'The Interview': Maggie Gyllenhaal on Envy, Rage and Reaching Out to Her Brother - The Daily Recap

Podcast: The Daily

Published: 2026-02-28

Duration: 45 minutes

Guests: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Summary

Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses her new film 'The Bride,' an imaginative retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein story, focusing on themes of rage, vulnerability, and female empowerment. Gyllenhaal shares insights into her journey from actress to director and her experiences working with family.

What Happened

Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film, 'The Bride,' is a big-budget retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein, inspired by the 1930s movie where the Bride character appears for only a few minutes. Gyllenhaal uses this film to explore significant themes like sexual violence, female power, and transgression, drawing on the cultural mythology of Frankenstein as inspiration.

Gyllenhaal talks about the challenges and fears of directing a big-budget movie, emphasizing the importance of showing the consequences of violence rather than the violence itself. Her approach in 'The Bride' includes creating an environment where actors feel seen, respected, and loved, a rarity in the industry.

The filmmaker reflects on the theme of rage, describing it as an umbrella emotion that connects with vulnerability. She shares her love for rage and its role in her storytelling, aiming to depict rage against violence rather than glorifying the act itself.

Gyllenhaal discusses working with family members like her brother Jake Gyllenhaal and husband Peter Sarsgaard, highlighting the complex dynamics and challenges that come with such collaborations. She notes how reaching out to others can alleviate competitive feelings, addressing themes of envy.

The episode touches on the industry's gender disparity, with only 8% of films being made by women, marking a seven-year low. Gyllenhaal mentions how the election of Trump was a pivotal moment in her decision to pursue directing, underscoring her commitment to bringing more female perspectives to film.

The film's release is compared to having a baby, with Gyllenhaal acknowledging that not everyone will appreciate her work despite her honesty and excellence. She aims to balance studio demands with artistic freedom, collaborating with Pam Abdi to achieve this in 'The Bride'.

Lastly, the episode provides insights into the filmmaking process, with references to industry advice like Netflix's suggestion to restate plots for double screening viewers. Gyllenhaal naturally incorporates a big action sequence in the first eight minutes of 'The Bride', aligning with such industry strategies.

Key Insights

• Maggie Gyllenhaal's approach to directing 'The Bride' involves focusing on the aftermath of violence rather than the act itself, aiming to create a space where actors feel valued and respected. This perspective challenges the industry norm, where violence is often sensationalized, and actor well-being is overlooked.
• In the film industry, only 8% of movies are directed by women, marking a seven-year low. Gyllenhaal's decision to step into directing coincided with Trump's election, reflecting her determination to amplify female voices in a male-dominated field.
• The dynamic of working with family, like Maggie with her brother Jake Gyllenhaal, can diffuse envy by fostering collaboration. Reaching out to family in a professional setting challenges the typical competitive atmosphere, turning potential rivalry into mutual support.
• Netflix suggests filmmakers restate plots for viewers who double screen, a reflection of modern viewing habits. Gyllenhaal adheres to such industry advice by including a major action scene within the first eight minutes of 'The Bride', ensuring immediate audience engagement.

Key Questions Answered

What is Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film 'The Bride' about?

Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'The Bride' is an imaginative retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein story, exploring themes of sexual violence, female power, and transgression. The film focuses on showing the consequences of violence and is inspired by the cultural mythology of Frankenstein.

How does Maggie Gyllenhaal describe the filmmaking process?

Maggie Gyllenhaal compares releasing a movie to having a baby, acknowledging that not everyone will appreciate her work despite her honesty and excellence. She aims to create an environment where actors feel seen, respected, and loved while balancing studio demands with artistic freedom.

What role did Trump's election play in Maggie Gyllenhaal's career?

The election of Trump was a turning point for Maggie Gyllenhaal, prompting her to pursue a career in directing. It motivated her to bring more female perspectives to the film industry, addressing the gender disparity where only 8% of films are made by women.