Jake Gyllenhaal’s no stranger to working with his sister and The Bride! director, Maggie Gyllenhaal.
“The truth is,” he said, “she’s been directing me since we were kids! I just didn’t realize it would eventually become official!”
Following Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut with The Lost Daughter, The Bride! is a bold, Bonnie and Clyde-esque adaptation of the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, which itself was based on Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic horror. Set in 1930s Chicago, The Bride! follows Frankenstein’s creature, Frank (Christian Bale) as he recruits the mad scientist Dr. Euphronius (Annette Bening) to build the perfect, immortal companion for him. The two resurrect a murdered young woman (Jessie Buckley), giving the Creature his bride.
In The Bride!, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Ronnie Reed, a Hollywood Golden Age matinee idol, who crosses paths with the unholy newlyweds soon after the bride is brought to life.
Reviews on the film are steadily coming in, with critics praising its wild and unconventional choices to adapting its well-loved source material. The Bride! is currently screening in Philippine cinemas and IMAX nationwide.
In this interview, Jake Gyllenhaal talks about the inspirations of his character, his first impressions of the script, and the ambitious swings his sister took in directing The Bride!.
On First Impressions
“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 metabolizing 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.”
On Playing Ronnie Reed
“Ronnie Reed is a classic matinee idol, inspired by the golden age of movies. He’s an amalgamation of the performers Maggie and I grew up loving — Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Nicholas Brothers, and Donald O’Connor — artists whose work brought us the deepest joy. ”
“Within the story, Ronnie also represents Frank’s deep connection to cinema. Movies are Frank’s refuge, the place where he finds comfort, escape, and a sense of belonging. Ronnie is a dynamic and comedic character, and truly a pleasure to bring to life.”
On Working with Maggie as Director
“The truth is, she’s been directing me since we were kids! I just didn’t realize 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 honor to work with her.”
“She’s the genuine article: a brilliant writer and director.”
On Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale
I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time on set watching them work. I visited often, and I absolutely loved being there.
They’re two extraordinary artists and truly remarkable people. There’s something magnetic about watching performers like that.
On What Will Remain With Audiences
“I hope audiences are talking about so many things afterward. The film is packed with ideas — there’s so much to unpack that you can’t just watch it once.”
“More than anything, I hope they leave loving the world they’ve just experienced. The Bride! is completely original, like stepping into an unmistakably new cinematic landscape. I hope they recognize that they’ve entered the mind of a filmmaker operating on a frequency entirely her own. There’s truly no one like her.”
“This is just the beginning of what she’s going to create, and I think we’re all very lucky to be along for the ride. I know I am. I’ve had a front row seat to her brilliance since childhood, so I suppose I had an early preview.”
