by FilmInk Staff
Ana Thu Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Australian actress making waves with her compelling performances and dedication to authentic storytelling.
She recently caught up with us to discuss her starring role in Luke Sparke’s Primitive War, the feature adaptation of Ethan Pettus’ cult-favourite dinosaur novel set during the Vietnam War.
The film’s strong audience reception has earned it an extended theatrical release across Australia, the U.S., and further global distribution.
In the film, Ana brings to life Con Nhen, a tough and sharp soldier – a role that resonates deeply with her as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees.
With her nuanced performances and focus on culturally significant stories, Ana is quickly emerging as a rising talent to watch.
She will next be seen as Queen Sindel in the highly anticipated Warner Bros. film, Mortal Kombat II, whose red-band trailer shattered viewing records within the first 24 hours.
You’ve spoken proudly about your Vietnamese-Australian heritage – how did that influence your portrayal of Con Nhen in Primitive War?
“I resonated deeply with Con Nhen’s resilience, grief, and fight for her people, which very much mirrored my family’s experiences.
“This cultural and spiritual connection to her struggles and complexity was something that really guided my performance.”
How did you prepare for the role?
“I spoke with my family, studied first-hand accounts, and watched documentaries on the pivotal 1968 events of the Vietnam War that shaped Con Nhen’s journey.
“Her name means “spider” in Vietnamese, so I drew on the spider’s stealthy, lethal qualities to inform her physicality and presence on screen.”
Were there any unexpected challenges on set?
“Filming in the rainforest was tough – mud, rain, night shoots, bugs, spiders, and leeches!
“One scene in particular pushed me to my physical and emotional limits, but I always felt fully supported by the crew and my amazing co-star, Albert Mwangi, which made the experience all the more exhilarating.”
We have to ask about the dinosaurs! Obviously, there were no dinosaurs on set – what was it like to shoot those scenes?
“It was all about leaning into my imagination, which really brought out my inner child and sense of play.
“Seeing it all come together at the premiere was breathtaking – the effects were incredible, and you could feel how much care and creativity Luke and the team poured into bringing the dinosaurs to life. Dinosaur fans have been blown away!”
So, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
“I’ve always loved the Brontosaurus for its regal, gentle presence – but after seeing the movie, I’d have to go with the T-Rex.
“You’ll understand why when you see it!”
You seem drawn towards stories of cultural significance. You were also a supporting lead in Suka, which was nominated for Best Score at the AACTAs, and recently executive produced Unspoken, which won the International Grand Prize at Clermont-Ferrand ISFF. Why is it important to you to tell these stories?
“I think it’s vital to celebrate and share Australia’s cultural diversity and history.
“Suka was such a special project to be part of – a female-led film with an all Australian-Asian cast that captured the spirit of life in Western Sydney.
“My character, Young Wasiya, played a pivotal role in igniting the family feud at the centre of the story.
“With Unspoken, I was drawn to its raw honesty. It’s a powerful migrant story set in 1979, following a young Croatian-born woman navigating identity, love, and political unrest.
“Both films shine a light on slices of Australian life that are rarely seen on screen, and I hope their recognition by such prestigious organisations helps pave the way for many more stories like them.”
When you’re not on set, what are some things you love to do?
“I love to draw and I’m an avid reader. I’ve just finished ACOTAR and I’m currently switching between The Body Keeps Score and Project Hail Mary.”
It seems you’re a big fantasy and sci-fi fan.
“Definitely! I have very eclectic tastes, but I do gravitate toward those genres – and dystopian novels. I love how they explore humanity at its rawest, portray the fight for survival and their social commentary. The depth and stakes really draw me in!”
As a fantasy fan, you must have been ecstatic when you landed the coveted role of Queen Sindel in the global franchise, Mortal Kombat II. How did you find out?
“It was a dream come true! I’ve always loved the rich lore of the Mortal Kombat universe, and Sindel is the ultimate queen – regal, terrifying, and formidable.
“I had my callback in the morning, and that very afternoon my agents called while I was driving and told me to pull over. I was absolutely stunned – I didn’t expect to hear back so soon. When I got back on the road, it honestly felt like I was flying!”
Instead of the original October release, Mortal Kombat II will now receive an exciting U.S. summer release in May 2026. In the meantime, what’s coming up next for you?
“I have a very unique horror film called Dead Eyes releasing next year, along with two exciting projects in the works – one a romantic comedy and the other, another sci-fi!”
See Primitive War in cinema now.
Mortal Kombat II comes to cinemas May 15th, 2026.
Main image: Ana Thu Nguyen at the Sydney Premiere of Primitive War. Credit: Scott Ehler
