Jessie Buckley, an Irish actress on the cusp of an Academy Award for her poignant performance in Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," has cultivated an impressive filmography. Her journey from a promising talent to a celebrated figure in the industry is marked by a series of captivating roles. This retrospective examines seven key performances that showcase her versatility and profound acting capabilities, illustrating why she continues to garner critical acclaim and captivate audiences globally.
A Deep Dive into Jessie Buckley's Noteworthy Portrayals
Jessie Buckley’s ascent in the acting world commenced notably with her 2017 role in Michael Pearce's intense romantic thriller, Beast. In this film, the young actress, then 27, delivered a raw and intelligent portrayal of a troubled individual, showcasing her capacity for both delicate vulnerability and ferocious intensity. Her performance earned her the British Independent Film Awards' Most Promising Newcomer accolade, signaling the arrival of a significant talent.
The following year, Buckley enchanted audiences in Tom Harper's musical drama, Wild Rose (2018). She embodied Rose-Lynn, a spirited Glaswegian single mother with an angelic voice and an unwavering ambition to become a country singer in Nashville. Her vibrant and complex depiction of this character, balancing an ebullient personality with a sharp edge, became one of her most beloved performances, leading to a BAFTA nomination and paving the way for more prominent roles.
In 2019, Buckley was an integral part of Craig Mazin’s harrowing miniseries, Chernobyl. In this critically acclaimed re-telling of the 1986 nuclear disaster, amidst a stellar ensemble cast including Jared Harris and Emily Watson, Buckley played the wife of a firefighter whose life is tragically cut short by the catastrophe. Her character serves as the audience's emotional anchor, a civilian grappling with incomprehension and then profound horror as the full scale of events unfolds, eliciting deep empathy from viewers.
Charlie Kaufman's mind-bending film, I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020), further showcased Buckley's ability to tackle complex narratives. As the enigmatic girlfriend of Jesse Plemons's character, Jake, she delivered a mesmerizing and fully committed performance that anchored the film's unsettling atmosphere and surreal events, especially during her tense encounter with Jake's peculiar parents, played by Toni Collette and David Thewlis.
Later in 2020, Buckley demonstrated her darker side in the fourth season of Noah Hawley’s crime anthology, Fargo. Set in 1950s Kansas City, she terrified viewers as a seemingly cheerful nurse with a deadly secret—a penchant for poison. This role proved her exceptional range, illustrating her ability to portray a chilling villain with the same conviction she brings to more sympathetic characters.
Her talent was formally recognized with her first Academy Award nomination for her role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter (2021). Buckley offered a nuanced, resilient, and deeply relatable portrayal of a young mother struggling with the immense challenges and profound joys of parenthood. This supporting role was monumental, solidifying her status as a formidable actress and silencing any lingering doubts about her capabilities.
Most recently, in Sarah Polley’s emotionally resonant drama, Women Talking (2022), Buckley stood out among a powerful cast including Rooney Mara and Claire Foy. She played a dissenting voice within a secluded Mennonite community, where women debate their response to a series of brutal assaults. Her pivotal, explosive scene, where her character's emotional defenses crumble and truth pours out, stands as a masterclass in acting, illustrating her profound ability to convey deep emotional turmoil and resilience.
Jessie Buckley's journey through these diverse roles not only highlights her exceptional acting talent but also her fearless approach to challenging characters. Her ability to fully inhabit each role, bringing depth, nuance, and an undeniable presence, makes her one of the most compelling performers of her generation. Her upcoming Oscar nomination is a well-deserved recognition of a career built on extraordinary commitment and a powerful artistic vision. Her consistent delivery of compelling performances across various genres offers valuable insights into the craft of acting, demonstrating how dedication and emotional intelligence can elevate storytelling to new heights.
