Chase Infiniti has just shared a deeply inspiring story about working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another. In an exclusive conversation at the National Board of Review Awards gala in Manhattan on January 12, 2026, the 25-year-old actress opened up about what she considers the single most important piece of “advice” she received from the Hollywood legend—not a direct quote, but a powerful, living example through the way he carried himself every single day on set.

A Brutal, Rewarding Journey on One of Hollywood’s Toughest Sets

One Battle After Another marks Paul Thomas Anderson’s boldest work in years—a dark comedy-thriller drenched in family dysfunction, corporate betrayal, and relentless personal warfare. Shot entirely on 35mm film, the movie carries the director’s signature blend of meticulous craftsmanship and emotional rawness, echoing the intensity of There Will Be Blood and the psychedelic sprawl of Inherent Vice.

The story centers on the Harlan family, torn apart by a devastating corporate scandal that spirals into absurd violence, revenge plots, and moments of heartbreaking vulnerability. The title says it all: life is one battle after another.

The cast is nothing short of extraordinary. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Elias Harlan, a once-dominant patriarch now crumbling under the weight of his own legacy. Sean Penn delivers volcanic monologues as a volatile family ally. Teyana Taylor brings fierce intelligence and danger as a shadowy operative. Benicio del Toro and Regina Hall add layers of quiet menace and sharp wit. And at the emotional core of the film stands Chase Infiniti as Ava Harlan—Elias’s daughter, a young woman caught between inherited trauma and her own burning desire to break free.

For Infiniti, this role was a crucible. She endured physically punishing action sequences, emotionally draining confrontations, and long days under Anderson’s famously demanding direction. “I came away with a lot of bruises, a lot of cuts,” she admitted with a half-smile. “But every single second was worth a thousand percent. I made a promise to myself that I was going to give 120% to this film. It’s a Paul Thomas Anderson movie shot on film—I wasn’t going to waste even one moment of that opportunity.”

The Advice That Wasn’t Spoken

When asked about the best advice Leonardo DiCaprio ever gave her, Infiniti didn’t reach for a rehearsed line or recall a private heart-to-heart. Instead, she pointed to something far more profound:

“I think the best piece of advice I got was honestly just watching him every day on set—watching his gentle leadership and his complete kindness. Even if he never said those words directly to me, that example is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

She described a set atmosphere that could easily have been tense and hierarchical. Instead, DiCaprio created something different. He arrived early, greeted crew members by name, thanked the gaffers, the grips, the sound team. During exhausting fourteen-hour days, when everyone was running on fumes, he remained calm, focused, and generous. He made space for people to take risks without fear of judgment.

“He made you feel seen,” Infiniti said softly. “There were scenes where Ava and Elias go at each other—screaming, tears, pure rage. After the director called cut, Leo would turn to me and say something simple like, ‘That was powerful. Trust that fire inside you.’ It wasn’t scripted advice. It was real, in the moment, and it meant everything.”

In an industry where stories of ego clashes and power plays are all too common, DiCaprio’s quiet, steady presence stood out as something rare and valuable.

From Suburban Chicago to the Heart of Hollywood

Born and raised in the quiet suburbs of Chicago, Chase Infiniti (born Chase Sullivan) never followed the classic “child star” route. She studied theater at Northwestern University, immersing herself in experimental productions and building a strong technical foundation. Her first major breakout came with the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent, where she held her own opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as a razor-sharp legal intern navigating a world of deception.

But One Battle After Another represented an entirely different level—a big-screen leap under one of cinema’s most respected and exacting directors. Winning the Breakthrough Performance Award at the National Board of Review gala was powerful validation of how far she had come in such a short time.

Kindness as Strength

In a town that often rewards bravado and self-promotion, Infiniti learned something deeper from DiCaprio: kindness is not weakness. It is power.

“He showed me that real leadership doesn’t need to shout,” she reflected. “It can be gentle, consistent, and still move mountains.”

She is equally thoughtful about protecting herself as fame grows. “I trust my intuition,” she explained. “I want to surround myself only with people who share the same spiritual and mental values. I’m lucky to have a small circle I really trust.”

That philosophy feels like a quiet echo of DiCaprio’s own path—someone who has spent decades in the spotlight while remaining committed to causes bigger than himself.

What Comes Next

One Battle After Another has already grossed more than $150 million worldwide in its opening month and is widely considered a major contender across multiple categories at the 2026 Academy Awards. Chase Infiniti’s name now appears regularly in predictions for Best Supporting Actress and Breakthrough Performer honors.

As for Leonardo DiCaprio, he continues to redefine what it means to be a leading man in his fifties—still delivering career-defining performances while quietly mentoring the next generation.

And for Chase Infiniti, the real prize may not be the awards or the box-office numbers. It’s the indelible lesson she carries forward: sometimes the most powerful advice isn’t spoken at all. Sometimes it’s lived, day after day, in the small, steady acts of decency that turn a tough set into something unforgettable.

In the middle of one battle after another, she found a rare example of grace under fire—and she intends to pass it on.