Rising Hollywood star Maika Monroe was born on May 29, 1993, and began her acting career in 2009, with small roles in television and film. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that she gained widespread recognition, starring in two critically acclaimed indie horror movies: It Follows and The Guest. Her performances in these films showcased her impressive range and versatility as an actress, earning her a reputation as a talented young talent.
In 2024, her name is still ascending at a rapid rate. In Longlegs, Monroe will once again enter the realm of horror and share the screen with Oscar-winner, Nicolas Cage. So, as she climbs to new heights of fame, here are 6 things you didn’t know about Maika Monroe.
Maika Monroe Has Been Considered a “Scream Queen” of Her Generation
With both of her breakout roles coming from horror movies, it is easy to see why many have labelled Maika Monroe as one of the next scream queens of Hollywood. In both of these roles, Monroe led the movies with tour de force performances, echoing that of horror legends like Jamie Lee Curtis. However, she actually isn’t fond of the term. When asked about it, she said: “I mean, I do like the genre but that was not planned at all…I joined The Guest because I loved the script and I love who was involved with it.” However, this hasn’t stopped her from venturing into the horror realm again with Longlegs.
She’s a Horror Fanatic
By now, it is clear that Maika Monroe has a penchant for starring in horror movies. However, she is also a big lover of the genre as a consumer. In 2017, Rotten Tomatoes sat down with the actress and asked her what her favorite horror movies were. She listed her top five: The Shining, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, The Thing (1982), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and The Silence of the Lambs. The latter pick is rather fitting as her role in Longlegs has been likened to that of Jodie Foster‘s in The Silence of the Lambs, with both roles focusing on tough FBI agents attempting to track down a serial killer.
The Actress Has a Special Skill Outside of Acting
Before her rise to fame as an actress, Maika Monroe had a different passion – kiteboarding. Introduced to the sport by her father at the age of 13, she became skilled enough to train professionally by the time she was 17. Feeling uncertain about her prospects in acting, she made the bold decision to leave her home and move to the Dominican Republic with her mother for seven months to hone her kiteboarding skills. However, even as she devoted herself to professional training, she continued to send out audition tapes for acting roles. And just as she was turning 18, her hard work paid off when she landed the part as Zac Efron‘s love interest in At Any Price. Although she still enjoys kiteboarding recreationally, she has since hung up her competitive kit and focused on her acting career.
She Once Had Her Own Clothing Line
During her time training as a kiteboarder in the Dominican city of Caberete, Maika Monroe became close to the kids who watched her train. Inspired by them and wanting to give back to the community, she decided to start a clothing line called Airbound Apparel. This served as a local business, hiring many residents of the city. Also, a portion of the sales went to children’s charities in the area. However, as of the time of writing, the official website has been removed. Therefore, it’s unclear if it’s still operating.
Maika Monroe Nearly Took a Different Career Path
Before pursuing a career in acting, Maika Monroe had a different dream in mind. As a youngster, she had always been fascinated with animals and aspired to be a veterinarian. Her first job was interning at a veterinary hospital, where she would walk dogs and help out with daily tasks. However, it wasn’t long before she had a change of heart after witnessing a cat being put down. The emotional impact of the experience took a significant toll on her, and she realized that being a veterinarian wasn’t the right path for her. This turning point marked the beginning of her exploration into the world of acting, which ultimately led her to discover her true passion and calling.
She Once Dated a Popular Stranger Things Actor
Maika Monroe and Joe Keery shot to fame around the same time in Hollywood, with both thespians thriving in the horror genre. Keery broke out in 2016 when he joined the cast of Netflix’s hit show, Stranger Things. Speculation around the two being an item started in 2017 when they attended many events together, with their first red carpet event coming in October 2017. They then opened up about their relationship publicly soon after. The two dated between 2017 and 2022. Keery is now rumoured to be in a relationship with Chase Sui Wonders, an actress known for her roles in films like Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, and the TV series Bupkis. Want to read more about Joe Keery? Here are 8 fun facts about the actor.
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