Keira Knightley Recalls Early Criticism Despite Box Office Success

Keira Knightley is now widely regarded as a talented and accomplished actor, but her rise to fame came with unexpected criticism—especially following her breakout role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). While the film became a global hit and elevated her celebrity status, reviews of Knightley’s performance were far less favorable.

Before Pirates, she had already garnered attention in 2002’s Bend It Like Beckham, but it was the pirate saga that catapulted her into the mainstream. Oddly, even as the franchise soared, critics questioned her acting skills, creating a stark contrast with the praise she earned for Pride & Prejudice (2005), which would later land her an Oscar nomination.

Keira Knightley Opens Up About Mixed Reactions

An Oscar Nominee Still Labeled a “Terrible Actress”

In a recent conversation for Vanity Fair, Keira Knightley reunited with Pride & Prejudice co-star Rosamund Pike to mark 20 years since the film’s release. Their discussion covered career highlights and public perception, and Knightley reflected on the strange dichotomy of that period in her career.

“I think for me, it was because Pirates of the Caribbean had already come out, but in the public consciousness, I was seen as a terrible actress,” she said. “But I had this phenomenally big success with Pirates, and Pride & Prejudice was the first one that was a big success and also critically acclaimed. So I remember it coming out maybe the same year, maybe around the same time as Pirates 2, and I got the worst reviews ever for that—and then was nominated for an Oscar at the same time. For my 20, 21-year-old head, it was quite a confusing time.”

Rosamund Pike noted the positive reception for Bend It Like Beckham, which came before either of the two other films. Knightley responded with a candid take on how negative feedback lingered:

“I got terrible reviews, or at least the ones that I remember—or the ones that, in your 17-year-old brain, actually sink in—are only the ones that are negative.”

The Pressure Young Actors Face

Knightley’s comments highlight a major challenge actors often face: the emotional weight of public and critical scrutiny, especially at a young age. While Bend It Like Beckham was generally celebrated, Knightley’s teenage self internalized only the harsh critiques.

Compounding that was the contrast between critical disdain for her work in Pirates and acclaim for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. That emotional whiplash—being simultaneously criticized and celebrated—can be difficult to process, particularly when it unfolds in the spotlight.

Still, Knightley has more than proved her acting chops over the years. In addition to her Oscar nomination for Pride & Prejudice, she received a second nomination for The Imitation Game (2014), along with multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe nods. Today, she stands as a seasoned actor who has gracefully navigated the highs and lows of public opinion.