The Fanning Sisters: A Smooth Transition to Adulthood

Being a child actor can pose risks to a young person’s emotional, mental, and sometimes physical well-being. When you throw in sibling rivalry, it’s pretty impressive how Dakota and Elle Fanning have navigated their way from childhood roles to adult careers.

Elle started off as Dakota’s little sister but soon made a name for herself during the 2000s, taking on calm and clever characters. Interestingly, she co-starred with Dakota in various films, including playing a younger version of Dakota’s character in the 2001 movie I’m Sam. They were also voiced as siblings in the English dub of My Neighbor Totoro. Dakota, who is four years older, had a more consistent acting career, taking on major roles alongside big names like Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro. From 2003 to 2020, she was frequently on the screen, although she took a four-year break afterward to star in Hulu’s The Great, which wrapped up in 2023.

Since that time, Dakota’s visibility has increased markedly. Last year, she featured in a Bob Dylan biopic titled Completely Unknown. Recently, she experienced what could be considered the pinnacle of her career when she appeared in Predator: Badlands, showcasing her in a dual role, along with another significant part in the Oscar-nominated film Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier.

This self-awareness seems to define “Adult Elle.” Before 2020, the now 27-year-old Fanning mostly portrayed teenagers and college students, applying a more natural touch to her acting compared to her older sister. Dakota often took on robust roles in films geared toward adults, presenting elements that felt amplified and sometimes even scripted. Although she displayed great talent, there were moments when it felt like her roles were over-the-top. This led to affectionate parodies, like in a Saturday Night Live sketch where Amy Poehler portrayed Dakota as a knowledgeable talk show host whose guests struggled to keep up.

As they grew older, Dakota seemed to shift toward a more serious acting style, perhaps as a natural evolution, while Elle, whether intentionally or not, moved away from that polished, mature exterior. In the movie Super 8, for example, Elle played a teenage character with an unreciprocated crush—an engaging performance that perhaps offered a more raw version of young Dakota’s early work. Both sisters exhibit natural talent but approach their roles differently, avoiding overt displays of their abilities.

In Sentimental Value, Fanning portrays Rachel Kemp, who is not just busy with projects but is also a well-known figure, adding pressure on the director Gustav Borg, played by Stellan Skarsgård, as he attempts to revive his career with a new film. Initially, he wants to cast his estranged daughter, Nora, but when she declines, he opts for Rachel instead, capitalizing on her recent acclaim in an older film. Although Rachel may not have received two Oscars, the inference is made that she’s close in stature to Emma Stone.

The narrative primarily centers on Gustav and Nora, with Rachel serving as a supporting character. Her role requires a balancing act since she is trying to understand a character that was never intended for her. Rachel poignantly navigates questions about her character’s complexities, hinting at deeper family dynamics that the director seems to overlook. She desires to be part of Gustav’s film but is met with a kind of polite resistance that reflects his struggles with familial relations.

Predator: Badlands isn’t solely about the actors; it’s fundamentally an exploration of humanity, which is Fanning’s task within her dual roles. One of her characters, Chia, is a synthetic being assisting Deku, a member of a hunting species. Tia’s programmed personality allows Fanning to infuse some levity and charm into the film. It’s almost a shortcut for character development, but it allows her to shine as a star. Tia mirrors what many actors aim for, attempting to become human-like even while being crafted by others.

In contrast, her character Tessa serves as a stark distinction to illustrate the more callous aspects of her other character’s behavior. By embracing these varied roles, Fanning seems to counter any anxieties about how her time in the industry might have affected her performance style. With this approach, she balances both sides of her talent—the heartfelt portrayal in Completely Unknown and the playful energy of Predator, finding her comfort zone amid the complexities of the film world.