Natalie Portman Goes Full Pop Star in New Vox Lux Teaser

The last time Natalie Portman wore layers of makeup and donned elaborate costumes, for her portrayal of a ballerina in crisis in Black Swan, she earned an Oscar for her efforts. So it comes as no surprise that she’s once again decided to seriously commit to the hair-and-makeup chair for her upcoming turn as an international pop star in the upcoming film Vox Lux.

Not much is known about the mysterious project, and the just-released first teaser does little to fill in the blanks. The 50-second tracking shot follows Portman’s character, Celeste, from behind as she walks backstage and gets set to perform for an eager audience.

According to the official description from the Toronto International Film Festival, where Vox Lux is set to have its North American premiere next month, the film chronicles Celeste’s “path from the tragedy that defines her adolescence to the adulation that circumscribes her adulthood.” After charting her sudden rise to fame as a teenager, it picks up in the present day with Celeste “struggling to navigate a career fraught with scandals when another act of terrifying violence demands her attention.”

Directed by the seasoned indie actor Brady Corbet, Vox Lux was originally supposed to star Rooney Mara as the central heroine. But when Mara dropped out, Portman stepped in, joining Jude Law, Jennifer Ehle, and Stacy Martin in the impressive cast. Sia will also contribute original music, ensuring that the film has the appropriate amount of pop-star credibility. And while Vox Lux has yet to secure a U.S. distributor, with a cast this good and a premise this juicy, expect it to be one of the most sought-after titles on the fall festival circuit.

Watch the trailer below.

Related: Don’t Worry, Natalie Portman Knows She’s Pretentious