Winona Ryder’s Lifelong Fascination With John Sayles’ Films

Winona Ryder stands out as one of the most distinctive performers in the world of cinema. Her knack for portraying characters with a deep emotional core has set her apart, making her roles memorable even when the characters themselves might not seem all that remarkable on paper. Whether she’s playing someone with questionable morals or a character who’s simply trying to get by, Ryder’s ability to convey feeling with just a glance is what makes her performances so compelling. Take her role as Kim in Edward Scissorhands, where her eyes alone tell a story of empathy and pain, or her turn as Joyce in Stranger Things, where she brings a fierce, protective energy to the screen.

It’s no secret that Ryder’s presence can transform a role. The Duffer brothers, who cast her in Stranger Things, once admitted that Joyce wasn’t particularly interesting until Ryder signed on. Matt Duffer explained,

“She’s such a unique actress that we wanted to lean into her skill set. So she became Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters [of the Third Kind], and that’s where we came up with all the Christmas light stuff. I don’t know if any of that would have existed had Winona said no to the role.”

Her involvement didn’t just add flavour; it anchored the entire series emotionally. Without her, it’s hard to say if the show would have resonated as strongly, especially considering some of the criticism aimed at the acting in later seasons.

Drawn to Human Stories

Ryder’s approach to her craft is shaped by a lifelong love of films that explore the complexities of being human. She’s always been attracted to stories that highlight the beauty and vulnerability of people, and she credits director John Sayles as a major influence.

“I’m obsessed with John Sayles movies, and I always have been,”

she shared in an interview. She singled out Matewan, Lone Star, and Passion Fish as standouts, recalling how she first discovered them as a teenager.

“I specifically remember Matewan because it was such a gorgeously shot movie and also completely devastating… It’s about so many different things that are all haunting and fascinating and terrifying and human. God, I miss that in movies these days.”

It’s easy to see why these films appeal to her. They tackle themes that often pop up in her own work—stories about contradiction, struggle, and the messiness of life. For Ryder, it’s not just about the plot; it’s about how the story is told, the way the camera lingers on a moment, or how a character’s inner world is revealed through subtle gestures.

Championing Complex Characters

As someone who’s spent decades in the industry, Ryder is especially keen on roles that reflect the contradictions and depth of real people. She’s always on the lookout for scripts that offer more than just surface-level drama, particularly when it comes to female characters. She’s said that she’s constantly thinking about how women are portrayed on screen, both when she’s watching films and when she’s preparing for a new part.

This focus on complexity is part of what makes her performances so relatable. Audiences connect with her characters because they feel genuine—flawed, layered, and unpredictable. Ryder’s choices, both in the roles she takes and the directors she admires, reflect a commitment to authenticity and a desire to show the full range of human experience.

Emotional Honesty on Screen

Ryder’s admiration for Sayles’ work is more than just fandom; it’s a guiding force in her own career. She’s drawn to films that don’t shy away from the tough stuff, that show people at their most vulnerable and real. This perspective has shaped the way she approaches her craft, always striving to bring honesty and depth to every role.

It’s this emotional honesty that keeps audiences coming back to her work. Whether she’s leading a much-hyped series or taking on a smaller, more intimate project, Ryder brings a sense of truth to the screen that’s hard to fake. Her career is a testament to the power of storytelling that doesn’t gloss over the hard bits, and her ongoing fascination with directors like Sayles continues to inspire her choices as an artist.