Alerts & Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Pablo Larraín and Natalie Portman’s ‘Jackie’ Sets the High Bar for Historical Biopics — IndieWire On Demand

If only every biopic aspired to be as daring as "Jackie."
"Jackie"
John Hurt as "The Priest" and Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy in "Jackie"
Photo by Pablo Larrain. © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Editor’s Note: Click here for more information about the indie films available from Movies on Demand.

Take everything you know about the biopic genre and throw it away, because “Jackie” is like no historical drama you’ve ever seen. Pablo Larraín’s searing dissection of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the days following her husband’s assassination is a psychological meditation on grief and legacy, anchored by Natalie Portman in one of the best performances of her career. If you somehow missed the film during its release this awards season, “Jackie” is now available on VOD and demands your attention.

Framed around Jackie’s interview with LIFE magazine reporter Theodore H. White, the film is a dive into her subconscious as she comes to terms with her husband’s death and rises to the challenge of preserving his legacy in American history. Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, John Hurt and Max Casella co-star.

READ MORE:  ‘Jackie’: Natalie Portman Explains How She Looked Past Her Own ‘Common Perceptions’ for Her Lauded Role

Placing the film at #2 on his list of the best movies of 2016, IndieWire’s Eric Kohn called the film “equal parts psychological thriller and historical investigation.” “Anchored by Natalie Portman in a career-best turn,” he added, “the movie’s atmospheric construction pierces the nature of public life and political machinations.”

In the video above, IndieWire Film Editor Kate Erbland provides some more reasons why you just can’t miss “Jackie” on demand. For more indies to watch on VOD, watch below.

Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.

Daily Headlines
Daily Headlines covering Film, TV and more.

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Must Read
PMC Logo
IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 IndieWire Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.