Not many actresses attract audiences to the Cinema like Rooney Mara. Since the 1990’s, Mara has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s anti-social hackers, social network users or lesbian lovers, Mara has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best films of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Lisbeth Salander is a legendary feminist character my mother has always loved dearly. I remember a mother that deeply admired the feminist character. An avid reader, she was a huge fan of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” book series that she would treasure. She grew up to value a strong girl with a dragon tattoo that made her dreams come true. In 2011, Rooney Mara did an excellent job of portraying the feminist hacker with a dragon tattoo in her film “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”. In the greatest role of her career, Mara embodies a traumatized computer hacker seeking to solve a murder mystery that causes despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Mara has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through emotional monologues, and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also amazing, Mara honoured a legendary book that has built a legacy which is lasting. As Lisbeth Salander, Mara did an exceptional job portraying a legendary literary character. For instance, the scene in which Lisbeth seeks revenge torturing her legal guardian for raping her causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” Rooney Mara’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the publication of a legendary book capturing the frightening hardships that girls with a dragon tattoo facing sexual assault go through, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies which audiences value.
2. The Social Network
Friendships are relationships that often face hardships. I remember forming friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We would enjoy playing soccer together keeping in touch on social media. However, our bond came to a closure. No longer the friend I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my struggle forming friendships on a social network as powerfully as “The Social Network”. Released in 2010, Rooney Mara’s movie offered a fantastic depiction of friendships contributing to the formation of Facebook. In the most emotional role of her career, Mara embodies a woman whose friendship with a social network founder faces despair. Mara has always had an aptitude for delivering dialogue in movies, and “The Social Network” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Jesse Eisenberg who is also amazing, Mara created a compelling portrait of friendship torn apart by social media. For instance, the opening scene in which Erica breaks up her friendship with Mark causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic tribute to a social network organization, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actress that has made films which deserve celebration.
3. Her
Technology has always been a part of my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve been a heavy technology user. In an attempt to feel less alone, I’ve often turned to using my phone. My addiction to technology is fuelled by a desire for human connection I can’t find in reality. As someone that has always been a heavy technology user, I adored “Her”. Released in 2013, Rooney Mara’s movie captured the impact of technology addiction on romance. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Mara embodies a woman whose romance with a technology addict faces despair. With “Her”, the actress showcased subtlety that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix who is also amazing, Mara creates a portrait of technology addiction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Catherine discovers Theodore is dating an operating system causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Her” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as the love for an operating system expressed by Theodore, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has made iconic films audiences adore.
4. Lion
Orphans often face intense hardships that shape their destinies. At an early age, I formed a bond with a kid in school born in an orphanage. Separated from his parents at an early age, he was a conflicted teenager feeling dislocated. His dreams of one day having a reunion with parents that he loved dearly never materialized into reality. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured hardships experienced by orphans as powerfully as “Lion”. Released in 2016, Rooney Mara’s movie depicted the true story of an Indian orphan. In the most romantic role of her career, Mara embodies a woman that engages in an affair with an orphan facing despair. With “Lion”, Mara showcased a compassionate side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. Working alongside Dev Patel who is also amazing, Mara honoured a real-life Indian orphan that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Lucy discovers that Saroo is an orphan searching for family facing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Lion” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about adoption which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships that Indian orphans separated from parents face, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies audiences embrace.
5. Nightmare Alley
Alcohol addiction is a painful process causing stress. Several years ago, I witnessed a friend endure alcohol addiction causing sorrow. An alcoholic, he loved engaging in heavy drinking without concern for consequences that could be tragic. Our friendship ended when I decided I could no longer bear seeing him getting wasted. As someone haunted by nightmarish memories of a friend that suffered from alcoholism causing tragedy, I adored “Nightmare Alley”. Released in 2022, Rooney Mara’s movie offered a beautiful remake of a classic film. In the most tragic role of her career, Mara embodies a woman that begins an affair with an alcoholic con-artist ending in despair. With “Nightmare Alley”, Mara showcased a sensitive side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Molly leaves Stan after seeing him commit murder causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Nightmare Alley” a great remake is its message. It delivers a profound message about alcohol addiction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of alcohol addiction causing carnival performers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose unforgettable movies audiences appreciate.
6. Carol
Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring the stories of queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2015 Rooney Mara successfully managed to tackle the controversial subject in her film “Carol”. In the most provocative role of her career, Mara embodies a queer woman that engages in a lesbian love affair facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a queer character. Working alongside Cate Blanchett who is also amazing, Mara created a portrait of lesbian love that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of a lesbian romance between queer women in a doomed affair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making timeless movies about which audiences care.
7. A Ghost Story
Rooney Mara is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing grief=stricken characters facing trauma. Mara has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Mara’s strength for playing grieving characters is evident in “A Ghost Story”. Released in 2017, Rooney Mara’s movie depicted a ghost haunting a family. In the most supernatural role of her career, Mara embodies a grieving woman haunted by the ghost of her husband causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing grieving characters. Working alongside Casey Affleck who is also amazing, Mara created a portrait of grief that’s compelling. A fantastic portrait of ghosts causing families to face obstacles that are tragic, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
8. Side Effects
Drug use is rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has ignored drug use that made headline news. A sensitive subject matter, substance abuse rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. In an industry afraid of discussing drugs causing side effects, it’s worth praising “Side Effects”. Released in 2013, Rooney Mara’s movie depicted drug users facing tragedy. In the most psychotic role of her career, Mara embodies a woman taking prescription drugs. It gave the actress chances to showcase emotional vulnerability she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Channing Tatum who is also amazing, Mara created a portrait of drug addiction that’s compelling. A dazzling depiction of drugs causing side effects leaving women terrified, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies leaving audiences satisfied.
9. Women Talking
Mennonite communities are rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has rarely captured the barriers which Mennonite communities fight. A marginalized community, Mennonites are rarely given chances to tell their stories. In an industry ignoring stories of Mennonite women talking, it’s worth praising “Women Talking”. Released in 2022, Rooney Mara’s movie offered an authentic portrait of the Mennonite community. In the most feminist role of her career, Mara embodies a strong woman determined to fight for the Mennonite community facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase subtlety she hadn’t shown in her career before. A magnificent portrait of barriers that Mennonite women fight, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress that has made timeless movies earning spotlight.
10. Pan
Rooney Mara hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, some have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Pan” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2015, Joe Wright’s movie was a disaster that failed to honour a literary character. In the most shallow role of her career, Mara embodies a female warrior carrying a heavy burden to bear. Mara brought charisma to the role standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Pan” is a problematic movie, it honoured Rooney Mara’s legacy. As strong as Peter Pan’s love for Neverland, it’s a grand reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her ability to command attention of audiences whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking I understand.
The Film Buff 