Hailee Steinfeld ’s latest film Sinners is making waves not just for its haunting storyline, but for how it helped the actress rediscover a part of her own identity. Known for her wide-ranging roles across genres, Steinfeld takes a bold leap into new emotional territory in Ryan Coogler ’s Southern-set vampiric horror, portraying Mary — a white-passing woman navigating love, legacy, and layered racial identity in the Mississippi South. And her performance? Even NFL star Josh Allen is talking about it.
A role that goes beyond fiction for Hailee Steinfeld
In preparation for Sinners, Hailee Steinfeld found herself diving deep into personal history she had never fully explored. With a Jewish father and Filipino mother, she had never considered her African American lineage — until this role changed everything.
“It’s not often necessarily about yourself all the time. It’s about the character,” she said in an interview. “But with Sinners, I was constantly thinking about my situation, my family, my ancestors, my grandfather in each [scene] we were in and talking about.”
The experience turned into a journey of personal discovery, particularly through conversations with her mother about her maternal grandfather. “This role has brought me closer to myself, to my family, and my family history,” she said. Uncovering that her grandfather was half Filipino and half African American was a revelation that deeply shaped how she approached her character.
Steinfeld credits director Ryan Coogler with creating an atmosphere on set that allowed vulnerability and authenticity. Playing Mary, a woman caught between racial identities and societal expectations, meant tackling emotional complexities Steinfeld hadn’t previously encountered on screen.
“A lot of [my portrayal of Mary] had to do with Coogler,” she shared. “The way that he wrote her and the conversations he had [helped] guide me to play this character that lived in both worlds.”
Mary’s journey in the film — dealing with a lack of belonging while rekindling love with Stack (played by Michael B. Jordan ) — mirrors the kind of emotional depth Steinfeld had to channel from within.
Also Read: Travis Kelce Ken Doll rumor explodes online — Could he and Taylor Swift be Mattel’s next power couple?
In a surprising twist, Buffalo Bills quarterback and her fiance Josh Allen recently praised Steinfeld’s performance in Sinners, calling it “her most powerful yet.” Though not traditionally one to comment on film, Allen’s support only added to the growing buzz around Steinfeld’s emotionally resonant role.
With Sinners, Hailee Steinfeld hasn’t just delivered a performance — she’s lived a personal transformation on screen.
A role that goes beyond fiction for Hailee Steinfeld
In preparation for Sinners, Hailee Steinfeld found herself diving deep into personal history she had never fully explored. With a Jewish father and Filipino mother, she had never considered her African American lineage — until this role changed everything.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIecikwxvaB/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DIecikwxvaB/
“It’s not often necessarily about yourself all the time. It’s about the character,” she said in an interview. “But with Sinners, I was constantly thinking about my situation, my family, my ancestors, my grandfather in each [scene] we were in and talking about.”
The experience turned into a journey of personal discovery, particularly through conversations with her mother about her maternal grandfather. “This role has brought me closer to myself, to my family, and my family history,” she said. Uncovering that her grandfather was half Filipino and half African American was a revelation that deeply shaped how she approached her character.
Steinfeld credits director Ryan Coogler with creating an atmosphere on set that allowed vulnerability and authenticity. Playing Mary, a woman caught between racial identities and societal expectations, meant tackling emotional complexities Steinfeld hadn’t previously encountered on screen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DC-FITTRHu4/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DC-FITTRHu4/
“A lot of [my portrayal of Mary] had to do with Coogler,” she shared. “The way that he wrote her and the conversations he had [helped] guide me to play this character that lived in both worlds.”
Mary’s journey in the film — dealing with a lack of belonging while rekindling love with Stack (played by Michael B. Jordan ) — mirrors the kind of emotional depth Steinfeld had to channel from within.
Also Read: Travis Kelce Ken Doll rumor explodes online — Could he and Taylor Swift be Mattel’s next power couple?
In a surprising twist, Buffalo Bills quarterback and her fiance Josh Allen recently praised Steinfeld’s performance in Sinners, calling it “her most powerful yet.” Though not traditionally one to comment on film, Allen’s support only added to the growing buzz around Steinfeld’s emotionally resonant role.
With Sinners, Hailee Steinfeld hasn’t just delivered a performance — she’s lived a personal transformation on screen.
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