Mara’s acting journey began with roles in television and indie films like Tanner Hall (2009), where her subtle talent began to shine. Her breakthrough came with The Social Network (2010), in which she played Erica Albright—the girl who breaks up with Mark Zuckerberg in the film’s now-famous opening scene. But it was her haunting portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) that catapulted her to international recognition and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Rather than dive headfirst into Hollywood blockbusters, Mara followed her instincts toward more intimate, emotionally driven narratives. She has built a career defined by understated power and careful role selection. In Carol (2015), she gave a quiet yet searing performance opposite Cate Blanchett, earning the Best Actress prize at Cannes and widespread critical acclaim. Her work in A Ghost Story (2017), where she delivered a now-iconic pie-eating scene steeped in grief, further cemented her place in modern indie cinema.
Mara’s roles are often challenging, minimalistic, and driven by internal conflict—films like Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Una, and Mary Magdalene reflect her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. In Women Talking (2022), she was part of an ensemble cast tackling one of the most urgent and complex issues of our time, offering a performance full of restrained empathy.
Off-screen, Mara is equally engaged. She co-founded the Uweza Foundation, which supports empowerment programs in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, and launched Hiraeth, a vegan fashion line focused on ethical clothing. She maintains a private life with actor Joaquin Phoenix, with whom she shares a son named River.
Looking ahead, Mara will portray Audrey Hepburn in an upcoming biopic directed by Luca Guadagnino—an inspired casting choice that speaks to her poise, grace, and introspective strength. As she enters her fifth decade, Rooney Mara remains a vital and quietly radical presence in cinema, always choosing substance over spectacle and continuing to redefine what it means to be a modern film star.
