Jessie Buckley on The Bride 2026: Why Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “Fearless” Direction Made This Gothic Romance a Must-Watch

Ahead of The Bride‘s worldwide release on March 6, 2026, the BAFTA-nominated actress opened up exclusively about what it truly took to bring this extraordinary film to life — and her words about director Maggie Gyllenhaal will give you chills.

What Did Jessie Buckley Say About The Bride?

Speaking candidly, Buckley described the creative process as anything but easy. She called Gyllenhaal one of the most important women in her life and praised her for tackling the story with uncompromising artistic honesty. Working with her again, she said, felt natural — like something she didn’t realise she needed until she had it.

Buckley also emphasised how Gyllenhaal’s female lens makes all the difference, noting that meeting a director willing to explore the full, raw experience of being alive — and being a woman — is both the greatest freedom and privilege she’s known as an actress.

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The Bride — Key Details

The Story Behind the Film

The Bride is rooted in the iconic 1935 horror classic, itself adapted from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein. In this reimagining, a lonely creature named Frank approaches a doctor demanding a companion. A dead woman is revived — and she becomes the titular Bride, navigating a world she never chose to enter.

What makes Gyllenhaal’s version so compelling is its deeply feminine gaze. Where earlier adaptations centered the monster’s desire, this one asks: what does she want?

Buckley and Gyllenhaal previously collaborated on the Oscar-celebrated 2021 psychological drama The Lost Daughter, so their creative bond runs deep — and it shows.

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