Pieces of Her is an amazing psychological thriller on Netflix. And the character of Lauras has an interesting story as well.

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in &#8216;Pieces of Her&#8217; With More Resilience?

Every well-written character has one similarity: Deep subconscious motives drive
them all. All of these characters have layers to their personality. These layers
add to their complexity and reasons. Laura Oliver from Pieces of Her is no
exception. She is a great character who not only has motives and a deep dark
past chasing her. But it is her character development through the years of
personal affliction that has molded her into the resilient woman she is today.

It is also her battle with breast cancer that gives her character a sense of
survival against all odds that appeals to the viewers.


DOES LAURA OLIVER HAVE BREAST CANCER IN PIECES OF HER?

As soon as the story of mother-daughter, Laura and Andy, opens, we understand
that Andy is reluctant to leave her mother in their hometown of Belle Isle. We
see through text messages and her mother’s slight pushes of convincing Andy to
resume her life in New York. However, Andy doesn’t want to leave her mother’s
side for some reason.

As we move forward in their story, we understand that Laura had been diagnosed
with Breast Cancer. And in a flashback scene, we see Andy’s emaciated mother
going through chemotherapy. Through the flashbacks, we understand that her
treatment was not long ago. And that she still might be recovering from the
disease and its treatment.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Also Read: “Such Complicated Characters Attracts Me”: Jacob Scipio Talks About
His Character Michael From ‘Pieces of Her
[https://netflixjunkie.com/such-complicated-characters-attracts-me-jacob-scipio-talks-about-his-character-michael-from-pieces-of-her/]

This is a great layer to give to the character of Laura and adds to her
unstoppable nature. Moreover, it gives real depth to Andy and her mother’s
relationship.


NOT HER FIRST TIME PLAYING A SURVIVOR

Even though, fortunately, Toni Collette
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-toni-collette-found-this-scene-beautiful-but-difficult-to-film-for-netflixs-pieces-of-her/]
never had to fight this terrible disease, she has played a breast cancer
survivor before. In a 2015 film, Miss You Already
[https://www.netflix.com/in/title/80059334], co-starring Drew Barrymore, Toni
played the role of Milly, whose life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed
with cancer.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg.webp

Also, the Hereditary actress took an immense effort in humanitarian efforts
during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2014 and has been involved with the
cause since.

What do you feel about this detail in Laura’s character in Pieces of Her
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/pieces-of-her]? Let us know your opinion in the
comments below.

Baheen Qadri

Comment

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in &#8216;Pieces of Her&#8217; With More Resilience? - Netflix Junkie

Home

Netflix News

Netflix Junkie

https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/nj_bg_transparent-1.png

Baheen Qadri is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie. Currently, he is pursuing BA in Mass comm Hons from SCMC Pune. He loves binge-watching films and TV series on Netflix. He is passionate about making films and watches movies from different corners of the world to better understand the field of cinema in his free time. He also loves animes and is currently hooked on the new Demon Slayer season. One of his favorite thrillers on Netflix is Shutter Island. The film always gives him goosebumps. Apart from thrillers, he also loves sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Office. Being a huge movie buff, he is a tough competition on movie trivia nights.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-does-breast-cancer-help-toni-collette-play-lauran-oliver-in-pieces-of-her-with-more-resilience

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in &#8216;Pieces of Her&#8217; With More Resilience? - netflix-junkie

Dan Lin Admits Netflix Will Not Pursue Filmmakers Focused on Theatrical Runs

Henry Cavill and Kevin Hart to Come Together for Netflix’s Big Spy Comedy

Netflix ‘Office Romance’ Ending Explained: Is There a Happily Ever After? Does
Jennifer Lopez’s Character Get Fired From Her Job?

Top 10 Netflix Movies Arriving This June You Need on Your Watchlist

Netflix's ‘Office Romance’ Review: A Turbulent Ride through Jennifer Lopez's
Latest RomCom

Netflix’s 'USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory': Cast, Plot, Release Date, and
Everything We Know So Far

Lily Collins and Sergio Perez Crossover at the Monaco Grand Prix as 'Emily in
Paris' Films at F1 Race

Denzel Washington’s Massive Netflix Epic Hits an Unexpected Roadblock Before
Filming Begins

Netflix Dominates America's Most Watched TV Shows With 5 Series in Top 10 in
2025-26

Every well-written character has one similarity: Deep subconscious motives drive them all. All of these characters have layers to their personality. These layers add to their complexity and reasons. Laura Oliver from Pieces of Her is no exception. She is a great character who not only has motives and a deep dark past chasing her. But it is her character development through the years of personal affliction that has molded her into the resilient woman she is today.
It is also her battle with breast cancer that gives her character a sense of survival against all odds that appeals to the viewers.
<h2>Does Laura Oliver have breast cancer in Pieces of her?</h2>
As soon as the story of mother-daughter, Laura and Andy, opens, we understand that Andy is reluctant to leave her mother in their hometown of Belle Isle. We see through text messages and her mother&#8217;s slight pushes of convincing Andy to resume her life in New York. However, Andy doesn&#8217;t want to leave her mother&#8217;s side for some reason.
As we move forward in their story, we understand that Laura had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. And in a flashback scene, we see Andy&#8217;s emaciated mother going through chemotherapy. Through the flashbacks, we understand that her treatment was not long ago. And that she still might be recovering from the disease and its treatment.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21828 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-116-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482880748.jpg.webp" alt="" width="1366" height="655" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-116-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482880748.jpg.webp 1366w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-116-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482880748.jpg-300x144.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-116-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482880748.jpg-1024x491.webp 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-116-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482880748.jpg-768x368.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px" />
Also Read:<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/such-complicated-characters-attracts-me-jacob-scipio-talks-about-his-character-michael-from-pieces-of-her/"> &#8220;Such Complicated Characters Attracts Me&#8221;: Jacob Scipio Talks About His Character Michael From &#8216;Pieces of Her</a>
This is a great layer to give to the character of Laura and adds to her unstoppable nature. Moreover, it gives real depth to Andy and her mother&#8217;s relationship.
<h2>Not her first time playing a survivor</h2>
Even though, fortunately, <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-toni-collette-found-this-scene-beautiful-but-difficult-to-film-for-netflixs-pieces-of-her/">Toni Collette</a> never had to fight this terrible disease, she has played a breast cancer survivor before. In a 2015 film, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/in/title/80059334" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miss You Already</a>, co-starring Drew Barrymore, Toni played the role of Milly, whose life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with cancer.
<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg.webp"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21835 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg.webp" alt="" width="1366" height="648" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg.webp 1366w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg-300x142.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg-1024x486.webp 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FireShot-Capture-113-Netflix-www.netflix.com_-e1646482797733.jpg-768x364.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px" /></a>
Also, the Hereditary actress took an immense effort in humanitarian efforts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2014 and has been involved with the cause since.
What do you feel about this detail in Laura&#8217;s character in <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/pieces-of-her">Pieces of Her</a>? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.

“Such Complicated Characters Attracts Me”: Jacob Scipio Talks About His
Character Michael From ‘Pieces of Her’

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/netflixjunkie-logo-2.jpg

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bd4000d0-d5fa-4d33-98c2-ebcdf662d136-POH_101_Unit_00593RC.jpg-scaled.webp

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in 'Pieces of Her' With More Resilience? - Netflix Junkie

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c01c98f8f185f1912fb4241edfdf35?s=96&d=mm&r=g

description

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in &#039;Pieces of Her&#039; With More Resilience? - Netflix Junkie

https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-does-breast-cancer-help-toni-collette-play-lauran-oliver-in-pieces-of-her-with-more-resilience/

How Does Breast Cancer Help Toni Collette Play Laura Oliver in ‘Pieces of Her’ With More Resilience?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

EDITORS' PICK

The World of NJ

Connect With Us

General

Legal