Teyana Taylor on Working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Her Transformative Role in ‘One Battle After Another’
In the highly anticipated upcoming film, One Battle After Another, actress Teyana Taylor, 34, has opened up about her profound experience working alongside her long-time friend and costar, Leonardo DiCaprio, 50. Despite their established friendship, the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed drama marks their first professional collaboration, and according to Taylor, it offered a transformative perspective on the Academy Award winner.
A New Perspective on a Friend and Mentor
Speaking to InStyle for their fall cover story, Taylor revealed a newfound respect for DiCaprio, highlighting his unexpected role as a “mentor” and “great leader” on set. “It was my first time working with him,” Taylor shared, adding that seeing DiCaprio in a professional capacity allowed her to view him “in a completely different light.” She commended his dedication and seriousness, stating, “He don’t play no games with that,” underscoring his unwavering commitment to his craft and the project.
Unveiling the Gripping Narrative of ‘One Battle After Another’
The film, distributed by Warner Bros. and set to hit theaters on September 26, plunges viewers into a gripping narrative. DiCaprio stars as Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary figure caught in a relentless pursuit by Sean Penn’s police character, Steven Lockjaw. Taylor portrays Perfidia Beverly Hills, who shares a child, Willa (played by Chase Infiniti), with Bob. The plot intensifies when Perfidia is seemingly apprehended by law enforcement before the main events of the movie, forcing Bob and Willa into a desperate flight for survival, seeking refuge with an unlikely ally, Sensei Sergio, brought to life by Benicio del Toro.
DiCaprio’s Praise for Taylor’s Improvised Brilliance
DiCaprio himself teased the film’s magnitude at CinemaCon 2025 in April, describing One Battle After Another as “an incredibly epic movie [that] has such scope and scale.” His admiration for Taylor’s performance is equally significant; in the same InStyle profile, he lauded her ability, noting, “some of Teyana’s most powerful scenes” in the film “are improvised.” He elaborated on her immersive approach, stating, “She really dove into the essence of Perfidia and the feelings of being torn as a mother, as a partner and as a revolutionary,” a testament to her profound contribution.
A “Rare Gem” – The Collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson
The collaborative spirit extended to the film’s acclaimed director, Paul Thomas Anderson, 55, who Taylor affectionately called a “rare gem.” She expressed a strong desire for a continued artistic partnership, envisioning an “actor-director link up where it’s like every time they link up, it just gets better and better and better.” Anderson reciprocated this sentiment, telling InStyle, “I do feel that there’s more to do with Teyana,” and praising her distinct screen presence: “She has one of the most photographable faces in the world.”
Anderson further detailed the dynamic on set, describing working with Taylor as “a hell of a lot of fun,” particularly noting her ability to “think like a filmmaker.” He lauded her as “a good listener and she’s got a big mouth. Good combo.” He even recalled a memorable scene where Taylor “absolutely man-handles Leo in the back of the car,” finding it “fun watching her boss him around and f*** with him.” The film also boasts a robust supporting cast, including Wood Harris, Alana Haim, and Regina Hall, who earlier told PEOPLE she was “so excited to be part of a film that” Anderson was directing. With critical praise already emerging from its key players, One Battle After Another is poised to be a cinematic event when it premieres on September 26.
