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Billie Eilish is apparently in talks to star in an upcoming film adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar – iher feature film debut, as ROLLING STONE confirms.
Set in 1950s America, the work follows teenage student Esther Greenwood, who struggles with severe psychological crises. The character is sent to a psychiatrist, ends up in various psychiatric facilities and tries to question his learned understanding of traditional gender roles.
Directed and written by Sarah Polley. As Deadline, which first confirmed the news, reports that Polley and Eilish are attached to the project along with producer Joy Gorman Wettels’ production company Joy Coalition. Eilish should therefore take on the role of Greenwood.
Sarah Polley directed
Polley’s recent projects include Women Talking (2022), which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Pablo Trapero’s & Sons (2025), which she wrote. The film adaptation of “The Bell Jar” is produced by Plan B Entertainment and StudioCanal together with Gorman Wettels. Focus Features is in discussions about the rental. The InSneider was first to report the rumor about Eilish’s casting.
Eilish made her acting debut in “Swarm,” the dark comedy miniseries by Janine Nabers and Donald Glover. Fittingly, she played a cult leader who takes an interest in the unstable, pop star-obsessed young woman played by Dominique Fishback. “She understands storytelling at such a young age,” Glover, who cast Eilish in the series, told Rolling Stone in 2024. “And she’s authentic to her own experiences. I feel like she lives her life for herself.”
At 24, Eilish is already a two-time Oscar winner. In 2022 she won the award for best original song for “No Time to Die” from “No Time to Die”, in 2024 for “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”.
Eilish: Acting always a dream
She’s always been interested in acting, Eilish told Variety in 2023 – but “it was always something I was reluctant to talk about because I thought I was really bad at it.” This year, Eilish will also make her feature film directing debut: together with James Cameron she is directing “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)”.
