After a couple of minor roles in her native Australia, actress attained instant superstardom down under with a hypnotic, evocative, and multi-layered lead performance in director Cate Shortland's well-received psychological drama Somersault. Film - about a fragile young woman who comes completely unhinged while trying to build a new life for herself in an Australian town - spoke volumes about Cornish's raw ability and foreshadowed a long and great career for the young actor.

She reinforced these notions with an equally demanding and harrowing turn as an art student who slides backward into heroin addiction in Neil Armfield's justly praised Candy (2005). Dissatisfied with the limitations of Australian movie industry, Cornish jumped in ship and went to Hollywood, she tackled supporting roles in such features as the 2006 A Good Year (opposite fellow Aussie Russell Crowe) and the 2007 period piece Elizabeth: The Golden Age.