When Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled project was first announced in January 2024, the cast trio of Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall instantly set the internet ablaze. Hall, best known for her sharp comedic turns in the “Scary Movie” franchise, has been shifting her focus toward more dramatic work in recent years. The early press frenzy surrounding the film was so intense that it almost felt like the Oscar campaign for her had begun before the title was even revealed.
But once the film finally opened, the conversation shifted. Critics and audiences quickly focused on the performances of Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti, whose expansive screen time and flashier performances made them early favorites in the Best Supporting Actress race for awards season.
Hall, by contrast, quietly slipped out of the spotlight. Her work is not as flamboyant as her co-stars’ nor as prominent in screen time, but that does not mean she is out of the running. In fact, Hall may very well be this year’s overlooked dark horse. Let’s examine why…
The Comedian-Turned-Dramatic Narrative
Few Oscar trajectories are as enduring as the comedian-turned-dramatic-actor arc. Robin Williams (“Good Will Hunting”), Whoopi Goldberg (“The Color Purple” and “Ghost”), and Mo’Nique (“Precious“) all followed this path to Academy gold. More recently, Melissa McCarthy earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her dramatic role in 2018’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me?.”
There is always a moment of conviction when a comedian delivers a strong dramatic turn, backed by a powerful script, a visionary director, and then the film earns widespread acclaim. These performances often serve as proof that comedians can thrive in weightier roles, and the Oscar nomination and other prizes that follow only cement that transformation.
Hall first made her name in the industry as Brenda in the “Scary Movie“ series, a fan favorite who somehow managed to die and come back in every sequel. She is funny, quick-witted, and endlessly watchable in those movies. There is no dramatic undercurrent written into those scripts since the films are pure comedy through and through.
She further cemented her comedy credibility with films like “Girls Trip“ (2017) and “Little“ (2019), both of which contain moments of genuine emotional depth. Even within those comedies, Hall revealed surprising depth, particularly in the films’ closing acts. She later took on supporting roles in more serious fare, such as “The Hate U Give“ (2018).
While that film showcased her range, she was not yet recognized as a serious dramatic performer. That breakthrough came with 2018’s “Support the Girls,“ where she plays the general manager of a struggling sports bar. Directed by Andrew Bujalski, the indie gem earned her Best Actress honors from the New York Film Critics Circle. Since then, she has continued to blur the line between humor and heartbreak in films like “Master“ (2022) and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.“ (2022).
Then came Paul Thomas Anderson.
Anderson has long had a soft spot for comedians, casting Adam Sandler in “Punch Drunk Love“ and channeling humor into pathos in almost all of his films. In “One Battle After Another,“ Hall fits neatly into that tradition, crafting a layered, restrained performance that complements the film’s chaos.
A Minor Role with Major Resonance
Hall plays Deandra, a member of the French-75 terrorist group alongside Pat (DiCaprio) and Perfidia (Taylor). Early in the film, she is portrayed as wise, experienced, and quietly charismatic. While Taylor’s performance bursts with energy in the film’s opening thirty minutes, Hall keeps her’s grounded and understated. Her screen time may be limited, and her primary arc revolves around protecting Willa (Chase Infiniti), but the emotional weight of her story lingers long after the credits roll.
There is a recurring Oscar trend in which performers with minimal screen time, such as Viola Davis in “Doubt“ (2008), Judi Dench in “Belfast“ (2021), or Judd Hirsch in “The Fabelmans“ (2022), still manage to leave an outsized impression. It is not simply about how long they are on screen; it is about the impact they leave behind.
In the 2022 Oscars race, pundits predicted CaitrÃona Balfe over Judi Dench for “Belfast,“ but when nominations were announced, it was Dench who prevailed. Despite less screen time, her role as the protagonist’s grandmother carried nuance and emotional resonance that stuck with audiences. Similarly, Judd Hirsch’s brief yet pivotal scene in “The Fabelmans“ reoriented the entire film’s emotional arc, and Viola Davis’s scene in “Doubt“ remains one of the most powerful acting moments of the 21st century.
Deandra’s journey follows that same tradition. She is loyal, empathetic, and quietly defiant. After Perfidia betrays the French-75 group, Deandra hides Willa from the U.S. Government and refuses to betray her comrades, even under threat of death. Her silence stands in stark contrast to Perfidia’s betrayal, and her fate remains uncertain, lending her story a haunting quality that lingers.
When the film ends, Perfidia survives, but Deandra’s destiny is ambiguous. That uncertainty deepens the film’s emotional impact, reinforcing its theme that while one battle for Pat and Willa may be won, others still need to be fought. Deandra may be gone, but her moral conviction remains.
Unlike Perfidia, who compromises to save herself, Deandra chooses integrity even at a significant cost to her safety and freedom. Anderson resists making this a showy performance, and Hall plays it with remarkable restraint and quiet dignity. Her work might lack the fireworks of her co-stars, but its subtlety, the strength of the writing, and her respect within the industry could make Academy voters take notice. Awards season is not just about volume or visibility; it is about nuance, intention, and transformation. And if Oscar history tells us anything, it is that Hollywood loves a comedian who can break your heart.
Have you seen “One Battle After Another” yet? If so, what did you think of it? Do you think we are underestimating Regina Hall’s chances to be a part of this year’s Best Supporting Actress lineup? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account and check out the team’s latest Oscar predictions here.
You can follow Reza and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars & Film on X @kelitikfilm
