Since her debut on the musical theater competition seriesI’d Do Anything, Irish actress and singerJessie Buckleyhas proven herself to be an immensely talented and interesting performer. After almost adecade in theater and television, Buckley made her live-action feature film debut inBeast(2017) with a performance that instantly put her on the map as a rising talent. With her ability to act in a variety of different accents, her musical talent, and her subtle performances, Jessie Buckley has steadily grown in recognition and has acted in a great variety of genres.
In less than 10 years, Jessie Buckley has become an immensely popular actor, boasting a varied and interesting resume of mainstream and indie projects. With the recent announcement that Jessie Buckley is slated to star in Maggie Gyllenhaal’supcomingBride of Frankensteinmovie, these are her best movies so far.
10’Fingernails' (2023)
Directed by Christos Nikou
Fingernailsis asci-fi romance movieco-written and directed byChristos Nikouthat takes place in a near-future where romantic love can be scientifically tested using DNA extracted from participants' fingernails.Jessie Buckleystars as Anna, a woman who beginsquestioning her supposedly compatible relationshipafter developing strong feelings for her coworker at the ‘Love Institute’ testing facility. The cast all give strong performances, withOscar winnerRiz Ahmedgiving a subtle and charming performance as Amir, Anna’s colleague and crush, andJeremy Allen White,star of the acclaimed TV seriesThe Bearportraying the protagonist’s long-term partner Ryan.
Fingernailsexplores themes of true love, destiny, and ambiguity. Although largely grounded in realistic interpersonal dynamics, the film uses its science fiction premise to question whether it is more important to follow one’s feelings or empirical data, as well as interrogating whether a person can feel equally about multiple partners. Although the film has beencriticized for its screenplay, its intriguing philosophical questions, and strong characterization make it well worth a watch.
Fingernails
Watch on Apple TV
9’The Courier' (2020)
Directed by Tim O’Connor
Written byTom O’Connorand directed byDominic Cooke,The Courieris a spy drama based on the true story of Greville Wynne, a businessman recruited by the CIA to smuggle information about the Soviet government out of Moscow in the 1960s.Benedict Cumberbatchstars as Wynne and the film follows his experiences in espionage as well as exploring the dynamics between him and his wife Sheila (Jessie Buckley) and Soviet official turned spy source Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze).
The film was praised by critics for its tension and thrills, as well as for Cumberbatch and Ninidze’s central performances. As identified byCharlotte O’Sullivan, writing for theLondon Evening Standard, much of the film hinges on the intense and precarious relationship between Wynne and Penkovsky - the two men sharing a deeply special bond.Although nothing groundbreaking in terms of spy movies,The Courieris nevertheless an exhilarating and well-acted film.
The Courier
The Courieris a true-life spy thriller, the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK’s MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Watch on Amazon
8’Misbehaviour' (2020)
Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe
Directed byPhilippa Lowthorpefrom a screenplay byGaby ChiappeandRebecca Frayn,Misbehaviouris a feminist biopic with both comedic and dramatic sensibilities. Focusing on the real events of the 1970 Miss World protest,Misbehaviourtackles issues ofsecond-wave feminism and intersectionalitythrough the stories of feminist activists and pageant contestants. Refreshingly, despite its primary focus on its white protagonist - feminist Sally Alexander, portrayed byKeira Knightley- the film also explores the racial implications of the protests and pageant through the perspective of eventual winner Jennifer Hosten (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who discusses the positive effect representation can have on Black women and girls globally.
As well as featuring a charming performance fromJessie Buckleyas feminist activist Jo Robinson, the film is also consideredone of Keira Knightley’s best. Knightley’s performance as Sally is extremely strong, playing to her greatest strengths as an actor as her character gains confidence in and passion for her cause.Misbehaviouris an extremely pleasant watch, providing a light-hearted yet thoughtful take on an important event in women’s history.
Misbehaviour
Watch on Tubi
7Judy (2019)
Directed by Rupert Goold
Adapted fromPeter Quilter’s playEnd of the Rainbow,Judyis a biopic drama written byTom Edgeand directed byRupert Goold. Featuring acritically acclaimed lead performancefromRenee Zellweger, the film focuses on acomplicated time towards the end ofJudy Garland’s life, exploring her battles with substance use and her troubled relationship with her fame. Cutting between Judy’s adulthood and adolescence, the film examines the ways in which she was exploited throughout her career and the ways that this mistreatment stunted her emotional growth, while also celebrating what a fabulous performer she was.
Jessie Buckley shines in her supporting role as Garland’s British assistant, Rosalyn, who is tasked with attempting to keep the star organized and prepared for performances. Due to Judy’s struggles against her demons, her relationship with those around her - especially her professional contacts like Rosalyn - are portrayed as fraught and complicated. Striking a strong balance between portraying Judy’s pain and her triumphs,the film is a sensitively-told biopic with an electrifying lead performanceand featuring show-stopping musical numbers.
Legendary performer Judy Garland arrives in London in the winter of 1968 to perform a series of sold-out concerts.
6Men (2022)
Directed by Alex Garland
Written and directed byvisionary filmmakerAlex Garland,Menis a surrealBritish folk horror filmabout Harper (Jessie Buckley), a woman with a traumatic past who decides to vacation in a quiet English village. However, Harper’s peaceful vacation is interrupted bypervasive harassment and misogynyfrom the village’s residents, all of whom are portrayed byRory Kinnear. As implied by its title,Menis largely concerned with issues of gender dynamics and patriarchy and much of the film’s horror is derived from the lack of safety Harper experiences as the lone woman in the village.
Culminating in a gruesome andlengthy body horror sequence,the film is highly metaphorical and revolves around the idea of patriarchal dominance repeatedly birthing more misogyny through generations in a vicious and cruel cycle. Like much of Garland’s work,the film uses isolationto simultaneously intensify its levels of threat and to facilitate Harper’s self-actualization. Buckley and Kinnear both give phenomenal performances in the film, with Kinnear’s ability to portray multiple distinct - yet always horrible - characters in the film being especially impressive.
Watch on Parmount+
5Beast (2017)
Directed by Michael Pearce
Written and directed byMichael Pearce,Beastis a dark fairytale thriller. Set on the island of Jersey, the film follows Moll (Jessie Buckley), a troubled but caring woman, as she begins a relationship with a mysterious man named Pascal (Johnny Flynn) who has a bad reputation and a dark past. As a serial killer terrorizes the island and suspicion falls on Pascal, Moll is forced to consider whether she and her partner truly know each other.
Beasttells a complicated and dark love storythat forces audiences to question their own judgments and perceptions as its twists unravel. Buckley and Flynn have electric chemistry with one another and the film’s beautiful cinematography brings its thrills and romance to life. Receiving critical acclaim due to its strong performances, gorgeous scenery, and intelligent screenplay,Beast- as the film that launched Jessie Buckley to stardom - is essential to her career.
A troubled young woman living in a small island community finds herself drawn to a mysterious outsider. As their relationship intensifies, she becomes torn between her oppressive family and the allure of the enigmatic stranger.
4The Lost Daughter (2021)
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal
Adapted fromElena Ferrante’s 2006 novel,The Lost Daughteris a psychological drama written and directed byMaggie Gyllenhaal. The film follows Leda (Olivia Colman), a professor, as she vacations in Greece and becomes entangled in the life of Nina (Dakota Johnson), a struggling young mother. Leda deeply identifies with Nina’s troubles,feeling significant maternal guiltover the way she raised her two daughters and reflecting on her past.
The film presents Leda’s story through flashbacks to her younger self (Jessie Buckley) thatsubvert myths of ‘perfect’ motherhoodand instead show Leda to be a flawed, overworked, and incredibly human character. Buckley and Colman’s performances are immaculate - as incarnations of the same character, they completely feel like the same person, with Buckley replicating Colman’s voice and mannerisms perfectly.The Lost Daughteris a striking debut feature for Gyllenhaal and a beautifully pessimistic look at motherhood.
The Lost Daughter
Watch on Netflix
3I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Directed by Charlie Kaufman
Adapted fromIain Reid’s 2016 novel,I’m Thinking of Ending Thingsis asurrealist psychological dramawritten and directed byCharlie Kaufman. On the surface, the film presents itself as a story about an unnamed young woman (Jessie Buckley) traveling with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) to meet his parents (portrayed byDavid ThewlisandToni Collette) while she reconsiders her investment in the relationship. However,as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly strange and metaphorical, later revealing itself to have a different andfar more existential meaningentirely.
The film is often deeply uncomfortableand at times mind-bending, exploring themes of regret, maladaptive daydreaming, and philosophical questions. Both Buckley and Plemons are fantastic in the lead roles, committing wholly to the film’s fantastical demands with their varied and dedicated performances. With its constant twists and turns, striking visuals, and pervasive melancholic atmosphere,I’m Thinking of Ending Thingsis a truly unique and beautiful film and without a doubt one of Buckley’s best projects.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
2Wild Rose (2018)
Directed by Tom Harper
Written byNicole Taylorand directed byTom Harper,Wild Roseis a musical-drama film. The film follows Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckley), a young mother and aspiring country music star, as she is released from prison and begins on her journey toward fulfilling her dreams. The film explores Rose-Lynn’s relationship with her children and her own mother (Julie Walters) as well as her dynamic with her kind and encouraging employer Susannah (Sophie Okonedo).
Wild Roseis an emotional and gorgeous character study of its protagonist, with Jessie Buckley givingan unforgettable lead performance. Her fantastic singing voice and vulnerability make it impossible not to root for Rose-Lynn despite her flaws and troubled past, with her every success being greatly satisfying. Showcasing all of Buckley’s best talents as both an actress and musician,Wild Roseis one of the best films in her filmography.
A troubled young Glaswegian woman dreams of becoming a Nashville country star.
Rent on Apple TV
1Women Talking (2022)
Directed by Sarah Polley
Adapted from the novel byMiriam Toewes,Women Talkingis a drama film written and directed bySarah Polleyand based on real events. The film takes place over one day in a remote Mennonite colony as a group of women discuss and debate how to respond to the serial rapes inflicted upon the women and children of the colony (as well as Melvin, a young trans man portrayed byAugust Winter).Women Talkingis unflinching and brutal in its discussion of the topic but tastefully avoids directly depicting the sexual violence central to the plot, instead focusing on theperspectives and stories of the survivors.
The film received critical acclaim, with Polleywinning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplayat the 2023 Academy Awards. Featuring astar-studded ensemble castincludingRooney Mara,Frances McDormand,Claire Foy,Ben Whishaw, and Jessie Buckley,Women Talkingis an acting triumph. Buckley’s character Mariche, in particular, is beautifully characterized, oscillating between displaying coldness and fury to compassion and vulnerability. Powerful and empathetic,Women Talkingis a phenomenal film and arguably Jessie Buckley’s best.
