The Dark Turn: Jolie Trades Glamour for Grit
If you thought Angelina Jolie was settling into a life of quiet humanitarian work and prestige dramas, think again. The Oscar-winning icon is officially pivoting back to the dark side, signing on for a gritty, violent gangster thriller that promises to shatter her current image. Reports confirm that Jolie has begun production on Sunny, a project that sees her stepping into the shoes of a hardened criminal matriarch fighting for survival. This isn't just an action movie; it is being billed as a "tour-de-force" performance that will leave audiences "shocked."
The film follows a gangster attempting to shield herself and her sons from an abusive kingpin, only to be thrown into chaos when a disaster leaves her with mere hours to plan an escape. It’s a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled premise that harkens back to the raw energy of her early work, but with the gravitas of a seasoned veteran. After recent turns in Maria and Eternals, this move signals a desire to get her hands dirty again—literally.
Insiders are buzzing about the "violent world" being crafted for the film. Jolie is not just the star; she is producing, ensuring she has creative control over just how dark this story goes. Is this the role that finally lets her unleash the intensity we haven't seen since Girl, Interrupted? The industry is watching closely, sensing a major comeback for the "dangerous" Angelina we all fell in love with.
Angelina playing a gangster mom protecting her kids? Take my money immediately. This sounds like the role she was born to play.
The "Yellowjackets" Connection: A Twisted Vision
To bring this nightmare scenario to life, Jolie has tapped a director known for making audiences squirm. Eva Sørhaug, the filmmaker behind some of the most disturbing and acclaimed episodes of Yellowjackets (including "The Dollhouse" and "Blood Hive"), is helming the project. Sørhaug’s resume is a masterclass in psychological tension and survival horror, making her the perfect—if terrifying—choice to guide Jolie through this underworld saga.
The collaboration between Hollywood royalty and a director famous for cannibalism dramas suggests Sunny won't be a polished, glossy blockbuster. It’s going to be messy, visceral, and likely traumatizing. Sørhaug hasn't directed a feature film since 2012, so her return to the big screen with Jolie as her muse is a massive statement. Are they aiming for awards, or are they aiming to disturb?
With Sørhaug also having worked on Tokyo Vice, the visual language of the film is expected to be stylish yet brutal. The pairing of these two women—one known for her ethereal beauty, the other for her grim storytelling—creates a friction that is pure cinematic dynamite. Fans of Yellowjackets
"Shocking" Violence: Producer Warnings
Usually, producers hype a movie with buzzwords like "fun" or "exciting." For Sunny, the language is decidedly more ominous. Producer Mark Fasano didn't mince words when describing what Jolie is bringing to the table. He explicitly warned that people are going to be "shocked by what she brings with this riveting character."
"This violent world that Eva and Angelina have crafted is grounded in survival and family led by a mother doing anything and everything within her power to protect her two boys," Fasano told Deadline. The emphasis on "violent" and "anything and everything" suggests a level of brutality that might push the boundaries of an R-rating. Is Jolie going full John Wick?
The narrative of a mother pushed to the edge is a powerful one, especially given Jolie’s public dedication to her own children. Channeling that protective instinct into a gangster setting allows her to explore a primal rage that is rarely seen in mainstream cinema. This isn't a superhero saving the world; it’s a mother burning it down to save her kids.
When a producer says you'll be 'shocked' by the violence, you know it's going to be intense. Angelina doesn't do things halfway.
A 27-Year Drought Ends: The Return to Crime
It has been nearly three decades since Angelina Jolie dipped her toes into the gangster genre. Her last foray was arguably 1998's Hell's Kitchen (also known as Hell's Kitchen, NYC), a film that predates her Oscar win and global superstardom. Since then, she has been a tomb raider, a spy, a witch, and an opera singer, but she hasn't returned to the gritty streets of organized crime.
This return feels like a deliberate deconstruction of her celebrity persona. By stripping away the fantasy elements of Maleficent or Eternals, she is reasserting her credibility as a dramatic powerhouse who can carry a gun and a scene with equal lethality. Sunny represents a full-circle moment, bringing her back to the raw, indie-style intensity that launched her career.
"Jolie remains one of the biggest names in Hollywood," the report notes, but maintaining that status requires reinvention. In an era of franchise fatigue, a standalone, character-driven thriller might be exactly the reset button her filmography needs.
Production Secrets: Gramercy Park & The "Task at Hand"
While the plot details are being kept under lock and key, the production team behind Sunny offers clues about its tone. Backed by Gramercy Park Media, A Higher Standard, and Nickel City Pictures, this is an indie production with major ambitions. The script, penned by William Day Frank, is based on a story co-created with Sørhaug, suggesting a deeply collaborative and singular vision.
Interestingly, Sørhaug also recently directed episodes of Talamasca: The Secret Order, titled "The Task at Hand" and "Wet Work." The titles alone—"Wet Work" being a euphemism for assassination—hint at the director's comfort with the darker side of the trade. If Sunny carries that same DNA, we are in for a cold, calculated, and bloody ride.
Jolie producing alongside heavy hitters like Jeffrey Greenstein ensures that the project won't be watered down by studio interference. This is Angelina’s show, and she is calling the shots from both sides of the camera.
Cliffhanger: Will This Be Her "Career-Defining" Role?
The stakes for Sunny are incredibly high. For Sørhaug, it is the first feature film since 2012, a chance to prove her TV success translates to the big screen. For Jolie, it is an opportunity to remind the world why she is the most dangerous woman in Hollywood.
Will Sunny be the movie that earns her a second Oscar, or will it be too "shocking" for the Academy? As production ramps up, whispers from the set are sure to leak. We will be waiting to see the first images of Jolie in character—bloodied, bruised, and armed to the teeth.
The gangster genre is about to get a serious makeover, and Angelina Jolie is holding the scalpel.
