap romances that face a decline, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to make movies that shine.
7. Hostiles
Over the past decade, the western genre has declined in quality. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre storytelling, westerns have become painful. In a genre that no longer leaves audiences with smiles, it’s worth praising “Hostiles”. Released in 2017, Rosamund Pike’s movie revived the western genre that has lost popularity. In the most heroic role of her career, Pike embodies a widow seeking to avenge the death of relatives causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Pike created a western that’s compelling. A heartfelt portrait of heroic gunslingers that are hostile, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with style whose movies leave audiences with a smile.
8. A Private War
When it comes to the most heroic journalists in American history, it’s worth discussing Marie Colvin. During the 1980’s, Colvin was a brave war journalist that risked her life to record tragedies. A journalist with a lasting legacy, Colvin became an icon in history. In 2018, Rosamund Pike honoured the journalist engaging in a private war in her movie “A Private War”. In the most courageous role of her career, Pike embodies a war journalist facing despair. Pike has spent most of her career playing talkative women with bright personalities. With “A Private War”, however, she showcased emotional vulnerability she hadn’t shown in her career before. A powerful tribute towards a celebrated war correspondent, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress with strong commitment to playing each character that has become an icon in entertainment.
9. A United Kingdom
Few figures in the history of Africa are as beloved as Seretse Khama. A renowned African politician, Khama gave the country of Botswana direction. During the 1940’s, Khama attracted controversy when he married a British woman. In 2016, Rosamund Pike honoured the African politician with wisdom in his movie “A United Kingdom”. In the most historical role of her career, Pike embodies a woman engaging in a romantic affair with an African politician carrying a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase wisdom. Working alongside David Oyelovow, Pike honoured a politician that achieved fame years ago. Nearly 90 years after an African politician with wisdom a British woman from the United Kingdom, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made memorable movies achieving stardom.
10. Wrath of the Titans
Rosamund Pike hasn’t always made great movies that audiences like. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Wrath of the Titans” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2012, Jonathan Liebesman’s movie was a mythological disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Pike embodies a woman that’s trapped in a mythological world facing despair. Pike brought charisma to the role standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Wrath of the Titans” is a disastrous movie, it honours Pike’s enduring legacy. As powerful as Perseus’ desire to defeat titans that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy whose engaging movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking.
The Film Buff 