Maggie Gyllenhaal (b. 1977) is an American actress, screenwriter and director, a two-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner. She first drew wide attention for roles in Secretary and The Dark Knight, as well as the series The Deuce. She made her writing-directing debut in 2021 with The Lost Daughter, which won the Best Screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival, and in 2026 released her sophomore feature The Bride!, starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.
As the head of the jury at the Venice Film Festival 2026, she publicly pointed out the low number of films directed by women in the competition.
She was appointed head of the international jury of the 83rd Venice Film Festival.
Her second feature film as a director, Bride!, starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale in the lead roles, was released in cinemas.
At the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas, she personally presented the first trailers of the film Bride! together with actress Jessie Buckley.
Warner Bros. studio postponed the premiere of the film Bride! from late September 2025 to March 6, 2026.
