10 Films With Thomasin McKenzie

Portrait by Ben Sarikaya.

You may know the Aotearoa-born London-based actress Thomasin McKenzie from her starring roles in films like Last Night in Soho (2021), Old (2021), Eileen (2023), The King (2019), Joy (2024), Leave No Trace (2018), The Power Of The Dog (2021), or a little movie by our friend Taika Waititi called Jojo Rabbit (2019). If you don’t know her from these roles, you probably don’t like movies very much, and I feel sorry for you. However, this is the right page to be reading, as Thomasin has provided ten movies that she feels are required viewing - just the list to turn you around and set you down a track of cinematic delight. 

Get the print issue where this piece originally appeared, issue 74, here.

My Neighbor Totoro (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1998)

‘This film is a family favourite and my go to comfort watch.’

Civil War (dir. Alex Garland, 2024)

‘I haven’t stopped thinking about this movie since watching it. I thought all the performances were fantastic and it’s a story that feels scarily real.’

Rare Window (dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1958)

‘The concept of this film has always really inspired me and satisfied the quiet observer in me.’ 

Before Sunrise (dir. Richard Linklater, 1995)

‘I never saw the appeal in romance until I watched this movie.’

Winters Bone (dir. Debra Branik, 2010)

‘A masterclass in naturalism.’ 

United 93 (dir. Paul Greengrass, 2006)

‘Paul Greengrass’ films are so brilliantly made and convincingly acted that they feel like documentaries.’ 

Notting Hill (dir. Roger Michell, 1999)

‘This movie is my dad’s favourite and therefore it holds a special place in my heart.’

Weapons (dir. Zach Cregger, 2025)

‘I never understood why people enjoyed horror films until I watched Weapons. The energy in that movie theatre was like no other.’

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (dir. Edgar Wright, 2010)

‘I’m obsessed with the editing and aesthetic of this film.’

Boy (dir. Taika Waititi, 2009)

‘A Kiwi classic.’