Skip to content
MovieCove
Robin Tunney

Robin Tunney

Actor · Born June 19, 1972 (54) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Robin Tunney (born June 19, 1972) is an American actress. Tunney made her film debut in the comedy Encino Man (1992) and rose to prominence with leading roles in the cult films Empire Records (1995) and The Craft (1996). Her performance in Niagara, Niagara (1997) won her acclaim and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. She had leading roles in the films End of Days (1999), Supernova and Vertical Limit (both 2000). Tunney earned critical acclaim for playing Veronica Donovan on Prison Break (2005–2006) and Teresa Lisbon on the television series The Mentalist (2008–2015). Tunney was praised for her portrayal of a victim of sexual assault in the independent drama Open Window (2006). Her subsequent film roles across the 2000s include Cherish and The Secret Lives of Dentists (both 2002), The In-Laws (2003), Hollywoodland (2006), August and The Burning Plain (both 2008), and Passenger Side (2009). She led the thriller film Looking Glass (2018), and starred in the short-lived legal drama series The Fix (2019).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 19, 1972 (54)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 54 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

What are Robin Tunney's films like?

Across their 33 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
26%
Morality
24%
Bonds
19%
Survival
13%
Power
9%
Society
7%
Ideas
3%
Identity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 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 7 · Serious 9 · Dark 14

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 19 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 13 · Intense 13

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 7

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 5

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 5

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

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 8

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 13 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 16 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 16
Shapeshifter
4 of 16
Ally
4 of 16
Trickster
1 of 16
Mentor
1 of 16
Threshold guardian
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
26
Melancholic
15
Dread
9
Absurd
7
Contemplative
6
Other
24

How their films linger

Bittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet16
  • 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 Robin Tunney's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robin Tunney'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

54 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ugly Cry(2026)

    as Valerie

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • By Design(2025)

    as Irene

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Land of the Free (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Kelly Fletcher

  • Dear Edward(2023)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jane

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Horse Girl(2020)

    as Agatha Kaine

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Fix(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Maya Travis

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Monster Party(2018)

    as Roxanne Dawson

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Insatiable(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Brandylynn Huggens

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Looking Glass(2018)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • My All-American(2015)

    as Gloria Steinmark

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • See Girl Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Emmie

  • Passenger Side(2009)

    as Theresa

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Two Mr. Kissels(2008)

    as Nancy Keeshin

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Burning Plain(2008)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 151 episodes · as Teresa Lisbon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • August(2008)

    as Melanie Hanson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Darwin Awards(2006)

    as Zoe

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Open Window(2006)

    as Izzy

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Hollywoodland(2006)

    as Leonore Lemmon

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Prison Break(2005)

    Show 22 episodes · as Veronica Donovan

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Zodiac(2005)

    as Laura Parish

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

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

    as Carly

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca Adler

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Shadow of Fear(2004)

    as Wynn French

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Paparazzi(2004)

    as Abby Laramie

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Abby Singer(2003)

    as Robin Tunney (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The In-Laws(2003)

    as Angela Harris

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Edie Durant

  • The Secret Lives of Dentists(2002)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Intimate Affairs(2001)

    as Zoe

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Cherish(2002)

    as Zoe

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Vertical Limit(2000)

    as Annie Garrett

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Bread and Roses(2000)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Supernova(2000)

    as Danika Lund

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • End of Days(1999)

    as Christine York

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Naked City: Justice with a Bullet(1998)

    as Merri Coffman

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Niagara, Niagara(1997)

    as Marcy

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Montana(1998)

    as Kitty

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Families(1998)

    as Melvina 'Malka' Csizmadia

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Julian Po (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sarah

  • The Craft(1996)

    as Sarah

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Riders of the Purple Sage(1996)

    as Elizabeth 'Bess' Erne

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Empire Records(1995)

    as Debra

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • J.F.K.: Reckless Youth(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Cutters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 5 episodes · as Deborah Hart

  • Class of '96 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Linda Miller

  • Encino Man(1992)

    as Ella

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo(1992)

    as Sandra Turner

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Frogs!(1992)

    as Hannah

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Jill Templeton

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Marybeth

  • Life Goes On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Divine Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Scarlet

  • The Avoidant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 54 titles, 52 of them dated from 1989 to 2026; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

Vertical Limit (2000)

$216M worldwide

Highest rated

The Mentalist (2008)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19892026

Peak 1997 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 12 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.

  • 1992Screen debut· Encino Man
  • 1996First top-billed film· The Craft
  • 1996Breakout· The Craft
  • 2008Career best· The Mentalist

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 54: 54 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score42nd

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s23 · acting2010s6 · acting2020s5 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 15% of 27 roles
920207

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 Robin Tunney's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 35; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 43 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

Abby Singer (2003)

97th percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Mentalist (2008)

Midcredits 96th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 42. 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 Robin Tunney's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles35–86 · median 54 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity14 titles25–61 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles34–73 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles28–54 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles24–74 · median 58 · moderateheavier 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 Robin Tunney work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robin Tunney's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim Hunter shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles