Kirsten Dunst, the actress who first captured hearts as a child star in Interview with the Vampire and later became a muse for Sofia Coppola, is having a moment—again. But this time, it’s different. Now in her early 40s, Dunst is embracing complex, mature roles that reflect both her life experience and her evolving creative instincts. Her latest projects, candid interviews, and enduring influence on Hollywood reveal an artist unafraid to grow—both on and off screen.
From “Cool Girl” to “Cool Girl Colossus”
Dunst graces the September 2025 cover of
Town & Country, styled by Deborah Afshani and photographed by Tina Tyrell, in a feature that dubs her the “Cool Girl Colossus”. The label is apt: Dunst has long been a fixture on mood boards and red carpets, but her real power lies in her ability to channel vulnerability and strength in equal measure. “She’s never hokey,” says director Sofia Coppola, who has collaborated with Dunst on multiple films. “She can be fully sincere and in touch with emotions without ever being embarrassing. I love working with her and I know she gets me, and I’m excited for her to be the age she is now… I feel like she’s in her Gena Rowlands age and can do complex roles”.
“Roofman”: A True Story with Heart and Humor
Dunst’s latest starring role is in
Roofman, a crime drama directed by Derek Cianfrance and based on a true story. She plays Leigh, a woman who forms an unexpected bond with a criminal (Channing Tatum) hiding out in a Toys ‘R’ Us after escaping prison. The film, which blends heart and humor, has been praised for Dunst’s nuanced performance—bringing both vulnerability and subtle unease to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional.
In a recent interview, Dunst revealed that she prepared for the role by doing “dream work,” a technique she’s used for years to connect with her characters. For
Roofman, she envisioned Christmas—a stark contrast to the film’s darker themes—and even gave director Cianfrance what she called a “Christmas take” for each scene, imagining she was in a holiday movie. The result is a performance that’s both grounded and surprising, further cementing her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors.
A Selective, Auteur-Driven Career
Dunst’s career has been marked by deliberate choices. She often takes years between projects, waiting for the right director and the right script. After her Oscar-nominated turn in
The Power of the Dog, she appeared in only one film—Alex Garland’s
Civil War—before diving into
Roofman and Ruben Östlund’s
The Entertainment System Is Down, shot over six months abroad. “I wasn’t biding my time, waiting for something light to come along,” she says. “I was waiting for the right director to ask”.
This selectivity has paid off. Dunst’s collaborations with auteurs like Coppola, Garland, and now Cianfrance and Östlund have allowed her to explore a wide range of characters, from the tragic Lisbon sisters in
The Virgin Suicides to the alcoholic mother in
The Power of the Dog. Her willingness to take risks—and to wait for roles that challenge her—has made her a favorite among critics and audiences alike.
Personal Life: Family, Cars, and Full-Circle Moments
Off screen, Dunst’s life is just as rich. She and actor Jesse Plemons, whom she met on the set of
Fargo, have been together since 2016, are engaged, and have two sons. In a charmingly relatable detail, Dunst recently revealed that she had to take an Uber to her
Town & Country interview because the babysitter needed her car—a Volvo with two car seats in the back. “It’s our adult car,” she jokes. Plemons, meanwhile, drives his family’s old Lexus—with no car seats.
Dunst also reflects on the legacy of her earlier work.
Marie Antoinette, initially a box-office disappointment, has found new life with younger audiences. “Now my friends’ kids are watching it and sending me questions,” she says. “It’s a beautiful full-circle moment”. Similarly, a 25th-anniversary screening of
The Virgin Suicides drew fans who had camped out since 4:30 a.m., a testament to the film’s enduring impact.
What’s Next for Dunst?
With
Roofman in theaters and
The Entertainment System Is Down on the horizon, Dunst shows no signs of slowing down. She’s just finished reading a script for Coppola’s latest project, hinting at another collaboration with the director who helped define her career. As she enters what Coppola calls her “Gena Rowlands age,” Dunst is poised to take on even more complex, layered roles—proving that the best may still be yet to come.
Why Kirsten Dunst Matters Now
Kirsten Dunst’s journey from child star to respected auteur collaborator is a rare Hollywood success story. She’s managed to stay relevant without chasing trends, choosing instead to work with directors who challenge her. Her performances are marked by emotional honesty and a lack of pretension, qualities that resonate in an industry often criticized for superficiality.
For fans, Dunst’s evolution is a reminder that great acting isn’t about staying young—it’s about growing, both as an artist and as a person. And for Hollywood, she’s a model of how to navigate fame with grace, intelligence, and a healthy dose of humor.
Sources
1. Kirsten Dunst and Marie Antoinette's White Woman's World
2. Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons Complete Relationship Timeline
3. Channing Tatum & Kirsten Dunst Interview - Roofman (2025)
4. Review: 'Roofman' is full of heart and humor, making for a true story ...
5. Why Kirsten Dunst Is Our Cool Girl Colossus
