Elle Fanning is riding high after a stellar box office weekend with 'Predator: Badlands' grossing $40 million domestically and 'Sentimental Value' earning strong platform returns. In a new interview, the actress reflects on her diverse roles, the challenges of back-to-back shoots, and her advocacy for greater awards recognition for genre performances. Fanning also shares excitement about upcoming projects with her sister Dakota.
Box Office Triumph
Elle Fanning's latest films marked a significant milestone over the November 2025 weekend. 'Predator: Badlands,' directed by Dan Trachtenberg, exceeded expectations with a $40 million domestic opening, setting a franchise record and totaling $80 million globally. Meanwhile, Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value,' an Oscar contender starring Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve, debuted on four screens via Neon, grossing $200,000—one of the year's best limited openings.
Fanning described the convergence as fitting, having shot the contrasting projects back-to-back. 'I don’t want to be put into a box,' she told The Hollywood Reporter. 'I want to try all genres, to try it all. I want to be challenged.' In 'Sentimental Value,' she plays Rachel, an American actress grappling with personal and professional struggles. In 'Predator: Badlands,' she portrays dual synthetic characters, including a companion to the young Predator, Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi).
Awards and Genre Advocacy
Fanning highlighted the success as a 'new chapter' in her career, crediting directors' unwavering visions for the films' appeal. She advocated for broader awards consideration of genre work, citing examples like Demi Moore in 'The Substance' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.' 'Just because it’s genre, I don’t think that people should be biased,' she said. 'A film is a film!'
The actress discussed the vulnerability required in Trier's films, contrasting it with the physical demands of 'Predator: Badlands.' She noted feeling 'more raw' transitioning between projects, drawing from personal experiences to inform her role as Rachel.
Upcoming Projects
Fanning recently wrapped 'Hunger Games' and will reunite with sister Dakota Fanning for 'The Nightingale' in spring 2026. 'We’ve grown, we’ve gotten older,' she said. 'I think it’s important to do it right now.' The sisters believe timing aligns perfectly after forging separate paths.