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Essie Davis

Essie Davis

Actor, also producer · Born January 19, 1970 (56) · Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Essie Davis is an Australian actress. Born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, she is the daughter of locally famed artist George Davis. She emerged from the Old Nick Company at the University of Tasmania in the late 1980s and has gone on to appear in Hollywood movies. She is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. Her career started after her role in the all Australian movie Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (1995), also starring other prestigious actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Leo McKern, and Joan Sutherland. Her most famous movie roles are in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, Richard Flanagan's 1998 Tasmanian film The Sound of One Hand Clapping, and Girl with a Pearl Earring. In 2003 she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her UK performance in the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire. In 2004 she starred in a Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's Jumpers, for which she earned a Tony nomination. In 2005 she appeared as Mrs. Nellie Lovett in the BBC production of Sweeney Todd with Ray Winstone. In the 2008 film Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger she plays Esther's controlling mother.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 19, 1970 (56)
From
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 54 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

What are Essie Davis' films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
27%
Self
18%
Bonds
17%
Power
14%
Morality
13%
Society
6%
Ideas
5%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 11

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 7 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 11

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 9 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 13 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 13
Hero
4 of 13
Mentor
2 of 13
Threshold guardian
1 of 13
Herald
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
12
Dread
8
Contemplative
7
Joyful
5
Other
17

How their films linger

Haunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Essie Davis' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Essie Davis' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

54 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Alien: Earth(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Dame Sylvia

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Narrow Road to the Deep North(2025)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lynette Maison

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Apple Cider Vinegar(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as Natalie Dal-Bello

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • One Day(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · as Alison

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Faraway Downs(2023)

    Show 6 episodes · as Cath Carney

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Fungi: The Web of Life(2023)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Nancy Bradley

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Nitram(2021)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Justice of Bunny King(2021)

    as Bunny King

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Babyteeth(2019)

    as Anna

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears(2020)

    Associate Producer · as Phryne Fisher

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • True History of the Kelly Gang(2019)

    as Ellen Kelly

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Emu Runner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Thanks

  • Lambs of God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 4 episodes · as Sister Iphigenia

  • The Last Post(2017)

    Show 5 episodes · as Martha Franklin

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Electric Dreams(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Vera Herrick

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • The White Princess(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · as Elizabeth Woodville

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Assassin's Creed(2016)

    as Mary Lynch

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Mindhorn(2016)

    as Patricia Deville

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Babadook(2014)

    as Amelia Vanek

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • A Poet in New York(2014)

    as Caitlin Thomas

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries(2012)

    Show 34 episodes · as Phryne Fisher

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Slap(2011)

    Show 8 episodes · as Anouk

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Burning Man(2011)

    as Karen

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Cloudstreet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dolly Pickles

  • Game of Thrones(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lady Crane

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • South Solitary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Alma Stanley

  • Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole(2010)

    as Marella (voice)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Wedding Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Jane

  • Australia(2008)

    as Katherine

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger(2008)

    as Grace Blueburger

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Charlotte's Web(2006)

    as Mrs. Arable

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Silence(2006)

    as Juliet Moore

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Sweeney Todd(2006)

    as Mrs Lovett

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Isolation(2005)

    as Orla

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Girl with a Pearl Earring(2003)

    as Catharina Bolnes Vermeer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Matrix Revolutions(2003)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Code 46(2003)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • After the Deluge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Beth

  • After the Deluge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Beth

  • The Matrix Reloaded(2003)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Pact (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Helene Davis

  • Young Lions(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Julie Morgan

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Sound of One Hand Clapping (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Jean

  • Kings in Grass Castles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mary Costello

  • The Ripper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Evelyn Bookman

  • River Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Wendy Davis

  • The Two-Wheeled Time Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Young alice

  • Blackrock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Det. Gilhooley

  • Lilian's Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Zara

  • Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Halifax F.P.(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Alison Blount

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Custodian(1993)

    as Jilly

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Unspeakable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Judith

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 54 titles, 53 of them dated from 1994 to 2025; peak year 2021.

Biggest box office

Australia (2008)

$212M worldwide

Highest rated

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Alien: Earth (2025)

Film career

19942025

Peak 2021 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 54: 52 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thProducing1 of 54: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 54: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1990s10 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s18 · 17 acting · 1 crew2020s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 12% of 17 roles
0308

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Essie Davis' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 23; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 37 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

The Silence (2006)

63rd percentile spread · 17% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Game of Thrones (2011)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 78/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 55. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Essie Davis' work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles32–90 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles26–64 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity13 titles29–67 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles10–64 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles37–88 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Essie Davis work with?

People who share at least 2 of Essie Davis' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jan Chapman shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers