Unbelievable Journey: Chase Infiniti's Rise From Up-And-Comer to Lead Actress In 'One Battle After Another'

For Chase Infiniti, the sky is the limit. The 25-year-old actress from Indianapolis has reached remarkable milestones in just two years: making a strong impression alongside Ruth Negga and Jake Gyllenhaal in Apple TV+s Presumed Innocenther first screen roleand landing a significant part in her debut feature film, Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another, sharing the screen with Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.

Three years ago, I could never have imagined being in these rooms or projects with such legendary figures in the industry. Its surreal, Infiniti reflects.

She attributes her path to the determination of her 10-year-old self and a creatively supportive upbringing. Her parents frequently brought her and her sister to theater performances, igniting a passion for acting. I never wanted to do anything else, she says. My parents gave me so much love that I felt empowered, but they also taught me that dedication and hard work are essential to achieving your goals.

In high school, Infiniti immersed herself in choir and theater before joining Indianapolis Summer Stock Stage program. She played Dragon in Shrek the Musical at 15 and the Leading Player in Pippin at 17. A year after earning her musical theater degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2022, her dedication began to pay off. She landed Presumed Innocent, portraying Negga and Gyllenhaals teenage daughter, and during that time discovered an audition for One Battle After Another tucked away in her inbox.

After submitting a self-tape for the project, she progressed through multiple callbacks and was eventually invited by Anderson to a four-day intensive karate training in Los Angeles. Completing the training, she was offered the role. I couldnt even process how massive this project was, Infiniti laughs.

In the film, Infiniti portrays Willa Ferguson, the courageous daughter of former revolutionaries Bob Ferguson (DiCaprio) and Perfidia Beverly Hills (Taylor). Willa must escape the relentless Colonel Lockjaw (Penn), who seeks her out driven by obsession and a warped ideology. I didnt see the script until midway through auditions, but it was gripping. Willas bravery and persistence resonate with me, though I couldnt endure what she faces. Her strength is boundless, Infiniti says.

One memorable sequence shows Willa confronting Lockjaw, a racist intent on killing her due to a possible mixed-race connection. Infiniti recalls, Working with Sean Penn was incredible. Paul, Sean, and I choreographed the DNA test scene together. It became one of my favorite moments, seeing two people who should never meet face each other, with Willa showing fearless resolve.

Collaborating with DiCaprio also left a lasting impact. Leo taught me so much. Observing his freedom in character choices was inspiring. I feel lucky to have shared Pauls set with such a stellar cast, she shares.

Infiniti also drew from her own experiences as a biracial woman, discussing Willas identity with Anderson, who has a biracial family, and reflecting on her own adolescence. Paul and I talked extensively about Willa being mixed race. I shared my experiences as a 16-year-old navigating spaces where I rarely saw anyone like me, she explains.

With One Battle After Another behind her, Infiniti is focused on what lies ahead. She has been cast in The Handmaids Tale spin-off, The Testaments, and the coming-of-age drama The Julia Set with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Willas courage is extraordinary, but I love challenging myself in acting because it helps me grow. Im only 25theres so much life and so many roles to explore. Each project teaches me something new, and Im excited to continue learning. My fearlessness comes from this constant drive to grow, she says.

Author: Lucas Grant