WinnerTrailer: Emilia Jones Stars in New Take on True Story of Reality Winner's NSA Leak (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Emilia Jonesis taking on the life story ofReality Winner.On Aug. 29, Vertical debuted the trailer forWinnerexclusively with PEOPLE. The film stars Jones (CODA) as Winner, the former National Security Agency contractor who spent more than four years in jail forleaking classified documents to news media.The trailer showcases Reality’s childhood and upbringing in Texas and covers her time with the U.S. Air Force before she began working for the NSA.Winneralso covers her time with the NSA and the aftermath of her decision to mail classified documents concerning Russian government efforts to infiltrate U.S. voting systems before the 2016 presidential election toThe Intercept.Emilia Jones in Winner.Courtesy of VerticalA synopsis teases, “Reality Winner is a brilliant young misfit from a Texas border town who loves her pink gun almost as much as helping others.“After transitioning from military work to a contract job with the National Security Agency, Winner “stumbles upon government secrets regarding Russia’s election hacking during the 2016 Presidential campaign,” adds the synopsis. “Does she expose the truth or keep quiet?“Winneralso starsConnie Britton, Danny Ramirez,Kathryn Newtonand Zach Galifianakis.Emilia Jones in “Winner”.Courtesy of VerticalJones, 22, teams up with director Susanna Fogel after the pair collaborated on 2023’sCat Person. The new movie is based on the 2017New York Magazinearticle “Who Is Reality Winner?“The actress toldIndieWireback in January she struck a genuine friendship with Winner while researching her role for the movie. “And I think that’s perfect, really, because that’s what we’re trying to do with this movie,” she said. “We’re trying to humanize her and show people she’s so much more than just a name in a headline.”Emilia Jones in Winner.Courtesy of VerticalNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Jones is not the first person to portray Winner on screen:Sydney Sweeneypreviously played her in HBO’s 2023 movieReality, which was in part based on the transcript of the real-life Winner’s actual conversation with FBI agents at her home on June 3, 2017.Winneris in select theaters and on demand Sept. 13.

Emilia Jonesis taking on the life story ofReality Winner.

On Aug. 29, Vertical debuted the trailer forWinnerexclusively with PEOPLE. The film stars Jones (CODA) as Winner, the former National Security Agency contractor who spent more than four years in jail forleaking classified documents to news media.

The trailer showcases Reality’s childhood and upbringing in Texas and covers her time with the U.S. Air Force before she began working for the NSA.

Winneralso covers her time with the NSA and the aftermath of her decision to mail classified documents concerning Russian government efforts to infiltrate U.S. voting systems before the 2016 presidential election toThe Intercept.

Emilia Jones in Winner.Courtesy of Vertical

Courtesy of Vertical

A synopsis teases, “Reality Winner is a brilliant young misfit from a Texas border town who loves her pink gun almost as much as helping others.”

After transitioning from military work to a contract job with the National Security Agency, Winner “stumbles upon government secrets regarding Russia’s election hacking during the 2016 Presidential campaign,” adds the synopsis. “Does she expose the truth or keep quiet?”

Winneralso starsConnie Britton, Danny Ramirez,Kathryn Newtonand Zach Galifianakis.

Emilia Jones in “Winner”.Courtesy of Vertical

Jones, 22, teams up with director Susanna Fogel after the pair collaborated on 2023’sCat Person. The new movie is based on the 2017New York Magazinearticle “Who Is Reality Winner?”

The actress toldIndieWireback in January she struck a genuine friendship with Winner while researching her role for the movie. “And I think that’s perfect, really, because that’s what we’re trying to do with this movie,” she said. “We’re trying to humanize her and show people she’s so much more than just a name in a headline.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jones is not the first person to portray Winner on screen:Sydney Sweeneypreviously played her in HBO’s 2023 movieReality, which was in part based on the transcript of the real-life Winner’s actual conversation with FBI agents at her home on June 3, 2017.

Winneris in select theaters and on demand Sept. 13.

source: people.com