Ella Rubin is rapidly becoming one of Hollywood’s most talked-about young actresses, with her latest role prompting an avalanche of praise from viewers captivated by both her performance and her striking appearance.
The 24-year-old actress stars as Annie Jacobson in Sterling Point, a coming-of-age drama from Amazon Prime Video that premiered earlier this month.
As the series gains attention, viewers have taken to social media to compare Rubin’s appearance with some of the biggest female stars of past and present, including Julia Roberts, Rachel Weisz, Anne Hathaway and Winona Ryder.
Fans hail Rubin’s classic Hollywood features
Rubin’s hazel eyes, dark hair and broad smile have become a major talking point among viewers.
One fan described her as looking as though she had stepped out of a Renaissance painting, while another compared her to the iconic beauty of Helen of Troy.
Others drew parallels between Rubin and the actresses who dominated romantic comedies during the 1990s, with one viewer joking that she looked like “all the pretty girls from 90s romantic comedies had a daughter.”
Another admirer went as far as declaring that Rubin was “Rachel Weisz’s daughter,” despite there being no such family connection.
Social media comparisons pile up
The comparisons have continued across social media as Sterling Point has gained an enthusiastic audience.
One viewer imagined what it would be like to lead Prime Video’s top show while simultaneously being praised for acting ability and compared with stars such as Hathaway, Roberts, Weisz and Winona Ryder.
Rubin’s own Instagram comments have also been filled with similar observations. Following a recent post featuring behind-the-scenes images from the series, one follower dubbed her “our new Julia Roberts.”
The attention has extended beyond online speculation, with fans noting that Rubin has already been paired onscreen with Hathaway.
Rubin previously played Hathaway’s daughter
Rubin portrayed Hathaway’s daughter in the 2024 Prime Video romantic comedy The Idea of You, giving audiences an early opportunity to see the resemblance that some fans now believe connects her to the established star.
Her other credits include appearances in The Girl From Plainville and Gossip Girl, but her role in Sterling Point has brought her considerably more attention.
Annie Jacobson puts Rubin at the center of Sterling Point
In Sterling Point, Rubin plays Annie Jacobson, an ambitious teenager from New York City whose life changes dramatically after she and her brother, played by Keen Ruffalo, inherit their late grandfather’s island in Canada.
The series was created by Megan Park, the Canadian actress and director, whose collaborative approach has been praised by Rubin.
Speaking about Park, Rubin said the filmmaker places significant emphasis on understanding what actors need during production. She explained that their close working relationship allowed Park to recognize when she needed something even before Rubin felt comfortable expressing it.
Fans embrace the show’s escapist appeal
The enthusiasm surrounding Rubin has coincided with strong interest in the world portrayed in Sterling Point.
Some viewers have become particularly attached to the show’s picturesque setting, with one fan admitting they had been unable to stop dreaming about living in what they described as the “most perfect lake house” after finishing the series.
The show’s growing popularity has therefore given Rubin a prominent platform at a pivotal stage in her career.
Netflix role could bring another major breakthrough
Rubin’s career is already moving toward another high-profile project.
She is set to appear in Netflix’s adaptation of Liz Moore’s novel The God of the Woods, playing camp counselor Louise Donnadieu.
The upcoming series also features Maya Hawke and Irish actress Kerry Condon, placing Rubin alongside another prominent ensemble of performers.
Rubin has praised Moore’s writing, particularly the author’s willingness to create complicated female characters who can be troubled, unusual or even difficult to like.
For Rubin, the role could provide another opportunity to demonstrate that the attention surrounding her is about more than her resemblance to Hollywood stars.
Rising actress looks beyond comparisons
While fans continue to debate which established actress Rubin most resembles, her expanding list of roles suggests that she is beginning to establish an identity of her own.
With Sterling Point putting her in the spotlight and The God of the Woods still ahead, Rubin’s career appears to be moving quickly beyond the comparisons that first helped capture the internet’s attention.
