Chase Infiniti: A Rising Star in the Oscars Race with “One Battle After Another”
Chase Infiniti is on the fast track to Oscar glory with the highly anticipated action-thriller “One Battle After Another,” directed by the acclaimed Paul Thomas Anderson. This film is rapidly gaining traction in this year’s awards season, and its campaign team has shared with Variety that Infiniti will be in the running for Best Actress at the upcoming Oscars.
Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel “Vineland,” “One Battle After Another” tells the gripping story of a group of former revolutionaries who reunite to rescue a comrade’s daughter when an old foe resurfaces. Produced by Warner Bros., the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast featuring Oscar winners and nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and the breakout star, Infiniti.
At just 24 years old, Infiniti makes her feature film debut as Willa Ferguson, the daughter of a former radical played by DiCaprio. Her performance stands out against Hollywood heavyweights, showcasing her talent and versatility. With a focused lead actress campaign, Infiniti is strategically positioned to avoid splitting votes with co-stars Hall and Taylor, who are expected to compete in the supporting actress category. Meanwhile, Penn and Del Toro are contending for supporting actor nominations.
Currently, “One Battle After Another” holds an impressive 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a matching score on Metacritic, solidifying its status as a top contender this awards season. According to Variety’s latest projections, the film is on track to receive 14 Academy Award nominations, which would tie it with classics like “All About Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997), and “La La Land” (2016) for the most nominations in Oscar history. Some forecasts even suggest it could secure six acting nominations, marking a historic milestone as the first film to achieve this feat.
In the realm of acting nominations, only 15 films have been recognized in all four categories, with the last being “American Hustle” in 2013. Furthermore, only four films have garnered five acting nominations: “Mrs. Miniver” (1942), “From Here to Eternity” (1953), “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), and “Network” (1976). If Infiniti receives a nomination for her debut role, she will join an elite group of actors recognized by the Academy for their initial performances, including previous winners like Julie Andrews (“Mary Poppins,” 1964) and Barbra Streisand (“Funny Girl,” 1968).
While the studio has yet to confirm its category, “One Battle After Another” may also be a strong contender at the Golden Globes, particularly in the comedy categories. Infiniti’s performance could see her competing alongside notable talents such as Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked: For Good”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”).
Critics have praised Infiniti’s portrayal of Willa for subverting traditional damsel-in-distress tropes, transforming her character into a powerful heroine. With a purple belt in martial arts and a fierce sense of agency, Willa emerges as one of Anderson’s most compelling protagonists to date.
So far, the film has earned $58.9 million internationally and a total of $101.7 million globally. Infiniti recently appeared on the Season 12 premiere of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, further elevating her profile as the Oscar season heats up. With “One Battle After Another” and its talented young star, Chase Infiniti, the potential for history-making moments at this year’s Oscars is very much alive.
Stay tuned as the excitement unfolds!
