jacket. Viktor and Rolf
jewellery. Mejuri
tights. Wolford
opposite
shirt. Marc Jacobs
When I caught up with Isabelle Fuhrman, she was in the midst of packing for a summer adventure in Italy. ‘One of my friends is getting married in Varese near Lake Maggiore,’ she said, her excitement palpable through the screen. ‘I’m very excited to eat a lot of pasta. That is my plan.’ Amidst the packing chaos, she also mentioned her upcoming press commitments for the second chapter of her latest film Horizon: An American Saga, a project she is clearly thrilled about. Balancing work and play, it seems, is the theme of her summer.
Fuhrman’s career trajectory is a fascinating one. Many remember her chilling performance in the cult classic Orphan, an iconic role that cemented her place in the horror genre. But acting wasn’t always her dream. ‘I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was little,’ she confessed. ‘I loved animals very much.’ However, a pivotal moment with her father watching The Wizard of Oz sparked a different kind of dream. ‘I asked my dad how I could go to places like Oz, and he said only people in movies get to go there,’ she recalled. This revelation, coupled with the creative encouragement from her older sister and her ‘toughest director I’ve ever worked with,’ set the stage for her acting career.
Starting out as a child actor can be daunting, often leading to safe, kid-friendly roles. However, it all changed when she landed her first big screen project. ‘Working on Orphan with Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard was a turning point,’ Fuhrman explained. ‘They made me realise this could be a lifelong career, not just something for kids.’ This realisation fuelled her passion and dedication, leading her to embrace a career that has allowed her to explore a wide range of characters and stories.
opposite
top. Givenchy
skirt. Miu Miu
Not everyone can say that their career was supported by Leonardo DiCaprio, but that happens to be the case for Fuhrman. ‘When Leonardo DiCaprio tells your mom you have a shot, you take it seriously,’ she exclaimed. Reflecting on her journey so far, Fuhrman expressed great gratitude for the support of her family. ‘My mom, dad, and sister moved to Los Angeles for me after Orphan,’ she said. This move allowed her to grow with the industry rather than burn out early and learn to love this career path even more.
The impact of Orphan on her career cannot be understated. The film’s popularity has grown over time, and when the opportunity arose to revisit Esther in Orphan: First Kill, Fuhrman was initially uncertain. ‘I just felt like, are the fans gonna love it? Is this going to be too late? Am I going to be able to do this again? When I did this before, I was a kid and I was 23 when we filmed the second movie.’ However, her doubts were quickly assuaged. ‘I remember when I saw the cut of the second movie before it was released, I just said to Brent [Bell], our director, and Alex [Mace], our producer, ‘I don’t know how, but we somehow did it.’
As we discussed the possibility of another Orphan instalment, Fuhrman’s passion for the character of Esther shone through. ‘I’m personally really excited about the future of the franchise and even right now, I’m just grateful that so many people still love Esther. I feel like she is one of those characters that I will always look back on no matter how old I get and just be really proud of her. Proud of myself that I got to play one of those very few iconic characters that live on forever in cinema history.’
tank top. Tainkhair
shirt. Saint Laurent
skirt. Vintage
jewellery. Heaven Mayhem
Now, with the Horizon saga finally debuting in theatres, the actress feels like her latest character, Diamond Kittredge, could be another that lives on forever. Described as a ‘powerful, incredibly ahead-of-her-time woman,’ Diamond is a worker on the wagon train who has to forfeit her femininity to survive the deadly West. When Fuhrman received the audition sides for Horizon, she was immediately intrigued. ‘All I knew was that it was a Western saga directed by Kevin Costner,’ she said. Despite the limited information, she was captivated. ‘I’ve always wanted to do a Western. It’s a genre that made movie stars, movie stars.’
Landing the role of Diamond Kittredge was no small feat. ‘I made that audition tape the best I’ve ever done,’ she admitted. Her dedication paid off when Costner himself offered her the role during a Zoom meeting. ‘He told me he felt I was the right person to play Diamond,’ she said, still sounding a bit awestruck by the moment.
Playing Diamond allowed Fuhrman to delve into a character’s evolution over 15 years, a rare opportunity in film. ‘She’s formed by this journey westward. She starts off very observant, and as the story progresses, you see how this journey shapes her.’
Filming in the vast, rugged landscapes of Utah added another layer of authenticity and challenge. ‘We were out in the middle of nowhere, dealing with sandstorms and rain,’ Fuhrman described. ‘But I love being outside. It’s therapeutic.’ The authenticity of the set added to the immersive experience. ‘Our set designer built entire towns for us. Every door you opened, every drawer you pulled out was fully stocked. It was like movie magic in the most innocent way.’
Kevin Costner’s approach as a director also contributed significantly to the film’s atmosphere. ‘Kevin [Costner] is such a great leader and director. He treated the project like an orchestra, making sure every element was in harmony. But at the same time, he’s so excited, almost boyishly excited, to play in this world. That energy is contagious.’ This energy, combined with the physically demanding and immersive filming conditions, made the project particularly special for Fuhrman. ‘Every single day, I felt like, gosh, I have the best job ever. I get to get dressed up, ride a horse through the Wild West, and this is work. It just didn’t make any logical sense to me.’
‘Kevin [Costner] has this incredible vision,’ she added. ‘He’s not just directing; he’s living and breathing the story. It’s inspiring to see someone so passionate and committed to their work.’ The director also stars in the saga as the mysterious Hayes Ellison. This passion, she believes, is what makes Horizon such a compelling project. ‘Everyone on set could feel it. We were all part of something special.’
top. Givenchy
skirt. Miu Miu
opposite
jacket. Viktor and Rolf
shoes. Moschino
jewellery. Mejuri
tights. Wolford
In preparation for her role, Fuhrman immersed herself deeply in the character’s world. This commitment led her to extensive research, including reading diaries of women who travelled westward on the Oregon Trail. In particular, she worked on her character’s accent, influenced by her character’s father, played by Will Patton. ‘The accent for Diamond was something I did for the audition because my father in the movie is from the South and fights on the Confederate side of the Civil War,’ she explained. This detail helped Fuhrman add depth to Diamond, reflecting the humanity and complexity of the characters. ‘Part of what I love about this movie is it dives into the humanity of people on a very close-up scale, like the decisions that they make that change them and change your perception of them from good to bad, from kind to evil.’
Fuhrman’s ability to navigate different genres and time periods is a testament to her versatility as an actress. Whether she’s embodying a sinister child or a resilient woman in the Wild West, she brings a depth and authenticity to her roles that resonate with audiences.
As our conversation wrapped up, Fuhrman’s excitement for the future was evident. ‘I’m just really excited for people to see how Diamond’s story unfolds,’ she said. ‘And I can’t wait to show everyone what we’re working on next.’ Having traversed a wide array of genres — from the gripping horror of Orphan to the light-hearted comedy of Sheroes, and now the rugged landscapes of a Western in Horizon — Fuhrman is always on the lookout for new challenges.
shirt. Marc Jacobs
dress. Shushu Tong
When asked about her dream roles, Fuhrman’s passion for versatility shone through. ‘I’ve done a bit of comedy, and I do think I’m funny,’ she laughed. ‘I’d love to do more of that. The energy on a comedy set is all about laughter, which I love.’ But her ambitions don’t stop at making audiences laugh. Fuhrman dreams of delving into historical dramas, portraying powerful women who shaped history. ‘Disappearing entirely into another person, changing my body language, my attitude, not just my look.’
Fuhrman’s vision for her future includes roles that allow her to transport audiences to different worlds, whether it’s as a regal queen in a period drama or a resilient final girl in a horror film. ‘When I’m in my 80s, I want to look back and see each character as its own entity. I want people to remember the roles I played and how those characters affected them,’ she said with a smile. With each new role, she not only showcases her incredible talent but also her unwavering commitment to bringing meaningful stories to life.
As she continues to explore new horizons, both literally and figuratively, Isabelle Fuhrman remains a shining example of what it means to follow one’s dreams and make a lasting impact in the world of cinema.
top. Givenchy
skirt. Miu Miu
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is out now. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 is premiering at the Venice Film Festival on September 7th.
photography. Jon Stars
fashion. Tabitha Sanchez
talent. Isabelle Fuhrman
hair. Ricky Fraser @ The Wall Group
make up. Lilly Keys @ A-Frame Agency
creative production. Clara La Rosa
interview. Gennaro Costanzo
