The Daily 'The Interview': Maggie Gyllenhaal on Envy, Rage and Reaching Out to Her Brother
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Feb 28, 2026 
Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress and filmmaker behind The Lost Daughter, talks directing her big-budget take on Frankenstein. She discusses fear and learning as a director. She explores monstrousness, portrayals of violence and female desire. She reflects on studio notes, collaborating with family, and Hollywood steering women toward ‘little movies.’
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Almost Stepped Away In Venice
- Gyllenhaal nearly walked away from directing The Bride due to fear, confessing this to her husband at Venice.
- She ultimately completed the film and says the process taught her a lot about filmmaking.
Make Violence Carry Consequence
- Gyllenhaal treats on-screen violence as having moral weight rather than spectacle.
- She cut scenes after test screenings and ensured every death in The Bride feels personal and consequential.
Show Hard Subjects Thoughtfully
- Sexual violence appears in her films because it is a real cultural issue and must be shown thoughtfully.
- She acknowledges test-audience discomfort but insists on portraying it in a hard-to-watch, considered way to reflect reality.