For fifteen years, actress Hailee Steinfeld has proven herself to be one of the most gifted performers of her generation, embodying a plethora of complex characters—expressing her versatility with each role she takes on. While she has turned in incredible work in contemporary films and series such as 2016’s coming-of-age dramedy, The Edge of Seventeen, and Marvel’s Hawkeye, she has shown a particular knack for period pieces. Steinfeld received her big break with her Oscar-nominated role in the Coen Brothers’ remake of True Grit, released in 2010, and has since excelled in the space of period pieces, even leading her own Apple TV series, Dickinson, which followed the exploits of poet Emily Dickinson in 19th-century America.

Hailee Steinfeld’s most recent foray into period filmmaking came in the form of Ryan Coogler‘s horror/drama masterpiece, Sinners. The smash-hit film saw Steinfeld portray the role of Mary, the complicated love interest to Michael B. Jordan‘s Stack, turning in some of her most impressive work to date. Steinfeld is always one hundred percent committed to every role she takes, and her underrated performance in Daniel Barber‘s The Keeping Room is no exception.

‘The Keeping Room’ Is a Brutal, Horrifying Civil War Western

Released in 2014, The Keeping Room—set in the American South in the midst of the Civil War—follows two sisters, Augusta (Brit Marling) and Louise (Steinfeld), as well as their servant, Mad (Muna Otaru), who must defend themselves against a group of Yankee soldiers who mean to do the young women harm, led by the intimidating Moses (Sam Worthington). The film is a grounded, disturbingly honest depiction of the revolting mistreatment of women in one of America’s darkest periods. Daniel Barber’s Western is a relentlessly bleak and harrowing tale of survival and the long-lasting impact of trauma, and it makes for one of the more notable Westerns of the 21st century thus far.

The Keeping Room never shies away from the horrifying nature of its themes and brutal subject matter, making for a rather uncomfortable—but necessary—viewing experience. This is far from a pleasant watch, stripping away the conventions and romanticism of many of the most iconic Westerns in favor of a gritty, realistic depiction of the American South during a time of such strife. Despite its distressing nature, the incredible work of cinematographer Martin Ruhe (who recently shot the Rami Malek-starring thriller, The Amateur) and the tremendous performances from the three leads keep the film engaging and well worth a watch, even if you won’t likely wish to return for a second viewing.

The Keeping Room debuted to generally positive reviews, with many critics citing the performances and cinematography as highlights while criticizing the film’s slow pace and dialogue. The film currently sits at a solid 75% on Rotten Tomatoes but has largely gone overlooked in the eleven years since its release. The Western never reached a large audience, debuting in very few theaters and taking in a minuscule $73,922 at the worldwide box office.

Hailee Steinfeld Is ‘The Keeping Room’s Standout in One of Her Best Performances to Date

While stars Brit Marling and Muna Otaru turn in remarkable, sympathetic performances in their own right, it’s Hailee Steinfeld who is the standout here. Louise begins her personal journey as a naive, racist brat who isn’t accepting of her harsh reality, used to everything being done for her. But all of that changes once Louise has a near-death experience, which brings her closer to both her sister and to Mad, their servant, whom Louise treats with harsh apathy when the film begins. By the end of the film, Louise is a weathered, broken woman who endures the worst pain imaginable, shaping her view of herself and the world around her for the worse. It’s a tragic yet effective arc, and Steinfeld sells every moment with raw sensitivity.

Whereas her roles in Dickinson and the Transformers prequel, Bumblebee (which technically counts as a period film considering its 1980s setting), show a more light-hearted, comedic side to Steinfeld’s talents, The Keeping Room is perhaps her most somber, haunting work to date, arguably pushing the actress farther emotionally than any of her roles previously or since. The character of Louise may be the most unlikable of the leads when viewers are first introduced to her, but it’s an intentional choice that leads to an impactful arc for the character by the end. The Keeping Room may not have found its audience upon release, but it’s still more than worth checking out on the merits of Hailee Steinfeld’s performance alone.