Jessie Buckley’s Oscar Moment: How 'Hamnet' Elevates Her Over 'The Bride!' Backlash

On Sunday night, the film industry will turn its collective gaze to the 96th Academy Awards, where Jessie Buckley stands on the precipice of history as a frontrunner for Best Actress. Yet even as Buckley prepares to step into the spotlight, a shadow lingers—not from her acclaimed performance in Apple TV+’s 'Hamnet,' the Shakespeare-inspired drama that earned her a nomination, but from the polarizing reception of 'The Bride!,' a genre-bending Frankenstein reimagining directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. While critics have alternately panned the film and scrutinized Buckley’s role within it, the actress’s journey from indie darling to awards season powerhouse underscores a broader narrative about artistic ambition, critical expectations, and the unpredictable nature of Oscar campaigns.

• Jessie Buckley is the leading candidate for Best Actress at the 2024 Oscars for her role in 'Hamnet'.
• 'The Bride!,' a Frankenstein-inspired film starring Buckley, has faced harsh criticism from some reviewers despite its stylistic choices.
• The contrast between Buckley’s dramatic role in 'Hamnet' and her campier performance in 'The Bride!' has sparked debate about acting range and Oscar campaign strategy.
• Critics have drawn parallels to past Oscar contenders whose reputations suffered due to controversial pre-ceremony behavior or misunderstood performances.

Why Jessie Buckley’s Oscar Nomination for 'Hamnet' Is a Career-Defining Moment

Jessie Buckley, 35, has evolved from a rising star in British television—most notably for her chilling portrayal of a nurse in FX’s 'Fargo' Season 4—to one of the most respected screen actresses of her generation. Her Oscar nomination for 'Hamnet,' based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, marks a pivotal chapter in a career already distinguished by versatility and emotional depth. In the film, Buckley portrays Agnes Hathorne, the wife of William Shakespeare (played by Paul Mescal), as she grapples with the loss of their young son, Hamnet, in 16th-century England. The role demands a raw, unflinching portrayal of grief, and Buckley delivers a performance that has been described by critics as 'transcendent,' 'heart-wrenching,' and 'Oscar-worthy.' Unlike her more theatrical turn in 'The Bride!,' Buckley’s work in 'Hamnet' is restrained, visceral, and deeply human—qualities that align closely with traditional Oscar sensibilities.

Breaking Down the Performance That Has Critics Calling Her a Front-Runner

Buckley’s performance in 'Hamnet' is not a showcase of showy acting; it is a masterclass in quiet devastation. The film hinges on her ability to convey sorrow without melodrama, a challenge Buckley meets with remarkable subtlety. Critics have praised her ability to embody Agnes’s quiet strength in the face of unimaginable loss, particularly in a harrowing scene where she buries her son. The Hollywood Reporter, in its anonymous Oscar ballot feature, was one of the few outlets to critique Buckley’s intensity, calling her performance 'a bit overwrought' and suggesting she was 'turned up to a 10 the entire time.' Yet such criticism seems misplaced when considering the emotional demands of the role. Agnes is not a woman who suppresses her grief; she is consumed by it. To suggest Buckley should have toned down her performance is to misunderstand the very core of the character’s plight.

In contrast to 'Hamnet,' 'The Bride!'—a visually audacious, genre-blending reinterpretation of Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein'—has been met with confusion and criticism from some corners of the press. The film, which casts Buckley in dual roles as a Prohibition-era party girl and the ghost of Mary Shelley herself, is a maximalist, theater-infused take on Shelley’s classic tale. It follows Frankenstein’s monster (Christian Bale), now centuries old and desperate for companionship, as he reanimates Buckley’s deceased character and embarks on a violent crime spree with her. The exclamation point in the title is not accidental; it signals the film’s deliberate embrace of excess, camp, and stylistic anarchy.

How 'The Bride!' Became the Center of a Polarizing Oscar Debate

The critical response to 'The Bride!' has been swift and divisive. Some reviewers have dismissed it as an incoherent mess, while others have praised its boldness and visual flair. The New York Post’s Johnny Oleksinski, for instance, criticized Buckley’s performance in the film, writing, 'Buckley especially needed to be reined in. She brought me back to her performance as Sally Bowles in London’s West End production of “Cabaret.” When she can’t think of anything else to do, she throws her head back and laughs maniacally.' Such comments have fueled speculation that Buckley’s role in 'The Bride!' could jeopardize her Oscar chances—a narrative that mirrors past controversies, such as Eddie Murphy’s 2007 Best Supporting Actor nomination for 'Dreamgirls' following the release of the widely panned 'Norbit.'

The Role of the Press in Shaping Oscar Narratives

The media’s tendency to draw connections between a nominee’s past and present work, particularly when one film is critically divisive, reflects a broader trend in awards-season coverage. Outlets often seek to manufacture drama by suggesting that a performer’s recent work could tarnish their legacy, a tactic that not only oversimplifies the nuances of artistic merit but also places undue pressure on actors to curate their public personas carefully. In Buckley’s case, the juxtaposition of 'Hamnet'—a somber, awards-friendly drama—and 'The Bride!'—a campy, genre-defying reimagining—has created a false dichotomy that pits 'serious art' against 'frivolous entertainment.' This binary ignores the fact that Buckley’s range is one of her greatest strengths, and that her ability to navigate both realms speaks to her artistic maturity.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Vision: Why 'The Bride!' Resists Easy Categorization

Maggie Gyllenhaal, the writer-director behind 'The Bride!,' is no stranger to bold creative choices. Known for her nuanced portrayals of complex women in films like 'The Lost Daughter' and 'Secretary,' Gyllenhaal has long been celebrated for her ability to blend psychological depth with stylistic experimentation. In 'The Bride!,' she pushes these boundaries further, crafting a film that is as much a love letter to classic horror and film noir as it is a meditation on loneliness, legacy, and the search for connection. The film’s title, with its exclamation point, is a deliberate provocation—a signal that this is not a conventional retelling but a maximalist, theatrical experience that revels in its own artificiality.

“The Bride!’ isn’t the most coherent movie ever made, and Gyllenhaal loads up the picture with a lot of theater kid affects, as the exclamation point on the title of the film portends. But I’ve watched enough ‘normal’ movies over the course of this century, and so have you. So I’m never gonna turn my nose up at a lavishly produced, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’-style retelling of ‘Frankenstein.’ And I’m never gonna ding a filmmaker for getting weird, nor am I gonna look down on the actors who are buying into the craziness.”

The Oscars’ Complicated Relationship with Camp and Excess

The Academy Awards have a long and complicated history with films that embrace camp, excess, or genre-bending storytelling. While prestige dramas and biopics often dominate the major categories, films that prioritize style over substance—or that defy easy categorization—have historically struggled to gain traction. Yet there have been exceptions, such as Tim Burton’s 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990) or Guillermo del Toro’s 'Pan’s Labyrinth' (2006), which blended fantasy and drama to critical acclaim. 'The Bride!' fits uneasily into this tradition. It is neither a straightforward horror film nor a traditional drama, but a hybrid that demands to be judged on its own terms. Whether the Academy will embrace such a film—and by extension, Buckley’s performance within it—remains to be seen.

Why Jessie Buckley’s Oscar Win Would Be Historic

If Jessie Buckley wins Best Actress at the 2024 Oscars, she will join an elite group of performers who have delivered unforgettable, transformative performances in roles that defy conventional expectations. Her path to this moment is a testament to her dedication to her craft and her willingness to take risks. From her early work in British television to her breakout role in 'Wild Rose' (2018) and her chilling turn in 'Fargo,' Buckley has consistently demonstrated an ability to disappear into her characters, whether they are grounded in reality or steeped in fantasy. Her performance in 'Hamnet' is a culmination of this journey—a role that requires not only technical skill but also emotional vulnerability. It is a performance that lingers, that haunts, and that ultimately redefines what it means to carry a film.

The Broader Implications for Women in Film and the Oscars

Buckley’s nomination comes at a time when the Oscars are under increasing scrutiny for their lack of gender parity and diversity. While the Academy has made strides in recent years to address these issues—most notably through its 2024 inclusion of more diverse nominees and stories—critics argue that the institution still favors traditional narratives and performances that align with long-standing Oscar biases. Buckley’s nomination for 'Hamnet' challenges these conventions. The film is a period piece, yes, but it is also a deeply personal and intimate exploration of grief and resilience. It centers a woman’s perspective in a way that is rare in historical dramas, and Buckley’s performance elevates the material to something transcendent. Her potential win would not only be a victory for her as an artist but also a step forward for the representation of women’s stories in awards-season discourse.

What’s Next for Jessie Buckley Beyond the Oscars

Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, Jessie Buckley’s career shows no signs of slowing down. She is set to star in 'Furiosa,' the highly anticipated prequel to 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' directed by George Miller, and has several other projects in development. Her ability to balance blockbuster roles with prestige dramas suggests that she is poised to become one of the most sought-after actresses of her generation. For now, however, all eyes are on the Oscars, where Buckley’s name is at the top of the list for Best Actress. Whether she wins or not, her journey to this moment has already cemented her place in the pantheon of great screen performers.