Winstead appeared opposite Aaron Paul in '' Smashed '' , an independent drama directed by James Ponsoldt about a married alcoholic couple ( Paul and Winstead ) whose relationship is put to test when the wife decides to get sober . She said that the film was shot in 19 days . Screened during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival , Winstead 's performance earned her rave reviews , with ''JoBlo.com '' calling it : " the type of performance that could be Award-worthy if given the right kind of build-up by whichever studio picks it up " . The film was released theatrically on October 12 , 2012 , and saw Winstead snagging the Dallas International Film Festival Award for Best Actress . During a promotional interview for the movie with website Collider , she expressed pride in working on an independent project : " It 's something I 've been trying to do for years and years ... It 's almost like my first movie in a weird way , cause it 's my first movie in this world , which is a world I 've been trying to break into . I 've wanted to be around filmmakers that are trying new things and not part of the system , so to speak , and they 're doing things on their own terms . " Winstead played the role of Mary Todd Lincoln opposite Benjamin Walker in '' Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter '' . The film , also released in 2012 , received a mixed critical response while it flopped at the box office . Nevertheless , critics praised Winstead 's performance . The '' San Jose Mercury News '' called Winstead " a standout " , and the '' Illinois Times '' film critic wrote , " Winstead humanizes Mary Todd Lincoln by giving her a fiery wit and sense of resolve in the face of considerable adversity " . Winstead was commended for scenes opposite Benjamin Walker , with '' Little White Lies '' writing that they shared : " a sweet chemistry that gives their handful of scenes an endearing warmth "
2012 Sundance Film Festival
2012 Sundance Film Festival
Mary Elizabeth Winstead