Regina Hall on Oscar Buzz, the ‘Sense of Grief’ Behind ‘One Battle After Another’ and Teasing Brenda’s Return in ‘Scary Movie 6’: ‘She’s No Better of a Friend to Cindy’

**Regina Hall Defies Expectations with Powerful New Role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’**

Regina Hall has long been known for her ability to reinvent herself, challenging audiences to reconsider their perceptions of her every few years. From the slapstick absurdity of *Scary Movie* to the layered nuance of the indie gem *Support the Girls*, Hall has navigated Hollywood’s narrow categorization with grace, range, and an unshakable instinct for truth.

Now, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s *One Battle After Another*, Hall delivers what may be her most profound performance yet—a portrayal that carries the accumulated weight of loss, resilience, and hard-won wisdom.

### A Silent, Profound Performance

In the film, Hall plays Deandra, a quiet member of the militia group French 75. Though she doesn’t speak much, what Hall conveys physically, emotionally, and through sheer presence is nothing short of extraordinary.

“There was a lot of talk with Paul [Thomas Anderson] about Deandra — who she is, what she felt, what she’d been through,” Hall shared on the *Variety Awards Circuit Podcast*. “I think Deandra is kind of a lens into the stakes of what is happening, what transpired, what went wrong. There’s a weight that Deandra carries, and if you aren’t going to be talking about it, you usually feel or see someone’s weight.”

Known for guiding actors into raw, unguarded territory, Anderson shoots much of the film in close-up, leaving no place to hide. Hall’s restraint becomes a force of gravity.

“Paul shoots a lot of close-ups in this film,” Hall explained. “There is a lot to convey in those moments and in those seconds, without it necessarily having to be spoken—that kind of nonverbal use of expression that Deandra uses.”

The film’s final shot, featuring Hall’s glistening eyes and a face etched with conflicted emotion, has become its emotional anchor. It’s a vivid reminder that certain actors embody their characters, and some performances linger long after the credits roll.

### Oscar Buzz and a Long-Overdue Spotlight

Oscar buzz is building around Hall’s work, positioning her as a leading contender for Best Supporting Actress—a nomination that would mark her first Academy Award nod. Many feel it is long overdue.

From the pitch-perfect comedic chaos of *Girls Trip* to the quiet devastation of *Master*, Hall has consistently delivered layered performances, often in roles demanding a depth rarely recognized by mainstream accolades.

“It’d be great. It’d be hard,” Hall admits. “It’s an exciting thing. I remember the first time I got nominated for a Gotham and then a Spirit—I’ve lost all three times. It was fun to get nominated, and you really do feel like it’s an honor… until you lose. Then you’re like, damn, I actually did want to win.”

### Personal Grief Shapes Her Art

Hall’s journey to this moment has been shaped by personal grief that lingers beneath the surface, subtly yet profoundly shading her work. She lost her mother in 2021.

“Those things add layers to a grief that you carry, and to what loss is, and to what life is and the meaning of life,” she reflects. “You lose enough where you understand what there is to lose. I guess I walk with that sense of grief, so it probably shows. My eyes probably have changed.”

### Artistic Breakthrough and Courageous Path

*One Battle After Another* represents both an artistic breakthrough and a personal reckoning for Hall. In an industry that often confines its actors—especially women and Black women—Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth, and courage.

On this episode of the award-winning *Variety Awards Circuit Podcast*, Hall discusses her role in Anderson’s film, her return as Brenda in *Scary Movie 6*, and what’s next for one of Hollywood’s most underestimated talents.

Also featured on this episode are Chloe Zhao, the writer and director of the emotional drama *Hamnet*, alongside an Awards Circuit Roundtable covering the main contenders for Netflix, the winners of regional festivals, and potential dark horses in the Oscar race. Listen below!

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### Interview Excerpts: Regina Hall on Acting, Reinvention, and Loss

**Paul Thomas Anderson is famous for pushing actors into vulnerable places. What was your process like for developing Deandra?**

There was a lot of talk with Paul about Deandra—who she is, what she felt, what she’d been through. I think Deandra is kind of a lens into the stakes of what is happening, what transpired, and what went wrong. It was the idea that you really have to trust Deandra, her commitment to the French 75, and ultimately, to Willa. There’s a weight that Deandra carries. The only way you know if you aren’t going to be talking about it is you usually feel or see someone’s weight.

Paul shoots a lot of close-ups in this film. Every film he does is so different, but in this film, there is a lot to convey in those moments and seconds without necessarily having to speak—that kind of nonverbal use of expression that Deandra uses.

**Your co-star, Chase Infiniti, is a revelation in the film. What was it like working with her in her first major role?**

Chase is great. That started from the moment she came in for the audition. She was the last person we read with that day, after seeing several other really good people. She came in steady and had a truly special quality about her—a quiet resilience and strength she carried.

There’s also this innocence to her, which you need for Willa to want to protect her—to think, “People are going through a lot to get this girl.” At the same time, you have to show she’s her mother’s child.

As a person, Chase is wonderful. The same way you root for her as Willa, you want to see her shine. It was remarkable how she steadied herself and delivered such an incredible performance despite any nervousness.

What I love most is that she’s funny, smart, and caring. There’s a goodness to her, and I think that resonates.

**Looking back at your career, you seem to reinvent yourself every few years. Is that intentional, or does it just happen organically?**

Initially, you’re just saying yes to work. I think *The Best Man* was one kind of role, and *Love & Basketball* was another. After *Scary Movie*, because no one really knew me, it became so big that people labeled me as a comedian. But I didn’t want to be known just as a comedian—I wasn’t a comedian at all. I’d never studied comedy or done stand-up, though many people thought I had.

After *Scary Movie*, I went back to auditioning for roles I typically pursued. You’re still auditioning, still trying to work. But I made a conscious decision: I wanted to do something else. It wasn’t random.

When you start saying no to certain things, you do get offered similar roles repeatedly. You have to say, “No, I want to hold out,” so you don’t get stuck. At the same time, you think, “I need to work.” You live in both realities—trying to pay the bills while hoping to make thoughtful choices.

**After *Scary Movie*, did you feel misunderstood by the industry?**

Definitely. People saw me as someone who only did broad comedy. Then, when I didn’t do broad comedy, people asked my agents, “Does she even do comedy?”

A lot of people haven’t seen the breadth of my work because it’s about what’s visible in mainstream conversations.

That happened again after *Girls Trip*. Suddenly, they were asking if I could do comedy, even though I was playing the straight role. But I was the straight one in *Think Like a Man*, definitely not in *About Last Night*.

It all comes down to visibility.

**You’ve spoken about how your mother’s faith grounded you. Did that spiritual core help you navigate the emotional toll of this role?**

Absolutely. I lost my mom during *Master*. Those experiences add layers to grief—the kind of grief you carry—and shape what loss and life’s meaning are to you.

There’s a matter-of-factness to life and nature: no one is exempt from loss, pain, heartbreak, or struggle. They may come in different ways or amounts, with added layers depending on closure.

In life, you learn more and lose more. You gain and lose. There’s a constant learning—about yourself and others.

You lose enough, and you begin to understand what there is to lose. You see the fragility of everything.

I walk with that sense of grief, so it probably shows. My eyes have probably changed.

**Social media exploded when you announced you’d be returning as Brenda in *Scary Movie 6*. What made you say yes?**

I read the script and it was really funny. I knew what they intended to do.

I always think a work of art is in flux until it’s done and in someone’s hands—you never really know.

But the original cast coming back was exciting, with the Wayans again, and Anna Faris too.

Brenda can’t live without Cindy, and she’s no better a friend to Cindy this time, but they’re still best friends.

The nostalgia and timing made it feel right. It was a good time to do something broad and fun.

I thought, “This is funny.” Doing something a little irreverent feels refreshing right now.

**You’ve hosted the Oscars before, but what would it mean to attend as an Oscar nominee?**

It’d be great. It’d be hard [laughs]. My assistant is probably going to hear about it the most.

It’s exciting. I remember being very excited the first time I was nominated for a Gotham and then a Spirit Award. I’ve lost all three times.

It’s fun to be nominated and feel honored—until you lose. Then you realize, “Damn, I actually wanted to win.”

That competitive nature kicks in.

**When *Scary Movie* first came out, it was panned by critics despite audience love. At the time, comedies like that weren’t taken seriously. With *Support the Girls*, it was different. Critics loved it. How did that feel?**

People always say, “I don’t care what critics think,” but when they say nice things? It feels good.

**What’s next for you after *One Battle After Another*?**

I’m shooting *Scary Movie 6*—going back to work soon. We started on October 1.

Then, there’s *Judgment Day* with Will Ferrell, which was great.

I also did *SpongeBob*, my first animated film.

And *Three Bags Full*, a sheep detective story.

Plus, I have my production company RH Negative—we’re working on several projects and plan to complete them.

We aim to have something out or greenlit next year.

A lot is coming down the pipeline.

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**About the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast**

Hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley, and Michael Schneider (who also produces), Variety’s *Awards Circuit* podcast is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television.

Each episode features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions about awards races and industry headlines, and much more.

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*Listen to the full episode featuring Regina Hall and Chloe Zhao below.*
https://variety.com/2025/film/podcasts/regina-hall-oscars-one-battle-after-another-scary-movie-6-1236580230/

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