Kirsten Dunst’s next turn on the big screen may earn big laughs, but there was some harrowing drama off-screen.
The Oscar-nominated actress, who shares two children with husband and fellow actor Jesse Plemons, revealed that her son James suffered a medical emergency while shooting her upcoming film, “The Entertainment System Is Down.” The dark comedy, written and directed by Ruben Östlund, was shot in Budapest and stars Dunst, 43, alongside Keanu Reeves and Tobias Menzies.
In an Aug. 20 interview with Town & Country Magazine, Dunst shared that the medical ordeal took place while Plemons, 37, and their children were staying with her in the Hungarian capital. Although Dunst and Plemons had rented a home, with plans of remaining for the film’s production, things changed course when James, 4, had a “serious health scare.”
While the actress didn’t go into details on James’ health issue, Dunst confirmed that “everyone is fine now.” After the incident, Plemons took James and their other son, 7-year-old Ennis, back to Los Angeles while Dunst remained in Budapest.
Dunst, who returned home in April for a brief visit, said she experienced some parental anxiety after the health scare, likening her fear to the horror film “‘Final Destination,’ where you’re imagining all the things that could go wrong, worst-case scenarios happening to your child.”
“I have never seen that movie, but I know the concept,” Dunst added. “That’s how it feels to be a mother at times.”
Dunst and Plemons welcomed their first child, son Ennis, in May 2018, followed by James in May 2021. The couple married in July 2022.
Dunst told Town & Country Magazine that James’ health scare “brought us together as a family in such a deeper way.” The actress added that she and Plemons will soon be heading to The Bahamas for a family vacation.
Why the tropical getaway? Dunst said James’ request was simple: “I want to go to a beach where my sandcastle won’t wash away.”