Civil War star Kirsten Dunst has a surprising comparison for Alex Garland's latest movie: Paris, Texas

EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesCivil WarCivil War star Kirsten Dunst has a surprising comparison for Alex Garland’s latest movie: Paris, TexasWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesCivil WarCivil War star Kirsten Dunst has a surprising comparison for Alex Garland’s latest movie: Paris, TexasWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: A24) New movieCivil Warmay be an action-packed war film, but its star Kirsten Dunst thinks it shares a surprising similarity with a much quieter flick: Paris, Texas. That’s because, although Civil War documents a second internal conflict in the US, writer-director Alex Garland (known for helming movies likeEx Machinaand Annihilation) is British, and Dunst thinks that allowed him to bring a different perspective to the film that an American filmmaker might not have been able to. “Even though there’s discourse everywhere, I think setting it in America, because so many people look to America, makes everything frightening in a different way,” she tells GamesRadar+ and the Inside Total Film podcast. “I mean, Paris, Texas is one of my favorite movies, and, you know, sometimes it takes a European or a person from an outside perspective to see the beauty or the horrors of something in a different country.” In Civil War, Dunst’s character is also on a journey. She plays seasoned war photographer Lee, while Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Cailee Spaeny make up the rest of the group of photographers and journalists heading through a war-torn US to get to Washington DC before rebel forces take the White House. Civil War is released in cinemas on April 12. For more on the movie, here’swhy Garland doesn’t see his film as an inherently American storyandDunst on why she wanted to work with the “auteur”. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox More about action moviesThe secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftLatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest► More about action moviesThe secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftLatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest► More about action moviesThe secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift More about action movies The secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift The secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world” The secret’s out: Christopher Nolan’s new Tom Holland-led movie is an Odyssey adaptation and a “mythic action epic shot across the world” Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift LatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest► Latest Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one See more latest► Most PopularPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of itCreature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftSonic 3 writers have their say on whether Robotnik is really dead and begin the Jim Carrey Oscar campaign: “The fact that the Oscars almost exclusively only focus on drama is a little silly"Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’s directors reveal the surprising influences behind their new “gnome noir” movie – including a Hitchcock classicAfter being labeled a Dark Souls copy, Black Myth: Wukong is now getting its own imitators on the Nintendo storeBill Skarsgård ended up staying “isolated” from his castmates when filming horror movie Nosferatu – but he recalls co-star Nicholas Hoult’s kindnessThe Witcher 4 devs say romance will “absolutely” be a part of the RPG, it just has to be “super compelling and very meaningful"One of the best Yu-Gi-Oh anime series is getting a 2025 remaster for its milestone 20th anniversaryUnhinged outtakes from live-action Balatro trailer reveal we could have seen Final Fantasy 16’s Ben Starr gobble down a banana too many waysSonic 3 writers admit that they did consider killing James Marsden’s lovable Tom: “It came up… but would have been maybe a bridge too far” Most PopularPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of itCreature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftSonic 3 writers have their say on whether Robotnik is really dead and begin the Jim Carrey Oscar campaign: “The fact that the Oscars almost exclusively only focus on drama is a little silly"Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’s directors reveal the surprising influences behind their new “gnome noir” movie – including a Hitchcock classicAfter being labeled a Dark Souls copy, Black Myth: Wukong is now getting its own imitators on the Nintendo storeBill Skarsgård ended up staying “isolated” from his castmates when filming horror movie Nosferatu – but he recalls co-star Nicholas Hoult’s kindnessThe Witcher 4 devs say romance will “absolutely” be a part of the RPG, it just has to be “super compelling and very meaningful"One of the best Yu-Gi-Oh anime series is getting a 2025 remaster for its milestone 20th anniversaryUnhinged outtakes from live-action Balatro trailer reveal we could have seen Final Fantasy 16’s Ben Starr gobble down a banana too many waysSonic 3 writers admit that they did consider killing James Marsden’s lovable Tom: “It came up… but would have been maybe a bridge too far” Most PopularPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of itCreature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftSonic 3 writers have their say on whether Robotnik is really dead and begin the Jim Carrey Oscar campaign: “The fact that the Oscars almost exclusively only focus on drama is a little silly"Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’s directors reveal the surprising influences behind their new “gnome noir” movie – including a Hitchcock classicAfter being labeled a Dark Souls copy, Black Myth: Wukong is now getting its own imitators on the Nintendo storeBill Skarsgård ended up staying “isolated” from his castmates when filming horror movie Nosferatu – but he recalls co-star Nicholas Hoult’s kindnessThe Witcher 4 devs say romance will “absolutely” be a part of the RPG, it just has to be “super compelling and very meaningful"One of the best Yu-Gi-Oh anime series is getting a 2025 remaster for its milestone 20th anniversaryUnhinged outtakes from live-action Balatro trailer reveal we could have seen Final Fantasy 16’s Ben Starr gobble down a banana too many waysSonic 3 writers admit that they did consider killing James Marsden’s lovable Tom: “It came up… but would have been maybe a bridge too far” Most Popular Palworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld” The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of it Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift Sonic 3 writers have their say on whether Robotnik is really dead and begin the Jim Carrey Oscar campaign: “The fact that the Oscars almost exclusively only focus on drama is a little silly” Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’s directors reveal the surprising influences behind their new “gnome noir” movie – including a Hitchcock classic After being labeled a Dark Souls copy, Black Myth: Wukong is now getting its own imitators on the Nintendo store Bill Skarsgård ended up staying “isolated” from his castmates when filming horror movie Nosferatu – but he recalls co-star Nicholas Hoult’s kindness The Witcher 4 devs say romance will “absolutely” be a part of the RPG, it just has to be “super compelling and very meaningful” One of the best Yu-Gi-Oh anime series is getting a 2025 remaster for its milestone 20th anniversary Unhinged outtakes from live-action Balatro trailer reveal we could have seen Final Fantasy 16’s Ben Starr gobble down a banana too many ways Sonic 3 writers admit that they did consider killing James Marsden’s lovable Tom: “It came up… but would have been maybe a bridge too far” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”