Amy Madigan, 75, is already creating Oscar buzz. The renowned actress, best known for her star-turning roles in Field of Dreams and Uncle Buck, is an early frontrunner for the 2026 Academy Awards, still four months away. Madigan is nearly unrecognizable in her unsettling portrayal of villain Aunt Gladys in Zach Cregger’s hit horror film Weapons. Her seamless performance is earning her much well-deserved pre-award-season attention, not to mention a slew of social media memes.
In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the 75-year-old screen luminary said all the attention she’s received since the August release of the film is making her “nervous.”
Weapons, which also stars Ozark’sJulia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Benedict Wong, tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of 17 elementary school–aged children. Madigan is so unrecognizable as Aunt Gladys, she was even kept out of the press tour to keep her appearance in the cast a secret.
Aunt Gladys’ campy look inspired many Halloween costumes this year, though Madigan told The New York Times, “I think she looks great.” Despite the character’s eccentric look, Madigan is the real standout of the film as she effortlessly vacillates between creepy menace and over-the-top clown.
Fans Praise Amy Madigan’s Standout Role in Weapons
In a post shared by The Hollywood Reporter, commenters were quick to cast their early votes for Amy Madigan.
“Truly hope Amy Madigan wins her first, well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Weapons! An amazing, well-crafted performance that warrants recognition from the Academy! Kudos to you, Amy!!” wrote one endorsing fan.
Another added, “She should win everything.”
“The perfect actress for the most incredible character,” shared another.
“Her performance in Weapons is so memorable,” commented another fan.
Weapons is Cregger’s follow-up to his 2022 horror film Barbarian. The film received mostly positive reviews, earning a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Famed film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 4.5 stars, while NPR called the film “ingenious.” But it’s Madigan’s unrecognizable performance in Weapons that is creating the biggest buzz, and making the Field of Dreams star TikTok’s latest standout.
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This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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