She starred in Lasse Hallström's The Cider House Rules, a critically acclaimed film featuring Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire.

Critics praised Theron for her impressive restraint and subtlety in her portrayal of Candy, a young girl who comes to an orphanage to have an abortion.

The film got Charlize attention, but not half as much as her Playboy cover (and resultant photoshoot) the same year, something that justifiably catapulted her way into the 'sexiest woman alive' lists.