Maggie Gyllenhaal Directs Brother Jake in 'The Bride!'

Maggie says working with Jake on her second film as director was a 'pleasure' and he made her 'laugh so hard' she cried on set.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Maggie Gyllenhaal directed her brother Jake Gyllenhaal in a small role in her new film 'The Bride!', a reimagining of 'The Bride of Frankenstein'. Maggie says working with Jake on set was a 'pleasure' and that he made her laugh so hard she would cry while watching him on the monitors. The film also stars Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, and Maggie's husband Peter Sarsgaard.

Why it matters

The Gyllenhaal siblings have a long history of collaborating in Hollywood, having previously worked together on the 2001 film 'Donnie Darko'. Maggie's decision to cast Jake in a supporting role in her second feature as a director showcases their close working relationship and the comfort they have in creating art together.

The details

In 'The Bride!', Jake Gyllenhaal plays the role of a 1930s matinee idol named Ronnie Reed. Maggie Gyllenhaal says that when Jake would come to set in his tuxedo costume, it was 'so funny' and that she would sometimes be 'laughing so hard I would be crying' while watching him perform on the monitors. Despite the small size of his role, Maggie describes working with her brother as 'such a pleasure'.

  • The Bride! is set to be released in theaters on March 6, 2026.

The players

Maggie Gyllenhaal

A 48-year-old actress and filmmaker who is directing her second feature film, 'The Bride!', and cast her brother Jake Gyllenhaal in a supporting role.

Jake Gyllenhaal

A 45-year-old actor who is playing a supporting role as a 1930s matinee idol named Ronnie Reed in his sister Maggie's film 'The Bride!'.

Peter Sarsgaard

Maggie Gyllenhaal's husband, who is starring in 'The Bride!' alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

Jessie Buckley

The lead actress in 'The Bride!' playing the titular bride.

Christian Bale

The actor playing the monstrous suitor to Jessie Buckley's character in 'The Bride!'.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly, I wish I could give you some more drama, but it was just such a pleasure.”

— Maggie Gyllenhaal, Director (PEOPLE)

“I mean, you see in the movie, he's kind of more of a cameo. So when he would come to set dressed in his tuxedo, so funny. I mean, there's some Ronnie Reid humor, but just on set, just being with him, he would make me laugh so hard.”

— Maggie Gyllenhaal, Director (PEOPLE)

“But watching him on screen too, watching him on the monitors, I would sometimes be laughing so hard I would be crying. It was just such a pleasure working with him.”

— Maggie Gyllenhaal, Director (PEOPLE)

What’s next

The Bride! will be released in theaters on March 6, 2026.

The takeaway

The Gyllenhaal siblings' collaboration on Maggie's second feature film as a director showcases their close working relationship and the joy they find in creating art together, even in small supporting roles.