16 Rosamund Pike Movies And TV Shows That Prove She’s Got The Range
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From Die Another Day to Saltburn, Rosamund Pike has enjoyed a career spanning decades. A familiar face in the film world, she has taken on an array of characters in both movies and TV shows that showcase her range as an actress, including voice roles in animated works. Pike has starred in some hugely successful movies such as Gone Girl, showcasing her incredible talent as a villainous female lead, but she has also excelled in some less commercially successful movies and shows.
These roles, all very different from each other, highlight why Rosamund Pike deserves her flowers.
- 129 VOTESPhoto: 20th Century Fox
What It's About: The story, based on Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, follows the suspicious disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding anniversary. Her husband quickly becomes the prime suspect as the story unfolds.
Her Role: Pike plays Amy, a complex character who is charming and intelligent, but calculating. Pike said in a BBC interview that the thought of playing Amy left her feeling disturbed. She told director David Fincher:
You know I’ve got this person in me. I don’t know how you know that, but I do. And it’s unsettling to admit that because obviously Amy is a complicated creature. Somebody’s going to ask for your comic side, somebody’s going to ask for your romantic side, and somebody at some point is going to ask for your dark side, and you’ve just got to be prepared to kind of go there and open up the lock.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Pike's performance is the key to what makes Gone Girl so chilling. Amy is calculated, cold, and relentless, and Pike fully embodies the role, with every move believable. The movie was a success both commercially and critically, and Pike received an Oscar nomination for best actress.
- 218 VOTESPhoto: Netflix
What It's About: I Care a Lot centers on a legal guardian who exploits her clients by drawing them into her care, then taking their life savings. One of her victims has ties to a gangster, which leads to her plans being thwarted.
Her Role: Pike, who plays Marla Grayson, the amoral lead, succeeds in portraying a devious woman who mistreats the elderly and has no compassion. The character is complex and cruel, a type of role Pike has become known for.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Pike throws herself into the villainous role and manages to make an evil character compelling to watch. Characters are presented as morally devoid, which makes for interesting viewing, but underneath all the humor and drama, I Care a Lot explores the very real and jarring subject of mistreatment of the elderly.
- 317 VOTESPhoto: Amazon Prime Video
What It's About: The Wheel of Time is a TV series based on Robert Jordan's bestselling fantasy book series of the same name. It follows members of the Aes Sedai, an organization of women who harness the “one power” and embark on a quest to discover the reincarnation of a dragon who can save the world.
Her Role: Pike plays the leading role of Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. She is a mentor to the younger characters and guides them on their journeys while being the source of prophecies and mystery throughout the series.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The Wheel of Time is an ambitious fantasy series with a lot of lore for fans to steep themselves in. The viewing experience is visually immersive, and the series serves as a strong adaptation of the books that will leave fans satisfied.
- 422 VOTESPhoto: Amazon MGM Studios
What It's About: Saltburn follows Oliver, a college student invited by his classmate Felix to stay at his wealthy estate. After his arrival, a series of incidents begin to occur and their relationship is tested to extreme levels.
Her Role: Pike plays Elspeth, Felix's mother, a comically clueless character who delivers tone-deaf lines that leave viewers in disbelief.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Saltburn was one of the most discussed movies of 2023. The film divided audiences with its shocking scenes and became a meme overnight. Pike, as a stereotype of an upper-class woman, delivers some of the most memorable lines in the whole film. If you want to see Pike deliver a more comical performance, Saltburn is a great choice.
- 57 VOTESPhoto: Paramount Pictures
What It's About: Jake Reacher is a 2012 crime thriller based on the books by Lee Child. The story follows an ex-military sniper who finds himself accused of killing random civilians. Jake Reacher (Tom Cruise), a former US Army police investigator, is enlisted to help with the case.
Her Role: Pike plays Helen Rodin, a defense attorney who initially distrusts Reacher, but becomes a reluctant ally. She begins to balance his lack of logic with her methodical approach and they become a support system for each other.
Why It's Worth A Watch: This film is a must-see for fans of high-intensity action and fight sequences, and features something a little different for fans of Pike who usually see her in villainous or complex roles. The chemistry between Pike and Cruise is very entertaining, and provides some comic relief during the action-packed moments.
- 612 VOTES
What It's About: Hostiles is a Western set in 1892 that follows Captain Joseph Blocker (Christian Bale) as he escorts a dying war chief (Wes Studi) and his family back to their land in Montana. They encounter perils on their journey across the violent American frontier.
Her Role: Pike plays Rosalie Quaid, a woman who has seen endless tragedy, including the murder of her family by Comanches. She is forced to join Blocker's journey and deal with the hazards that accompany the treacherous journey.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Hostiles is a necessary watch because it doesn't shy away from depicting the atrocities that made up the Western frontier. The film's striking visuals emphasize the unforgiving wilderness. The violence is unwavering, but Hostiles is nuanced and comments on the vicious cycle of vengeance and the trail of destruction it leaves behind.
- 710 VOTESPhoto: Image Entertainment
What It's About: Return to Sender is a psychological thriller that follows a small-town nurse who is sexually assaulted by a man she assumed was her blind date. After her assailant is detained, she begins receiving relentless letters from him in which he claims his innocence and professes his love for her, leading her down a dark path of torment.
Her Role: Pike plays the leading role of Miranda Wells, a normally happy nurse who after her assault spirals into mania and disarray, seeking justice for how she has been treated.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Although this film did not receive critical praise, it's still worth a watch thanks to Pike's performance. Miranda is fragile yet determined, and the narrative provides an interesting - and unnerving - exploration into victim-blaming culture.
- 89 VOTESPhoto: MGM Distribution Co.
What It's About: Die Another Day, the 20th film in the James Bond franchise, features Pierce Brosnan as 007, who is captured by North Korea after a mission goes wrong. He embarks on as global quest to uncover a genetics-based company in an effort to stop a plan for large-scale conflict.
Her Role: Pike plays Miranda Frost, a rogue agent who is secretly working for the villain to aid his operation. She's icy, sharp, and sophisticated, and seduces Bond before she uncovers her secret plan.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The CGI is over-the-top, the sets are dramatic and extreme, and the gadgets are intricate (like invisible cars) - all the best things about a Bond movie. The female characters have depth, and Pike's character is a formidable opponent.
- 99 VOTESPhoto: Warner Bros. Pictures
What It's About: Wrath of the Titans is an action film that serves as a sequel to 2010's Clash of the Titans. The story takes place a decade after the defeat of the Kraken as Perseus (Sam Worthington) is forced back into action when the Titans are set free from prison and intend to destroy the world.
Her Role: Pike plays Andromeda, the daughter of Cepheus. She has evolved into a warrior who joins Perseus on his mission against the Titans, and her character adds humor and romance to the story.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The film incorporates elements of mythology and creates a visual spectacle that features minotaurs and underground, nightmarish realms. Pike and Worthington bring a genuine chemistry to the table.
- 1010 VOTESPhoto: Focus Features
What It's About: Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 retelling of the 1813 novel by Jane Austen. The story centers on the Bennett family's five unmarried daughters, and in particular on Elizabeth, portrayed by Keira Knightley. When Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) moves into their town, he and Elizabeth clash, but ultimately fall in love.
Her Role: Pike plays Jane Bennett, Elizabeth's older sister. Kinder than other characters Pike usually plays, Jane develops romantic feelings for Mr. Bingley (Simon Wood).
Why It's Worth A Watch: This 2005 version of the story vividly brings to life 18th century England with characters played by a stellar cast. For fans of such period dramas as Downton Abbey, Pride & Prejudice is a perfect choice, and Pike's performance is warm and poised in a way that embodies the time period and adds a sweetness to the story.
- 111 VOTESPhoto: New Line Cinema
What It's About: Fracture is a 2007 thriller about the conflict between Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins), a wealthy man accused of attempting to murder his wife, and Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling), a deputy district attorney. They end up in a legal battle of manipulation and strength when Crawford decides to represent himself in court.
Her Role: Pike has a small role as Nikki Gardner, Beachum's prospective boss at a corporate law firm.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The film focuses on the psychological aspects of a courtroom, with the back-and-forth between Hopkins's Crawford and Gosling's Beachum creating a compelling watch. Critic Moira Macdonald of the Seattle Times praised the strong cast, including “David Strathairn harrumphing as Gosling's current boss, and Rosamund Pike conveying sexy danger (this woman takes a bite of pie as if she's challenging it on the witness stand) as his new one.”
- 120 VOTES
Thunderbirds Are Go
Photo: ITVWhat It's About: Thunderbirds Are Go is an animated GGI reimagining of the classic 1960s show Thunderbirds, which used puppetry. This version brings the story to the modern age and uses CGI to tell the sci-fi story of the Tracy brothers, who operate rescue missions in their fancy vehicles called Thunderbirds.
Her Role: Pike voices Lady Penelope, a British aristocrat who doubles as a secret agent for the agency run by the Tracy family.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Fans were skeptical about the remake, but the revamped version has proven popular among both fans and new audiences. The GCI allows action sequences to be more intricate without losing the heart of the show, which revolves around the Tracy family. The show is perfect for an older audience looking to relive the magic of the original, or younger fans being introduced to the Tracys and their adventures for the first time.
- 130 VOTESPhoto: Sundance TV
What It's About: State of the Union is a 2019 British “mini” TV series (episodes are 10 minutes each) that follows a married couple, Louise (Pike) and Tom (Chris O'Dowd) as they struggle to keep their relationship together.
Her Role: Pike plays Louise, who is angry at her husband's shortcomings but also desperately wants to hold on to any tenderness they once had.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Reviewer Lucy Mangan praised the series in The Guardian: “It is as honest and multifaceted an examination and appreciation of marriage as you could hope to find (as well as an astonishingly cliche-free one); a wonderful dramatization of the pros and cons of familiarity, the difference between reconcilable and irreconcilable differences, the comfort and weariness stability brings.”
- 140 VOTESPhoto: Banijay
What It's About: Moominvalley, an animated family TV series, is an adaptation of the Finnish-Swedish Moomin comic series by Tove Jansson and Lars Jansson. Moomintroll, the main character, is a young boy trying to make his way in the world.
Her Role: Pike voices Moominmamma, Moomintroll's mother. She is warm and kind, and supports Moomintroll throughout his adventures.
Why It's Worth A Watch: Moominvalley is a wholesome, lighthearted, family-friendly show that serves as a strong reimagining of a beloved tale, and will entertain both kids and adults. Along with Pike, other well-known actors who lend their voices to the series include Kate Winslet, Jennifer Saunders, Matt Berry, and Warwick Davis.
- 150 VOTESPhoto: Lionsgate
What It's About: What We Did on Our Holiday is a dark British comedy that follows married couple Doug (David Tennant) and his Abi (Pike) on a comically disastrous trip to the Scottish highlands. As the story unfolds, we find out the couple have been hiding some secrets.
Her Role: Pike plays Abi, a drained mother doing her best to keep her family together. She brings a warmth to Abi that shines through even in tense moments.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The chemistry between Pike and Tennant is strong, and there are some poignant moments among the chaos. The unexpected depth makes the movie stick with you, but the film is still a genuinely funny comedy.
- Photo: Netflix/Peacock
What It's About: Archibald's Next Big Thing/Archibald's Next Big Thing Is Here! (the name changed when the show switched networks) is an animated series aimed at a younger audience that follows Archibald Strutter (Tony Hale), a newly hatched chicken who strays from home in search of “the Big Thing” (something impressive that makes him stand out). It's based on the children's book of the same name written by Hale and Tony Biaggne, and illustrated by Victor Huckabee and Misty Manley.
Her Role: Pike serves as narrator, overseeing Archibald's adventures with her reassuring and calming voice.
Why It's Worth A Watch: The 15-minute episodes, with vibrant colors and endearing characters, can be watched quickly on the go or at home. Stellar guest voice actors include Jane Lynch, Henry Winkler, Weird Al Yankovic, RuPaul, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
