Rosamund Pike Reveals Her Top 10 Must-See Movies
Discover the ten films that have shaped Rosamund Pike’s cinematic taste, from daring 1960s dramas to a heartwarming sci-fi classic. Her list offers a window into her fascination with complex characters and bold storytelling.
Rosamund Pike has built a reputation for playing characters who are elegant, driven, and often a little bit dangerous. Her personal movie picks reflect that same layered sensibility. After making her mark as Miranda Frost in Die Another Day, Pike truly broke through with her unforgettable role in Gone Girl. Since then, she’s taken on a range of memorable parts, from the gentle Jane Bennet in Pride & Prejudice to the cunning Marla Grayson in I Care a Lot and the self-absorbed Elspeth Catton in Saltburn.
1960s Cinema and Pike’s Fascination with Complexity
It’s clear that Pike has a soft spot for films from the 1960s. Her favorites include the Swedish two-part drama I Am Curious, which uses a documentary style to tackle the big issues of its era. She also highlights A Taste of Honey, a story about an unlikely family formed when a pregnant teen is supported only by her friend. Another standout is the Czech film Loves of a Blonde, which follows a young woman’s pursuit of love in Prague, echoing some of the mysterious allure Pike brings to her own roles.
Each film on her list seems to share a common thread: Darling tells the story of a model navigating the cutthroat world of 1960s London, while Daisies follows two women named Marie as they embrace a life of excess. Mean Streets dives into the world of a small-time gangster trying to juggle romance and ambition. These stories all explore the darker sides of human nature, where ambition and desire collide in a world that doesn’t play fair.
Characters Who Break the Mold
Pike’s choices reveal her attraction to characters who push boundaries and challenge the status quo. In her own words from I Care a Lot:
“Every fortune ever accumulated started with a leap of faith. But before you take that leap, first take a long, hard look at yourself. Know who you are.”
Her character Marla Grayson is unapologetic about her ambitions, asking herself tough questions:
“What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve my dreams? What lines will I not cross? Don’t try to be anyone else. Just know who you are and use that to your advantage.”
These themes run through many of the films Pike admires, where protagonists are forced to confront their own desires and limits.
Unexpected Picks and a Touch of Hope
Not every film on Pike’s list hails from the 1960s. She also includes Brief Encounter, a classic tale of temptation and longing, and Saltburn, which she starred in and considers a personal favorite. Saltburn centers on a troubled young man’s obsession with a wealthy family, mirroring the kind of intense, driven characters Pike often portrays.
Perhaps the most surprising entry is ET the Extra-Terrestrial. This beloved story of friendship and innocence stands out among the darker, more complex films on her list. Its inclusion hints at Pike’s appreciation for stories that offer hope and warmth, even as she gravitates toward the shadows in her work.
Rosamund Pike’s Top 10 Films
Through interviews, Pike has shared her all-time favorite movies:
- Brief Encounter (David Lean, 1945)
- A Taste of Honey (Tony Richardson, 1961)
- L’Eclisse (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962)
- Darling (John Schlesinger, 1965)
- Loves of a Blonde (Miloš Forman, 1966)
- Daisies (Věra Chytilová, 1966)
- I Am Curious (Vilgot Sjöman, 1967-68)
- Mean Streets (Martin Scorsese, 1973)
- ET the Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982)
- Saltburn (Emerald Fennell, 2023)