Nicola Peltz returns to the big screen with new movie while Beckham family tensions continue

Nicola Peltz Beckham has taken on a bold new acting role just as tensions continue to escalate between her and husband Brooklyn Beckham and his famous family.

Peltz, 30, is set to star in 'Pretty Ugly,' a character-driven thriller written and directed by Erica Dunton, a multi-time Directors Guild of America Award nominee. Dunton, known for her work on 'Ted Lasso,' described the project as "a movie for this moment," adding that it explores "the depths to which the internet is changing the face of every town in America."

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Filming is already underway with a cast that includes Jazzy De Lisser (Too Much), Mary Stuart Masterson (Fried Green Tomatoes), Michelle Gomez, Andy Buckley, Cullen Moss, Paul Schneider, Edgar de Santiago, and Angela Wong Carbone.

Peltz will portray a complicated beauty influencer returning to her North Carolina hometown of Winnabow after a time in Los Angeles. Her arrival disrupts the life of Raelynn (played by De Lisser), a young woman captivated by online beauty culture, and Raelynn’s mother (Masterson), who is obsessed with true crime podcasts. The strained mother-daughter bond faces new trials as the story takes a sinister turn toward murder and revelation.

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The news of the role was confirmed by Nicola herself on Instagram, marking her return to the screen after her 2024 directorial debut, 'Lola.' Her latest film endeavor comes as her personal life continues to draw attention. 

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Brooklyn and Nicola have been at the center of a rift with the Beckham family. Most recently, Brooklyn and Nicola’s Instagram accounts were found to no longer follow his younger brothers, Cruz, 20, and Romeo, 22. According to sources, the younger Beckhams may have blocked the couple first, despite Brooklyn and Nicola still following Victoria and David Beckham.

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Brooklyn has made no public mention of his father’s milestone 50th birthday, despite paying tribute to his grandmother Sandra weeks later. Sources say Victoria and David Beckham are saddened by the growing distance, especially since Brooklyn and Nicola were in London in May filming a campaign just over a mile from the family’s Holland Park home, but didn’t stop to visit.

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Victoria Beckham’s role in the drama recently resurfaced. An incident from Nicola and Brooklyn’s 2022 wedding gained attention. During the couple’s first dance, set to Marc Anthony’s 'You Sang to Me,' Anthony allegedly diverted the spotlight by inviting Victoria on stage, calling her “the most beautiful woman in the room.”

The move stunned guests. “You could hear a pin drop,” a source recalled. “Everyone knew that dance was meant for Brooklyn and Nicola. She ran from the room crying.” The moment reportedly left Nicola in tears and remains a sore memory.