His first role in a feature film was "Raus aus der Haut" (1997), directed by Andreas Dresen. In the following years, he appeared in critically acclaimed projects such as ' (2003), "Off Beat" (2004), ' (2007) and "Rabbit Without Ears". portrayed Lieutenant-Colonel Franz Herber in "Valkyrie", a 2008 film dramatizing the failed 20 July assassination and political coup plot to kill Adolf Hitler. The international release of "Valkyrie" and the all-star cast (including Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp and Bill Nighy) not only allowed Schweighöfer to be recognized abroad, it provided an opportunity for him to be cast in other English speaking roles.