When it comes to A-list actresses, it doesn’t get much better than Rachel McAdams. She is an inspiring talent who shines in whatever leading role she takes on. It is hard to believe that she has already been in the business for such a long time yet still manages to bring something unique to every role she performs. In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best movies that star Rachel McAdams and are sure to leave you spellbound.
Rachel McAdams has been acting since the early 2000s and made a name for herself early on in 2004’s Mean Girls. Since then, she has appeared in a number of popular films, including The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange and Spotlight. Born in London, Ontario, in 1978, Rachel McAdams started her acting career in the Canadian TV shows, My Name is Tanino and Slings and Arrows. By 2004, she’d landed her breakout role as Regina George in Mean Girls and went on to become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
The Notebook
The 2004 romantic drama The Notebook, directed by Nick Cassavetes, stars McAdams as Allie Hamilton and Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun. The Notebook follows the love story of Allie and Noah’s tumultuous journey to happily ever after. McAdams’ performance as the loving but stubborn Allie Hamilton won her much critical acclaim, leading to a nomination for the MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance. The Notebook remains one of the most successful romantic dramas of all time and has won many awards, including a Teen Choice award for Choice Movie Drama.
Sherlock Holmes
In 2009, Rachel starred as Irene Adler in the Guy Ritchie-directed action film Sherlock Holmes, alongside Robert Downey Jr. as the titular role. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes follows the adventures of the world’s most famous detective as he sets out to solve a mysterious case brought to him by Adler. Using her quick wit and substantial intelligence, Adler is a worthy adversary to Holmes and McAdams does an excellent job of portraying the strength and vulnerability of the character.
Doctor Strange
Rachel McAdams dons her black cape and plays the role of Dr. Christine Palmer in 2016’s Doctor Strange. This Marvel movie is a visually stunning sci-fi/fantasy adventure in which Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) learns the power of sorcery to protect the world from powerful forces of evil. In the movie, Palmer serves as Strange’s confidante, providing him with both emotional and medical support. She is a powerful character on her own and Rachel’s performance gives the audience a sense of her capabilities beyond the medical practice.
Spotlight
Never one to shy away from a challenging role, Rachel McAdams plays Sacha Pfeiffer in the 2015 drama Spotlight. Directed by Tom McCarthy, Spotlight follows the true story of the Boston Globe’s investigation of the widespread pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church. McAdams plays Pfeiffer, one of the reporters assigned to the case and is as determined as she is relentless in her pursuit of the truth. Her performance in Spotlight gained McAdams an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, validating her talent for taking on strong, complex characters.
To The Wonder
McAdams’s performance in To The Wonder (2012) demonstrates her impressive range as an actress. Directed by Terrence Malick, To The Wonder follows a couple on a journey of discovery and self-exploration in Oklahoma. McAdams plays Jane, a woman whose relationship with Neil (Ben Affleck) falls apart as he grapples with grief and regrets. With its meditative and dreamlike qualities, To The Wonder plays out like a poem and McAdams shines in the role of a strong, powerful woman.
About Time
Written and directed by Richard Curtis, About Time stars McAdams as Mary, the love interest of Tim Lake (Dominic Cooper). Tim is a 21-year-old man who discovers he has the ability to time travel and is determined to use it to his advantage to find true love. Drama meets comedy as Tim pursues Mary and tries to win her affections. Rachel McAdams does a brilliant job of portraying Mary as an independent woman with a sharp sense of justice, intelligence and humor. The emotional depth that McAdams brings to the role imbues Mary with a strong agency that resonates with the audience.
Out of all the amazing movies that Rachel McAdams has starred in, the ones mentioned above are definitely the ones you should check out if you’re looking to be spellbound. Whether it’s her performance in a romantic drama or an action-filled superhero movie, McAdams’ talent and versatility shine through in each of the characters she portrays. As one of the A-list actresses of Hollywood, there is no doubt that McAdams will be gracing our screens for years to come.
