As Jury of Her Peers approaches completion, audiences are invited to peer into a gripping story where the lines between justice and loyalty blur. Inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Susan Glaspell’s work, this upcoming film from Will Do Films, LLC offers more than a historical mystery. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of secrets.
Glaspell, a trailblazer in American literature, initially brought this actual Iowa murder case to life in her early 20th-century short story, capturing the complexities of justice and human emotion in rural America. Known for her deep insights into the human condition, Glaspell’s writing spoke to universal themes of guilt, isolation, and personal duty, setting the stage for the moral questions that Jury of Her Peers revives for modern audiences.
Directed by William Rock and produced by Amy Nigg, the film reimagines Glaspell’s work through a cinematic lens, tackling questions of loyalty, truth, and justice. Stephanie Schneider stars as Dora Hale, a woman whose fierce loyalty to her friend Margaret Wright (played by Brianne Magel) leads her to confront a painful reality. As Margaret stands accused of murdering her husband, Dora’s quest to uncover the truth forces her to grapple with her own beliefs about justice and the weight of friendship.
The screenplay, written by Rock, draws not only on the bones of Glaspell’s narrative but also on her literary ethos: the humanizing of those often relegated to the background of history and the moral intricacies woven into everyday choices. Much like Glaspell, Rock frames his characters with empathy and complexity, asking viewers to see beyond crime to the personal and ethical conflicts simmering beneath the surface.
John Hansen’s cinematography adds depth to this ethical narrative, capturing the isolation and vastness of rural Iowa—a stark landscape that mirrors the inner desolation of its characters. By blending Glaspell’s original narrative themes with stunning visuals and a suspenseful plot, Jury of Her Peers pays homage to a legacy of literary storytelling that elevates ordinary lives into explorations of timeless human conflicts.
Glaspell’s work broke new ground in American literature by exploring the inner lives of women and the moral weight of their choices, and her influence reverberates in Jury of Her Peers. With a 2025 release, the film promises to carry forward Glaspell’s impact, inviting viewers into a story where justice is never simple, and the truth may be as complex as the bonds we cherish.
Set against the backdrop of an unsolved murder, Jury of Her Peers draws its audience into a hauntingly familiar world. In this world, questions of right and wrong resonate as deeply today as they did over a century ago. Watch the teaser trailer here for a glimpse into this powerful drama, and visit the official website at https://juryofherpeers.com to learn more.