Renate Reinsve: From Quitting Acting to Cannes Palme d'Or Winner

Renate Reinsve, who five years ago was unknown outside Norway and had decided to quit acting, is now one of Europe's most sought-after actresses. She won the Best Actress award at Cannes in 2021 for Joachim Trier's "The Worst Person in the World." In 2026, she stars in "Fjord," the Palme d'Or winner directed by Cristian Mungiu, based on a true story of a Romanian-Norwegian couple whose children were taken by Norwegian social services. Between these milestones, she earned an Oscar nomination, appeared in the Italian film "Another End" (with Gael García Bernal), the Apple TV series "Presumed Innocent," the indie film "A Different Man" (with Sebastian Stan), and the A24 horror film "Backrooms." Reinsve's rise began after Isabelle Huppert saw her in a 2014 theater performance and mentioned her to Trier. She had previously worked as a bartender in Edinburgh after being expelled from school and professional swimming. Her acting style is described as naturalistic, typical of European auteur cinema, contrasting with the American system. She emphasizes collaborative preparation with directors and actors, as seen in Trier's films, where improvisation (like the celebrated sister-hug scene in "Sentimental Value") is key. Reinsve now has roles rewritten to allow her Norwegian accent, and she is the first choice for any Norwegian female role.