Amy Madigan Reflects on Oscar Win for "Weapons"

Veteran actress discusses her award-winning role, horror film recognition, and keeping speeches spontaneous.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:08pm

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Fresh off winning Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards, Chicago-based actress Amy Madigan spoke with reporters about her Oscar-winning performance as Aunt Gladys in the film "Weapons", the growing recognition of horror films by the Academy, and her preference for delivering unscripted acceptance speeches.

Why it matters

Madigan's Oscar win marks a milestone in her 40-year career, having been previously nominated for an Academy Award in 1986. Her comments on the evolving perception of horror films within the awards landscape also highlight an important shift in the industry's recognition of the genre's ability to tackle deeper themes.

The details

Madigan described her character Gladys as a woman pushed to the edge and fighting for survival, a role she felt she immediately connected with. She credited writer-director Zach Cregger for giving her the creative freedom to fully explore the character. When asked about the possibility of a Gladys-focused prequel, Madigan said the idea has been discussed, but nothing is confirmed yet.

  • Madigan won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony.
  • Madigan was first nominated for an Oscar in 1986 for her performance in "Twice in a Lifetime".

The players

Amy Madigan

A veteran Chicago-based actress who won the 2026 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Weapons".

Zach Cregger

The writer and director of the film "Weapons", who gave Madigan creative freedom to fully explore her award-winning role as Aunt Gladys.

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What they’re saying

“I loved the script. As soon as I read it, I knew. I knew this woman. A lot about her. I just knew that I could grab it by the throat.”

— Amy Madigan, Actress (reelchicago.com)

“Zach just said, 'Do it. Go for it.' I guess it worked out.”

— Amy Madigan, Actress (reelchicago.com)

“Horror used to be treated like you were at the little kids' table at Thanksgiving. But that's not true. You still need a great writer, a great director and wonderful actors and crew.”

— Amy Madigan, Actress (reelchicago.com)

What’s next

If a prequel focused on Madigan's character Aunt Gladys moves forward, it would mark a continuation of the story explored in "Weapons".

The takeaway

Madigan's Oscar win for her powerful performance in "Weapons" not only celebrates her four-decade acting career, but also highlights the growing recognition of horror films as a genre capable of tackling deeper societal themes while still delivering compelling entertainment.