“You Were Chosen for a Reason”: Chase Infiniti Talks to Her Movie Mom Teyana Taylor

Movie debuts are rarely this major, but we love it when they are. After holding her own opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent, 25-year-old Chase Infiniti levels up in One Battle After Another, a dark action comedy about an ex-revolutionary on a mission to rescue his daughter from an old foe, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. That duo should be enough to rattle any young actor, but as she tells her movie mom Teyana Taylor, after the nerves wore off, her nerve kicked in.

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THURSDAY 4:30 PM JUNE 26, 2025 TORONTO

TEYANA TAYLOR: Hello, daughter.

CHASE INFINITI: Hello, mother. You’ve been a busy bee.

TAYLOR: I know, I’ve been working and traveling. How you been?

INFINITI: I’m good. I’m in Toronto right now.

TAYLOR: What you doing out there?

INFINITI: I’m filming The Testaments.

TAYLOR: Nice. So I got questions about One Battle After Another. Was there anything Paul Thomas Anderson or Leonardo [DiCaprio] did on set that changed the way you think about acting?

INFINITI: Honestly, the thing they made me think about the most is to enjoy playing more. Because I feel like the two of them, especially Paul, really encouraged us to be like, “Just try it, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But explore every aspect of your character as much as you can.” I don’t think I’ve been granted permission in that way, or granted myself permission in that way. That definitely shifted the way I think about creating or at least living through a character.

TAYLOR: Definitely take that little time to play and do what you do, because at the end of the day, you are your own representation. You get what I’m saying? We all come together to make a great movie, but still come to represent ourselves, hold our own, and add our little spice to it. That’s why you were chosen. You have something special. And that’s what I love about P.T.A.—he’s kind of like, “Okay, I chose you. You got it, now make it your own, and show the world why you were chosen out of so many other people who have read the same exact thing.” Definitely bask in that. When you found out Leonardo was going to be the scene partner, what was your first honest thought?

INFINITI: I think I was like, “What is my life right now?” [Laughs]

TAYLOR: [Laughs] Right.

INFINITI: I remember getting told that I was going to meet him in a chemistry read, and then, finding out that I booked the job and that I would be working with him, I was like, “What do you mean I’m going to be acting opposite Leonardo DiCaprio?” That truly blew my mind.

TAYLOR: Right. Like, this is Leo.

INFINITI: For real.    

TAYLOR: And they probably just casually told you, “Okay, so you got the job. That’s cool.”

INFINITI: That’s literally how it went. Paul was like, “Okay, so in case you didn’t know, you got the job.” And I was like, “Oh, great!”

TAYLOR: Paul did the same thing to me. It’s just very, like, “Yeah, you’re her.” I was like, “Sir?”

INFINITI: It was so low-key.

TAYLOR: And today is P.T.A.’s birthday. Happy birthday to the GOAT.

INFINITI: Yes!

TAYLOR: How did you and Leo build trust for your scenes together?

INFINITI: I think it was helpful to have a lot of prep time. I started to do prep work with him and P.T.A. like a month before we started shooting, which was nice because then I got to build a relationship with Leo. We would talk a lot about the dynamic between Bob and Willa [DiCaprio and Infiniti’s characters], and where they started, and then where they are now when you meet them in the film.

TAYLOR: What do you remember most about your very first day on set?

INFINITI: I was terrified. I was shaking most of the day because I was so anxious.

TAYLOR: Shaking in your boots.

INFINITI: Literally shaking in my boots. I put so much pressure on myself for no reason. I don’t think I even calmed down until I went back to my place that night and I was like, “Okay, so I made it through the first day.”

TAYLOR: What makes it even funnier is that the majority of the movie, you definitely had on boots and a little tutu. You was literally shaking in your boots and tutu! What was the very first scene that you did?

INFINITI: It was the first scene where you see Bob and Willa together in the house.

TAYLOR: Oh, wow. When did you start to sink into your comfort? At what point did you exhale and say, “You know what? I think I got this”?

INFINITI: I feel like I sunk into it, and then I had a space of time where I wasn’t being used, and then I had to sink back into it again. But it was probably the first time that me and Regina [Hall] meet on-screen, because that’s kind of the start of everything.

TAYLOR: Was there a particular costume, prop, or detail that unlocked something essential about your performance?

INFINITI: The boots and my leather jacket.

TAYLOR: [Laughs] “The boots I was shaking in.”

INFINITI: [Laughs] For real. Once I tried those on with the leather jacket, I felt like I was putting on armor, which was helpful going forward in the story.

TAYLOR: Nice. I loved your martial arts uniform. That’s what that’s called, right?

INFINITI: Yeah, it’s a karate gi.

TAYLOR: I loved seeing that because you look so innocent, and I think being in that shows them, “I’m not playing with you, so stop playing with me.” But then to see you make that much noise and hold it down in the boots, a tutu, and a leather jacket, I thought there was something so gangster about that. I’m like, “This is really little Perfidia [Taylor’s character in the movie].”

INFINITI: I know. And then the fact that the boots that I wear are the same ones that Perfidia wears, I didn’t know that until I saw a playback of you. And I was like, “Oh, my god.”

TAYLOR: Yeah, no, that hit different. Your costumes are iconic and have a strong message behind them. Are you from Indianapolis?

INFINITI: I am.

TAYLOR: Now, tell Mama something. What you be doing out there?

INFINITI: [Laughs] Honestly, really not anything outside of theater. [Laughs]

TAYLOR: Now, if I went to Indy and asked your friends what you be out there doing, you out there shooting?

INFINITI: Yes! I am not joking when I say all that I did growing up in Indianapolis was theater. [Laughs] I literally was just doing as much theater as I could. Especially during the summers. During the school year, if I was not at school, I was rehearsing for a musical or a play. I didn’t do much outside of that.

TAYLOR: I love that. I’m a proud mama.

INFINITI: Thank you.

TAYLOR: Are you prepared to become more well-known after this movie? These types of moments and these types of roles are the roles that, when you wake up right after that movie comes out, your phone will be ringing nonstop. You are so talented; your range is amazing. You’re a face that I want to keep seeing. I know you’re gonna do everything you put your mind to. We already know that life, and schedule, and work is going to get crazy. All your prayers are going to be answered, and there are so many blessings ahead. Are you buckled up and ready for that fame ride?

INFINITI: First of all, thank you. That was so cute and so sweet. But I was literally telling my mom, this is something people have asked me multiple times before and I still can’t tangibly grasp how popular it’s going to be. But I think, slowly, I’m starting to realize how much it will change my life. Even when we went to do that first EPK day, I was flying out there and I was like, “Oh, yeah, cool. Can’t wait to do this.” And then we got there, and I was like, “Holy shit, I’m in a movie.” [Laughs]

TAYLOR: Sometimes being on set, it still don’t feel real, until you’re sitting in an EPK with your cast members. Take your time, think on it, pray. But just make sure that whatever you stand for, that’s what you stand on when you get there. Stay humble, stay grateful, and stay graceful. Stay grounded, stay hungry. Don’t ever get too comfortable. It’s, “Okay, I murdered this movie, now the next one I gotta go even harder.” Keep that same mentality you had in Indy in this space, because this space can be very tricky and very wicked. Also, understanding that you never know whose day you’re making—you’re going to get a lot of people that’s coming up for pictures and stuff. Of course, you want people to respect your boundaries, but just know that you are now changing people’s lives. Your reality is about to change, but you have people to inspire now, so make sure that you always keep your head up and never let your crown fall. And if you have a moment of weakness, you pray, and God will make sure He adjusts that crown before it even falls. I’m so excited for you.

INFINITI: Thank you.

TAYLOR: You’re going to be great. It says here you worked with Jake Gyllenhaal? Oh my god!

INFINITI: I did!

TAYLOR: That’s amazing. So you are not even new to this, you’re true to this! First job with Jake, second job with Leo. What?

INFINITI: [Laughs] No! I am new to all of this! I’m just very, very, very, blessed in life.

TAYLOR: I love it. How does it feel from Jake to Leo? What’s the connective tissue between actors at that level?

INFINITI: I feel like they’re both very intense actors, but in completely opposite ways.

TAYLOR: Right.

INFINITI: Jake really taught me how to raise the stakes. Especially in that project, because it was a really emotionally intense show. He and that entire team helped guide me, since that was my first project. I was like, “I don’t really know the lay of the land. I don’t know how any of this works.” It was helpful for him to show me around on set and let me know how that kind of culture is. And then working with Leo, since I had those foundations of working on set, he helped expand that knowledge. I put so much pressure on myself, especially at the start, to be like, “Okay, I have to make sure that I do a great job.” And Leo really helped me get out of my own way and move forward, and just be there with him in the scene.

TAYLOR: I think you just answered the next question.

INFINITI: Well, then how did it feel for you walking onto set, working with Leo and P.T.A?

TAYLOR: It was a lot, but staying out of my own way, not allowing myself to self-sabotage. I’ll never forget doing Coming to America with Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes. I was just stuck. You know what I’m saying? I’m like, “What do I do?” But you always just be yourself, and remember that you were chosen for a reason. Once I understood that and started thinking that way, I just showed up and I did my job. I respect everybody, I soak up a lot of knowledge, but I’m very intentional in understanding that I’m here because I’m supposed to be here. There’s nothing wrong with that energy.

INFINITI: You have the perfect balance of it.

TAYLOR: I know, but you know what’s crazy? A lot of that is also my anxiety, because I’m the most introverted extrovert or the most extroverted introvert. The balance of it is to just do whatever comes to your heart. Do you ever feel like anyone has ever underestimated you?

INFINITI: Yes. I feel like people underestimate me because of my age. Even to this day.

TAYLOR: Well, guess what? When One Battle After Another comes out, you are going to show them why they shouldn’t underestimate you in the first place. Timing is everything. And I know sometimes the wait feels like punishment, but the wait is not punishment; it’s preparation for what’s already written. And all this time that you’ve been feeling underestimated? Time’s up, baby. Time is up! [Laughs] Do you feel like acting is a form of spiritual work for you?

INFINITI: It helps me discover parts of myself that I didn’t know existed. Or things that I didn’t realize that could be an obstacle for me that I’m forced to face in the moment. It helps me learn more about myself, and experience emotions outside of myself too, if that makes any sense.

TAYLOR: I get it, I feel you, and I see you. And I’m so proud of you.

INFINITI: Thank you.

TAYLOR: I’m so excited for the world to see this movie, and hopefully, we get to do something where we actually get some scenes together.

INFINITI: I know, please!

TAYLOR: So P.T.A., you see this interview, start writing part two. [Laughs]

INFINITI: Paul, if you can hear us!

TAYLOR: Yes, we are manifesting that. Alright, baby girl, thank you.

INFINITI: Thank you so much.

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Hair: Hikaru Hirano using Olaplex at Frank Reps.

Makeup: Lilly Pollan using Haus Labs at Frank Reps.

Nails: Michelle Tran at Saint Luke Artists.

Lighting Technician: Tutu Lee.

Fashion Assistant: Emily Cancelosi.

Production Assistant: Almodine Thompson.

Location: Studios 60.