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Everyone in this world knows who Meryl Streep is or who Anne Hathaway is. But then comes the lot of actresses, who no matter how good they perform, aren’t acknowledged worldwide. Well, Rebecca Hall might be the epitome of that group, who often goes unnoticed despite her riveting performance.
We’re sure that you’ve certainly watched Rebecca Hall’s films since the actress rolls from Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed movies to MCU’s blockbusters. But you may not recognize her just by the name. So today, while dissecting her decades-long filmography, let’s take a look at one of her most underrated masterpieces in Hollywood.
Resurrectionproved how underrated Rebecca Hall is
Despite a lack of proper recognition in the industry after serving the entertainment sector for over a decade, Rebecca Hall hasn’t given up on her passion for art. Time and again, she has proven herself to be an actor of the highest caliber, whether through small indie dramas or big-budget blockbusters.
“The toy won’t sell if it’s a female”: Marvel Reduced Rebecca Hall’s Role in Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man 3 and It Wasn’t Kevin Feige’s Fault
But while people have often overlooked her talent, it’s time for them to check out her most underrated, yet phenomenal project of her career. It is the 2022 head-spinning thriller from writer/director Andrew Semans, that proved Hall’s impeccable skills and versatility through her performance.
Yes, we’re talking about thepsychological dramaResurrection, where Hall donned the role of a successful woman in biotech and a single mother, Margaret. The movie begins with her character preparing to send her daughter to college when her dark and disturbing past comes back to haunt her.
While the story is quite gripping, it’s actually Hall’s performance as Margaret that truly stands out. The movie soon shifts from a happy and hopeful tone to a dark pessimistic one, when Margaret encounters her former lover, David (Tim Roth), which stirs up memories of a traumatic and abusive past.
Resurrectionthus taps into Hall’s vulnerability as an actress in scenes where she’s seen barefoot in the street, drenched in sweat, and stark raving mad. Focused on Margaret’s paranoia and fear, the 2022 movie then offered audiences an unsettlingly seven-minute monologue shot wherein Margaret details the horrific backstory with David and its impact on her psyche.
Margaret is depicted as a complicated yet relatable character, who’s strong and confident on the outside but dealing with deep fears and trauma on the inside. And Hall portrayed this complexity with sheer perfection, switching between emotions—anger, fear, and heartbreak—with such ease that you can’t take your eyes off her.
Now comes the most thrilling part, where audiences are forced to wonder if David has truly returned with unfinished business or if Margaret is simply experiencing PTSD amid her daughter’s admission stress. And there’s no way of knowing the difference between reality and trauma, because of Hall’s masterclass in acting.
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ThroughResurrection, Hall invites audiences into her character’s deeply internal battles, while balancing paranoia and PTSD to serve the film’s thrilling as well as allegorical themes. Although the actress is often known for appearing in thrillers, it’s this 2022 horror crime drama that raised the bar for Hall, and she tackled the challenges flawlessly.
Yet, considering how this diabolically intense psychological thriller has barely managed to impress audiences (based on the 46% audience score onRotten Tomatoes), it breaks our heart to see Hall go so severely unnoticed, once again.
Rebecca Hall’s appearances in critically acclaimed projects and blockbuster movies
Meanwhile, despite most of her solo projects going unnoticed, Rebecca Hall’s talent has helped her come a long way in her career, and appear in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed movie, and MCU’s superhero blockbusters. However, despite working with big directors, she has often been overshadowed in the industry.
“Everything he brings to Tony Stark is him”: Even Working With Christopher Nolan Couldn’t Prepare Rebecca Hall For Robert Downey Jr’s Brilliance
So let’s take a look at renowned projects that starred Hall, but no one knew about. Beginning with Nolan’s 2006 moviePrestigewhich came early on in her career, following her debut that very year. Can you believe that right after making her debut, Hall was sought to appear in a movie by legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan?
While Cillian Murphy had to struggle for years to get a titular role in Nolan’sOppenheimer, Hall managed to bag the role of Sarah Borden, the onscreen wife ofChristian Bale’s titular character Alfred, right after her debut. In the movie packed with big names like Hugh Jackman and Michael Caine, Hall’s performance as a tortured wife, still left a mark.
Further, she also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing Maya Hansen alongsideRobert Downey Jr.inIron Man 3(2013). While her role was tragically cut short, Hall gave her character a sense of intelligence and ambition that made her memorable. In addition, the actress has also appeared inGodzilla vs. Kong(2021) and its 2024 sequel.
Overall, Rebecca Hall’s filmography is filled with critically acclaimed films likeVicky Cristina Barcelona(2008),Christine(2016), the animated movieThe BFG(2016), and even her 2010 gripping crime thriller alongside Ben Affleck,The Town.But despite her impressive resume, Hall doesn’t get the spotlight like some of her co-stars.
Rebecca Hall’s journey in Hollywood since her 2006 debut
Although it’s clear by now, that Rebecca Hall deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest names in the industry, things haven’t changed much for the actress since her debut in 2006. While her talent has allowed her to quietly appear in nuanced roles, Hall has been devoid of the recognition she deserves.
Kate Winslet, Timothée Chalamet Also Regretted Working With Woody Allen, But Rebecca Hall Feels She Shouldn’t Have Apologized For Her Movie
Hall made her film debut in 2006 with the British comedyStarter for 10. It later became a major success in her career, helping her catchChristopher Nolan‘s attention forThe Prestige. After her debut, and appearance in Nolan’s movie, Hall quickly became known for her ability to take on challenging roles.
With her penchant for playing characters with layers of emotion, Hall often signed for roles with women dealing with heartbreak, fear, or inner turmoil. Instead of being over-the-top with those emotions, Hall has managed to bring such an intensity that made her characters stand out in the cast.
Further, through her Hollywood journey,The Awakeningstar hasn’t just limited herself to acting. In 2021, Hall made her directorial debut withPassing, a film based on the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen. Exploring race and identity in 1920s America, Hall’s work as a director was well-received by critics.
Showcasing that her talent goes beyond acting,Rebecca Hallproved to be a skilled filmmaker. And that’s how, despite a lack of proper recognition in the industry, she has built a diverse and impressive career. Taking on everything from indie dramas to big-budget blockbusters, Hall has always entertained fans with her skills. Yet, the way she remains criminally underrated seems heartbreaking.
It finally seems like the right time for us as audiences to give Rebecca Hall the recognition she deserves. If you haven’t already, make sure to watchResurrectionand other movies in her filmography to experience the actress’ brilliance.
Resurrectionis currently available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
