Maggie Gyllenhaal is known by many fans for her role in massive blockbusters like The Dark Knight. She has captivated viewers in her large roles but has appeared in several different kinds of films throughout her career. Some audiences know her from films Gyllenhaal has performed in alongside her brother Jake.
However, Maggie Gyllenhaal has made a career on her own merit. From small roles in cult films like Donnie Darko to starring parts in emotionally gripping dramas like The Kindergarten Teacher, she makes her mark in movies in which she appears. Fans have taken to Rotten Tomatoes to rank the actress' best films.
Monster House (75%)
Monster House is an animated movie from the mid-2000s. It tells the story of a haunted house that takes people off the streets of a suburb. Pre-teen best friends D.J. Walters and Charles "Chowder" investigate when D.J.'s parents are away for the weekend.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Elizabeth, better known as "Zee." She is D.J.'s babysitter. Fans of the movie might say it is a fun horror-comedy. Gyllenhaal devotees might say Zee is one of the more memorable characters from the film.
Secretary (78%)
Audiences are presented with a black comedy in Secretary. The movie follows Lee Holloway, a young woman who gets her first job as a secretary for a local attorney, E. Edward Grey. Before long, the two get entangled in a physical relationship which makes their professional one increasingly difficult to manage.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee and James Spader plays Grey. Fans of the movie might say it is fun, funny, and proactive. Others might say it presents Spader and Gyllenhaal in roles unlike any other in their careers.
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (79%)
George Clooney gives audiences his directorial debut with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. The film is based on the true story of Chuck Barris. In the film, Barris is a game show producer who is asked to join the CIA. The narrative follows the challenges he faces in the world of television and the Central Intelligence Agency.
Sam Rockwell plays Chuck Barris. Some fans call Confessions of a Dangerous Mind one of Rockwell's best movies. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the supporting role of Debbie. Fans might say the movie tells an interesting story and lays the foundation for Clooney's directorial career.
Paris, je t'aime (86%)
Paris, je t'aime is a film by several directors. It presents multiple vignettes in an anthology. Many notable filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and Alexander Payne come together to tell stories in the backdrop of Paris, each in a different district of the city.
Maggie Gyllenhaal appears in Olivier Assayas's segment called "Quartier des Enfants Rouges." She plays Liz, a woman who falls for her dealer. Gyllenhaal fans might say her segment is one of the most memorable from the anthology.
Donnie Darko (86%)
There are several hidden details in Donnie Darko. The psychological thriller has developed a large cult following since its release. It gives audiences the story of Donnie, an outcast teen who is visited by a monstrous figure warning him about the end of the world.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Elizabeth Darko, Donnie's sister. Fans of the movie know Jake Gyllenhaal plays her on-screen brother in the film as Donnie. Fans of the movie might say it is interesting and that its legacy speaks for itself.
The Kindergarten Teacher (90%)
The Kindergarten Teacher is an American remake of an Israeli drama. It follows the story of Lisa Spinelli. Lisa, a teacher and aspiring poet, becomes enamored with a student who shows poetic potential beyond his years. She grapples with nurturing his talent against his family's wishes and begins to overstep in her role as his kindergarten teacher.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lisa. Fans of the movie might say she carries the film and gives audiences one of her most gripping and complex performances. Others might say the tension presented in the film is palpable and leaves a lasting impression.
Crazy Heart (90%)
Audiences are given one of Jeff Bridges' highest-rated movies with Crazy Heart. He stars as Otis "Bad" Blake. Blake is a washed-up alcoholic country singer. As he struggles with his fading career, he gets involved with a single mother, Jean Craddock, after she develops a story about him.
Fans of Crazy Heart might say its accolades highlight its success. Gyllenhaal plays Jean in a starring role. Devotees of the movie might say the leads have palpable chemistry and the movie brings engagement with a striking setting and memorable soundtrack.
Adaptation (90%)
Spike Jonze gives audiences a bizarre metafiction dramedy with Adaptation. The film follows a fictionalized version of its writer, Charlie Kaufman. He is tasked with adapting a non-fiction book about orchids into a screenplay and the events of the movie follow.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the supporting role of Caroline Cunningham. Adaptation devotees might say it is one of the most original movies of the 2000s and showcases a captivating script driven by funny and emotional performances.
Frank (92%)
Frank is a dark comedy from the early 2010s. It tells the story of Frank, a bashful musician made easily identifiable by a large papier-mâché head he wears to cover his face. He plays in a band, and conflict arises when they are all offered the gig of a lifetime.
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Clara, a member of Frank's band The Soronprfbs. Fans of the movie perhaps say it is a unique comedy with several funny moments.
The Dark Knight (94%)
Many movie fans know The Dark Knight as one of the most celebrated Batman movies. It is the second installment of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy and places the caped crusader against the likes of the Joker and Two-Face. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent's love interest.
Fans of the movie might say it has a lasting legacy thanks to the performances of the ensemble cast, most notably with the addition of the late Heath Ledger. Gyllenhaal devotees might say the film wouldn't be the same without her depiction of Rachel.