Director Alex Garland’s dystopian thriller, Civil War, is drawing audiences to theaters with its chilling tale of Americans at war with each other in a divided future. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a war photographer named Lee Smith and Cailee Spaeny as rookie photographer Jessie. The movie follows the journalists as they travel from New York City to Washington, D.C., to interview a third-term president before rebel forces can reach him in the White House.
Civil War has already made an impressive $2.9 million at preview screenings and is set to officially open in more than 2,900 theaters nationwide on Friday. Produced by indie studio A24, the film explores the dangerous trek of a group of journalists in a not-too-distant future where the country has split into four regions. Nick Offerman takes on the role of the dictatorial president, and Spaeny’s character Jessie accompanies the team on their mission to the nation’s capital.
Cailee Spaeny has become a familiar face in Hollywood thanks to her standout performance in the film Priscilla, where she portrayed Priscilla Presley opposite Jacob Elordi’s Elvis Presley. The role earned her multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama and recognition as Breakthrough Performer of the Year by the London Film Critics. Spaeny’s career also includes roles in projects like Pacific Rim: Uprising, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Devs, where she worked with Alex Garland and some of her Civil War co-stars.
Born in 1998 in Springfield, Missouri, Spaeny has quickly made a name for herself in the industry with a diverse range of roles on both the big and small screen. In addition to her work in films like Vice and The Basis of Sex, Spaeny has also appeared in television series such as Mare of Easttown and The First Lady. Her upcoming project, Alien: Romulus, will see her take on a lead role in the next chapter of the iconic Alien franchise, set to hit theaters in August.
Fans of Cailee Spaeny can catch her in Civil War, where she shines alongside a talented cast that includes Kirsten Dunst and Nick Offerman. The film’s portrayal of a fractured future America and the journalists’ dangerous journey to the White House is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With critical acclaim and box office success, Spaeny’s star continues to rise as she tackles a variety of challenging and engaging roles across different genres.
