After 20 Years, Paul Thomas Anderson’s New Movie Needed Its Breakout Star to Happen

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One Battle After Another is currently playing in cinemas, representing the culmination of a lengthy creative process for writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson. The film draws inspiration from the Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland, a story Anderson had hoped to adapt for years. He struggled for a long time to figure out how to tell the story on film, eventually using ideas from Vineland to create a moving story about the relationship between a father, Bob, and his daughter, Willa Ferguson. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob in One Battle After Another, portraying a man frantically searching for his daughter, who is played by Chase Infiniti in what many are calling a breakthrough performance. Despite being surrounded by numerous Oscar winners, Infiniti has been particularly praised, and One Battle After Another may not have been made without her contribution.

I recently spoke with Infiniti about the film, and she shared how she felt when Paul Anderson – during a press screening, no less – said that “this movie was waiting for Chase.” Honestly, her reaction was priceless! She told me she literally thought, ‘Oh my god!’ And it makes sense, considering Anderson actually *started* writing the script 20 years ago. Hearing about how the story, and the casting, evolved, and how he brought on amazing co-stars like Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall, along with the entire team, was just…surreal. She truly feels blessed to have been a part of it, and I have to say, after seeing the film, I can understand why.

Chase Infiniti Is Integral to One Battle After Another‘s Success

One Battle After Another is a truly sweeping film, blending thought-provoking themes – like political upheaval – with impressive visuals and action sequences, including some particularly memorable car chases. While there’s been a lot of discussion about how well the story reflects current events and the best way to watch it, none of that would matter without the film’s strong emotional center. At its core, One Battle After Another is the story of a father pushed to his limits, desperately trying to save his daughter. The connection between Bob and Willa provides a human touch that makes the film relatable and helps viewers become invested in the story.

DiCaprio is, as usual, excellent as Bob, showing off his comedic skills as a former revolutionary who’s exhausted and out of his depth. What really stands out is that Infiniti is his equal, holding her own against the Oscar winner in several scenes. One Battle After Another is receiving a lot of praise for many reasons, but this connection between the characters is likely the most crucial. If viewers didn’t believe in Bob and Willa’s relationship, the story wouldn’t have worked. Infiniti is essential to One Battle After Another, not only for the plot itself, but also for its underlying themes. The film explores the idea of one generation inspiring the next; Bob’s days of revolution are over, but Willa embodies a fresh start, thanks to Infiniti’s powerful and determined portrayal of a teenager striving to find her place.

Receiving such high praise from a respected director like Anderson is significant, especially considering One Battle After Another spent years in development and was envisioned specifically with Infiniti in mind. This highlights just how crucial the character of Willa is to the film and Anderson’s overall vision. Infiniti was the ideal fit for the role, seamlessly holding her own alongside established stars like Sean Penn and Regina Hall. The character of Willa could easily have become a stereotypical, one-dimensional rebellious teen in less capable hands, but Infiniti skillfully crafted a complex and well-developed character, greatly enhancing the film.

One Battle After Another is quickly becoming a strong contender for the Oscars, and it will be fascinating to see who gets nominated. Infiniti is almost certain to be considered for Best Supporting Actress, as she makes a memorable debut in this film. One Battle After Another isn’t quite as effective without her, and it would be wonderful if she received an award for what is truly a standout performance.

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2025-10-01 22:15