Jennifer Lawrence Calls This Director a ‘Genius Beyond Genius’—Find Out Who!

Jennifer Lawrence may be one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, but she has never forgotten the pivotal role Debra Granik played in launching her career. Known for her powerhouse performances and a seamless ability to shift between blockbuster franchises and acclaimed indie dramas, Lawrence’s rise to A-list stardom can be traced directly back to Granik’s 2010 coming-of-age film Winter’s Bone.

At just 19 years old, Lawrence took on her first leading role in Granik’s gritty, atmospheric drama, earning her first Academy Award nomination and a spotlight that would soon transform into international stardom. Looking back on the experience, Lawrence has spoken in awe of Granik’s directorial approach, calling her a singular talent whose artistic vision was so advanced that it initially felt almost incomprehensible.

“Debra has a brain that’s not like ours,” Lawrence said in an interview with Pop Entertainment. “She has a mind that is on a whole other playing field. It took me a while to get in sync with that because, for a while, it was like reading instructions like this is just too smart for me.” She compared the experience to trying to assemble a radio from instructions she couldn’t fully grasp. “If I could only understand what the instructions meant, I could get this radio going, but I just don’t get it.”

Eventually, though, everything clicked. Lawrence realized she was working with someone who had a truly extraordinary perspective on filmmaking. She described Granik as “a genius beyond genius,” someone whose intelligence and creativity stood apart from anyone she had ever worked with before. “She’s not like anyone else,” Lawrence said. “She’s smarter than anyone that I know that I’ve ever come into contact with.”

Granik’s singular style and focus helped Winter’s Bone achieve widespread critical acclaim, securing a Best Picture nomination and cementing Lawrence’s place as a star on the rise. From there, Lawrence’s career skyrocketed with roles in The Hunger Games and X-Men franchises, as well as an Oscar win at 22 for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. Yet, it’s clear she continues to hold her time with Granik in the highest regard.

Since Winter’s Bone, Granik has directed only one other feature, 2018’s Leave No Trace. Though she has taken a quieter approach to filmmaking compared to some of her peers, Lawrence has made it clear that she would be ready and waiting for a chance to collaborate again. Granik’s uniquely brilliant mind, the actress suggests, would be worth the wait.