Grace Van Dien, from Stranger Things to Silver star
The great-granddaughter of Robert Mitchum, whose career took off after landing in season 4 of the Duffer cult series, burst onto the screen in the astonishing second feature by Lola Bessis and Ruben Amar. Encounter
In silver startheir second feature film, eleven years after Swim Little Swim FishLola Bessis and Ruben Amar depict the electric escapade across the United States of Billy, a young African-American who robs a bank to help her parents in need, and Franny, 18 years old, pregnant to the teeth, whom she has taken hostage. This film is carried by the energy and complicity of its two formidable lead performers: Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson and Grace Van Dien. The latter brilliantly continues her rise to power enabled by her arrival as queen of the cheerleaders of Hawkins high school in season 4 of Stranger things. Great-granddaughter of Robert Mitchum and daughter of Casper van Dien (Starship troopers), she bursts here on the screen like an unpinned grenade of which we never know at that moment what she will do in the next second. All without breaking the harmony of the film but on the contrary being at every moment its vibrant heart in perfect harmony with his comrade Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson. While she continues filming (including Springer Breakers: Salvation Mountain), we were able to take stock with her of the tipping point she is experiencing.
You landed the role of Franny, one of the two heroines of silver star by hearing. Were you able to have access to the scenario to prepare for it or did you discover it once you started?
Grace Van Dien: I was able to have access to the script for the tests and I can assure you that it is one of the funniest and craziest scripts I have ever read. I even told myself that there was no chance that they would choose me! (laughs) So, I approached the audition in a completely relaxed way, saying to myself: “Have fun, make the character as crazy and unique as you want, since it probably won’t be you in the end. Just enjoy being Franny for a few minutes.” And I was lucky to be wrong!
What immediately appealed to you about this character?
The fact that she says what she thinks. Which makes her someone strange and unpredictable, because she doesn’t care about other people’s opinions of her. She finds herself in a situation where most people would be broken or unhappy, but she continues to be quirky, loud, and whole. I fell in love with this freedom.
This film is written by two French people. Did this surprise you?
Partly because the tone is indeed very American in the writing! But it was so subtle and intelligent that it could only be French!
Once you got the role, how did you work? Did you have references recommended by Lola Bessis or Ruben Amar?
What gave me a lot of freedom was this line where Billy asks Franny: “Where are you from?”, and Billy replies: “Everywhere.” From there, I understood that I could play with his story, his origins, his accents, everything. With Lola and Ruben, we discussed Thelma and Louisebut basically Franny doesn’t really have a direct equivalent in this film, nor in any other. She is unique. And in this same logic, Lola and Ruben let me improvise, dare and test ideas. They kept telling me: “Go all out, we’ll see how far you can go.” And I trusted their outlook to know how to set limits despite everything.
Franny is excessive but if we become attached to her and if we love her, it is because we also see her inner fragility, even if she does not spontaneously show it…
We really owe that to her relationship with Billy. I think without that, if the audience didn’t look at Franny through Billy’s eyes, they would never really connect with her. Because I am aware that at the beginning of the film, we can quickly want her to calm down and be silent. Franny talks a lot, fast and loud. Too fast and too strong! (laughs) But as soon as we enter this duo, without even realizing it, we start to become attached to her. And from there, I don’t think we’ll let go
How exactly was this duo created with Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson and this complicity which indeed bursts through the screen?
Already, you can’t imagine to what extent Troy is the polar opposite of her character in “real” life: talkative, ultra-feminine… It was captivating to see her transform at the word “Motor” into this taciturn tomboy. And Lola and Ruben had the good idea of having us live together during filming, in an Airbnb. We watched horror films, we drank wine, we confided in each other when we got home from filming. This proximity really created a friendship that the camera was able to capture.
Despite your family background which makes you a real child of the ball, you waited until you were 18 before launching a career as an actress. For what reason?
Because I wanted to be a writer! But also because I didn’t want to be exposed, to be observed by strangers. It terrified me. And then one day, in 2014, my father asked me to play Sleeping Beautyhis first directorial film. And I discovered the pleasure of disappearing into someone else, of abandoning my own memories and taking on another soul. It instantly became a drug.
Have you taken lessons?
Not really. I grew up on the sets following my father. At 18, I took three months of lessons, but landed a role during training. At school, I was told: “If you go and make the film, you’re not coming back.” I said to myself, “Isn’t that the point of working?” So I left and continued with private coaching.
Many actors say that the hardest part is choosing roles. Today that you have this freedom, is this also your case?
I had to learn. Today, I am indeed lucky enough to be able to say no. I choose a project by asking myself: “What can this role give me that I cannot experience otherwise?” And I discovered that I actually like playing strange characters. Perhaps I should be careful not to chain them too much so as not to get stuck in them.
It is Stranger Things who allowed this shift?
Completely ! Even though I thought my role was so small that no one would notice me. I just found it incredible to find myself working on my favorite series. I had no idea it would change my life.
As a child, what films had an impact on you?
My father is a fan of westerns: The Prisoner of the Desert, Butch Cassidy and the KidPaul Newman – my imaginary husband, sorry Joanne Woodward! (laughs) I also admire Jessica Lange in almost all of her films. Then, as a teenager, when I had my own computer, I discovered on my own Virgin Suicides, A stolen life. These films about sad, introspective girls. And I think we’re starting to see a little of that in my work.
Do you have French bedside films?
Portrait of the girl on fire is one of my favorite films, period. I will never forget the shock when I found out. And I love The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Catherine Deneuve is so sublime!
Silver Star. By Lola Bessis and Ruben Amar With Grace Van Dien, Troy Leigh- Anne Johnson, Tamara Fruits… Duration 1h42. Released November 26, 2025
