Her previous acting credits include 2010's 'Burlesque' and 2012's 'Rock of Ages'

NEED TO KNOW

• Julianne Hough is returning to acting in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s new film The Bride!
• The actress appears in the movie alongside Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale
• “It’s expressive, it gets explosive, and everybody is just outrageously good at what they do,” Hough told PEOPLE at the movie’s U.S. premiere

Julianne Hough has caught the acting bug again.

The actress, 37, appears in Maggie Gyllenhaal's new movie, The Bride!, alongside stars Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.

"Well, first and foremost, this movie is not a musical, but there has been movement, and it's fun," Hough exclusively told PEOPLE at the film's U.S. premiere in New York City on Tuesday, March 3.

"It's expressive, it gets explosive, and everybody is just outrageously good at what they do. To be at this caliber of talent with this incredible film, for it being the first film I've done in many, many years, I am so honored," she added.

Hough previously starred in 2013's Safe Haven and has been in a few movie musicals, including 2010's Burlesque, 2011's Footloose and 2012's Rock of Ages. Most recently, she has served as a co-host of Dancing with the Stars with Alfonso Ribeiro since 2023.

When asked about what made her want to come back to the big screen, Hough said, "I think the message of women's voices being heard in a new way. I couldn't imagine a better way and time to have that come through."

"It was an exciting time for me to dip back in with something that was so profound. I'm so ready to tell really heartfelt stories again and really create impact. This specifically, when you see this with everything going on, you're gonna be like, ‘Oh s—, this is very timely,' " she explained.

Out of everyone in the cast, Hough said she was most excited to work with Gyllenhaal, 48, and is "such a fan" of her work "as an actress and as a director."

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"She is just so generous with her presence and her direction, and making everybody feel so seen and valued, no matter how big or small your role is — because I have a very small role in this film — but having being a part of anything, you are a contribution to the grander picture, and I always felt like that in her presence," Hough said of Gyllenhaal, who wrote and directed the work.

The Bride! is now out in theaters.

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