Rachel Brosnahan’s Career: From ‘The Unborn’ to ‘Superman’
Rachel Brosnahan has become a familiar face in Hollywood, known for her award-winning role as Midge Maisel. But before she became the famous comedian, her career was built on a wide range of film roles. From her debut while still in high school to major blockbusters, Brosnahan has shown her ability to play many different characters. She has appeared in horror films, real-life dramas, and even lent her voice to an animated movie.
Her journey through film shows an actress taking on new challenges with each project. She has worked with famous directors and actors, building a diverse portfolio that includes small independent films and big-budget productions. This list explores her path from her early work to her role as a classic comic book character, showing the key steps in her movie career.
‘The Unborn’ (2009)
Rachel Brosnahan made her film debut in this supernatural horror movie while she was still in high school. She played the supporting role of Lisa, the friend of the main character, Casey Beldon. Casey is tormented by a dybbuk, a malevolent spirit from Jewish folklore, which is the soul of her deceased twin.
The movie follows Casey as she experiences terrifying hallucinations and uncovers a dark family secret connected to Nazi experiments and a vengeful ghost. Brosnahan’s character is part of the central friend group that witnesses the escalating supernatural events. The film used common horror themes and was a box office success.
‘The Truth About Average Guys’ (2009)
In this comedy film, Rachel Brosnahan took on the role of Molly. The story centers on a young woman who becomes tired of dating men who are not right for her. She decides to write an article about finding a regular, “average guy” who she believes would make a better partner.
The film follows her humorous attempts to find this ideal average man, which leads to a series of awkward dates and funny situations. Brosnahan’s character, Molly, is part of the world the main character navigates as she tries to figure out what she truly wants in a relationship.
‘Coming Up Roses’ (2011)
In this drama, Rachel Brosnahan plays the character of Alice. The film is set in 1985 and follows a teenager named Alice who lives with her eccentric mother, a former musical comedy star who struggles with reality after her career ends.
Alice is forced to take on the responsibility of caring for her mother and younger sister while navigating their unstable life. The movie focuses on their complex relationship and Alice’s determination to create a better future for herself and her family.
‘Nor’easter’ (2012)
This film is a quiet drama set on a remote island in New England. Rachel Brosnahan plays Abby Green, a young woman who is part of a small, devoutly religious community. The story centers on a young priest who returns to the island years after a tragic event.
Abby’s character is connected to the priest’s past and the secrets the small community holds. The movie has a slow and thoughtful pace, focusing on themes of faith, guilt, and the difficulty of moving on from past traumas.
‘Beautiful Creatures’ (2013)
In this romantic fantasy film, Rachel Brosnahan portrayed Genevieve Duchannes, an ancestor of the main character, Lena. The movie is based on a popular young adult novel and tells the story of a teenage boy who falls in love with a girl from a family of powerful magic-users known as Casters.
Brosnahan appears in flashbacks to the Civil War era, revealing how Genevieve’s tragic love for a mortal man resulted in a curse that affects her entire family for generations. Her character’s story is crucial to understanding the challenges the main characters face.
‘I’m Obsessed With You‘ (2014)
This comedy-drama focuses on a group of friends at a liberal arts college who form a secret comedy troupe. Rachel Brosnahan plays Nell Fitzpatrick, one of the members of this witty and close-knit circle.
The film follows the friends as they navigate their relationships, ambitions, and the messy realities of growing up. Their comedy sketches are used to comment on their lives and the world around them, leading to both funny and emotional moments as they transition into adulthood.
‘James White’ (2015)
In this drama, Rachel Brosnahan plays the role of Ellen. The film focuses on the title character, a troubled young man in New York City who is struggling to take control of his self-destructive behavior.
The story follows James as he confronts the immense pressure of his mother’s serious illness. Brosnahan’s character is part of his world during this difficult and transformative period of his life.
‘Louder Than Bombs’ (2015)
This family drama features an international cast and tells the story of a father and his two sons grappling with the death of their wife and mother, a famous war photographer. Rachel Brosnahan plays Erin, the ex-girlfriend of the older son, Jonah.
As he avoids dealing with his family’s grief, Jonah reconnects with Erin, and their interactions reveal more about his inability to face his mother’s death. The film explores themes of memory, grief, and family secrets through a non-linear narrative structure.
‘The Finest Hours’ (2016)
This historical action-drama tells the true story of a daring Coast Guard rescue mission off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952. Rachel Brosnahan plays Bea Hansen, the fiancée of one of the brave Coast Guard members, Bernie Webber.
While the men are at sea facing a powerful storm in a small boat, the film also focuses on the families and townspeople waiting anxiously on shore. Brosnahan’s character represents the fear and hope of the loved ones left behind during the perilous rescue.
‘Burn Country’ (2016)
In this thriller, Rachel Brosnahan takes on the role of Sandra. The story follows a former Afghan journalist who moves to a small, isolated town in Northern California to work for a local newspaper.
As he begins to investigate the town’s criminal underworld, he befriends Sandra, who becomes entangled in his dangerous search for the truth. The film explores themes of violence and secrets hidden beneath the surface of a seemingly quiet community.
‘Patriots Day’ (2016)
This film recounts the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent city-wide manhunt for the perpetrators. Rachel Brosnahan portrays Jessica Kensky, a real-life survivor who was seriously injured in the attack alongside her husband.
The movie shows the courage of the survivors, first responders, and ordinary citizens who came together in the face of tragedy. Brosnahan’s performance highlights the human impact of the event and the resilience of those who had to rebuild their lives.
‘Boomtown’ (2017)
In this drama, Rachel Brosnahan plays the character of Jamie. The story is set against the backdrop of a modern-day oil boom in North Dakota, where people from all over the country have come to find work.
The film follows a young man trying to make his way in this rough environment. He becomes involved with Jamie as they both navigate the challenges and opportunities of a town transformed by the rush for oil.
‘Change in the Air’ (2018)
Rachel Brosnahan stars as Wren, a mysterious young woman who becomes the subject of intense gossip when she moves into a quiet neighborhood. The community is fascinated by her arrival, particularly because she receives large bags of mail but never seems to leave her home.
The story unfolds as the residents’ curiosity leads them to learn more about Wren and her past. Her quiet presence ultimately has an unexpected and profound effect on the lives of her neighbors.
‘Spies in Disguise’ (2019)
In this animated family comedy, Rachel Brosnahan lends her voice to the character of Wendy Beckett. The movie follows the world’s greatest secret agent, Lance Sterling, who is accidentally turned into a pigeon by a brilliant young scientist.
Wendy Beckett is an intelligent and persistent internal affairs agent who is tasked with tracking down the super-spy, who is now a bird. She leads the determined pursuit, creating many funny and action-packed moments throughout the film.
‘The Courier’ (2020)
This historical spy thriller is based on the true story of Greville Wynne, a British businessman recruited to be a spy during the Cold War. Rachel Brosnahan plays Emily Donovan, a CIA agent who helps persuade Wynne to work with MI6.
Donovan emphasizes the importance of his mission, explaining that he could help prevent a nuclear war by acting as a messenger for a high-level Soviet informant. The film follows the dangerous partnership between the ordinary businessman and the Soviet source as they work to pass secret information to the West during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
‘I’m Your Woman’ (2020)
In this 1970s-set crime drama, Rachel Brosnahan stars as Jean, a role for which she also served as a producer. Jean is a suburban housewife whose husband is a professional thief. When one of his jobs goes wrong, he disappears, forcing Jean to go on the run with her baby.
She is aided by Cal, an associate of her husband, who helps her navigate a dangerous new world. Jean must learn to survive and discover a strength she never knew she possessed in order to protect herself and her child.
‘Dead for a Dollar’ (2022)
This Western film is directed by the legendary Walter Hill and features Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Kidd. The story follows a famed bounty hunter hired to find the wife of a businessman, who he is told has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom in Mexico.
When the bounty hunter finds Rachel, he learns that she willingly fled from an abusive husband and that the man accused of kidnapping her is actually her romantic partner. This creates a moral dilemma for the bounty hunter, who must decide whether to return her to her cruel husband or help her escape.
‘The Amateur’ (2025)
In this espionage thriller, Rachel Brosnahan plays Sarah Heller. Her husband, Charles, is a CIA cryptographer whose life is shattered when Sarah is killed in a terrorist attack in London.
Devastated by his loss, Charles is determined to find those responsible, but his superiors at the CIA refuse to take official action. This forces him to go rogue, using his intelligence skills to hunt down the killers himself, with the memory of his wife as his driving force.
‘Superman’ (2025)
Rachel Brosnahan stars as the iconic reporter Lois Lane in this hit superhero film. The movie reboots the Superman story and is the first film in a new DC Universe. Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is a “fiercely intelligent” and feisty journalist at the Daily Planet.
The film explores Superman’s struggle to win back public support after his involvement in an international conflict leads to unintended consequences. The story follows Lois and her colleagues as they help the hero, who must also contend with the schemes of billionaire Lex Luthor. Brosnahan’s performance has been widely praised by critics.
What is your favorite Rachel Brosnahan movie role, and which film on this list will you watch next?
