Juliette Lewisis without a doubt one of Hollywood’s most underrated yet phenomenal performers, with the talented actress starring in a slew of eclectic films over her more than 30-year career. From acclaimed pictures likeCape Fear, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,andThe Basketball Diariesto edgy classics likeNatural Born KillersandFrom Dusk till Dawn, Lewis has proven that she can brilliantly transform herself for any character or genre and do so spectacularly.
She once again showcased her dazzling skills in front of the camera when she appeared alongsideGame of Thronesalum Peter Dinklagein the riveting Western thrillerThe Thicket, an adaptation of the Joe R. Lansdale novel of the same name. In the captivating film, Lewis embraces her dark and depraved side and stars as the sadistic killer Cutthroat Bill, a role that was gender-swapped for the big screen extravaganza. Let’s take a closer look at whatThe Thicketis about and how Lewis dominated the performance from start to finish.
The Thicket
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A Riveting Adaptation With a Killer Cast
Based on the Joe R. Lansdale novel of the same name, the gripping 2024 Western thrillerThe Thicketfeatures unforgettable performances by leadstars Peter Dinklageand Juliette Lewis and focuses on thehighly-skilled bounty hunterReginald Jones, ashis unique skillset is enlisted by a desperate young man who wants him to track down the cold-blooded killer known as Cutthroat Bill who kidnapped his sister.The fierce and tenacious Jones assembles an eclectic group of misfit heroes to help assist him on his quest to locate the abducted woman, utilizing the expertise of a former slave-turned-grave digger and savvy woman-for-hire.
Jones, along with his trustee right-hand-man Eustace (Gbenga Akkinagbe) and his band of outcasts, embark upon a dangerous journey through the rough and ragged winter terrain to hunt down the enigmatic Cutthroat Bill and her violent gang of bandits. They must masterfully navigate the lawless landscape known as the “Thicket” to rescue the kidnapped Lula (Esmé Creed-Miles), the last person Jack Parker (Levon Hawke) has in the world and someone he will go to the ends of the earth to save.
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Lewis Dominates in Gender-Swapped Role
Juliette Lewis showcased her dominating acting prowess when she portrayed the ruthless Cutthroat Bill, a villain who was gender-swapped for the big screen adaptation sports prominent scars on her face, and speaks in a raspy, deep voice. The brutal and fearless antagonist has no problem killing anyone who dares get in her way and is cold and calculating in her actions, proving to be a formidable foe for Reginald Jones and displaying a lack of conscience and compassion.Lewis was cast as Cutthroat Bill after Noomi Rapace (Lisbeth Salander in theMilleniumseries) dropped out, thus paving the way for her to deliver a truly commanding performance.
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The decision to change the antagonist from a male to female was genius, as it gave the Western genre a refreshing update and provided a more modern feel, with Lewis masterfully excelling in the devious and deadly role.The tension continued to build as audiences anxiously awaited the moment when Jones and Cutthroat Bill would finally come face-to-face, and both Lewis and Dinklage really captured the tension that was brewing between the two opposing forces. Moreover, Lewis' character had an air of mystique surrounding her, as everyone in the film originally believed she was male and that was by her own design.
When discussing how she prepared for the role,Lewis told ScreenRant:
“Where she came from, her past, the turn into such savagery was something I had to find on an energetic level, because I really wanted to have those dead eyes.That sort of black soul behind her eyes is very scary, and so that’s sort of this molecular — I don’t know, the shape-shifting… I was aiming for something, and then what helps you immensely is the scarring and the throat and the voice and the ingredients that I was given.”
Upon the worldwide release ofThe Thicketon July 14, 2025,both audiences and critics were blown away by Lewis' uninhibited performance and the darkness and brutality she displayed while bringing the vicious antagonist to life.Numerous critics have singled out Lewis' portrayal in the Western as one of her very finest, and many have lauded the chemistry between the actress and Dinklage. In their glowing review of the gritty film,FandomWire commended the duoand wrote: “The Thicketis the best Western of its kind in years. Dinklage is magnetic. Lewis plays Bill as an iron-willed villain but manages to reveal the ominous figure’s icy vulnerability.”
One of Hollywood’s Most Underrated Performers
Juliette Lewis is undeniably one of the silver screen’s most underrated performers despite having been a constant presence in Hollywood for over 30 years. The vivacious actress has appeared alongside some of the entertainment industry’s most sensational stars including Robert De Niro, Johnny Depp, Mia Farrow, and Woody Harrelson, and has collaborated with revered directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Kathryn Bigelow. Lewis' dazzling screen credits feature prominent performances in box office hitssuch asNatural Born Killers, From Dusk till Dawn, August: Osage County, andStarsky & Hutch(among countless others).
Not only has Lewis proven herself to be quite the leading lady on the big screen, but she has also branched out and headlined compelling television programs, having most recently starred as Natalie Scatorccio in the critically acclaimedpsychological thrillerYellowjackets.Lewis has also made appearances inWayward Pines, The Conners, Queer as Folk,andWelcome to Chippendales, and has proven time and time again that there is no role, character, or project she can’t brilliantly make her own.Fans of Lewis are thrilled to see her flourishing and getting the flowers she so rightfully deserves, and it will be exciting to see what the charismatic performer will do next after her show-stopping performance inThe Thicket.
The Thicketis currently in theaters and is expected to be added to Tubi soon.
