Renate Reinsve

2011–2020: Film debut and early work

In 2014, she received the Hedda Award for her role in Besøk av gammel dame, an adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play Der Besuch der alten Dame. Since 2016, she has been contracted to Det Norske Teatret in Oslo.^[1] Her films include Oslo, 31 August, The Orheim Company (2012), and Welcome to Norway (2016).^[1] On television, she has been a main character in Nesten voksen^[3] and a side character in Hvite gutter.^[4]

2021–present: Breakthrough and expansion

In 2021, Reinsve played the principal character Julie in Joachim Trier's romantic comedy-drama The Worst Person in the World, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim.^[5][6][7][8] On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Reinsve said that she was considering quitting acting the day before she was offered the role of Julie, and had considered working in carpentry as a backup plan to acting.^[9] Trier had written the part of Julie specifically for her.^[10] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian lauded the film giving it a five star review declaring, "Renate Reinsve is the actor who takes on this role and she takes off like a rocket, deserving star status to rival Lily James or Alicia Vikander for her tremendously mature, sensitive and sympathetic performance."^[11] For her performance Reinsve received numerous accolades including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress as well as a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.^[12] In May 2023, she was cast in the horror film Weapons.^[13] Production was delayed by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, which created schedule conflicts and she had to drop out, being replaced by Julia Garner.

Reinsve acted in two movies which competed at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, the first being Aaron Schimberg's psychological drama A Different Man co-starring opposite Sebastian Stan. The second was Piero Messina's science-fiction romance Another End with Gael Garcia Bernal.^[14][15] Reinsve acted in the film Armand directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.^[16] In Nordisk, Armand was said to be "A story about boundaries - not mainly between the kids, but between the adults involved. Who decides where to set them? What is an assault, what is play, what is consent, and what is privacy?".^[17] She was nominated for the European Film Award for Best Actress for her performance. Also in 2024, she played a lover and victim in the Apple TV+ legal thriller series Presumed Innocent acting opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. The series was based on the 1987 novel.^[18]

Reinsve reunited with Trier for the family drama Sentimental Value starring alongside Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.^[19] Filming commenced in August 2024.^[20] The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews.^[21][22] David Ehlrich of IndieWire praised her collaboration with the director: "Reinsve is immaculately attuned to Trier's energy, and Sentimental Value is carried by the manic frustration she brings to her part".^[23] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter concurred: "It's especially gladdening to see Reinsve working again with a director who draws out every ounce of raw feeling in her" while also praising her for her dramatic and comedic abilities.^[24] Reinsve was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her performance.

In June 2025, it was announced that Reinsve would star opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor in the A24 science-fiction film Backrooms directed by Kane Parsons.^[25]

Film

Television