People.com Celebrity Jennifer Aniston Says She's 'Flattered' About Oscar Buzz "The movie has a beautiful way of unfolding itself without giving the story away," she says at the drama's Sunday premiere By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is a Staff Editor at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 17, 2014 11:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Kristina Bumphrey/Startraks Sure, Jennifer Aniston stripped down for her latest role – but it’s her dramatic turn on the big screen we’re talking about. The actress, 45, is already earning Oscar buzz for her turn in Cake, in which she plays a mourner suffering chronic pain. “It was just a wonderfully beautiful story of a woman in extraordinary pain, living through an unthinkable trauma,” Aniston told PEOPLE at InStyle and The Cinema Society’s Sunday premiere of the indie film in New York City. And while her character is battling demons, “I also found her quite humorous and quite endearing,” says Aniston. “You have empathy for the character.” The Friends alum says she was ready for the role’s change of pace from her presumed persona – not that it was easy. “That was a challenge for me. How do we tell this story without having everyone hate her?” Aniston says. “I actually loved her. But the movie has a beautiful way of unfolding itself without giving the story away and allowing the audience to go with the journey as it’s being told.” As for the early awards season whispers? Aniston is surprised, saying (with a laugh) she’s “flattered” and that she reacts to the buzz “awkwardly and stutteringly.” The actress later celebrated the film at a Grey Goose-sponsored fête at Jimmy at The James New York, where fiancé Justin Theroux joined her. “It ticked all the boxes that an actor dreams of,” Aniston added to reporters of the role. Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter and other special offers: sign me up Thank you for signing up!