Editing Natalie Portman (section)

==Career==
===1994–1998: Early work===
Six months after ''Ruthless!'' ended, Hershlag auditioned for and secured a leading role in [[Luc Besson]]'s action drama ''[[Léon: The Professional]]'' (1994).<ref name="rollingstone"/> She adopted her paternal grandmother's maiden name, Portman, as her stage name.<ref name="guardian2011"/><ref>Pringle, Gill. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-how-studying-psychology-helped-her-in-her-latest-role-470130.html "Natalie Portman: How studying psychology helped her in her latest role"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163529/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-how-studying-psychology-helped-her-in-her-latest-role-470130.html |date=July 21, 2011 }}, ''[[The Independent]]'', March 17, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web |last = Zeman |first = Ned |url = http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-feature |title = Natalie Portman Interview – Natalie Portman November 2013 Cover Story |work= Marie Claire |date = October 15, 2013 |access-date = November 20, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131110193142/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-feature |archive-date = November 10, 2013}}</ref> She played Mathilda, an orphan child who befriends a middle-aged hitman (played by [[Jean Reno]]). Her parents were reluctant to let her do the part due to the explicit sexual and violent nature of the script, but agreed after Besson took out the Mathilda character's nudity and killings that she committed.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|pp=44-45}} Portman herself said that after those scenes were removed, she found nothing objectionable about the content.<ref name="latimes96">{{cite news |last = McKenna |first = Kristine |title = Movies: Young and Restless : Natalie Portman is Hollywood's favorite 14-year-old. But wouldn't med school be as much fun? |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-11-ca-34583-story.html |work = Los Angeles Times |date = February 11, 1996 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808092139/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-11-ca-34583-story.html |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Even so, her mother was displeased with some of the "sexual twists and turns" in the finished film, which were not part of the script.<ref name="nytimes_real_name"/> [[Hal Hinson]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' commended Portman for bringing a "genuine sense of tragedy" to her part, but Peter Rainer of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' believed that she wasn't "enough of an actress to unfold Mathilda's pain" and criticized Besson's sexualization of her character.<ref>{{cite news |last = Hinson |first = Hal |author-link=Hal Hinson |title = The Professional |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/theprofessionalrhinson_a0a86f.htm?noredirect=on |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | date = November 18, 1994 |access-date = August 8, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Rainer |first = Peter |title = Movie Review : 'The Professional' Goes for Hollywood-Style Smarm |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-18-ca-64074-story.html |work = Los Angeles Times |date = November 18, 1994 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808092138/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-18-ca-64074-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|bgcolor=#E0E6F8|quote="[T]here's a surprising preponderance of that kind of role for young girls. Sort of being fantasy objects for men, and especially this idealised purity combined with the fertility of youth, and all this in one. ... It was definitely interesting to think about – why men write the female characters they do. Just like the way they write the male character. How much is wish-fulfilment fantasy, and why."|source={{mdash}}Portman on playing sexualized youngsters as a child, 2007<ref name="Hatt" />}}

After filming ''The Professional'', Portman went back to school and during the summer break of 1994, she filmed a part in [[Marya Cohn]]'s short film ''[[Developing (film)|Developing]]''. In it she played a young girl coping with her mother's (played by [[Frances Conroy]]) cancer.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=52–53}} She also enrolled at the [[Stagedoor Manor]] performing arts camp, where she played [[Anne Shirley]] in a staging of ''[[Anne of Green Gables]]''.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=53}} [[Michael Mann]] offered her the small part of the suicidal stepdaughter of [[Al Pacino]]'s character in the action film ''[[Heat (1995 film)|Heat]]'' (1995) for her ability to portray dysfunction without hysteria.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=61}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Russo |first = Tom |title = Major praise for Natalie Portman |url = https://ew.com/article/1996/01/26/major-praise-natalie-portman/ |magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] |date = January 26, 1996 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808100248/https://ew.com/article/1996/01/26/major-praise-natalie-portman/ |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Impressed by her performance in ''The Professional'', the director [[Ted Demme]] cast her as a precocious teenager who flirts with her much-older neighbor (played by [[Timothy Hutton]]) in the ensemble comedy-drama ''[[Beautiful Girls (film)|Beautiful Girls]]'' (1996).<ref name="latimes96"/> [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Portman, a budding knockout, is scene-stealingly good even in an overly showy role."<ref>{{cite news |last = Maslin |first = Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |title = Film Review; Of Beauty, in the Ideal And Only Skin Deep |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/09/movies/film-review-of-beauty-in-the-ideal-and-only-skin-deep.html |work = The New York Times |date = February 9, 1996 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808095115/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/09/movies/film-review-of-beauty-in-the-ideal-and-only-skin-deep.html |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She subsequently went back to Stagedoor Manor to appear in a production of the musical ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]''.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=77}} Also in 1996, Portman had brief roles in [[Woody Allen]]'s musical ''[[Everyone Says I Love You]]'' and [[Tim Burton]]'s comic science fiction film ''[[Mars Attacks!]]''{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=81}}

Portman was cast opposite [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] in [[Baz Luhrmann]]'s ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]'' (1996), but she dropped out during rehearsals when studio executives found her too young for the role.<ref name="nytimes_real_name" /> Luhrmann said "Natalie was amazing in the footage, but it was too much of a burden for her at that age".<ref name="dowd20220522">{{Cite news |last=Dowd |first=Maureen |date=May 22, 2022 |title=A Larger-Than-Life Look at a Larger-Than-Life Star |pages=ST10 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/21/style/baz-luhrmann-elvis.html |access-date=May 22, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521230629/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/21/style/baz-luhrmann-elvis.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She was also offered [[Adrian Lyne]]'s ''[[Lolita (1997 film)|Lolita]]'', based on the [[Lolita|novel of the same name]], but she turned down the part due to its excessive sexual content.<ref name="nytimes_real_name" /><ref name="latimes96"/> She later bemoaned that her parts in ''The Professional'' and ''Beautiful Girls'' prompted a series of offers to play a sexualized youngster, adding that it "dictated a lot of my choices afterwards 'cos it scared me ... it made me reluctant to do sexy stuff".<ref name="Hatt">{{cite news |last1 = Hattenstone |first1 = Simon |title = All things to all men |url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/apr/20/2 |work = The Guardian |access-date = October 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161027061342/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/apr/20/2 |archive-date = October 27, 2016}}</ref>

Portman instead signed on to star as [[Anne Frank]] in a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] revival of ''[[The Diary of Anne Frank (play)|The Diary of Anne Frank]]'', which was staged at the [[Music Box Theatre]] from December 1997 to May 1998. In preparation, she twice visited the [[Anne Frank House]] in Amsterdam and interacted with [[Miep Gies]], who had preserved Anne's diary after the family was captured; she found a connection with Frank's story, given her own family's history with the Holocaust.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=102–103}}<ref>{{cite news |last = Haun |first = Harry |title = Remembering Natalie Portman's Teenage Broadway Debut in The Diary of Anne Frank |url = http://www.playbill.com/article/remembering-natalie-portmans-teenage-broadway-debut-in-the-diary-of-anne-frank-com-351057 |work = [[Playbill]] |date = June 11, 2015 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180429134554/http://www.playbill.com/article/remembering-natalie-portmans-teenage-broadway-debut-in-the-diary-of-anne-frank-com-351057 |archive-date = April 29, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Reviewing the production for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', Greg Evans disliked her portrayal, which he thought had "little of the charm, budding genius or even brittle intelligence that the diary itself reveals".<ref>{{cite news |url = https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-diary-of-anne-frank-4-111732317/ |title = Review: 'The Diary of Anne Frank' |first = Greg |last = Evans |date = December 3, 1997 |work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date = May 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904035614/http://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-diary-of-anne-frank-4-111732317/ |archive-date = September 4, 2015}}</ref> Conversely, [[Ben Brantley]] found an "ineffable grace in her awkwardness".<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/05/movies/theater-review-this-time-another-anne-confronts-life-in-the-attic.html |title = Theater Review; This Time, Another Anne Confronts Life in the Attic |first = Ben |last = Brantley |date = December 5, 1997 |work = The New York Times |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190809084946/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/05/movies/theater-review-this-time-another-anne-confronts-life-in-the-attic.html |archive-date = August 9, 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref> The experience of performing the play was emotionally draining for her, as she attended high school during the day and performed at night; she wrote personal essays in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]'' magazines about her experience.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=104, 107}}

===1999–2006: ''Star Wars'', education, and transition to mature roles===
[[File:Star Wars and the Power of Costume July 2018 01 (Queen Amidala's throne room gown from Episode I).jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=Portman's costume|Portman's costume from ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999) on display at the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]]]]

Portman began filming the part of [[Padmé Amidala]] in the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]] in 1997, which marked her first big-budget production. The first film of the series, ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' was released in 1999, when she was in her senior year of high school.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=130}} Portman was unfamiliar with the franchise when she was cast, and watched the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]] before filming began.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html |title = Natalie Portman Profile |publisher = CNN |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160409161918/http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html |archive-date = April 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> She worked closely with the director [[George Lucas]] on her character's accent and mannerisms, and watched the films of [[Lauren Bacall]], [[Audrey Hepburn]], and [[Katharine Hepburn]] to draw inspiration from their voice and stature.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/18/natalie.portman/ |title = Natalie Portman: 'Star Wars' queen |first = Andy |last = Culpepper |date = May 18, 1999 |publisher = CNN |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190124163334/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/18/natalie.portman/ |archive-date = January 24, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Filming in arduous locations in Algeria proved challenging for Portman.<ref name="sundaytimes02">{{cite news |last=Goodwin|first=Christopher|title=America's Sweetheart |work=[[Sunday Times Magazine]] |date=April 28, 2002 }}</ref><ref name="rollingstone"/> She did not attend the film's premiere so she could study for her high school finals.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |publisher = BBC |title = Natalie Portman interview |first=Stella | last=Papamichael |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/03/natalie_portman_garden_state_interview.shtml |access-date = May 1, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050828173525/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/03/natalie_portman_garden_state_interview.shtml |archive-date = August 28, 2005}}</ref> The critical response to the film was mixed, but with earnings of $924&nbsp;million worldwide it was the [[List of highest-grossing films|second highest-grossing film]] of all time to that point, and it established Portman as a global star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)|date=May 19, 1999 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515010020/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian18">{{cite news |last = Mumford |first = Gwilym |title = Natalie Portman: 'It's dangerous when you can't separate the emotion from the business' |url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/13/natalie-portman-dangerous-separate-emotion-business |work = The Guardian |date = September 13, 2018 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190727081454/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/13/natalie-portman-dangerous-separate-emotion-business |archive-date = July 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Portman graduated from [[Syosset High School]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-interview |title = Interview With Natalie Portman |work = [[Marie Claire]] |access-date = September 8, 2010 |first=Gaby | last=Wood |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101026043350/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-interview |archive-date = October 26, 2010 |date = December 2, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/20/school-of-stars-judd-apatow-elaine-chao-michael-isikoff-w-va/ |title = School of Stars: Judd Apatow, Elaine Chao, Michael Isikoff, W.Va. First Lady? |work = [[Politics Daily]] |access-date = September 8, 2010 |first=Jill | last=Lawrence |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100724012635/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/20/school-of-stars-judd-apatow-elaine-chao-michael-isikoff-w-va/ |archive-date = July 24, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.antonnews.com/syossetjerichotribune/1999/07/02/news/ |title = Challenges of the Coming Century |work = [[Syosset Jericho Tribune]] |access-date =November 10, 2021 |first=Brad | last=Barth |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020515013948/http://www.antonnews.com/syossetjerichotribune/1999/07/02/news/ |archive-date = May 15, 2002}}</ref> Her high school paper, "A Simple Method to Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar", co-authored with scientists Ian Hurley and Jonathan Woodward, was entered in the [[Intel Science Talent Search]].<ref>{{Cite journal|first1=Ian|last1= Hurley |last2 = Hershlag |first2 = Natalie|first3=Jonathan |last3=Woodward |title = A Simple Method To Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar |journal = Journal of Chemical Education |volume = 75 |issue = 10 |page = 1270 |bibcode = 1998JChEd..75.1270H |year = 1998 |doi = 10.1021/ed075p1270 }}</ref> Following production on ''The Phantom Menace'', Portman initially turned down a lead role in the coming-of-age film ''[[Anywhere but Here (film)|Anywhere but Here]]'' (1999) after learning it would involve a sex scene, but the director [[Wayne Wang]] and actress [[Susan Sarandon]] (who played Portman's mother in the film) demanded a rewrite of the script. She was shown a new draft, and decided to accept the part.<ref name="actors" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title = Anywhere but Here |url = https://ew.com/article/1999/11/16/anywhere-here-2/ |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = November 16, 1999 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170622184431/http://ew.com/article/1999/11/16/anywhere-here-2/ |archive-date = June 22, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mary Elizabeth Williams]] of ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' called Portman's performance "astonishing" and added that "unlike any number of actresses her age, she's neither too maudlin nor too plucky".<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.salon.com/1999/11/12/anywhere/ |title = Anywhere But Here |work = Salon |first=Mary Elizabeth | last=Williams |date = November 12, 1999 |access-date = December 23, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223160527/http://www.salon.com/1999/11/12/anywhere/ |archive-date = December 23, 2015}}</ref> She received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress]] nomination for it.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/613254.stm |title = Golden Globe winners |date = January 24, 2000 |publisher = BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110813031252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/613254.stm |archive-date = August 13, 2011}}</ref>

Portman's sole screen appearance in 2000 was in ''[[Where the Heart Is (2000 film)|Where the Heart Is]]'', a romantic drama filmed in Texas, in which she played a pregnant teenager.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=132}} After finishing work on the film, she began attending [[Harvard University]] to pursue her bachelor's degree in psychology, and significantly reduced her acting roles over the next few years.<ref name="actors" /> She studied advanced [[Hebrew literature]] and [[neuroscience|neurobiology]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/05/28/natalie-portmans-harvard-speech-reminds-us-how-we-all-can-feel-we-arent-smart-enough/|title=At Harvard, Natalie Portman acknowledges what many of us feel: Impostor syndrome|date=May 28, 2015|last=Izadi|first=Elahe|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322153729/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/05/28/natalie-portmans-harvard-speech-reminds-us-how-we-all-can-feel-we-arent-smart-enough/|url-status=live}}</ref> and she served as [[Alan Dershowitz]]'s research assistant.<ref name="vf06">{{cite news |url = https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2006/4/what-natalie-knows |title = What Natalie Knows |last = Peretz |first = Evgenia |date = April 2006 |work = [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804085014/https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2006/4/what-natalie-knows |url-status = live }}{{Subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/3/1/harvard-natalie-portman-dershowitz/|title= Professors Reflect on Natalie Portman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062857/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/3/1/harvard-natalie-portman-dershowitz/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011|work=The Harvard Crimson|date=March 1, 2011|access-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> In the summer of 2001, she returned to Broadway (at the [[Delacorte Theater]]) to perform [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]]'s drama ''[[The Seagull]]'', which was directed by [[Mike Nichols]] and co-starred [[Meryl Streep]] and [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite news |title = The Seagull Opens Its Wings in Central Park Aug. 12 |first = Kenneth |last = Jones |work = Playbill |url = http://www.playbill.com/article/the-seagull-opens-its-wings-in-central-park-aug-12-com-98105 |date = August 12, 2001 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808184625/http://www.playbill.com/article/the-seagull-opens-its-wings-in-central-park-aug-12-com-98105 |url-status = live }}</ref> Linda Winer of ''[[Newsday]]'' wrote that the "major surprises come from Portman, whose Nina transforms with astonishing lyricism from the girl with ambition to Chekhov's most difficult symbol of destruction".<ref>{{cite news |title = Top-Flight Cast Makes 'The Seagull' Soar |first = Linda |last = Winer |work = Los Angeles Times |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-13-ca-33601-story.html |date = August 13, 2001 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808184623/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-13-ca-33601-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Also in 2001, Portman was among several celebrities who made cameo appearances in the comedy ''[[Zoolander]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/celebrity-cameos-zoolander|title=18 Celebrity Cameos in Zoolander You Probably Forgot About|last=Garcia|first=Patricia|date=January 15, 2016|work=Vogue|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184429/https://www.vogue.com/article/celebrity-cameos-zoolander|archive-date=April 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year she reprised her role of Amidala in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'', which she had filmed in Sydney and London during her summer break of 2000.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=167–171}} She was excited by the opportunity to play a confident young woman who did not depend on the male lead.<ref>{{cite web |title = Natalie Portman talks to Newsround |publisher = CNN |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1970000/newsid_1977700/1977797.stm |date = May 9, 2002 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160910004858/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1970000/newsid_1977700/1977797.stm |archive-date = September 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about balancing her career and education, she said, "I don't care if [college] ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patterson |first1=John |title=Model of integrity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/dec/04/patterson.culture |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 4, 2004 |quote="I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star." |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429034028/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/dec/04/patterson.culture |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Brown, R. (August 4, 2004). "Size of the Moon". ''Time Out, London'', 51(78).</ref> In 2002, she contributed to a study on memory called "[[Frontal lobe]] activation during [[object permanence]]: data from near-infrared spectroscopy".<ref name="neuroimage">{{cite journal |last1 = Baird |first1 = Abigail A. |last2 = Kagan |first2 = Jerome |last3 = Gaudette |first3 = Thomas |last4 = Walz |first4 = Kathryn A. |last5 = Hershlag |first5 = Natalie |last6 = Boas |first6 = David A. |title = Frontal lobe activation during object permanence: data from near-infrared spectroscopy |doi = 10.1006/nimg.2002.1170 |journal = [[NeuroImage (journal)|NeuroImage]] |volume = 16 |issue = 4 |pages = 1120–26 |date = August 2002 |pmid = 12202098 |s2cid = 15630444 |url = http://rabi.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/DOT/PDF/Baird_NeuroImage_16_1120_2002.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527162756/http://rabi.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/DOT/PDF/Baird_NeuroImage_16_1120_2002.pdf |archive-date = May 27, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Quiz: match the celebrities to their degrees |last=Lock |first=Helen |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 28, 2016 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jul/28/quiz-match-the-celebrities-to-their-degrees}}</ref> Portman graduated from Harvard in 2003 and her sole screen appearance that year was in the brief part of a young mother in the war film ''[[Cold Mountain (film)|Cold Mountain]]''.<ref name="actors" /><ref name="NYT_20110228">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/science/01angier.html|title=Natalie Portman, Oscar Winner, Was Also a Precocious Scientist|last=Angier |first=Natalie|date=February 28, 2011|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628060707/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/science/01angier.html|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Natalie Portman Pushes Microfinance – The Stanford Review |url=http://stanfordreview.org/article/natalie-portman-pushes-microfinance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170413233019/http://stanfordreview.org/article/natalie-portman-pushes-microfinance/ |archive-date=2017-04-13 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=stanfordreview.org |language=en-US}}</ref> She described this period as the "most difficult time" in her life, noting that she wasn't getting work and felt criticized for her performances in ''Star Wars''. After taking time off, she begged for the ''Cold Mountain'' role, which [[Mike Nichols]] helped secure, offering her a letter of support that helped her regain confidence.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Pringle |first=Gill |date=February 29, 2008 |title=Natalie Portman - more than a woman |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231022075256/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-date=2023-10-22 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[File:Natalie Portman in 2005 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Portman in 2005|Portman on the set of ''[[Free Zone (film)|Free Zone]]'' in 2005]]

Portman began 2004 by featuring in the romantic comedy ''[[Garden State (film)|Garden State]]'', which was written and directed by its star [[Zach Braff]]. She was the first actor to sign on to the film after finding a connection with her part: a spirited young girl suffering from epilepsy.<ref name=enchanting/><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-08-0408080300-story.html |title = 'Garden' variety of coming-of-age themes |first = Steve |last = Baltin |date = August 8, 2004 |work = [[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807090137/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-08-0408080300-story.html |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her role in it was described by Nathan Rabin of ''The A.V. Club''. as a prime example of the [[Manic Pixie Dream Girl]] character type – a stereotypical female role designed to spiritually help a male protagonist.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rabin |first1=Nathan |title=The Bataan Death March of Whimsy Case File #1: Elizabethtown |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=January 25, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926070740/https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman later said she found it upsetting to have contributed to the trope.<ref name="vf18">{{cite magazine |url = https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/natalie-portman-cover-story |title = Natalie Portman: Voice of Light |first = Durga |last = Chew-Bose |date = October 30, 2018 |magazine = Vanity Fair |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200808234149/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/natalie-portman-cover-story |url-status = live }}</ref> She followed it by playing a mysterious stripper in ''[[Closer (2004 film)|Closer]]'', a romantic drama directed by Mike Nichols based on the [[Closer (play)|play of the same name]], and co-starring [[Julia Roberts]], [[Jude Law]], and [[Clive Owen]]. Portman agreed to her first sexually explicit adult role after turning down such parts in the past, saying it reflected her own maturity as a person.<ref name=enchanting/><ref name="guardian05">{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/07/2 |title = Dangerous liaisons |first = Lisa |last = Allardice |date = January 7, 2015 |work = The Guardian |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807091626/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/07/2 |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She had also performed her first nude scenes for the film, but they were deleted from the final cut when she insisted that they were inessential to the story.<ref name="guardian05"/> ''Closer'' grossed over $115 million worldwide against a $27&nbsp;million budget, and the critic [[Peter Travers]] took note of Portman's "blazing, breakthrough performance", writing that she "digs so deep into the bruised core of her character that they seem to wear the same skin."<ref>{{cite web |title = Closer |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=closer.htm |publisher = Box Office Mojo |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181212001759/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=closer.htm |archive-date = December 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/closer-2-100624/ |title = Closer |first = Peter |last = Travers |date = December 3, 2004 |magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807091628/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/closer-2-100624/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and received an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Academy Award]] nomination in the same category.<ref name="oscar-db">{{cite web |url = http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69768 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204190852/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69768 |url-status=dead |archive-date = December 4, 2012 |title = Academy Award Database: Natalie Portman |publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date = March 1, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="globe-db">{{cite web |url = http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29803 |title = Golden Globe Award Database: Natalie Portman |publisher = Hollywood Foreign Press Association |access-date = March 1, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120902134507/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29803 |archive-date = September 2, 2012}}</ref>

''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'', the final installment of the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy, was Portman's first film release of 2005. It earned over $848&nbsp;million to rank as the [[2005 in film|second-highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web |title = 2005 Worldwide Grosses |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2005/?ref_=bo_cso_table_1 |publisher = Box Office Mojo |access-date = May 23, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190707054520/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2005&p=.htm |archive-date = July 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She next played a Jewish-American girl in ''[[Free Zone (film)|Free Zone]]'', a drama from Israeli filmmaker [[Amos Gitai]]. To prepare, she studied at the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]] and read memoirs of [[Yitzhak Rabin]], which she said allowed her to explore both the role and her own heritage.<ref name="guardian05"/><ref name="nytsm">{{cite news |title = Screen Goddess: Natalie Portman |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/style/tmagazine/02portman.html |work = The New York Times |last = Hirschberg |first=Lynn |date = December 2, 2007 |access-date = July 1, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164907/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9E01E1DD143EF931A35751C1A9619C8B63.html |archive-date = July 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Controversy arose when she filmed a kissing scene at the [[Wailing Wall|Western Wall]], where gender segregation is enforced, and she later issued an apology.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://ew.com/article/2005/03/01/natalie-portman-apologizes-wailing-wall-smooch/ |title = Natalie Portman apologizes for Wailing Wall smooch |first = Gary |last = Susman |date = March 1, 2005 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807093400/https://ew.com/article/2005/03/01/natalie-portman-apologizes-wailing-wall-smooch/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Critics disliked the film for its heavy-handed approach to the conflicts in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1159177-free_zone/ |title=Free Zone |date=November 15, 2011 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111052643/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1159177-free_zone/ |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman's final film role in 2005 was that of [[Evey Hammond]] in the political thriller ''[[V for Vendetta (film)|V for Vendetta]]'', based on the [[V for Vendetta|comics of the same name]], about an alternative future where a [[Neo-fascism|neo-fascist]] regime has subjugated the United Kingdom. She was drawn to the provocative nature of the script, and worked with a dialect coach to speak in an English accent. In a scene in which her character is tortured, her head was shaved on camera; she considered it an opportunity to rid herself of vanity.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/10/natalie_portman_v_for_vendetta_2006_interview.shtml |title = Natalie Portman : V For Vendetta |first = Rob |last = Carnevale |publisher = BBC |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190503070305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/10/natalie_portman_v_for_vendetta_2006_interview.shtml |archive-date = May 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ruthe Stein of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' deemed it Portman's strongest performance to that point, and remarked that she "keeps you focused on her words and actions instead of her bald head."<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/In-Vendetta-disastrous-U-S-and-British-2502015.php |title = In 'Vendetta,' disastrous U.S. and British policymaking gives rise to terrorism – what a shocker |first = Ruthe |last = Stein |date = March 16, 2006 |work = San Francisco Chronicle |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190506032007/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/In-Vendetta-disastrous-U-S-and-British-2502015.php |archive-date = May 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was awarded the [[Saturn Award for Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/superman-tops-saturns-1117964717/ |title = 'Superman' tops Saturns |date = May 10, 2007 |work = Variety |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018193734/http://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/superman-tops-saturns-1117964717/ |archive-date = October 18, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Portman began 2006 by hosting an episode of the television sketch comedy show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref name=baldtruth>Freydkin, Donna. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-03-14-portman_x.htm "Portman's bald truth: She's no pixie"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914202908/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-03-14-portman_x.htm |date=September 14, 2012 }}. ''[[USA Today]]'', March 14, 2006; retrieved January 16, 2011.</ref> One of her sketches, a song named "Natalie's Rap", was released later in 2009 on ''[[Incredibad]]'', an album by the [[Lonely Island]].<ref>Kaufman, Gil. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601144/andy-samberg-recruits-tpain-justin-timberlake-new-album.jhtml "'SNL' Star Andy Samberg Recruits T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, Norah Jones For New Album"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401025222/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601144/andy-samberg-recruits-tpain-justin-timberlake-new-album.jhtml |date=April 1, 2011 }}. [[MTV News]], December 11, 2008; retrieved July 31, 2011.</ref> In the anthology film ''[[Paris, je t'aime]]'', consisting of eighteen short films, she had a role in the segment named "Faubourg Saint-Denis" from director [[Tom Tykwer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/paris-je-t-aime-1200516181/|title=Review: 'Paris je t'aime'|last=Nesselson|first=Lisa|date=May 18, 2006|work=Variety|access-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005041934/http://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/paris-je-t-aime-1200516181/|archive-date=October 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she starred in [[Miloš Forman]]'s ''[[Goya's Ghosts]]'', about the painter [[Francisco Goya]]. Forman cast her in the film after finding a resemblance between her and Goya's portrait ''[[The Milkmaid of Bordeaux]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/goyas-ghosts/2006/11/10/1162661890630.html |title = Goya's ghosts |newspaper = The Age |date = November 10, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100412104311/http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/goyas-ghosts/2006/11/10/1162661890630.html |archive-date = April 12, 2010}}</ref> She insisted on using a body double for her nude scenes after discovering on set that she had to perform them when they were not originally in the script.<ref name="guardian07">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/25/1|title=More than meets the eye|last=McLean|first=Craig|date=November 25, 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227165019/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/25/1|archive-date=February 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It received predominantly negative reviews, but [[Roger Ebert]] was appreciative of Portman for playing her dual role "with fearless conviction".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |title=Goya's Ghosts Movie Reviews, Pictures |date=February 26, 2008 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216013952/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/goyas-ghosts-2007|title=Goya's Ghosts (2007)|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=July 19, 2007|publisher=RogerEbert.com|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807150216/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/goyas-ghosts-2007|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2007–2015: Career expansion and ''Black Swan''===
[[File:Natalie Portman Cannes 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Portman in 2008|Portman at the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]], where she served as a jury member]]

Portman began 2007 by replacing [[Jodie Foster]] in [[Wong Kar-wai]]'s romantic drama ''[[My Blueberry Nights]]'', which was his first English-language film. For her role as a gambler, she trained with a poker coach.<ref name="elle08">{{cite news|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a9139/the-natural-19082/|title=The Natural|last=Levy|first=Ariel|date=March 5, 2008|work=Elle|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807102705/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a9139/the-natural-19082/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Richard Corliss]] of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine believed that "for once she's not playing a waif or a child princess but a mature, full-bodied woman" and commended her "vibrancy, grittiness and ache, all performed with a virtuosa's easy assurance".<ref>{{Cite magazine |url = http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1621755,00.html |title = Blue Skies and Blueberry Nights |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |first1=Richard | last1=Corliss |author-link=Richard Corliss |first2=Mary | last2=Corliss |date = May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624122901/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1621755,00.html |archive-date = June 24, 2010}}</ref> Her next appearance was in ''[[Hotel Chevalier]]'', a short film from [[Wes Anderson]], which served as a prolog to his feature ''[[The Darjeeling Limited]]'' (in which Portman had a cameo).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119059131017936814 |title=Coming soon: a new take on the old double bill |first=Peter |last=Sanders |date=September 24, 2007 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121174930/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119059131017936814 |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the short, she and [[Jason Schwartzman]] play former lovers who reunite in a Paris hotel room. For the first time, Portman performed an extended nude scene; she was later disappointed at the undue focus on it and she subsequently swore off appearing nude again.<ref name="guardian07"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/natalie-portman-no-more-nude-scenes/ |title=Natalie Portman: no more nude scenes |work=[[CBS News]] |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=July 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317164528/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/08/entertainment/main6072591.shtml |archive-date=March 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Keen to work in different genres, Portman accepted a role in the children's film ''[[Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium]]'', playing an employee of a magical toy store.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://movieweb.com/natalie-portman-relives-her-youth-in-mr-magoriums-wonder-emporium/ |title=Natalie Portman Relives Her Youth in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium |first=Julian |last=Roman |publisher=[[MovieWeb]] |date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807104400/https://movieweb.com/natalie-portman-relives-her-youth-in-mr-magoriums-wonder-emporium/ |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also appeared in [[Paul McCartney]]'s music video "[[Dance Tonight]]" from his album ''[[Memory Almost Full]]'', directed by [[Michel Gondry]].<ref name="people magazine">{{Cite news |url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040081,00.html |title = Natalie Portman Stars in New Paul McCartney Video |first = Liz |last = Corcoran |date = May 24, 2007 |work = [[People (magazine)|People]] |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100420210138/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040081,00.html |archive-date = April 20, 2010}}</ref>

[[Scarlett Johansson]] and Portman portrayed rival sisters [[Mary Boleyn|Mary]] and [[Anne Boleyn]], respectively, in the period film ''[[The Other Boleyn Girl (2008 film)|The Other Boleyn Girl]]'' (2008). She was excited by the opportunity to work opposite another actress her age, bemoaning that such casting was rare in film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |title=Natalie Portman – more than a woman |first=Gill |last=Pringle |work=[[The Independent]] |date=February 26, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807153055/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Derek Elley of ''Variety'' was critical of Portman's English accent and wrote that she "doesn't quite bring the necessary heft to make Anne a truly dominant power player".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Other Boleyn Girl |first=Derek |last=Elley |work=Variety |date=February 15, 2008 |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-other-boleyn-girl-4-1200547995/ |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141123/https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-other-boleyn-girl-4-1200547995/ |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film had modest box-office earnings.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) | publisher = Box Office Mojo | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=otherboleyngirl.htm | access-date = August 7, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170907172605/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=otherboleyngirl.htm | archive-date = September 7, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref> She served as a jury member of the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]] and also launched her own production company, named handsomecharlie films, after her late dog.<ref name="elle08"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Can Cannes Still Do It? |first1=Richard |last1=Corliss |first2=Mary |last2=Corliss |magazine=Time |date=May 14, 2008 |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1779399,00.html |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141124/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1779399,00.html |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman's directorial debut, the short film ''[[Eve (2008 film)|Eve]]'', opened the short-film screenings at the [[65th Venice International Film Festival]].<ref name="Eve2">{{cite news |first=Eric J. | last=Lyman |date = September 1, 2008 |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i70662f7dd9d6f3c4f7b7701a654be195 |title = Venice festival all about 'Eve' on Monday |work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date = September 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080906010934/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i70662f7dd9d6f3c4f7b7701a654be195 |archive-date = September 6, 2008 }}</ref> It is about a young woman who goes to her grandmother's romantic date, and Portman drew inspiration for the older character (played by Lauren Bacall) from her own grandmother.<ref name="Eve">{{cite news |first=Silvia | last=Aloisi |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venice-portman-idUSL23720720080902 |title = Portman makes directorial debut in Venice |work = Reuters |date = September 2, 2008 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141122/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venice-portman-idUSL23720720080902 |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A poorly received adaptation of [[Ayelet Waldman]]'s novel ''[[Love and Other Impossible Pursuits]]'', entitled ''[[The Other Woman (2009 film)|The Other Woman]]'', marked Portman's first film role of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin | last=Jagernauth |url = https://www.indiewire.com/2010/12/natalie-portmans-love-and-other-impossible-pursuits-now-titled-the-other-woman-121327/ |title = Natalie Portman's 'Love And Other Impossible Pursuits' Now Titled 'The Other Woman' |publisher = IndieWire |date = December 14, 2010 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807143303/https://www.indiewire.com/2010/12/natalie-portmans-love-and-other-impossible-pursuits-now-titled-the-other-woman-121327/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She appeared in a faux perfume commercial called ''Greed'', directed by [[Roman Polanski]], and in the anthology film ''[[New York, I Love You]]'', she directed a segment and also starred in a different segment directed by [[Mira Nair]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/moca-finds-star-power-in-greed-by-franceso-vezzoli-.html |date = March 18, 2011 |title = MOCA gets its hands on Francesco Vezzoli's 'Greed,' starring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = January 24, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180124141102/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/moca-finds-star-power-in-greed-by-franceso-vezzoli-.html |archive-date = January 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/10/16/odes-to-new-york-yield-more-misses-than-hits/|title='New York, I Love You' review: Movie stars Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 16, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2015|last=Phillips|first=Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195416/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-10-16/entertainment/0910150629_1_natalie-portman-bradley-cooper-shia-labeouf|archive-date=January 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman next took on a role opposite [[Tobey Maguire]] and [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] in the drama film ''[[Brothers (2009 film)|Brothers]]'', a remake of the 2004 Danish [[Brothers (2004 film)|film of the same name]]. Her role was that of a war widow, for which she spoke with military wives to prepare. The film was shot during the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike]], and Portman found it challenging to shoot certain scenes without a written script.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter | last=Debruge |url = https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/natalie-portman-between-brothers-1118012281/ |title = Natalie Portman between 'Brothers' |work = Variety |date = December 4, 2008 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807143301/https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/natalie-portman-between-brothers-1118012281/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Claudia Puig]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' found her to be "subdued and reactive in a part that doesn't call for her to do much else".<ref>{{cite news |first=Claudia | last=Puig |url = https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-04-brothers04_ST_N.htm |title = Natalie Portman between 'Brothers' |work = [[USA Today]] |date = December 4, 2009 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171209024131/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-04-brothers04_ST_N.htm |archive-date = December 9, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After producing and co-starring alongside [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] in the black comedy ''[[Hesher (film)|Hesher]]'' (2010),<ref>{{cite news|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/05/review-even-joseph-gordon-levitt-natalie-portman-cant-save-the-oddly-off-hesher-118712/|title=Review: Even Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Natalie Portman Can't Save The Oddly Off 'Hesher'|publisher=IndieWire|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807144833/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/05/review-even-joseph-gordon-levitt-natalie-portman-cant-save-the-oddly-off-hesher-118712/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman played a ballerina overwhelmed with the prospect of performing ''[[Swan Lake]]'' in [[Darren Aronofsky]]'s psychological horror film ''[[Black Swan (film)|Black Swan]]''. She was trained by the professional ballerina [[Mary Helen Bowers]], and in preparation, she trained for five to eight hours daily for six months and lost {{convert|20|lb|kg|0}}.<ref>Buck, Joan Juliet. [http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/natalie-portman-january-2011-cover/ "Natalie Portman: Spreading Her Wings"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106212538/http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/natalie-portman-january-2011-cover/ |date=January 6, 2011 }}, Vogue.com, January 2011; retrieved January 12, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hUfd9gtRDupGxtcodelz8ZG_MfsA |title=Portman's "hyper" ballet training |publisher=[[Press Association]] |date=September 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5sQPxNTef?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hUfd9gtRDupGxtcodelz8ZG_MfsA |archive-date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/mary-helen-bowers-on-ballet-beautiful-5955593 |title = Mary Helen Bowers on 'Ballet Beautiful' |newspaper = [[Women's Wear Daily]] |date = June 12, 2012 |access-date = November 20, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140409131814/http://www.wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/mary-helen-bowers-on-ballet-beautiful-5955593 |archive-date = April 9, 2014}}</ref> Her performance was acclaimed;<ref>{{cite news|last=Collett-White |first=Mike |url=https://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11543983 |title=Natalie Portman Earns Early Awards Buzz for Ballet Drama |publisher=ABC |agency=Reuters |date=September 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210518184219/https://www.webcitation.org/5sS8cunbN?url=http://abcnews.go.com/print%3Fid=11543983 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref> writing for ''Empire'', Dan Jolin found her to be "simultaneously at her most vulnerable and her most predatory, at once frostily brittle and raunchily malleable [...] before peaking at the film's denouement with a raw, alluring showstopper of a performance."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jolin |first=Dan |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/black-swan-review/ |title=Black Swan Review |work=Empire |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806143541/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/black-swan-review/ |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Black Swan'' emerged as a [[sleeper hit]], grossing over $329&nbsp;million worldwide against a $13&nbsp;million budget, and earned Portman several awards, including the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-16-la-et-0116-black-swan-20110116-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title='Black Swan's' risks pay off | date=January 16, 2011 | access-date=May 7, 2012 | first1=Steven | last1=Zeitchik | first2=Ben | last2=Fritz | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614114839/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/16/entertainment/la-et-0116-black-swan-20110116 | archive-date=June 14, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm |title=Black Swan (2010) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229145616/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm |archive-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AcademyAward">Duke, Alan. [http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/27/academy.awards "'King's Speech' rules at the 83rd Oscars"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228151740/http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/27/academy.awards/ |date=February 28, 2011 }}, cnn.com, February 28, 2011.</ref> Following her Oscar win, [[Black Swan dance double controversy|controversy]] arose over who performed the bulk of the on-screen dancing in the film.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/25/portman-black-swan-double|title={{-'}}Black Swan' double claims Natalie Portman only did '5 percent' of full-body dance shots in the movie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401172820/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/25/portman-black-swan-double/|archive-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref> [[Sarah Lane (dancer)|Sarah Lane]], one of Portman's dancing doubles in the film, claimed that the actress performed only about five percent of the full-body shots, adding that she was asked by the film's producers not to speak publicly about it during [[Film awards seasons|awards season]].<ref name="blackswan">{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/28/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-controversy|title={{-'}}Black Swan' director Darren Aronofsky defends Natalie Portman in body-double controversy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 28, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331172705/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/28/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-controversy/|archive-date=March 31, 2011}}</ref> Aronofsky defended Portman by insisting that she had performed 80 percent of the on-screen dancing.<ref name="blackswan" />

[[File:Natalie Portman AA 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Portman in 2011|Portman at the [[83rd Academy Awards]] in 2011, where she won the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]]]

Portman next served as an executive producer for ''[[No Strings Attached (2011 film)|No Strings Attached]]'' (2011), a romantic comedy in which she starred with [[Ashton Kutcher]] as a young couple in a [[casual sex]] relationship. She described the experience of making it as a "palate cleanser" from the intensity of ''Black Swan''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|url=https://collider.com/natalie-portman-ashton-kutcher-interview-no-strings-attached/|title=No Strings Attached Interview with Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Director Ivan Reitman and Screenwriter Liz Meriwether|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=January 19, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806145117/http://collider.com/natalie-portman-ashton-kutcher-interview-no-strings-attached/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It received unfavorable reviews but was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_strings_attached_2011/ | title=No Strings Attached (2011) | date=January 21, 2011 | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=July 24, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428150900/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_strings_attached_2011 | archive-date=April 28, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friendswithbenefits.htm | title=No Strings Attached (2011) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=April 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223183645/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friendswithbenefits.htm | archive-date=February 23, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> She next agreed to the film ''[[Your Highness]]'' for the opportunity of playing an athletic and foul-mouthed character, which she believed was rare for actresses.<ref>{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/movies/your-highness-stars-danny-mcbride-and-james-franco.html|title=Way Back in Time With Two Friends Who Go Way Back|work=The New York Times|date=April 1, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806150033/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/movies/your-highness-stars-danny-mcbride-and-james-franco.html|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Critics were dismissive of the film's reliance on [[scatological humor]] and it proved to be a [[box-office bomb]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/your_highness|title=Your Highness (2011)|date=April 8, 2011 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002055558/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/your_highness/|archive-date=October 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|url=https://www.avclub.com/beyond-disappointment-case-file-22-your-highness-1798232983|title=Beyond Disappointment Case File #22: Your Highness|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=August 22, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806150031/https://film.avclub.com/beyond-disappointment-case-file-22-your-highness-1798232983|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In her final film release of 2011, Portman took on the part of [[Jane Foster (comics)|Jane Foster]], a scientist and love-interest of the [[Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|titular character]] (played by [[Chris Hemsworth]]) in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] superhero film ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]''. She liked the idea of [[Kenneth Branagh]] directing a big-budget film that emphasized character; she signed on to it before receiving a script, and helped develop her part by reading the biography of scientists such as [[Rosalind Franklin]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Grossbreg |title=Natalie Portman's "Weird" Reason for Hooking Up With Thor |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/natalie_portmans_weird_reason_hooking/155129 |work=[[E!]] |date=November 23, 2009 |access-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913093611/http://www.eonline.com/news/natalie_portmans_weird_reason_hooking/155129 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/star-wattage-marvel-assembles-the-avengers-for-comic-con-panel-56417/ |title=MARVEL-OUS STAR WATTAGE: Actors Assemble For Comic-Con Panel Including 'The Avengers', 'Captain America', & 'Thor' |date=July 24, 2010 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717060604/http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/star-wattage-marvel-assembles-the-avengers-for-comic-con-panel/ |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/19/natalie-portman-says-thor-role-hammers-away-at-cute-stereotypes/ |title=Natalie Portman says 'Thor' role hammers away at 'cute' stereotypes |first1=Amy | last1=Kaufman |first2=Geoff | last2=Boucher |name-list-style=amp |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725153007/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/19/natalie-portman-says-thor-role-hammers-away-at-cute-stereotypes/ |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Richard Kuipers of ''Variety'' commended Portman's "sterling work in a thinly written role" for adding dimension to the film's romantic subplot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kuipers|first=Richard|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/thor-1117945029/|title=Film Review: 'Thor'|work=Variety|date=April 17, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806152122/https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/thor-1117945029/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Thor'' earned $449.3&nbsp;million worldwide to emerge as the [[2011 in film|15th highest-grossing film of 2011]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2011&p=.htm|title=2011 Worldwide Grosses|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161510/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2011&p=.htm|archive-date=August 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Portman topped ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} listing of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pomerantz|first=Dorothy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/12/26/natalie-portman-and-kristen-stewart-top-our-list-of-hollywoods-best-actors-for-the-buck/#4fda2829414f|title=Natalie Portman, Kristen Stewart Top Forbes List of Hollywood's Best Actors for the Buck|work=Forbes|date=December 26, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131051821/http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/12/26/natalie-portman-and-kristen-stewart-top-our-list-of-hollywoods-best-actors-for-the-buck/#4fda2829414f|archive-date=January 31, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Her sole screen appearance that year was in [[Paul McCartney]]'s music video "My Valentine", alongside [[Johnny Depp]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman star in 3 new Paul McCartney videos |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-in-3-new-paul-mccartney-videos.html |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = April 15, 2012 |date = April 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120416231256/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-in-3-new-paul-mccartney-videos.html |archive-date = April 16, 2012}}</ref> The following year, she reprised the role of Jane Foster in ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'', which earned over $644&nbsp;million worldwide to emerge as the [[2013 in film|10th highest-grossing film of 2013]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2013&p=.htm |title=2013 Worldwide Grosses |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205230715/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2013&p=.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Forbes'' featured her in their [[Forbes Celebrity 100|Celebrity 100]] listing of 2014, and estimated her income from the previous year to be $13&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/natalie-portman/#6efd021f4377 |title=Number 100 Natalie Portman |work=Forbes |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329223022/https://www.forbes.com/profile/natalie-portman/#6efd021f4377 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, Portman appeared alongside an ensemble cast, including [[Christian Bale]], in [[Terrence Malick]]'s experimental drama film ''[[Knight of Cups (film)|Knight of Cups]]'', which marked her first project after giving birth. She shot for it within a week of returning to work and she did not receive a traditional script or dialogues, improvising most of her scenes with Bale.<ref name="malick">{{cite news|last=Siegal|first=Miranda|url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/bale-portman-on-malicksknight-of-cups.html|title=Christian Bale and Natalie Portman on 'Embracing the Unknown' in Terrence Malick's Knight of Cups|work=Vulture|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023114316/http://www.vulture.com/2015/02/bale-portman-on-malicksknight-of-cups.html|archive-date=October 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Warner|first=Kara|url=https://people.com/movies/natalie-portman-on-working-with-christian-bale-for-knight-of-cups/|title=Natalie Portman: Why Working with Christian Bale on Her New Movie Was 'So Fun' and 'Sometimes Scary'|work=People|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806190146/https://people.com/movies/natalie-portman-on-working-with-christian-bale-for-knight-of-cups/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She said that shooting with Malick influenced her own directorial venture, ''[[A Tale of Love and Darkness (film)|A Tale of Love and Darkness]]'' which was released in the same year.<ref name="malick"/> Based on Israeli author [[Amos Oz]]'s autobiographical [[A Tale of Love and Darkness|novel of the same name]] which is set in Jerusalem during the last years of the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate of Palestine]], the Hebrew-language film starred Portman who also produced and co-wrote it.<ref>{{cite news |first = Eran |last = Suissa |title = Natalie Portman heads to Israel to scout film locations |url = http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=10865 |access-date = August 16, 2013 |newspaper = Israel HaYom |date = July 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130820142610/http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=10865 |archive-date = August 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://deadline.com/2015/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2015-official-selection-1201410687 |title = Cannes Film Festival 2015 Lineup |website = Deadline Hollywood |access-date = April 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150416214015/https://deadline.com/2015/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2015-official-selection-1201410687/ |archive-date = April 16, 2015}}</ref> She had wanted to adapt the book since she first read it a decade ago, but postponed it until she was old enough to play the leading role of a mother herself. She collaborated closely with Amos, showing him drafts of her script as she adapted the book.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sagansky|first=Gillian|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/natalie-portman-on-directing-her-first-film-interview|title=Natalie Portman on Directing Her First Film, Nearly 10 Years in the Making|work=W|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191500/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/natalie-portman-on-directing-her-first-film-interview|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/490196034/it-took-a-decade-but-portman-just-had-to-make-her-latest-film|title=It Took A Decade, But Portman 'Just Had To Make' Her Latest Film|publisher=NPR|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191500/https://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/490196034/it-took-a-decade-but-portman-just-had-to-make-her-latest-film|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman stated that it was easier to be a female director in Israel than in the U.S., "thanks to the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]". She explained that Israeli men are accustomed to female officers and commanders, "making it easier for them to accept female authority."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Culture |first=Walls |date=August 20, 2016 |title=נטלי פורטמן: "בזכות צה"ל, קל יותר להיות במאית בישראל" - וואלה תרבות |trans-title=Natalie Portman: "Thanks to the IDF, it's easier to be a director in Israel" |url=https://e.walla.co.il/item/2989953 |access-date=March 8, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}}</ref> Critics gave the film generally positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Tale of Love and Darkness |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_tale_of_love_and_darkness |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |language=en}}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''The New York Times'' found it to be a "conscientious adaptation of a difficult book" and was appreciative of Portman's potential as a filmmaker.<ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=A. O.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/movies/a-tale-of-love-and-darkness-review-natalie-portman-amos-oz.html|title=Review: From Natalie Portman, Israel's Birth Distilled in Mood and Memory|work=The New York Times|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191840/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/movies/a-tale-of-love-and-darkness-review-natalie-portman-amos-oz.html|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

She next produced and starred in the [[Western (genre)|western]] film ''[[Jane Got a Gun]]'' about a young mother seeking vengeance. Initially scheduled to be directed by [[Lynne Ramsay]], the production was plagued with numerous difficulties. Ramsay did not turn up on set for the first day of filming and was eventually replaced with [[Gavin O'Connor (director)|Gavin O'Connor]]. [[Michael Fassbender]], [[Jude Law]], and [[Bradley Cooper]] were all cast as the male lead, before [[Ewan McGregor]] played the part.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin P.|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/jane-got-a-gun-production-trouble/|title='Jane Got a Gun': A brief look at the Western's long, troubled history|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806194444/https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/jane-got-a-gun-production-trouble/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' reviewed that Portman's "stately performance" was not enough to save the "laborious and solemn western", and it grossed less than $4&nbsp;million against its $25&nbsp;million budget.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Bradshaw|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/21/jane-got-a-gun-review-laborious-and-solemn-western-with-absurd-finale|title=Jane Got a Gun review – laborious and solemn western with absurd finale|work=The Guardian|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192255/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/21/jane-got-a-gun-review-laborious-and-solemn-western-with-absurd-finale|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jane-Got-a-Gun#tab=summary |title=''Jane Got a Gun'' (2016) |publisher=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083205/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jane-Got-a-Gun#tab=summary |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2016–present: ''Jackie'' and production ventures ===
[[File:Planetarium 03 (29798340905) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Portman in 2016|Portman attending the premiere of ''[[Planetarium (film)|Planetarium]]'' at the [[2016 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]

Portman portrayed [[Jacqueline Kennedy]] in the [[Pablo Larraín]]-directed biopic ''[[Jackie (2016 film)|Jackie]]'' (2016), about Kennedy's life immediately after the [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|1963 assassination]] of [[John F. Kennedy|her husband]]. She was initially intimidated to take on the part of a well-known public figure,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/11/natalie-portman-jackie-tiff-interview|title=Natalie Portman explains the daunting task of portraying an icon in Jackie|first=Joey | last=Nolfi |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921233314/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/11/natalie-portman-jackie-tiff-interview|archive-date=September 21, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually researched Kennedy extensively by watching videos of her, reading books, and listening to audiotapes of her interviews.<ref name="VF">{{cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/09/natalie-portman-jackie-kennedy-movie-interview|title=Natalie Portman on Unlocking the Mystery of Jackie Kennedy|first=Julie | last=Miller |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016090033/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/09/natalie-portman-jackie-kennedy-movie-interview|archive-date=October 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BI">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.in/How-Natalie-Portman-prepared-for-her-Oscar-worthy-performance-as-Jackie-Kennedy/articleshow/54319281.cms|title=How Natalie Portman prepared for her Oscar-worthy performance as Jackie Kennedy|first=Jason | last=Gurrrasio |work=[[Business Insider]]|date=September 14, 2016|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009190506/http://www.businessinsider.in/How-Natalie-Portman-prepared-for-her-Oscar-worthy-performance-as-Jackie-Kennedy/articleshow/54319281.cms|archive-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> She also worked with a dialect coach to adopt Kennedy's unique speaking style.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jackie-kennedy-natalie-portman-voice-938290|title=How Natalie Portman Adopted That "Very Particular" Voice for 'Jackie'|first=Ashley | last=Lee |work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 13, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014042513/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jackie-kennedy-natalie-portman-voice-938290|archive-date=October 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> David Rooney of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' termed it an "incandescent performance" and added that "her Jackie is both inscrutable and naked, broken but unquestionably resilient, a mess and yet fiercely dignified".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/jackie-926210|title='Jackie': Venice Review|first=David | last=Rooney |work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014042515/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/jackie-926210|archive-date=October 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> She won the [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress]] and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite web|first=Meredith B. | last=Kile |url=https://www.etonline.com/awards/204764_critics_choice_awards_2017_winners_list|title=Critics' Choice Awards 2017: The Complete Winner's List|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=December 11, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806201200/https://www.etonline.com/awards/204764_critics_choice_awards_2017_winners_list|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/2017-oscar-nominations-academy-awards-nominees-1201968107/ |title=Oscar Nominations: Complete List |work=Variety |date=January 24, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124150844/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/2017-oscar-nominations-academy-awards-nominees-1201968107/ |archive-date=January 24, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also served as producer for the [[comedy horror]] film ''[[Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (film)|Pride and Prejudice and Zombies]]'', directed by [[Burr Steers]], and starred in [[Rebecca Zlotowski]]'s French-Belgian drama ''[[Planetarium (film)|Planetarium]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/10/06/natalie-portman-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies/|title='Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' loses Natalie Portman|last=Labrecque|first=Jeff|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=October 6, 2010|access-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903120308/http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/10/06/natalie-portman-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies/|archive-date=September 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/planetarium |title=Planetarium (2016) |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126152205/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/planetarium |archive-date=November 26, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2017 experimental romance ''[[Song to Song]]'' marked Portman's second collaboration with Terrence Malick, which like their previous film polarized critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/natalie-portman-on-song-to-song-malick-and-rhcp-wrestling.html|title=Natalie Portman on Working With Terrence Malick and Watching Michael Fassbender Get Tackled by the Red Hot Chili Peppers|first=Kevin | last=Lincoln |work=Vulture|date=March 17, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807070909/https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/natalie-portman-on-song-to-song-malick-and-rhcp-wrestling.html|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Song to Song (2017)|date=March 17, 2017 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/song_to_song|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523153651/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/song_to_song/|archive-date=May 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, Portman revealed that she has experienced sexual harassment or discrimination in almost every project she has worked on, despite initially believing she had avoided such experiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Culture |first=Walls |date=November 21, 2017 |title=נטלי פורטמן: "הוטרדתי מינית כמעט בכל פרויקט שהייתי מעורבת בו" - וואלה תרבות |trans-title=Natalie Portman: "I was sexually harassed in almost every project I was involved in" |url=https://e.walla.co.il/item/3113231 |access-date=March 8, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}}</ref>

In 2018, Portman starred in the science fiction film ''[[Annihilation (film)|Annihilation]]'', based on [[Jeff VanderMeer]]'s [[Annihilation (VanderMeer novel)|novel]]. She played a biologist and former soldier who studies a mysterious quarantined zone of mutating organisms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/annihilation-ending-meaning-alex-garland-natalie-portman-a8256666.html|title=Annihilation ending 'too weird': How mother! cost the film an international theatrical release|date=March 15, 2018|first=Christopher|last=Hooton|work=The Independent|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315152228/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/annihilation-ending-meaning-alex-garland-natalie-portman-a8256666.html|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> She was pleased to headline a rare female-led science fiction film, and she moved her family near [[Pinewood Studios]] during filming. For the action sequences, she underwent movement training with the dancer [[Bobbi Jene Smith]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-annihilation-natalie-portman-gina-rodriguez-tessa-thompson-20180216-story.html|title=Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson and the sci-fi sisterhood behind 'Annihilation'|first=Jen | last=Yamato |work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218195014/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-annihilation-natalie-portman-gina-rodriguez-tessa-thompson-20180216-story.html|archive-date=December 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Benjamin Lee of ''The Guardian'' took note of Portman's "strong, fiercely compelling presence" and commended her for playing the part without unnecessary sentimentality.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/22/annihilation-review-natalie-portman-thriller-leaves-a-haunting-impression|title=Annihilation review – Natalie Portman thriller leaves a haunting impression|first=Benjamin|last=Lee|date=February 22, 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628041737/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/22/annihilation-review-natalie-portman-thriller-leaves-a-haunting-impression|archive-date=June 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It only received a limited theatrical release and was distributed on [[Netflix]] internationally.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/annihilation-netflix-international-distribution-paramount/|title=Annihilation Director 'Disappointed' By Netflix Distribution|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|date=December 13, 2017|work=Screen Rant|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807070909/https://screenrant.com/annihilation-netflix-international-distribution-paramount/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Her next appearance was in [[Xavier Dolan]]'s first English-language film, the ensemble drama ''[[The Death & Life of John F. Donovan]]'' (2018), which was termed a "shocking misfire" by Eric Kohn of [[IndieWire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/09/the-death-and-life-of-john-f-donovan-review-xavier-dolan-tiff-2018-1202002920/|title='The Death and Life of John F. Donovan' Review: Xavier Dolan's Worst Movie Stars Kit Harington as a Depressed TV Star|first=Eric|last=Kohn|date=September 11, 2018|publisher=IndieWire|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528005534/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/09/the-death-and-life-of-john-f-donovan-review-xavier-dolan-tiff-2018-1202002920/|archive-date=May 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She then starred as a troubled pop singer in ''[[Vox Lux]]'', sharing the part with [[Raffey Cassidy]]. She was drawn to the idea of showcasing the negative effects of fame, and in preparation, she watched documentaries on musicians and listened to the music of [[Sia]], who wrote her songs in the film. For the climactic dance routines, she trained with her then-husband, [[Benjamin Millepied]], who choreographed the sequence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a25614862/natalie-portman-brady-corbet-interview-vox-lux/|title=Natalie Portman on Being Objectified, Swagger, Catsuits, and Fame|first=Estelle|last=Tang|date=December 18, 2018|work=Elle|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807072126/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a25614862/natalie-portman-brady-corbet-interview-vox-lux/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It received mixed reviews from critics, but Portman's performance earned praise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vox_lux|title=Vox Lux (2018)|date=December 7, 2018 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218173344/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vox_lux|archive-date=December 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Comparing it to her performances in ''Black Swan'' and ''Jackie'', [[Robbie Collin]] of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' wrote that "this role has a similar audacity and extravagance that few actresses would dare attempt, let alone be allowed to get away with".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/vox-lux-review-natalie-portman-outrageously-enjoyable-troubled2/|title=Vox Lux review: Natalie Portman is outrageously enjoyable as a troubled pop star|first=Robbie|last=Collin|author-link=Robbie Collin|date=May 2, 2019|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517222317/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/vox-lux-review-natalie-portman-outrageously-enjoyable-troubled2/|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unused footage from ''Thor: The Dark World'' and a new voice-over were used for Portman's brief appearance in the 2019 superhero film ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/avengers-endgame-natalie-portman/ |title=Avengers: Endgame explained: Does Natalie Portman's Jane Foster return? |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 26, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426233416/https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/avengers-endgame-natalie-portman/ |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She then portrayed a psychologically troubled astronaut (based on [[Lisa Nowak]]) in the drama ''[[Lucy in the Sky]]'', directed by [[Noah Hawley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2018/07/26/pale-blue-dot-first-look-natalie-portman-noah-hawleys-murderous/|title=Pale Blue Dot: first look at Natalie Portman in Noah Hawley's murderous astronaut drama|last1=Yuill|first1=Oscar|date=July 26, 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045733/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2018/07/26/pale-blue-dot-first-look-natalie-portman-noah-hawleys-murderous/|archive-date=December 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> She replaced the film's producer [[Reese Witherspoon]], who backed out due to a scheduling conflict. The film was poorly received, though Portman's performance was praised.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/lucy-sky-is-awards-season-jeopardy-a-strong-natalie-portman-turn-1239083|title=Toronto: 'Lucy in the Sky' Is In Awards Season Jeopardy Despite a Strong Natalie Portman Turn|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 12, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914013031/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/lucy-sky-is-awards-season-jeopardy-a-strong-natalie-portman-turn-1239083|archive-date=September 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, she narrated the [[Disney+]] nature documentary ''[[Dolphin Reef (film)|Dolphin Reef]]'' and voiced Jane Foster in the animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 21, 2019|title=Marvel What If? Series Reveals Huge Cast, Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher|url=https://collider.com/marvels-what-if-announces-massive-voice-cast-of-mcu-stars-jeffrey-wright-as-the-watcher/|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721032300/http://collider.com/marvels-what-if-announces-massive-voice-cast-of-mcu-stars-jeffrey-wright-as-the-watcher/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dolphin-reef-1287477|title='Dolphin Reef': Film Review|last=Scheck|first=Frank|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627070045/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dolphin-reef-1287477|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Portman reprised her role as Foster in the sequel ''[[Thor: Love and Thunder]]'', in which her character becomes [[Mighty Thor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/20/20702385/marvel-cinematic-universe-disney-thor-4-love-and-thunder-natalie-portman-taiki-waititi|title=Natalie Portman will take up Thor's hammer in Thor: Love and Thunder|first=Chaim|last=Gartenberg|work=[[The Verge]]|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721041126/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/20/20702385/marvel-cinematic-universe-disney-thor-4-love-and-thunder-natalie-portman-taiki-waititi|archive-date=July 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/features/natalie-portman-thor-marvel-1235299328/|title=Mighty Natalie Portman: How She Emerged From the Marvel Sidelines to Wield Thor's Hammer|first1=Adam B.|last1=Vary|date=June 22, 2022|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625153141/https://variety.com/2022/film/features/natalie-portman-thor-marvel-1235299328/|url-status=live}}</ref> She agreed to return to the franchise after meeting with director [[Taika Waititi]], who offered to portray her character in an "adventurous and fun and funny" way.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Sabina |date=June 13, 2022 |title=Natalie Portman Came Back for Thor: Love and Thunder Because They Let Her Be Fun |url=https://gizmodo.com/taika-waititi-natalie-portman-thor-love-and-thunder-rom-1849055089 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614012323/https://gizmodo.com/taika-waititi-natalie-portman-thor-love-and-thunder-rom-1849055089 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=[[Gizmodo]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=JK |date=August 24, 2019 |title=Taika Waititi Explains Why Natalie Portman Returns for Thor: Love and Thunder |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/2019/08/24/taika-waititi-explains-why-natalie-portman-returns-for-thor-love-and-thunder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825001956/https://comicbook.com/marvel/2019/08/24/taika-waititi-explains-why-natalie-portman-returns-for-thor-love-and-thunder/ |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |access-date=August 25, 2019 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> In preparation, Portman took the [[Mjolnir (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Mjolnir]] [[Prop weapon|prop]] home to practice using it for her stunts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2022 |title=Natalie Portman talks about holding Mjolnir, Tessa Thompson on working with Chris Hemsworth on ''Thor: Love and Thunder'' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/showbizabroad/836770/natalie-portman-talks-about-holding-mjolnir-tessa-thompson-on-working-with-is-hemsworth-on-thor-lov/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702012157/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/showbizabroad/836770/natalie-portman-talks-about-holding-mjolnir-tessa-thompson-on-working-with-is-hemsworth-on-thor-lov/story/ |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[GMA Integrated News]]}}</ref> Nick Allen at [[RogerEbert.com]] opined, "In both her human and her heroic state, Portman’s performance conveys why it's great to see Jane again."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Nick |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Thor: Love and Thunder |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/thor-love-and-thunder-movie-review-2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707003642/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/thor-love-and-thunder-movie-review-2022 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> Portman received a nomination for the [[Critics' Choice Super Award]] for Best Actress in a Superhero Movie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=March 16, 2023 |title=''Everything Everywhere All at Once'' Wins Big at 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-super-awards-2023-winners-list-1235354402/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316190851/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-super-awards-2023-winners-list-1235354402/ |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In a 2022 readers' poll by ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine, Portman was voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time.<ref name="empirepoll">{{cite news |first1=Ben|last1= Travis |first2=Sophie |last2=Butcher|first3=Nick|last3=De Semlyen|first4=James |last4=Dyer|first5=John |last5=Nugent|first6=Alex |last6=Godfrey|first7=Helen |last7=O'Hara|title=Empire's 50 Greatest Actors of All Time List, Revealed |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-actors/ |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:May December Cannes Film Festival.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Portman (left) at a press conference for ''[[May December]]'' at the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

Portman and her producing partner, Sophie Mas, founded the production company MountainA in 2021, and signed a first-look television deal with [[Apple TV+]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Natalie Portman And Producing Partner Sophie Mas Sign Apple First-Look TV Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/natalie-portman-sophie-mas-apple-1234716126 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 6, 2021 |date=March 17, 2021 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413205851/https://deadline.com/2021/03/natalie-portman-sophie-mas-apple-1234716126/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company's first project was ''[[May December]]'', a drama from filmmaker [[Todd Haynes]], starring Portman and [[Julianne Moore]], which premiered at the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="thr23">{{Cite news |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Natalie Portman at Cannes: "I Need to Leave the Drama for the Screen"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/feature/natalie-portman-cannes-may-december-times-up-1235483130/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=July 11, 2023 |title='May December,' Starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, to Open New York Film Festival|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/may-december-natalie-portman-julianne-moore-new-york-film-festival-opening-night-1235665911/ |access-date=July 31, 2022 |work=Variety}}</ref> Portman played an actress researching for her role as a woman (played by Moore) whose marriage to a much younger man was highly controversial. She was pleased to work with Haynes, whose work she admired, and to play a morally ambiguous character.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coyle |first=Jake |date=May 27, 2023 |title=Natalie Portman and Todd Haynes dive into the nature of performance in 'May December' at Cannes|url=https://apnews.com/article/natalie-portman-todd-haynes-may-december-cannes-3eead9685fb472c909e2f47ada100dc4 |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=Associated Press}}</ref> Geoffrey Macnab of ''[[The Independent]]'' believed that the film had been "galvanised by the tremendous performances from Portman and Moore".<ref>{{Cite news |last= Macnab |first= Geoffrey |date=May 22, 2023 |title=May December, Cannes review: Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore are tremendous in this Todd Haynes melodrama|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/may-december-review-cannes-todd-haynes-b2342948.html |access-date=September 14, 2023 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Portman received another Golden Globe nomination for her performance.<ref name="ggnom23">{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way In TV |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/golden-globe-nominations-2024-1235660995/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |accessdate=December 11, 2023 |date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> The company next produced the [[HBO]] documentary series ''[[Angel City (miniseries)|Angel City]]'', about the inaugural season of [[Angel City FC]], which was co-founded by Portman.<ref name="thr23"/>

MountainA's third project was ''[[Lady in the Lake (TV series)|Lady in the Lake]]'' (2024), an Apple TV+ miniseries adaptation of [[Laura Lippman]]'s [[Lady in the Lake (novel)|thriller novel]]. Portman played a 1960s housewife in [[Baltimore]] who turns into an investigative journalist following an unsolved murder.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=March 10, 2021|title=Natalie Portman, Lupita Nyong'o to Star in Apple Series 'Lady in the Lake' From Alma Har'el, Dre Ryan|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/natalie-portman-lupita-nyongo-apple-lady-in-the-lake-1234927283/|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311012512/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/natalie-portman-lupita-nyongo-apple-lady-in-the-lake-1234927283/|url-status=live}}</ref> Production in Baltimore was briefly paused when the crew received threats of violence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=J. Kim |title=''Lady in the Lake'' Filming Halted in Baltimore After Apple TV+ Production Threatened With Shooting |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/lady-in-the-lake-production-halted-apple-tv-plus-1235352884/ |work=Variety|access-date=August 28, 2022 |date=August 28, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124093950/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/lady-in-the-lake-production-halted-apple-tv-plus-1235352884/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Continuing her collaboration with Apple TV+, Portman will next star in ''[[Fountain of Youth (film)|Fountain of Youth]]'', an adventure film directed by [[Guy Ritchie]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=John Krasinski And Natalie Portman To Star In Guy Ritchie's Next Film ''Fountain Of Youth'' For Apple And Skydance |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/john-krasinski-natalie-portman-guy-ritchie-fountain-of-youth-1235716871/ |website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 11, 2024 |date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> She will also star alongside [[Jenna Ortega]] in [[Cathy Yan]]'s thriller film ''[[The Gallerist (film)|The Gallerist]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/natalie-portman-jenna-ortega-circling-the-gallerist-cathy-yan-1236161193/|title=Natalie Portman And Jenna Ortega Circling ''The Gallerist'' For Director Cathy Yan – The Dish|date=October 29, 2024|first=Justin|last=Kroll|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref>