On February 3, 2026, Rachel McAdams expressed her desire to learn from Margot Robbie about how to act convincingly in rain. The Canadian actress, renowned for her role as Allie Hamilton in the 2004 film The Notebook, revealed her struggle with scenes involving heavy rain, prompting her to look to the Australian star famous for her performance in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.
Rachel McAdams, who shared a memorable rain-soaked kiss with Ryan Gosling in The Notebook, indicated that although she has experience acting in rain, she has yet to master the challenge. After viewing teasers from Emerald Fennell’s new film starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Cathy and Heathcliff, she believes Robbie might be the authority on such dramatic, rainy moments.
Challenges of Acting Amid Harsh Weather Conditions
During an interview with Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, McAdams discussed the difficulties of performing in rain. She pointed out that despite acting in several rainy scenes, the experience remains complicated and physically uncomfortable. She commented,
“I can see there is a lot of rain in this movie and I have acted in a fair amount of rain but I never really figured it out yet so if she has any tips on rain acting,”
demonstrating her earnest wish to learn from Robbie’s expertise.
McAdams recalled the notoriously difficult conditions when filming the iconic rain scene in The Notebook, which was shot with artificial rain machines on a lake during winter. She described the discomfort, saying,
“You have to keep your eyes open but they’re driving giant hoses of rain into your eyeballs. It’s usually cold, they were pumping it from the bottom of the lake in the winter. They do not warm up the hoses they spray you down.”
She further explained how the cold weather affected her performance, stating,
“When you’re that cold I find the acting is not as good, cold does not promote great smouldering love feelings. So if she has any tips on how to act better.”
Rachel McAdams
Transition from Romance to Horror
Aside from her longing to perfect rainy scenes, McAdams has recently ventured into a different genre with the release of the horror thriller Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi. Starring alongside Dylan O’Brien, this film has achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $28.1 million worldwide during its opening weekend and ranking as the third highest-grossing American film of 2026 so far.
Despite the film’s success, McAdams revealed that she has yet to watch it, admitting her fear of horror movies. She shared,
“I’ve not done much horror because I can’t even get through the script. I won’t be able to sleep for a few weeks, I’ll have to sleep with the light on.”
Highlighting her apprehension, she added,
“I haven’t watched the film it scares me. I know when the jump scare is coming and I still jump and still scream.”
Rachel McAdams
Impact and Future Prospects
Rachel McAdams’ candid reflections on the challenges of acting in rain and her hesitation toward the horror genre offer insight into the demands actors face behind the scenes. Her respect for Margot Robbie’s portrayal in Wuthering Heights suggests interest in expanding her craft, especially as rain-filled scenes continue to be a dramatic staple in film. Meanwhile, the success of Send Help signals a promising new chapter in McAdams’ career, despite her personal tensions with the genre.
Audiences can expect to see how these experiences influence her future roles, possibly incorporating lessons from Robbie to enhance her performances in demanding weather conditions.
