Paulina Alexis shines in her role as Willie Jack in the heart-wrenching film Reservation Dogs, which was released on August 20th and is still showing at select theaters around the country. Although Willie Jack isn’t one of the main characters, she has a very important role in the film and even has a few lines of dialogue. Although this is Paulina Alexis’ first feature film, she shows herself to be an excellent actress who can hold her own alongside Hollywood A-listers like Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Paulina Alexis Gives a Gripping Performance as Willie Jack in Reservation Dogs
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What was it like playing an orphan?
It was interesting playing an orphan because I had to imagine what it would be like to grow up without parents. I also had to be very careful with my emotions because Willie Jack is grieving throughout the film. I think I did a pretty good job at conveying the pain and confusion that comes with losing loved ones. I felt really connected to Willie Jack by the end of filming because she has to make such difficult decisions, but she does them for her family.
How did you get into acting?
I’ve always loved movies and TV shows, and I’ve always been a pretty outgoing person, so acting seemed like a natural fit for me. I started taking classes and doing community theater when I was in high school, and then I went to college for acting. After college, I moved to Los Angeles and started auditioning for roles. It’s been a long and difficult journey, but I’m so grateful to be doing what I love for a living.
What was it like working on Reservation Dogs?
What drew you to Reservation Dogs?
I was immediately interested in the project when I heard about it. The story is so unique and the characters are so complex. I knew that it would be a challenge to play Willie Jack, but I was up for the task. She’s such an interesting character because she has this tough exterior with her hair all done up in braids and such, but on the inside she’s just as fragile as everyone else. It also seemed like an opportunity to tell a story of our people and have these conversations around what life is like on a reservation.
Can you tell us about your character?
Willie Jack is a tomboy who is very close with her parents. She is strongly affected by the death of her cousin, Daniel. Throughout the film, she struggles to come to terms with his death and how it affects her relationship with her family. Paulina Alexis gives a gripping performance as Willie Jack, bringing the character to life on screen. The actress was visibly moved when recalling filming an emotional scene in which she tells her father that she is pregnant. The experience has changed her outlook on acting. I never really thought about acting as more than just something I did because I liked it, says Alexis. But now I realize how much of myself I put into my performances.
How was working with director Moacyr Simone?
It was an honor to work with such a talented and experienced director. Moacyr Simone has a great eye for detail and he was able to bring my character to life. I was also lucky to have such an amazing cast to work with. Everyone was so supportive and I felt like we really became a family. My favorite scene was when Willie Jack’s dad told her the story of how they met, it made me realize how special love is. I would recommend this film to anyone looking for a moving story about love, loss, forgiveness and the power of nature.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Yes! I’m currently working on a web series called Brown Girls and we just wrapped up filming the pilot episode. We’re currently in post-production and are hoping to release it early next year. I’m also attached to a feature film called The Second Sun which is currently in development. It’s about two brothers who live with their mother who has Alzheimer’s. They embark on a journey across America to find their father before he passes away, but they end up finding so much more than they bargained for when they go through a spiritual awakening along the way. It’s based off of my own life story, but set in modern day time.
Who is Paulina Alexis from reservation dogs?
From the Sundance Film Festival comes the much-anticipated film, Reservation Dogs. The movie tells the story of a group of Native American teenagers living on a reservation. They are all struggling to find their place in the world and deal with the aftermath of a tragedy. One of them is Paulina Alexis, who plays Willie Jack. Paulina shares many traits with her character: she’s tomboyish, has a close relationship with her parents, and was deeply affected by the death of her cousin.
What movies and TV shows has Paula Alexis been in?
Paulina Alexis has been in a number of movies and TV shows, but she is best known for her role as Willie Jack in Reservation Dogs. She has also appeared in The Revenant, Sicario, and Prisoners. Her performance in Reservation Dogs was particularly praised by critics, with many calling it one of the best performances of the year. Her character’s death scene is gut-wrenching to watch, but brings out the emotional complexities that come with trauma.
