Uma Thurman is stepping back into villain territory, and the director behind her latest role couldn’t be more fired up about what she brings to the role.
speaks to PEOPLE at the world premiere of Pretty deadly during the 2026 SXSW Film Festival in Austin on March 13, director Vicky Jewson was unstinting in her praise for the 55-year-old actress.
“Uma is clearly an icon and she can play a villain like no one else can,” Jewson said.
“She has a wicked sense of humor and she also brings empathy to the character that allows you to stay with the character when the most absurd things happen. I don’t think anyone of Uma’s talent could do that.”
IN Pretty deadlyThurman plays Devora Kasimer, a reclusive former ballet prodigy who runs a disturbing roadside inn.
The film follows five ballerinas traveling to a dance competition whose bus breaks down in a forest, forcing them to seek shelter at Devora’s inn, where things quickly take a sinister turn.
As the situation turns deadly, the young dancers must put aside their rivalry and turn their years of brutal training into something more useful than performance, weaponizing their skills and even their pointe shoes to survive.
It’s a role that adds to Thurman’s already formidable villain resume, which includes Poison Ivy in Batman and Robin and Discord last year The old guard 2.
Thurman is joined in the film by Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika and Maddie Ziegler.
Pretty deadly premieres on Prime Video on March 25.
