Though she’s really only in the first act of the film, Teana Taylor’s work as Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was so strong that none were surprised when she received a supporting actress Oscar nomination.
The character is certainly a fascinating creation, the former leader of the famed revolutionary group French 75 and mother of Willa Ferguson (Chase Infiniti), she’s a thrill-seeking radicalist who makes some bad choices in the moment and ultimately flees the country, leaving her partner and kid behind.
Plenty of discussion about her character and actions has stirred in the wake of the film’s release, leaving many to wonder if we may ever see her again on screen.
Speaking with Indiewire, she says she’s been fascinated by the discourse over her character and the issues and themes it has led to discussions about:
“I’m still trying to process everything, all while still having these important conversations, wanting people to fully understand who Perfidia is, and giving better insight on who she is and the overall goal of the whole movie…
Here and there, I make little jokes with Paul. I’m like, ‘We need to see what Perfidia did in those 16 years.’ But Perfidia and Willa need some scenes together. When Willa walked out the door in that last scene, I said, ‘Where’s she really going? Is she going to free Deandra? Is she going to find her mommy?’ I love that it’s still hopeful, and it’s room for a little part two in there somewhere.”
She was then asked if there’s any chance we’ll get a film about her character, much like the way “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is about to spin off its Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner, Brad Pitt, with “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” film. She says:
“The conversations are very, very real. I want to give everybody confirmation that I am currently begging PTA to give us that. I’m begging him to give us that.”
With its PGA & DGA wins, the film is expected to win the Best Picture Oscar though the major wins for “Sinners” at the Actors Awards the other day has suggested the race may be closer than expected.
