6 Movies To Get To Know Best Actress Nominee Jessie Buckley

If there's one movie you should watch alongside Hamnet, it's Wild Rose—a beautiful and raw narrative about a woman trying to make it as a country singer. (Buckley also plays a mom here.) On paper, the premise of Wild Rose sounds like most music-related stories, but it's Jessie Buckley's performance that adds impeccable layers to the complex character and makes her someone worth rooting for. She isn't always likable, and she'll likely frustrate you, but those complexities are exactly why the movie stands out.

There's something really poignant and guttural about Buckley's performances throughout, both live on stage and in the moments where she's just a woman trying to make it through to the next day. Despite beats that can feel predictable, the movie does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat while also telling a story that feels remarkably grounded. If you want to see Buckley sing her heart out, then look no further.

Titled after Shakespeare's son Hamlet and the inspiration behind the notable tragedy, the story is a family-focused account of grief as much as it is a narrative about creation. Buckley's award-nominated performance is the type that'll wreck you to a point of no return, and actors like Paul Mescal, Jacobi Jupe, Noah Jupe, Olivia Lynes, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, and Joe Alwyn will do the same in how they act alongside her. 

It's not a hyperbole to say that Hamnet isn't an easy movie to watch, and it can be deeply triggering for people who can't stomach heartbreaking things happening to children, but Chloé Zhao's latest is an absolute masterpiece. Raw, profound, and deeply harrowing, it's also an indescribable adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name. As the best film of 2025, Hamnet is a story that deserves all its flowers, but genuinely, if you want to watch something that'll haunt you, Buckley's performance is a masterclass in every way. 

Wildly hilarious and surprisingly deep, Wicked Little Letters is the type of sensational British comedy that you'll want more of. For viewers who wanted Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman to have more screentime after The Lost Daughter (2021), nothing could prepare you for the delicious chaos in Wicked Little Letters. And while it's crass at times, it's still guaranteed to be a hit for most types of comedy fans.

So much of the movie succeeds in being memorable because Buckley and Colman make an indescribable team despite being at each other's throats the entire time. As two legendary actors who maximize their talents just by being in the same frame, it's not even a question that the movie is a roaring hit because of them. You'll want to replay the second it's over, and on a list of movies that are a bit harder to watch, this one's got the right amount of levity.

Like Hamnet, Women Talking is an ensemble film starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, and more. Still, Buckley's role as Mariche is enormously significant, and her performance is an achingly memorable part of the heartbreaking story. As one of the best movies to come out of 2022, it's a slower account, but it's significant in what it represents and still pretty timely given current events.

Much of the premise is in the title itself. While circumstances are different, it reminds me of the significance of 12 Angry Men (1957) and what happens when people are allowed to exercise their voice and take up space. In this case, women. It's complex and heavy at times, but it's a deeply memorable story that shines with its simple yet evocative conversation points. 

Thrillers aren't everyone's cup of tea, but if you have patience and want to watch a movie that almost messes with you, then I'm Thinking of Ending Things is the right call. Buckley delivers another stunning performance throughout and effortlessly proves that she's the kind of actress who can blend into any role without missing a beat. She makes you believe every emotion her character is feeling, which in turn makes the events that much more jarring.

There are moments throughout the movie that feel a bit overdone and too obscure, but how it manages to keep viewers invested is entirely because of the cast and directing. Even if you get confused along the way or wonder what's happening, you'll still be too invested in knowing how it ends to stop watching. And in many ways, that's a plus when it isn't every film that can keep viewers' attention. If for no other reason, watch it for Buckley's performance.

If you thought Jessie Buckley disappearing into grief and psychological upheaval was impressive, just wait until she steps into gothic legend territory. The Bride! might be Buckley's most ambitious role yet - and easily one of the most fascinating projects of her career so far. The film reimagines the mythology of Bride of Frankenstein through a sweeping romantic lens, placing Buckley at the center of a story that's equal parts haunting love story and social commentary.

Set in 1930s Chicago, the film follows Frankenstein's monster as he seeks companionship, leading Dr. Euphronius (Annette Bening) to resurrect a murdered woman known only as "the Bride." And yes, somehow, the movie will also feature large-scale dance numbers, which is a detail that sounds slightly unexpected. The movie is said to be gothic, romantic, strange, and unapologetically theatrical, which is exactly the kind of swing that modern studio filmmaking rarely takes anymore.