Gyllenhaal Returns to Acting as a Badass Van Helsing

Maggie Gyllenhaal has returned to acting with a "badass" portrayal of Professor Van Helsing in the Audible Original production of Dracula, set for release on October 1. This project marks her first acting role since her appearance in "The Deuce," occurring after her directorial ventures with "The Lost Daughter" and "The Bride!".

Gyllenhaal found the immersive audio play format a unique challenge, distinct from her previous audiobook narrations. She noted that acting in audio requires a different approach, focusing solely on voice rather than facial expressions or body language, which she compared to learning a new skill.

Reflecting on her career, Gyllenhaal also recalled an early role in the motion-capture film "Monster House," where she performed in a specialized suit. She expressed excitement about taking on the "badass" Van Helsing character, seeing her as an iconoclastic figure who thinks outside the box, a trait she associates with both the character and women navigating their careers.

While Gyllenhaal has not ruled out future work in the horror genre, her current interests lie in exploring the "unconscious or subconscious" aspects of the mind, which may not always translate into traditional horror films. She described her current creative drive as focusing on the "darkest, most secret thing that's in the corner of your mind."