Maika Monroe

Maika Monroe
Monroe in 2016
Born
Dillon Monroe Buckley

(1993-05-29) May 29, 1993 (age 31)
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present

Maika Monroe (born Dillon Monroe Buckley; born May 29, 1993[1]) is an American actress. She made her film debut with the drama At Any Price (2012), and led the thriller film The Guest and the horror film It Follows (both 2014), which established her as a scream queen. She starred in the thrillers Greta (2018) and Watcher (2022) as well as the horror film Longlegs (2024).

Aside from her horror and thriller roles, Monroe appears in the action film Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), the neo-noir Hot Summer Nights (2017), the black comedy Villains (2019), and the action film God Is a Bullet (2023).

Early life

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Monroe was born Dillon Monroe Buckley[2] on May 29, 1993, in Santa Barbara, California. Her mother was a sign language interpreter and her father was a construction worker.[3][4] She later changed her first name to Maika, by which she had already been known for most of her life.[2]

At the age of 17, Monroe left Santa Barbara and moved to Cabarete in the Dominican Republic to continue training in kiteboarding after spending the previous summer there. She subsequently completed her senior year of high school online.[5] She was a professional kiteboarder, as of 2015.[6]

Career

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Monroe made her acting debut with a small role on Eleventh Hour, a drama series. Three years later, she made her film debut in the 2012 drama At Any Price, playing Cadence Farrow. She relocated to Los Angeles for the film, and credits the part for encouraging her to continue acting.[7]

In 2013, she played a minor character in Sofia Coppola's crime film The Bling Ring. She next appeared in the drama film Labor Day as Mandy, a farm girl who romances with a young man and eventually becomes his wife and the mother of his child.[8] It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, and it was released that same year.[9]

In 2014, Monroe achieved a career breakthrough with two films.[10] She played Anna Peterson in the psychological thriller film The Guest,[11][12] and headlined the horror film It Follows as Jamie "Jay" Height.[13] The latter premiered at the 67th Cannes Film Festival and established Monroe as a scream queen.[14] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Chris Nashawaty said the film was "airtight" because of "Monroe’s moody teenage authenticity".[15] Both films garnered a cult following while It Follows ranks among the best horror films of the 2010s.[16][17]

In 2015, Monroe appeared in the Western film Echoes of War. In 2016, she starred in the invasion thriller film The 5th Wave, based on the novel of the same name.[18][19] Also that year, Monroe starred in the science fiction film Independence Day: Resurgence, the sequel to Independence Day (1996), playing former First Daughter Patricia Whitmore.[20]

In 2017, Monroe starred alongside Timothée Chalamet in the neo-noir coming-of-age film Hot Summer Nights as his girlfriend McKayla.[21] In 2019, Monroe played Sandra in drama film Honey Boy.[22] In 2020, Monroe portrayed Cindy Williams in the Canadian mystery thriller Flashback.[23]

In 2022, Monroe played Julia in Watcher, the psychological thriller feature directorial debut of Chloe Okuno.[24] In 2023, Monroe played Case in the film God Is a Bullet, an adaption of the 1999 novel of the same name.[25]

Monroe was cast as Lee Harker in the horror film Longlegs alongside Nicolas Cage.[26][27] Monroe said the role was "incredibly impactful for me. It also felt unique, and it was something I had never done. Lee is so incredibly different from who I am and how I move through life." On working with Cage, she said that "He's the best. He's such a genuine human."[28] The film was released in 2024 and became the highest grossing independent feature of that year.[29]

Personal life

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Monroe was in a relationship with actor Joe Keery from 2017 to 2023.[30] Since 2023, she has been dating real-estate agent Dalton Gomez.[31]

Filmography

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Film

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2012 At Any Price Cadence Farrow
2013 The Bling Ring Beach Girl
Labor Day Mandy Chambers
2014 The Guest Anna Peterson
It Follows Jamie "Jay" Height
2015 Echoes of War Abigail Riley
Burned Lila Short film
2016 The 5th Wave Ringer
Independence Day: Resurgence Patricia Whitmore
2017 Hot Summer Nights McKayla Strawberry
The Scent of Rain and Lightning Jody Linder
Bokeh Jenai
Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House Joan Felt
I'm Not Here Karen
The Tribes of Palos Verdes Medina Mason
2018 After Everything Mia
Tau Julia Also executive producer
Greta Erica Penn
2019 Honey Boy Sandra
Villains Jules
How To Be Alone Lucy Short film
2020 Brothers by Blood Grace
Flashback Cindy Williams
2022 Watcher Julia
Significant Other Ruth Miller Also executive producer
2023 God Is a Bullet Case Hardin
2024 Longlegs FBI Agent Lee Harker
TBA In Cold Light Ava Post-production
They Follow Jamie "Jay" Height
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 Eleventh Hour Maya Wynne Episode: "Medea"
2013 Flying Monkeys Joan Television film
2020 The Stranger Clare Main role
JJ Villard's Fairy Tales Snow White (voice) Episode: "Snow White"

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Home Media Magazine Awards Best Scream Queen It Follows Won
Hamptons International Film Festival Breakthrough Performer It Follows Won
Fright Meter Awards Best Actress In A Leading Role It Follows Nominated [32]
2016 iHorror Awards Best Female Performance In A Horror Film It Follows Nominated
Empire Awards Best Female Newcomer It Follows Nominated [33]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Actress It Follows Won [34]
CinemaCon Awards Best Ensemble of the Universe Independence Day: Resurgence Won [35]
FilmQuest Awards Best Supporting Actress – Short Burned Nominated [36]
Portsmouth International Film Festival Best Supporting Performance in a Short Burned Nominated [37]
2017 Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival Best Lead Actress The Scent of Rain and Lightning Won [38][39]
2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Actress Watcher Nominated [40]

References

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  1. ^ "Famous birthdays for May 29: Danny Elfman, Maika Monroe". UPI. Archived from the original on 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  2. ^ a b Tinkham, Chris (March 13, 2015). "Maika Monroe". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  3. ^ Brady, Tara (27 February 2015). "Maika Monroe: from world-class kiteboarder to accidental movie star". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  4. ^ Dinaberg, Leslie (6 February 2016). "Noozhawk Talks: Maika Monroe Making the Most of Her Three-Part Harmony". Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  5. ^ "PROFILED: Maika Monroe Buckley". The Kiteboarder. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. ^ Hoppes, Lynn. "Maika Monroe balances acting with kiteboarding". go.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  7. ^ DeVore, Britta (2024-07-21). "This Zac Efron Movie Changed the Game for Maika Monroe". Collider. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  8. ^ Eames, Tom (4 April 2012). "Maika Monroe, Tom Lipinski join Kate Winslet in 'Labour Day'". digitalspy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  9. ^ Sneider, Jeff (3 April 2012). "Monroe working on 'Labor Day'". variety.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  10. ^ McCluskey, Megan (2024-07-10). "Maika Monroe on Her Obsession With 'Longlegs' Sinister World". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  11. ^ Sneider, Jeff (26 June 2013). "Rising Star Maika Monroe Joins 'Downton Abbey's' Dan Stevens in 'The Guest'". thewrap.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  12. ^ Gomez, Adrian (17 July 2013). "'Downton Abbey' star filming thriller in N.M." Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  13. ^ Miska, Brad (December 17, 2014). "Official Teaser For 'It Follows,' Potentially the Scariest Movie of 2015!". Fangoria. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  14. ^ Kim, Kristen Yoonsoo (March 17, 2014). "Maika Monroe, of The Guest and It Follows, is horror's new Scream Queen". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  15. ^ Nashawaty, Chris (2015-03-12). "'It Follows': EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  16. ^ Miska, Gi (December 17, 2014). "'It Follows; Maika Monroe, who is becoming a legit Scream Queen". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  17. ^ "Best 2010s Horror Movies". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  18. ^ Ge, Linda (August 11, 2014). "Maika Monroe Joins Chloë Moretz, Nick Robinson in 'The 5th Wave'". thewrap.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  19. ^ Miska, Gi (December 17, 2014). "'It Follows". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  20. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (23 June 2016). "Hollywood's Next Big Thing: 'Independence Day' Actress Maika Monroe Goes From Pro Kiteboarder to Breakout Star". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  21. ^ Sundel, Jenny (2017-03-20). "Timothée Chalamet, Maika Monroe Lead 'Hot Summer Nights' at SXSW 2017". WWD. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  22. ^ Kit, Borys (2018-05-24). "Maika Monroe Joins Shia LaBeouf's 'Honey Boy'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  23. ^ Ramella, Brynne (April 15, 2021). "'Flashback' Trailer: Horrific Visions Of A Missing Maika Monroe Haunt Dylan O'Brien". theplaylist.net. Archived from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  24. ^ Kiang, Jessica (2022-01-22). "'Watcher' Review: Maika Monroe Makes a Fine Modern Everywoman in an Eerie Throwback Thriller". Variety. Archived from the original on 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  25. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2023-04-20). "'God Is A Bullet', Starring Maika Monroe, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau & Jamie Foxx, Lines Up US Theatrical Release In June". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  26. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (2024-02-02). "'Longlegs' Teaser: Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe Star in Neon's Mysterious Serial Killer Horror Movie". IndieWire. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  27. ^ Bria, Bill (2024-02-02). "Nicolas Cage And Maika Monroe Star In The Creepy Trailer For The Occult Horror Film Longlegs". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  28. ^ "'I Would Love to Play the Villain': Maika Monroe Complicates the Scream Queen Narrative With Longlegs". www.culturedmag.com. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  29. ^ Saperstein, Pat (2024-08-16). "'Longlegs' Crosses $100 Million at Box Office to Become 2024's Highest-Grossing Indie Film". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  30. ^ "Joe Keery and Maika Monroe's Relationship Timeline". People. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  31. ^ "Are 'Stranger Things' Actor Joe Keery and Maika Monroe Still Together? Relationship Details, Update". J-14. April 24, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  32. ^ "2015 Fright Meter Awards Winners". Fright Meter. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  33. ^ John Nugent (18 February 2016). "Jameson Empire Awards 2016: Star Wars and Mad Max lead the nominations". Empire. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  34. ^ Fangoria Staff (10 May 2016). "The 2016 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Winners and Full Results!". Fangoria. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  35. ^ Stephen Thorburn (17 April 2016). "CinemaCon presented the 2016 Big Screen Achievement Awards at Caesars Palace". AXS. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  36. ^ "2016 FilmQuest – FilmQuest". FilmQuest. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  37. ^ "NOMINATIONS - Portsmouth International Film Festival". Portsmouth International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  38. ^ "The Scent of Rain and Lightning - Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival". HHMFest. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  39. ^ "Congratulations to The 2017 Jury Award Winners". Facebook. 2 October 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  40. ^ Melanson, Angel (2023-01-27). "2023 FANGORIA Chainsaw Award Nominees". Retrieved 2024-10-17.
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