Billie Eilish has undergone a dramatic transformation for her feature acting debut, appearing unrecognizable in a 1950s period costume while filming the movie adaptation of Sylvia Plath's novel, "The Bell Jar." The 24-year-old singer is portraying Esther Greenwood, a college student whose life takes a dark turn after a summer internship in New York City in 1953.
Filming in Toronto, Eilish was seen in a blue dress, matching hat, and with curly hair, a stark contrast to her signature baggy style. The costume evoked the era, with Eilish looking studious as she waited near a New York City yellow taxi cab. This departure from her usual fashion, which she has described as a source of "gender euphoria" and a way to cope with past body image issues, has led to double takes from fans.
Eilish has been open about her own struggles with depression and anxiety, themes central to Plath's novel. The book explores Greenwood's descent into clinical depression, a suicide attempt, and hospitalization, set against the backdrop of an oppressive patriarchal society. The title itself is a metaphor for the main character's suffocating mental state.
"The Bell Jar" is directed by Sarah Polley, marking her fifth feature film. Carey Mulligan is also part of the cast, playing Eilish's mother. Connor Storrie is rumored to have a role as well. Plath's novel, published in 1963, is widely considered semi-autobiographical, drawing from her own experiences as an intern in New York City and subsequent mental health struggles. Plath died by suicide at age 30.
While this is Eilish's acting debut, she has prior experience on the big screen. She was the subject of the 2024 concert film "Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)," which she co-directed with James Cameron. The film documented her seventh headlining tour.
