Jessie Buckley’s Bride energy

Jessie Buckley is currently the Oscar favourite in the best actress category. Obviously no one is a winner until they actually win so if there is a challenger it’s Rose Byrne. If Jessie prevails at the SAGs this weekend though, it’s safe to say that it’s over. And there’s been only one downside to this…

As the presumed frontrunner, Jessie’s award season looks have been underwhelming, in large part because we’ve seen her on red carpets before, not that long ago, with much more style personality than she’s shown us on this campaign. And it strengthens my theory about Oscar best actress frontrunners on Oscar night – that they never choose what’s original or imaginative, but they go with what’s safe – because should they win that night, it’s an image that must stand the test of time. I understand the rationale, even if it doesn’t necessarily give us all that many gag-worthy moments.

What’s interesting though is that while Jessie’s locked in on award season for her performance in Hamnet, she’s also now promoting her next film: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride. Jessie plays three personalities in the film and it’s a ferociously wild performance. I screened the movie last week ahead of the junket – it’s fun and freaky, full of ideas about women’s agency and rebellion. As Jessie told me during our interview, she relished in the “disobedience” of the part, or parts, given that she’s inhabiting three distinct characters. The Bride is a horror movie and an extended Lady Gaga video. It’s wild and ambitious and chaotic, a big cinematic swing… and Jessie, for her first photo call in support of the film, is definitely dressing for it.

@warnerbros THE BRIDE! has arrived in London! #TheBrideMovie only in theaters and IMAX March 6. Get tickets now. Link in bio. #FilmedForIMAX ♬ original sound - Warner Bros.

I love the energy of this look. It totally suits the vibe of the movie, it’s unlike anything she’s worn for Hamnet but it shouldn’t necessarily take away from her Oscar campaign either, just that this is a distinctly different performance that, of course, showcases her range.

The Bride opens on March 6. And this isn’t a film for everyone. In fact, it’s probably pretty niche, some might even say weird. But, like I said, it has a strong point of view, and the actors here are doing the most – Christian Bale, always, and Jake Gyllenhaal too. Jessie, though, is the main event. And she’s following up Hamnet with another stunning showcase of her talent. Plus… the fashion.