Uma Thurman is returning to villain territory, and the director behind her latest role couldn’t be more excited about what she brings to the role.
Talk to PEOPLE at the world premiere of Quite deadly during the 2026 SXSW Film Festival in Austin on March 13, director Vicky Jewson was full of praise for the 55-year-old actress.
“Uma is obviously 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 other than someone of Uma’s talent could do that.”
In Quite deadlyThurman plays Devora Kasimer, a reclusive former ballet prodigy who runs a disturbing roadside inn.
The film follows five ballerinas on their way to a dance competition whose bus breaks down in a forest, forcing them to take shelter at Devora’s inn, where things quickly take a sinister turn.
As the situation turns deadly, the young dancers must put aside their rivalries and turn their years of brutal training into something far more useful than performance, using 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.
Quite deadly premieres on Prime Video on March 25.
