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Jake Gyllenhaal on working with sister Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Bride: ‘She’s been directing me since we were kids’

Jake Gyllenhaal said that it was ‘incredibly special’ to see his sister bring her vision of The Bride! to life as a director on set. 

Updated on: Mar 4, 2026, 20:03:16 IST
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The Bride!, starring Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley in lead roles, is gearing up for release this Friday. A bold reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein, the film is written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Maggie's brother, actor Jake Gyllenhaal, also plays a pivotal role in it as the Matinee’s beloved Hollywood idol, Ronnie Reed. Jake has now opened up about his experience of collaborating with Maggie on the film.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal with director Maggie Gyllenhaal during the shoot of The Bride! (Warner Bros)
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal with director Maggie Gyllenhaal during the shoot of The Bride! (Warner Bros)

What Jake said

In a statement, Jake said, “My first impression of the script was that it was truly one of a kind. A singular vision from a brilliant mind. It felt completely individual, unlike anything I’d encountered before.I had spoken with my sister about the project for a couple of years beforehand, but when I finally read the script, it was as if she had somehow gathered and distilled all the ideas she’d been contemplating and metabolising for so many years, and woven them into this rich, deep, modern classic. I was blown away by the world she created on the page.”

‘This wasn’t our first time working together’

Speaking further about working with Maggie, he added, “The truth is, she’s been directing me since we were kids! I just didn’t realise it would eventually become official! So, in some ways, this wasn’t our first time working together, but it was the first time in a professional setting. And honestly, working with her as a director was an absolute joy. There really aren’t words that fully do it justice. Who would have thought the two of us would grow up to do what we’ve loved for so much of our lives, and get to do it together? Watching my sister bring her vision to life was incredibly special. Pride isn’t quite the right word. It just felt right. Totally and absolutely natural and deeply meaningful. It was truly an honour to work with her. She’s the genuine article: a brilliant writer and director.”

The Bride! also stars Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening and Penélope Cruz. The official logline of the film reads, “A lonely “Frank” (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride (Jessie Buckley) is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!”

The Bride! will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, releasing in India on March 6.

  • Santanu Das
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Santanu Das

    Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and film festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several film festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent film/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic. When not watching films or speaking to celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One's Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and celebrity culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupechaRead More

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