Maggie Gyllenhaal (born 1977) is an acclaimed American actress who successfully transitioned into filmmaking with her directorial debut, The Lost Daughter (2021). She wrote, directed, and produced the film, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and winning Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival. 

Debut & Style: Her debut feature, The Lost Daughter, is a psychological drama based on the novel by Elena Ferrante, exploring complex, often dark, themes of motherhood. She focuses on creating collaborative, safe, and nurturing sets.

Gyllenhaal is recognized for her intimate, character-driven storytelling, aiming to bring honest, often overlooked, female perspectives to the screen.