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Pernilla August

Pernilla August

Actor, also director and writer · Born February 13, 1958 (68) · Stockholm, Sverige

Pernilla August (born February 13, 1958) is a Swedish actress, director and screenwriter. Being one of Sweden's leading actresses and a longtime collaborator with director Ingmar Bergman, she won the Best Actress Award at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival for her role in his “The Best Intentions”. She is also known for her role of Shmi Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 13, 1958 (68)
From
Stockholm, Sverige
Works as
Actor, also director and writer
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

What are Pernilla August's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Survival.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Self
21%
Survival
15%
Morality
15%
Bonds
15%
Society
14%
Power
11%
Ideas
8%
Identity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 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 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 12

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 10 · Intense 8

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

A split, not a type: Steady 10 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 14 · 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 6 · Affecting 4 · 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 11 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 12
Ally
3 of 12
Shadow
2 of 12
Mentor
2 of 12
Herald
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Melancholic
14
Contemplative
9
Dread
7
Warm
5
Other
19

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous10
  • Cyclical1

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 Pernilla August's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Pernilla August's 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

94 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page; 14 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • To Cook a Bear(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as Madam Sjödahl

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Dance Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Charlotte

  • Jana - Marked for Life(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Margaretha Berzelius

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Midsummer Night(2024)

    Show 5 episodes · as Carina

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Ronja the Robber's Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Valdir

  • Surprise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Ingrid

  • Blackwater(2023)

    Show 6 episodes · as Annie Raft (1991)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Young Royals(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Queen Kristina

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Ape Star(2021)

    as Gorilla (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Investigation(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ingrid Wall

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Journey of the Vikings(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator · as Voice

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Bergman Revisited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Actor

  • Face to Face(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · as Maja

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Allt jag inte minns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Gunilla

  • Swoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Elin Lindgren

  • Britt-Marie Was Here(2019)

    as Britt-Marie

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Command(2018)

    as Oksana

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Bergmans början: Ilska. Kärlek. Magknip. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Karin Bergman

  • Bergman's Reliquarium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Scenes in the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · as Marianne

  • Law of the Land(2017)

    as Britta

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • A Serious Game(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Deposit(2015)

    as Viktoria

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Glitch(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nicola Heysen

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Gentlemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Greta

  • The Legacy(2014)

    Show 9 episodes · Director · Actor

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Sentence(2012)

    as Maja Forssman

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Call Girl(2012)

    as Dagmar Glans

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Hamilton: In the Interest of the Nation(2012)

    as Sara Landhag

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Beyond(2010)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • A Rational Solution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Karin

  • Miss Kicki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kicki

  • Kenny Begins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Rektorn

  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Shmi (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Those Who Whisper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Anna Gustavsson

  • Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eva

  • Løven - Henrik Ibsen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Search (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Madelene

  • Mun mot mun(2005)

    as Leyla

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Doxa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Kristina

  • Manslaughter(2005)

    as Nina

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Blindgångare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Rancid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Day and Night(2004)

    as Eva

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Eiffel Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Lena

  • Terrorman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as (voice)

  • Håkan Bråkan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 24 episodes · as Världsrymdens ledare

  • Daybreak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Agnes

  • Details (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ann

  • Heliga Birgitta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · as Heliga Birgitta

  • Everyone Loves Alice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Karlsson on the Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Mamma

  • A Love Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Anna

  • Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones(2002)

    as Shmi Skywalker

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • I Am Dina(2002)

    as Hjertrud, Dina's Mother

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Karlsson on the Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 26 episodes · as Mamma

  • Deadline (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Beata Ekesjö

  • Hr. Boe & Co.’s Anxiety (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Gossip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Molly Fischer

  • Anna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Anna Terlow

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: The Perils of Cupid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Emilie

  • The Birthday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Tove

  • Mary, Mother of Jesus(1999)

    as Mary of Nazareth

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Tales of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mamma

  • Where The Rainbow Ends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Tove

  • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace(1999)

    as Shmi Skywalker

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • In the Presence of a Clown(1997)

    as Karin Bergman

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Contract (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Nina Nyman

  • The Glass-Blower's Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sofia

  • Kenny Starfighter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 7 episodes · as Kennys Memorymatic (voice)

  • The Last Yankee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Private Confessions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Anna

  • Jerusalem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Karin

  • En nämndemans död (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · as Vanja Holm

  • Death of a Juror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Vanja Holm

  • The Best Intentions(1992)

    as Anna Bergman

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Emilie · as Mamma

  • The Best Intentions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 4 episodes · as Anna Bergman

  • Vildanden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 3 episodes · as Gina Ekdahl

  • Den döende dandyn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Thora Dardel

  • The Egg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • The Serpent's Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Eva

  • Den tragiska historien om Hamlet - Prins av Danmark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Ofelia

  • The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ofelia

  • Fanny and Alexander (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Maj

  • Hur ska det gå för Pettersson? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ingrid

  • Alfred Nobel - Mr. Dynamite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Hej du himlen! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Mr. Sleeman Is Coming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Anne-Marie

  • Fanny and Alexander(1982)

    as Maj

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Rooster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Åsa Eriksson

  • Linus eller Tegelhusets hemlighet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Abigail

  • Giliap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Girl at Summer Hotel

  • The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 94 titles, 93 of them dated from 1975 to 2025; peak year 2019.

Biggest box office

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

$1B worldwide

Highest rated

Filmworker (2017)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19752025

Peak 2019 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 5 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
Acting91 of 94: 88 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thDirecting6 of 94: 2 only directing, 4 with another roleWriting1 of 94: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

94 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s32 · 31 acting · 1 crew2010s19 · 17 acting · 5 crew2020s11 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 6% of 16 roles
810106

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 Pernilla August's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 20; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 31 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

The Ape Star (2021)

75th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Fanny and Alexander (1982)

Midcredits 97th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 37. 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 Pernilla August's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 45 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Pernilla August work with?

People who share at least 2 of Pernilla August's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lena Endre shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles