It was a far cry from her iconic turn as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman—but that was exactly the point. Julia Roberts, now 44, underwent a dramatic transformation while filming intense scenes for August: Osage County in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, alongside co-star Ewan McGregor.

Gone was the red carpet polish. Instead, Roberts embraced a raw, stripped-down look, wearing loose-fitting blue jeans, a white shirt layered over a cream blouse, and no trace of Hollywood makeup. Her long brown hair was plainly styled, befitting her role as Barbara Weston—a woman grappling with deep family tensions and personal grief after the mysterious disappearance of her alcoholic father.

During one particularly powerful scene, Roberts clutches McGregor’s hand as their characters approach a boat dock to identify a body for the sheriff. Overcome with emotion, she breaks down in his arms, delivering a tearful, gut-wrenching performance that left an impression on set.

Yet between takes, the mood lightened. Roberts was spotted laughing heartily with co-star Julianne Nicholson, who seemed to be sharing a joke with the cast. It was a sharp contrast to the heavy storyline they were immersed in—but a reminder of the camaraderie behind the camera.

Nicholson, also looking every bit the part, wore navy blue slacks, brown bell-bottoms, and had her hair pulled back in a ponytail—another departure from her usual red-carpet elegance.

August: Osage County, released in 2013, boasted a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken, and Abigail Breslin as Jean Fordham. The role of Karen Weston, initially set for Andrea Riseborough, was eventually played by Juliette Lewis after Riseborough exited due to scheduling conflicts. Notably, Chloë Grace Moretz also auditioned for the role of Jean but lost out to Breslin.

The film, adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, dives deep into the complexities of family, trauma, and reconciliation. And if Roberts’ performance on set was any indication, audiences were in for a powerful ride.