Alicia Vikander on Balancing Motherhood, Multilingual Kids, and International Film Projects

The Oscar-winning actor reflects on family life, her latest film roles, and the directors who shaped her career.

At the Zurich Film Festival, Alicia Vikander was honored with the Golden Eye Award and took the opportunity to share insights into her personal and professional life. The Swedish actress, who recently starred in the dystopian sci-fi thriller The Assessment, opened up about the challenges of balancing her acting career with raising two young children.

“Sometimes preparing for a role is boring and tedious,” Vikander joked. “My three-year-old is confused because I lock myself in a room, talking to myself. It must be strange for him.” The Academy Award winner described how emotionally and physically draining acting can be, especially with her growing family. “I was pregnant while filming, and now most of my time goes to my two kids when I’m not working.”

Vikander, who is married to actor Michael Fassbender, talked about her multilingual family and how her three-year-old son is already teaching her new languages. “He speaks Portuguese, English, and Swedish, and now a bit of Spanish after hanging out with some new friends. He’s giving me language lessons now!” she laughed.

Looking ahead, Vikander’s upcoming projects continue to reflect her international interests. She is set to appear in Rachel Rose’s The Last Day, a modern take on Mrs Dalloway, filmed in New York, and Hope, a film by acclaimed South Korean director Na Hong-jin, where she will reunite with Fassbender. “I’ve admired Na Hong-jin for years,” Vikander said, “and while my part in Hope is small, it has the potential to grow in future installments.”

Despite her success, Vikander remains grounded, emphasizing the joy she finds in both her family and her career. “I love being a mother, but I need both acting and motherhood to feel complete. On set, even in the middle of chaos, I’ll look around and think, ‘Wow, I’m so happy.’”

Reflecting on her latest film The Assessment, where potential parents must prove their suitability, Vikander praised director Fleur Fortune for her bold vision. “The script was gripping, a real page-turner. But I wouldn’t have done it without Fleur’s confidence and vision. I always bet on the director – they create the world you’re stepping into.”

When asked about the directors who influenced her career, Vikander highlighted several key moments. Her breakout role in Pure led to her casting in Anna Karenina, while her performances in A Royal Affair, Tomb Raider, and The Danish Girl cemented her place in Hollywood. “Winning the Oscar for The Danish Girl changed my life. I was so young, and it opened the door for me to make smaller films that I’m passionate about.”

Despite her success, Vikander remains in awe of the unpredictable magic of film making. “You can prepare all you want, but it’s not until you’re on set that scenes come alive in ways you never expected.”

While she may explore producing in the future, Vikander’s heart remains in acting, a passion that has been with her since childhood. Growing up with a stage actress mother, Vikander’s early exposure to the theater ignited her own love for performing. Recalling her first role at age five in the musical Kristina from Duvemåla, written by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, she smiled. “It was a huge hit, and by the time I finished, I had spent half of my life in that show.”

From childhood performances to international stardom, Alicia Vikander continues to shine on both the big screen and in her home, balancing her roles as an actor and a mother with grace and passion.