This Friday, Paramount+ will debut Vicious, a harrowing horror film directed by Bryan Bertino, known for his work on The Dark and the Wicked and The Strangers. The movie follows Dakota Fanning’s character, Polly, as she faces an unimaginable series of challenges on what becomes the worst night of her life, thrusting viewers into a relentless psychological and physical ordeal. The film’s focus on Polly’s terrifying experience highlights the complexities Dakota Fanning horror challenge presented to the actress.
The Storyline: Survival Hinges on a Deadly Ritual
Vicious revolves around Polly, who lives alone and takes in an elderly woman played by Kathryn Hunter. Shortly thereafter, Polly receives a mysterious box that sets a deadly game into motion. The box demands she follows bizarre and ritualistic rules, or else face fatal consequences. As the night unfolds, Polly is pushed through an intense emotional and physical gauntlet, with escalating horror and violence punctuating the narrative.
A Unique Collaborative Experience on Set
Writer and director Bryan Bertino expressed deep admiration for Dakota Fanning’s work during production, praising the strong creative partnership she formed with the film’s cinematographer, Tristan Nyby. This camaraderie was essential given the film’s focus almost solely on Fanning’s character. The collaboration between Bertino, Nyby, and Fanning became a backbone of the project.
I definitely feel the exact same way, especially because I’m working with only myself, acting-wise,
Fanning shared with Bloody Disgusting.
For most of the film, it was like Bryan and Tristan and everyone in the immediate crew on set kind of filled the roles that maybe other actors would have, in terms of just the camaraderie and the support and all of that. So Bryan, Tristan, and I became super close, and we’re really super collaborative, not only of the emotions of the story or the character, but also of the practical elements of making things work with the camera. Learning about all of that was really exciting for me. It was a total partnership for sure.
The Intense Emotional and Technical Demands of the Role
Fanning described the experience of filming Vicious as a major challenge due to the genre’s unique demands and the intense emotional state of her character throughout the movie. She admitted that days on set were mentally taxing, requiring sustained emotional intensity and physical stamina, which is uncommon in most acting roles.
There were days when I’d be like, ‘Bryan, I don’t know what I’m doing.’ You know what I mean? And he’d be like, ‘All right, this is what we’re doing.’ We’d talk it through. Because it’s a genre that I’m not super familiar with, and there are a lot of technical things. As an actor, I haven’t felt like I’d done a truly pure horror film before. There are a lot of technical things that I have learned a lot about. It was a great challenge for lots of reasons, but the most fun I’ve ever had. Really fun.
Filming in Sequence Helped Maintain Emotional Continuity
One unusual aspect of the film’s production was the choice to shoot the majority of scenes in chronological order, a departure from typical filming schedules. This decision proved crucial for Fanning as it allowed her to gradually build the emotional intensity necessary for Polly’s constant state of terror and exhaustion throughout the narrative.
We actually filmed in order almost totally,
Fanning explained.
“There were a few things that had to be done out of order because of locations, but for most of it, it was filmed in sequence, which was super, super helpful. Because yeah, it’s like being at a level 10 the whole time. It’s a lot of crying and a lot of screaming. There’s no way around it. You just have to go there and do it. That was something that I was a little nervous about, not knowing what that experience would be like, and whether there would be a day when I just wouldn’t be able to cry anymore. I was like, I don’t know. But for some reason, I was always able to keep it going. Then at the end of the day, you’re just really tired. It’s just a challenge in the stamina that it takes. I’m super impressed by people who are in many horror films, and that’s their genre of choice because it’s hard work. It is hard work.”
The Experience’s Impact on Dakota Fanning’s Connection to Horror
Dakota Fanning acknowledged that her time on Vicious satisfying both her curiosity about the horror genre and igniting a newfound passion for it. Growing up as an actor, she combined her understanding of emotional performance with the technical aspects unique to horror filming, like practical effects and camera positioning.
Her work with Bertino and Nyby created an ongoing creative dialogue that allowed them to fine-tune scenes minutely to evoke the required fear and suspense levels.
It was a really fun puzzle for all of us to try and figure out. Then at the same time, keeping the story and the emotions present and not losing that to the technical. You’re always balancing those two things, especially in this genre, I feel like. I loved that. That was a fun challenge.
Why This Film Matters for Fans and the Genre
Vicious stands out for its immersive approach to horror, focusing tightly on one character’s psychological unraveling while blending practical filmmaking techniques to deliver visceral scares. Dakota Fanning’s willingness to push herself emotionally and physically highlights the demanding nature of hardcore horror acting, especially when many scenes carry continuous intensity.
Given the film’s release on Paramount+ and its premiere at Fantastic Fest, it is likely to attract both horror aficionados and fans of Fanning’s evolving career. The intense collaboration behind the scenes and the commitment to filming in sequence may set a precedent for future horror productions aiming for authenticity in performance. This film not only challenges the lead actress but also enriches the genre by blending emotional depth with technical creativity.
