Sexy shots

Cuthbert's next film project was the indie film The Quiet, which she not only co-starred in but also co-produced ELISHA CUTBERT and helped finance. She played Nina, a temperamental 17-year-old cheerleader who suffers from sexual abuse. Cuthbert looked to her younger cousin for inspiration as to how to play a teenager.^[15] The Quiet, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and received a limited release in Los Angeles and New York City on August 25, 2006, before expanding regionally on September 1.

Cuthbert's next film, The Girl Next Door, cast her in her first lead role as an ex-porn star, Danielle, alongside Emile Hirsch. Cuthbert had initial reservations about taking the part, but was persuaded by director Luke Greenfield into accepting. She researched the role, speaking to actual adult actresses from Wicked Pictures and Vivid Entertainment.^[5] Upon its release the film received comparisons to Risky Business^[6][7] – although Cuthbert claims her character was not directly based on Rebecca De Mornay's character – and was noted for Cuthbert's sex appeal. Critics were divided; some praised the film for its boldness, while others, notably Roger Ebert, hornygirlnextdoor decried it as gimmicky and exploitative.^[8][9] Ebert wrote that he saw Cuthbert's character Danielle as "quite the most unpleasant character I have seen in some time."^[10]

Cuthbert, who enjoys painting,^[23] is an ice hockey fan and Los Angeles Kings season ticket holder. In 2005 she maintained a blog on the "Kendra Wilkinson nackt" NHL web site.^[24] She was previously in a relationship with Dallas Stars player Sean Avery and is now dating Calgary Flames hockey player Dion Phaneuf.^[25][26]