Back when ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise was at the height of its popularity, Lionsgate pulled out all the stops at the Cannes Film Festival, throwing lavish, extravagant parties to promote the films. Luxury villas were rented and transformed into opulent recreations of the Capitol from the movies. Servers sported quirky wigs, chocolate fountains flowed endlessly, and enough colorful macarons were served to feed an entire town.

Jennifer Lawrence Gets Her First Cannes Starring Role, and It’s a Risky One

Despite the irony of celebrating a critique of capitalist excess with such over-the-top displays, the ‘Hunger Games’ parties were undeniably grand. Yet, the most remarkable thing about those parties was that they were the only reason Jennifer Lawrence ever attended Cannes in the past. Despite her status as a glamorous, Oscar-winning actress — the type of star the festival typically highlights — Lawrence never had a film premiere at Cannes until now.

At a Sunday press conference for her new movie ‘Die My Love,’ Lawrence seemed just as taken aback by the occasion. Turning to director Lynne Ramsay, she said, ‘I honestly can’t believe I’m here with you and that this is actually happening.’ The film, which is already generating awards buzz for Lawrence’s raw, intense performance, signals a clear shift for the 34-year-old actress, who appears more determined than ever to dive into darker, more challenging roles.

Based on a novel by Ariana Harwicz, the film stars Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as Grace and Jackson, a young couple navigating the tumultuous waters of Grace’s postpartum depression. At first, Grace just seems slightly detached — mumbling to herself, snapping at overly chatty cashiers. ‘Everyone gets a bit unhinged in the first year,’ her mother-in-law, played by Sissy Spacek, assures her. ‘You’ll bounce back.’

But Grace doesn’t bounce back. As her emotional state deteriorates and tensions with Jackson escalate, her behavior grows more erratic and disturbing. She smashes through a glass door, strips to her underwear at a children’s party — all in a desperate attempt to feel anything that might pull her out of the void. The film is a tough watch, but Lawrence throws herself into the role with unrelenting intensity.

At the press conference, Lawrence revealed she was four months pregnant with her second child while shooting the film. ‘I had a flood of hormones,’ she said. ‘That was probably the only reason I was able to tap into such visceral emotion.’ Still, maintaining a clear line between herself and her character was crucial.

‘As a mom, it was really difficult to separate my instincts from hers,’ she said. ‘What I would do versus what Grace would do — that was a tough line to draw.’

When asked whether motherhood had altered her creative approach, Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. ‘I didn’t know it was possible to feel so much,’ she said. ‘My job is all about emotions, and it’s like I’ve become this raw nerve — everything just feels more intense. Having kids changed my life in the best way, and it’s definitely impacted my work as an actor. I’d highly recommend parenthood if you’re an actor.’

Pattinson, her co-star, agreed. ‘Having a baby gives you this insane reserve of energy and inspiration,’ he said.

Lawrence raised an eyebrow. ‘You get energy from it?’ she asked.

‘Well, it’s a different kind of energy,’ Pattinson said, laughing. ‘I’m not sure how to explain it without getting in trouble.’

Three years ago, Lawrence spoke passionately about wanting to tackle projects like ‘Die My Love,’ the sort of gritty, challenging drama her agents once discouraged her from pursuing during the peak of her ‘Hunger Games’ stardom. (In 2018, she left CAA after a decade of representation.) With Ramsay’s film, she knew she was in deep on day one when the director casually informed her and Pattinson that she wanted a scene in which the two would ‘fight like wild animals.’

‘And Lynne was like, “Oh, and you’ll do it naked, right?”’ Lawrence recounted with a smirk. ‘And that was literally the first day on set.’