Rachel Weisz’s Career: From ‘Death Machine’ to ‘Black Widow’

Rachel Weisz began her acting career on the British stage and television in the early 1990s. After gaining notice for her theatrical work, she transitioned to film, starting with small roles in both British and American productions. Her early film appearances saw her taking on a variety of parts across different genres, from science-fiction horror to romantic dramas. This period allowed her to build her on-screen experience and gradually increase her visibility in the film industry.

It was her role in a major blockbuster adventure film at the end of the decade that made her a household name around the world. This success opened the door for more prominent roles, and she soon proved her talent extended far beyond action movies. She went on to earn an Academy Award for a powerful dramatic performance, cementing her reputation as a highly respected and versatile actress. Throughout her career, Weisz has consistently balanced large-scale studio films with smaller, character-driven independent projects.

‘Death Machine’ (1994)

In this science-fiction horror film, Weisz had a small role as a Junior Executive. The story is set in the near future and centers on a weapons manufacturing corporation that has created the ultimate killing machine. When a new, idealistic CEO takes over, she uncovers the company’s dangerous secret projects.

The film is a cult classic known for its cyber-punk aesthetic and action sequences. Weisz’s part is a minor one in the corporate setting of the story. It marked one of her very first appearances in a feature film, serving as an early step in her screen acting career.

‘White Goods’ (1994)

This British television film is a comedy-drama in which Weisz played the role of Elaine. The plot follows a down-on-his-luck door-to-door salesman who finds himself entangled in a complicated and comical situation involving love and deception.

Weisz’s character is part of the quirky ensemble in this story. The role was one of several she took on in British television during the early stages of her career. These parts helped her build her resume before she moved on to more prominent film roles.

‘Chain Reaction’ (1996)

In this action thriller, Weisz had her first major Hollywood leading role, starring as Dr. Lily Sinclair. She plays a physicist who is part of a team that discovers a new, clean form of energy. When their lab is destroyed and the head scientist is murdered, she and a machinist are framed for the crime and forced to go on the run.

The film was a large-scale studio production that placed her alongside established Hollywood actors. As the intelligent and resourceful scientist, Weisz was central to the fast-paced plot. The role significantly raised her international profile and introduced her to a mainstream American audience.

‘Stealing Beauty’ (1996)

This drama, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, is set in the picturesque Tuscan countryside. The story follows a 19-year-old American woman who visits a community of artists and expatriates after her mother’s suicide. Weisz plays Miranda Fox, one of the residents of the villa where the main character is staying.

Weisz’s character is a spoiled and glamorous figure who is part of the bohemian circle of adults. The film explores themes of love, loss, and sexual awakening. Her supporting role in this art-house film demonstrated her ability to work with acclaimed international directors.

‘Bent’ (1997)

Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, this historical drama is set during the Nazi persecution of homosexuals in 1930s Germany. The film follows a man who is sent to a concentration camp and is forced to deny his identity to survive. Weisz appears in a small but memorable role as a prostitute.

Her character appears early in the film, before the protagonist’s life is torn apart by the rise of the Nazi regime. Although a brief part, it placed her in a powerful and important film that deals with a dark chapter of history. The movie features a strong ensemble cast of respected actors.

‘Going All the Way’ (1997)

This comedy-drama is set in Indianapolis in the 1950s and follows two young Korean War veterans as they return home and struggle to adjust to civilian life. The story explores their friendship and their relationships with various women. Weisz plays Marty Pilcher, one of the romantic interests.

As Marty, Weisz portrayed a free-spirited young woman who becomes involved with one of the protagonists. Her character represents a more modern and liberated attitude that clashes with the conservative values of the era. The role was part of her work in American independent cinema during this period.

‘Swept from the Sea’ (1997)

Based on a short story by Joseph Conrad, this romantic drama stars Weisz as Amy Foster. She plays a quiet and mysterious young servant girl in a small coastal village in Cornwall. Shunned by the local community, she discovers and falls in love with a shipwrecked Ukrainian man who is the sole survivor of a vessel that was heading to America.

Weisz’s central performance is the heart of the film. She portrays Amy with a quiet strength and deep empathy, capturing her profound connection with the outsider who also doesn’t fit in. The film is a tragic love story about two people who find solace in each other in a harsh and unforgiving world.

‘I Want You’ (1998)

This neo-noir thriller is set in a small English seaside town. Weisz plays Helen, a hairdresser who becomes entangled in a dangerous relationship with a man who has just been released from prison. The story explores themes of obsessive love, jealousy, and dark secrets from the past.

Weisz’s character is the enigmatic center of the film’s mystery. Her performance is intense and alluring, driving the plot’s romantic and suspenseful elements. The film was a stylish and atmospheric thriller that allowed her to play a complex and morally ambiguous character.

‘The Land Girls’ (1998)

Set in Britain during World War II, this drama tells the story of three young women from different social classes who join the Women’s Land Army. They are sent to a remote farm in Dorset to work as agricultural laborers, replacing the men who have gone to fight. Weisz plays Agapanthus, a Cambridge graduate who is intellectual and somewhat naive.

The film explores the friendship and romantic entanglements of the three women as they adapt to their new, physically demanding lives. Weisz’s character provides a thoughtful and sometimes comical perspective on their situation. The movie is a tribute to the real-life women who contributed to the war effort on the home front.

‘The Mummy’ (1999)

This action-adventure film was the role that made Weisz an international star. She played Evelyn Carnahan, a brilliant but clumsy Egyptologist and librarian living in Cairo. She embarks on an archaeological expedition to the lost city of Hamunaptra, where she accidentally awakens a cursed, mummified high priest.

Weisz’s portrayal of the intelligent and adventurous Evelyn was a highlight of the film. She brought humor, charm, and a sense of wonder to the character, making her much more than a simple damsel in distress. The movie was a massive box office hit and remains one of her most popular and beloved roles.

‘Sunshine’ (1999)

This epic historical drama chronicles the lives of three generations of a Hungarian Jewish family throughout the 20th century. The story covers the rise and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Holocaust, and the rise of Communism. Weisz plays Greta Sors, a woman who becomes involved with one of the family’s sons.

Her character’s story is part of the film’s sweeping look at the political and social upheavals of the era. The role required her to age over a significant period of time, and she was part of a large and prestigious international cast. The film was a complex and ambitious historical saga.

‘Beautiful Creatures’ (2000)

In this Scottish dark comedy thriller, Weisz plays Petula. The story follows two women who form an unlikely bond after a violent incident involving their respective boyfriends. Together, they get caught up in a chaotic and dangerous plot involving a faked kidnapping and a ransom demand.

Weisz’s character is one of the two resourceful female leads who turn the tables on the men in their lives. The film is a fast-paced and witty caper that puts its female characters at the center of the action. The role allowed her to showcase her comedic timing in a darker, more satirical setting.

‘Enemy at the Gates’ (2001)

This war film is set during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. It centers on a famous Soviet sniper and his German counterpart who engage in a deadly duel amidst the ruins of the city. Weisz plays Tania Chernova, a female soldier and sniper who becomes involved in a love triangle with the Soviet hero and his political officer.

Weisz’s character is a strong and capable soldier who is also at the heart of the film’s emotional storyline. She trained with firearms to prepare for the role and convincingly portrayed a woman fighting on the brutal front lines of one of history’s most devastating battles.

‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001)

Weisz reprised her popular role as Evelyn Carnahan in this highly anticipated sequel. Set several years after the first film, Evelyn is now married to the hero and they have a young son. Their quiet life is disrupted when the evil mummy is resurrected once again, and they are pulled back into another adventure that also reveals Evelyn’s connection to an ancient Egyptian princess.

The sequel was another huge commercial success. Weisz’s character was given a more action-oriented role, as flashbacks revealed her past life as the warrior princess Nefertiti. She successfully balanced the character’s scholarly intelligence with her newfound fighting abilities.

‘About a Boy’ (2002)

In this charming romantic comedy-drama based on the Nick Hornby novel, Weisz plays Rachel. She is a single mother whom the film’s protagonist, a shallow and commitment-phobic man, pretends to have a child to date. He ends up forming a genuine friendship with her lonely 12-year-old son.

Weisz’s role is a key supporting part in the film. She plays a grounded and intelligent woman who becomes a potential romantic interest for the main character as he begins to mature. Her performance added warmth and depth to the acclaimed and heartwarming film.

‘Confidence’ (2003)

This stylish crime thriller features Weisz as Lily, a skilled grifter and the girlfriend of a veteran con artist. After a successful con goes wrong, her boyfriend’s crew is forced to work for a powerful crime boss to pull off their biggest and most dangerous scam yet.

As the alluring and clever Lily, Weisz was a classic femme fatale in the world of high-stakes cons. Her character is smart, resourceful, and her loyalties are a key part of the film’s twisting plot. She was a memorable part of the slick ensemble cast.

‘The Shape of Things’ (2003)

Based on the play by Neil LaBute, this film is a dark and provocative look at the nature of art and relationships. Weisz plays Evelyn Ann Thompson, an art student who begins a relationship with a shy and overweight museum guard. She proceeds to transform him, changing his appearance, his personality, and his relationships with his friends.

Weisz, who also produced the film, delivers a powerful and unsettling performance. Her character is a manipulative and morally questionable artist who uses a human being as her medium. The film is an intense and uncomfortable character study that challenges the audience’s perceptions of love and art.

‘Runaway Jury’ (2003)

In this legal thriller based on a John Grisham novel, Weisz plays Marlee, a mysterious woman who, along with her partner on the inside of a jury, attempts to manipulate the verdict of a major gun-control case. They offer to sell the verdict to whichever side of the lawsuit is willing to pay their price.

Weisz’s character is a smart and cunning operator who is always one step ahead of the powerful lawyers and jury consultants trying to control the case. She is at the center of the film’s suspense, and her true motives are a key part of the mystery. The film was a popular and star-studded thriller.

‘Envy’ (2004)

This black comedy features Weisz as Debbie Dingman. Her husband is a hardworking and sensible man who becomes consumed by jealousy when his best friend and neighbor, an eccentric dreamer, invents a spray that makes pet waste disappear and becomes fabulously wealthy overnight.

Weisz plays the supportive wife who must deal with her husband’s escalating envy and increasingly erratic behavior. Her character attempts to be the voice of reason as their lives are turned upside down by their friend’s absurd invention. The film is a quirky satire about friendship, success, and the dangers of jealousy.

‘Constantine’ (2005)

Based on the ‘Hellblazer’ comic books, this supernatural action film stars Weisz in a dual role as twin sisters Angela and Isabel Dodson. Angela is a skeptical LAPD detective who seeks the help of an occult detective to prove that her devoutly Catholic sister’s death was not a suicide.

The role required Weisz to play two distinct characters, one a cynical cop and the other a troubled psychic. As Angela, she is the audience’s entry point into a dark world of angels, demons, and half-breeds. The film was a stylish and action-packed supernatural thriller.

‘The Constant Gardener’ (2005)

For her role in this political thriller, Weisz won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She plays Tessa Quayle, a passionate and fearless human rights activist who is brutally murdered in Kenya. The film follows her mild-mannered husband, a British diplomat, as he investigates her death and uncovers a massive corporate and government conspiracy.

Although her character is deceased at the start of the film, Weisz’s powerful performance is the driving force of the entire story, seen through extensive flashbacks. She portrayed Tessa as a brilliant, uncompromising, and deeply compassionate woman whose fight for justice cost her her life. The role was a career-defining moment and earned her widespread critical acclaim.

‘The Fountain’ (2006)

This visually stunning and ambitious film from director Darren Aronofsky tells three parallel stories set in the past, present, and future. Weisz plays the central female character in each timeline: Queen Isabel of Spain, who sends a conquistador to find the Tree of Life; Izzi Creo, the dying wife of a modern-day scientist; and a figure who accompanies a space traveler on a journey to a dying star.

Weisz’s performance is the emotional core that connects the three epic and philosophical stories. She embodies the themes of love, mortality, and rebirth that run through the film. The movie is a unique and challenging cinematic experience, and her role is essential to its metaphysical love story.

‘Eragon’ (2006)

In this fantasy-adventure film based on the popular novel, Weisz provided the voice for Saphira, the dragon. The story follows a young farm boy who discovers a dragon egg, leading him on a destined path to become a Dragon Rider and fight to free his land from the rule of an evil king.

As the voice of Saphira, Weisz brought wisdom, warmth, and ferocity to the powerful and majestic creature. She serves as the main character’s closest companion, guide, and partner in battle. Her voice work was a key element in bringing the film’s central dragon to life.

‘Fred Claus’ (2007)

This Christmas comedy tells the story of Santa Claus’s bitter and resentful older brother, Fred. Weisz plays Wanda, a parking enforcement officer who is Fred’s long-suffering girlfriend. She struggles with her relationship with the cynical and untrustworthy Fred but ultimately sees the good in him.

The role was a comedic turn for Weisz in a lighthearted holiday film. She played the grounded, romantic interest who encourages the main character to become a better person. Her character adds a touch of romance and heart to the family-friendly comedy.

‘My Blueberry Nights’ (2007)

In this drama from director Wong Kar-wai, a young woman embarks on a soul-searching journey across America after a bad breakup. Weisz appears in one segment of the film as Sue Lynne, a troubled Southern belle living in Memphis. She is the estranged wife of a police officer who is struggling with his own demons.

Weisz’s performance is a memorable part of the film’s episodic structure. She portrays a fiery and heartbroken woman in a tumultuous relationship. Her segment is a poignant and stylish exploration of love and betrayal, typical of the director’s unique visual and emotional style.

‘Definitely, Maybe’ (2008)

This romantic comedy-drama features Weisz as Summer Hartley, one of three women from a political consultant’s past. The story is told in flashbacks as the man tells his young daughter the story of how he met her mother, changing the names so that she has to guess which of the three women it is.

Weisz’s character, named Natasha in the story, is a sophisticated and ambitious journalist with whom the protagonist has a passionate and complicated affair. Her character represents a specific period in the man’s life as he was building his career in the world of politics.

‘The Brothers Bloom’ (2008)

In this quirky caper comedy, Weisz plays Penelope, a lonely and eccentric heiress who becomes the target of two con artist brothers. They plan to involve her in an elaborate globetrotting adventure as their final con, but things get complicated when one of the brothers genuinely falls for her.

Weisz’s performance as the charmingly odd Penelope was widely praised. She fully embraced the character’s many strange hobbies and her endearing naivete. The role allowed her to showcase her comedic talents in a smart and stylishly original film.

‘The Lovely Bones’ (2009)

Based on the bestselling novel by Alice Sebold, this film tells the story of a young girl who is murdered and watches over her family from a personalized version of heaven. Weisz plays Abigail Salmon, the girl’s grieving mother. She struggles to cope with the immense loss of her daughter, which causes her to grow distant from her husband and remaining children.

The role was emotionally demanding, requiring Weisz to portray the devastating and complex process of grief. She captured the profound sorrow and internal conflict of a mother whose family has been shattered by an unthinkable tragedy. Her performance was a key part of the film’s powerful emotional landscape.

‘Agora’ (2009)

In this historical drama, Weisz stars as Hypatia, the brilliant female philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who lived in Roman Egypt during the 4th century. The film chronicles her life as she teaches at the legendary Library of Alexandria and struggles to save the accumulated knowledge of the ancient world amidst violent religious and social upheaval.

Weisz delivered a commanding performance as the trailblazing intellectual. She portrayed Hypatia’s passion for science and reason in a world that was increasingly being torn apart by religious extremism. The role was a powerful tribute to a forgotten historical figure.

‘The Whistleblower’ (2010)

This political thriller is based on the true story of Kathryn Bolkovac, an American police officer who served as a U.N. peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Weisz plays Bolkovac, who uncovers a massive human trafficking and sex slavery ring that involves local criminals and international U.N. personnel.

Weisz gave a fierce and determined performance as a woman who risks her job and her life to expose a horrific crime and the powerful people trying to cover it up. The film is an intense and harrowing look at corruption and one woman’s courageous fight for justice against a deeply flawed system.

‘360’ (2011)

This drama features an international ensemble cast in a series of interconnected stories about love and relationships in the 21st century. The film follows characters from different cities and social backgrounds whose lives briefly intersect. Weisz plays Rose, a woman in London who is ending an affair.

Her storyline is one of many that weave together to form the film’s larger tapestry. The movie is a modern take on the classic play ‘La Ronde’, exploring the ripple effects of romantic choices. Weisz’s segment deals with themes of fidelity and the end of a relationship.

‘Dream House’ (2011)

In this psychological thriller, Weisz stars as Libby Atenton, the wife of a successful publisher who moves his family into a quaint New England home. Their idyllic life is shattered when they learn that their new house was the scene of a brutal murder, and the town believes the former resident who killed his family still lives.

The film contains a major plot twist that redefines the characters and their reality. Weisz’s role is central to the film’s central mystery and its dark, psychological secrets. The movie is a suspenseful story where nothing is as it seems.

‘The Deep Blue Sea’ (2011)

Set in 1950s Britain, this romantic drama stars Weisz as Hester Collyer, the wife of a high court judge who engages in a passionate and self-destructive affair with a troubled former Royal Air Force pilot. The film explores the devastating emotional consequences of a love that goes against the restrictive social conventions of the era.

Weisz’s performance as the emotionally tormented Hester was met with widespread critical acclaim. She masterfully captured the character’s overwhelming passion and the profound despair of her impossible situation. The role is considered one of the finest of her career, showcasing her incredible dramatic depth.

‘The Bourne Legacy’ (2012)

Weisz joined this popular action-spy franchise in a new installment that introduces a different agent from the same world. She plays Dr. Marta Shearing, a research scientist who works for the secret program that created the enhanced agents. When the program decides to eliminate all of its assets, she finds herself targeted for death and must go on the run with the film’s hero.

As Dr. Shearing, Weisz played an intelligent and resourceful character who is thrown into a world of intense action and danger. She was a capable partner to the film’s protagonist, not just a damsel in distress. The role added a major action blockbuster to her diverse filmography.

‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ (2013)

In this fantasy adventure film, which serves as a prequel to the classic story, Weisz played the villain Evanora. She is the Wicked Witch of the East, the cunning and manipulative older sister of another witch, Theodora. Evanora tricks the film’s hero, a circus magician who has been transported to the magical Land of Oz, as part of her plan to seize control of the Emerald City.

Weisz clearly had fun playing the glamorous and malevolent witch. She delivered a delightfully wicked performance as the story’s primary antagonist, scheming behind the scenes and wielding powerful magic. The role allowed her to be part of a large-scale, visually spectacular family film.

‘The Lobster’ (2015)

This surreal and darkly comedic film is set in a dystopian society where single people are given 45 days to find a romantic partner at a hotel. If they fail, they are turned into an animal of their choosing. Weisz plays a character known only as the Short Sighted Woman, who is part of a group of loners living in the woods, where relationships are forbidden.

Weisz, who also serves as the film’s narrator, gives a subtle and moving performance in a highly unconventional story. Her character’s clandestine romance with the protagonist is the emotional core of the strange and thought-provoking film. The movie was a critical success, praised for its originality and sharp satire.

‘Youth’ (2015)

This art-house drama is set in a luxurious Swiss spa and follows two elderly best friends, a retired composer and a working film director, as they reflect on their lives. Weisz plays Lena Ballinger, the composer’s daughter and personal assistant. She is dealing with her own emotional crisis after her husband leaves her for a pop star.

Weisz’s supporting role is powerful and complex. She has a pivotal scene where she confronts her father about his past failings as a parent, which was widely praised by critics. Her performance added a layer of raw, contemporary emotion to the film’s meditative and philosophical tone.

‘Complete Unknown’ (2016)

In this independent drama, Weisz plays Alice, a mysterious and enigmatic woman who shows up at a dinner party hosted by a man she claims to have known 15 years earlier. As the night progresses, it becomes clear that Alice is a serial identity-changer who has lived many different lives.

Weisz’s performance is the captivating center of the film’s mystery. She portrays a character who is constantly reinventing herself, raising questions about identity, freedom, and the desire to escape one’s past. The film is a quiet and thought-provoking character study driven by her compelling performance.

‘The Light Between Oceans’ (2016)

Based on the novel of the same name, this period drama is set in a remote part of Australia after World War I. The story follows a lighthouse keeper and his wife who rescue a baby girl who has washed ashore in a rowboat. They decide to raise the child as their own, a choice that has devastating consequences years later. Weisz plays Hannah Roennfeldt, the child’s biological mother.

Although she appears in the second half of the film, Weisz’s performance is heartbreaking and powerful. She portrays a woman consumed by grief and loss, who never gave up hope of finding her missing daughter. Her character’s story creates the central moral conflict of the film.

‘Denial’ (2016)

This biographical drama is based on the true story of a legal battle between historian Deborah Lipstadt and a Holocaust denier. Weisz stars as Lipstadt, an American professor who is sued for libel in the British courts by the denier after she declares him to be a liar in one of her books. She and her legal team must then prove in court that the Holocaust did, in fact, happen.

Weisz delivered a passionate and intelligent performance as the real-life academic. She captured Lipstadt’s fierce determination to fight for the truth, as well as her frustration with a legal system that required her to prove a historical fact. The film is a compelling and timely courtroom drama.

‘My Cousin Rachel’ (2017)

In this gothic mystery based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier, Weisz plays the title character, the beautiful and enigmatic Countess Rachel Ashley. After her English cousin dies at his Italian villa, his young heir plots revenge, believing that Rachel was responsible for his death. When he finally meets her, he finds himself falling under her spell.

Weisz’s performance is perfectly ambiguous, keeping the audience guessing about her character’s true motives until the very end. She portrays Rachel as charming, intelligent, and possibly dangerous. Her captivating performance is the key to the film’s suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere.

‘Disobedience’ (2017)

In this drama, which she also produced, Weisz plays Ronit Krushka, a successful photographer living in New York. She returns to her Orthodox Jewish community in London after the death of her estranged father, a revered rabbi. Her return reignites a forbidden, passionate attraction to her childhood friend, who is now married to her cousin.

Weisz gave a deeply personal and nuanced performance as a woman caught between the secular world she has chosen and the restrictive religious community she left behind. The film is a powerful and sensitive exploration of faith, love, and the courage to live an authentic life.

‘The Mercy’ (2017)

This biographical drama tells the true story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst, who attempted to circumnavigate the globe single-handedly in a 1968 race. Weisz plays his wife, Clare Crowhurst. She is a supportive and loving partner who stands by her husband’s ambitious and ultimately tragic endeavor.

As Clare, Weisz portrays the emotional toll the dangerous journey takes on the family left behind. She is the anchor of the story on land, her hope and anxiety providing a powerful counterpoint to her husband’s struggles at sea. Her performance brought emotional depth to the heartbreaking true story.

‘The Favourite’ (2018)

In this critically acclaimed historical black comedy, Weisz plays Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough. She is the brilliant and cunning confidante and secret lover of the frail and volatile Queen Anne. Her position of immense power is threatened by the arrival of her younger, more charming cousin, who also vies for the Queen’s affection.

Weisz’s sharp, witty, and formidable performance earned her an Academy Award nomination. She perfectly captured her character’s intelligence, ambition, and the complex love she had for the queen. The film was celebrated for its clever script and the outstanding performances of its three female leads.

‘Black Widow’ (2021)

Weisz joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in this superhero film centered on the titular character. She plays Melina Vostokoff, a seasoned spy and scientist who was part of a Russian undercover sleeper cell that acted as the Black Widow’s surrogate family during her childhood in America.

The role allowed Weisz to showcase her action and comedic skills. As the brilliant but socially awkward “mother” figure of the dysfunctional spy family, she had several memorable and funny moments. Her character is a key part of the emotional core of the film, as the fractured family reunites to confront their past.

Which of Rachel Weisz’s many compelling characters has left the biggest impression on you?