Amy Madigan recreated the signature running sequence from her film Weapons while accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at the Actor Awards held Sunday.
Madigan, age 75, portrayed the character “Aunt Gladys,” a figure depicted as possessing the ability to compel others toward destructive objectives while under a supernatural influence in the critically acclaimed horror-mystery production. The film’s director, Zach Cregger, has stated that he drew creative inspiration from the 1972 Pulitzer Prize–winning photograph titled The Terror of War, which captured the image of a young South Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnam War.
Maintaining the character’s distinctive pose, Madigan proceeded toward presenter Orlando Bloom, who presented her with the trophy onstage at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.
In her acceptance remarks, Madigan expressed surprise at the audience’s reception of her character, stating that she had not anticipated the level of public enthusiasm. She further acknowledged her fellow cast members, including Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Toby Huss, in addition to the ensemble of child actors and stunt performers involved in the production. She concluded by noting that the recognition was meaningful, particularly as it came from her professional peers.
Madigan had previously reenacted the same running sequence while presenting at the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 15, alongside host Ego Nwodim.
For her role in Weapons, Madigan also received the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress on January 4. However, industry projections published by Gold Derby estimate her probability of securing an Academy Award at approximately 25.57%, compared to a projected 51.33% likelihood for Teyana Taylor, recognized for her performance in One Battle After Another. The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled to air March 15 on American Broadcasting Company and Hulu.
In a February 20 interview with Variety, Madigan remarked humorously on the unexpected trajectory of her Oscar campaign, referencing perceived genre bias against horror films. Notably, she has not received an Academy Award nomination in four decades, having previously been nominated in 1986, when Anjelica Huston won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Prizzi’s Honor.
Madigan is reportedly in preliminary discussions to reunite with Cregger for a prequel to Weapons centered on the character Gladys, following the commercial success of the $38 million-budget film, which generated approximately $270 million in global box office revenue. Cregger is presently engaged in production on a new installment of the Resident Evil franchise.
She indicated that her husband of 42 years, Ed Harris, and their daughter, Lily Harris, have expressed strong support for her renewed career momentum. Madigan and Harris first met in 1983 while portraying a couple in Places in the Heart, directed by Robert Benton.
Most recently, Madigan completed a guest appearance in the Netflix limited series All the Sinners Bleed, adapted by showrunner Joe Robert Cole from the 2023 novel by S. A. Cosby. She is also currently engaged in production on Sponsor, a psychological thriller directed by James Ponsoldt for Apple Original Films, co-starring Jason Segel and John C. Reilly.#newsafro_
