Who is Maika Monroe: From Professional Athlete to Hollywood’s Modern Scream Queen
Maika Monroe is an American actress and former professional kiteboarder who has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces in modern horror cinema. Born Dillon Monroe Buckley on May 29, 1993, in Santa Barbara, California, she made an unconventional transition from competitive athletics to acting, establishing herself as a versatile performer across multiple genres.
Quick Facts About Maika Monroe:
- Real Name: Dillon Monroe Buckley
- Born: May 29, 1993 (age 31) in Santa Barbara, California
- Career: Actress and former professional kiteboarder
- Breakthrough Films: It Follows (2014) and The Guest (2014)
- Notable Roles: Horror films, thrillers, and blockbusters like Independence Day: Resurgence
- Athletic Achievement: Ranked 2nd in International Red Bull Big Air kiteboarding competition
- Relationship Status: Previously dated Stranger Things actor Joe Keery (2017-2023)
Monroe’s journey to stardom began in the most unlikely way. At 17, she moved to the Dominican Republic to pursue professional kiteboarding, completing her senior year of high school online. This dedication to her athletic career earned her a second-place finish in an international competition before she pivoted to acting.
Her breakthrough came in 2014 with two critically acclaimed indie films that established her as a “scream queen” – It Follows and The Guest. Since then, she has built an impressive filmography of 39 credits, ranging from psychological thrillers to major blockbusters, while maintaining what she calls a “healthy distance” from the Hollywood machine.
From Pro Kiteboarder to Hollywood Star: An Unconventional Journey
Most Hollywood stars follow a predictable path – drama classes, small roles, gradual recognition. Maika Monroe took a completely different route, one that involved wind, water, and a whole lot of courage. Her journey from professional athlete to acclaimed actress is as unique as it is inspiring, shaped by dedication, ambition, and an athlete’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Early Years and a Passion for Kiteboarding
Dillon Monroe Buckley grew up in Santa Barbara, California, in a household where show business wasn’t even on the radar. Her father, Jack Monroe, worked in construction, while her mother, Dixie Monroe, was a sign language interpreter. It was a grounded, working-class family where dreams were practical and feet stayed firmly on the ground – until Maika Monroe finded kiteboarding.
At just 13 years old, Monroe became fascinated with the sport through her father’s influence. But Jack wasn’t about to let his daughter rush into something dangerous. “I begged my father to teach me,” she recalls, “but he made me fly a trainer kite for a year on the beach before he let me on the water.”
That year of patience taught Monroe something invaluable – the importance of mastering fundamentals before taking bigger risks. It’s a lesson that would serve her well when she eventually transitioned to acting, where she approached each role with the same methodical dedication she’d learned on the beaches of Santa Barbara.
As The Kiteboarder profiled, Monroe’s enthusiasm for the sport was infectious. She loved everything about kiteboarding – the athleticism, the grace, even the predominantly male community she was joining. Her natural talent combined with her father’s emphasis on proper training created a formidable competitor.
A Life-Changing Move to the Dominican Republic
At 17, Monroe made a decision that left her friends and family stunned. She packed up her life in Santa Barbara and moved to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, to pursue professional kiteboarding training. While her classmates were preparing for prom and graduation, Monroe was completing her senior year through online high school courses.
“My friends thought I was crazy for leaving to go to a third world country during senior year,” she admitted, but Monroe had her eyes on something bigger. Cabarete offered some of the world’s best kiteboarding conditions, and she was determined to compete at the highest level.
The move required incredible independence and maturity. Monroe wasn’t just training – she was living on her own in a foreign country, managing her education, and pursuing a professional athletic career. This experience taught her self-reliance and gave her a global perspective that would later inform her acting choices.
Her dedication paid off spectacularly. Monroe achieved a second-place finish at the prestigious Red Bull Big Air competition, establishing herself as one of the world’s top freestyle kiteboarders. As ESPN noted, Monroe successfully balanced her athletic pursuits with her growing interest in acting, a juggling act that few could manage.
The Transition to Acting
While training in the Dominican Republic, Monroe began exploring opportunities in modeling and acting. She started submitting audition tapes electronically, a process that required her to be creative about filming locations and timing around her training schedule.
Her first significant break came with At Any Price, where she played a supporting role alongside established actors. This was followed by a part in Jason Reitman’s Labor Day, which gave her valuable experience working with A-list talent like Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.
The transition wasn’t seamless. Monroe was essentially maintaining two professional careers simultaneously – training as a world-class athlete while building her acting resume. She had to balance early morning training sessions with afternoon auditions, often submitting tapes from tropical locations that probably confused casting directors.
This unique background gave Monroe something most actors lack – the discipline and physical awareness of a professional athlete. Her kiteboarding career had taught her to stay calm under pressure, to commit fully to challenging situations, and to maintain focus even when conditions weren’t ideal. These skills would prove invaluable when she later took on intense roles in films like It Follows and The Guest.
Looking back, Monroe’s unconventional path makes perfect sense. The same qualities that made her a world-class athlete – dedication, fearlessness, and an ability to perform under pressure – are exactly what transformed her into one of Hollywood’s most compelling young actresses. For more insights into other rising stars taking unique paths to success, you might be interested in learning about other emerging talents like Mikey Madison.
The Rise of a Modern Scream Queen: Maika Monroe’s Breakthrough Roles
The One-Two Punch: ‘The Guest’ and ‘It Follows’
Maika Monroe couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Hollywood stardom. In 2014, she delivered two knockout performances that would completely change her life and cement her place in modern horror history.
First came The Guest, where Monroe played Anna Peterson alongside Dan Stevens in Adam Wingard’s stylish thriller. As the Peterson family’s teenage daughter who becomes suspicious of their mysterious houseguest, Monroe showed she could hold her own against seasoned actors. Her performance was both vulnerable and fierce – a young woman who refuses to be intimidated even when facing genuine danger.
But it was It Follows that truly launched Maika Monroe into the spotlight. Director David Robert Mitchell cast her as Jay Height, a college student who becomes the target of a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. The film’s unique premise – a shape-shifting creature that relentlessly pursues its victims – could have easily become ridiculous in the wrong hands.
Instead, Monroe grounded the fantastical story with a performance that felt completely real. She never played Jay as a helpless victim. Instead, she brought the same determination and focus she’d learned as a professional athlete to create a character who faces the unthinkable with remarkable composure.
The critical response was overwhelming. It Follows earned numerous awards and accolades, with many critics specifically praising Monroe’s lead performance. As The A.V. Club noted, Maika Monroe had become “horror’s new Scream Queen” almost overnight.
Defining the ‘Scream Queen’ Title
The “scream queen” label might seem like a compliment, but Maika Monroe has always had mixed feelings about it. Traditional scream queens were often relegated to simply reacting to horror – running, screaming, and waiting to be rescued. Monroe brought something completely different to her roles.
Her approach to horror comes from what she calls a more grounded place. Instead of playing characters who fall apart under pressure, Monroe’s heroines in films like Watcher and Greta maintain their agency even in the most terrifying situations. They think, they plan, and they fight back.
This dislike of typecasting has actually worked in Monroe’s favor. By refusing to be boxed into traditional horror tropes, she’s helped redefine what a modern scream queen can be. Her characters feel like real people who happen to find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, not just plot devices designed to showcase scary situations.
The result is a new kind of horror performance – one that emphasizes psychological depth over simple fear reactions. Monroe’s mastery of the genre comes from understanding that the most effective scares happen when audiences genuinely care about the characters in danger.
Critical Acclaim and a New Generation of Horror
Maika Monroe’s breakthrough perfectly coincided with a renaissance in independent horror filmmaking. It Follows became a flagship example of this new wave, earning an impressive score on Rotten Tomatoes and proving that audiences were hungry for intelligent, well-crafted horror.
The film’s success opened doors not just for Monroe, but for an entire generation of filmmakers who prioritized artistic merit alongside commercial appeal. Companies like A24 were beginning to distribute horror films that treated the genre with the same respect as prestigious dramas.
Monroe’s ability to anchor these films with minimal budgets while delivering both critical and commercial success made her incredibly valuable in Hollywood. Her performances never feel like she’s simply “acting scared” – instead, she brings genuine human responses to supernatural situations.
This psychological approach to horror has influenced how modern audiences experience the genre. Rather than relying on jump scares or gore, Monroe’s films focus on atmospheric dread and emotional truth. The result is horror that stays with you long after the credits roll – exactly the kind of lasting impact that transforms good actors into unforgettable ones.
Beyond the Screams: Exploring a Diverse Filmography
Blockbuster Roles and Sci-Fi Trips
While Maika Monroe became known for her horror work, she was determined not to be boxed into one genre. Her leap into big-budget Hollywood came with Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), where she played Patricia Whitmore, the daughter of the former president. The film was a massive undertaking – with a $165 million budget and worldwide box office earnings of $389.7 million – giving Monroe her first taste of blockbuster filmmaking.
Working on such a large-scale production was eye-opening for Monroe. The elaborate sets, massive crew, and complex special effects were a far cry from the intimate indie films that launched her career. She learned to steer the different rhythm of big-budget productions, where scenes might take days to shoot and involve hundreds of people.
Monroe also appeared in The 5th Wave (2016) as Ringer, a supporting role in the dystopian young adult adaptation starring Chloë Grace Moretz. While the film didn’t achieve critical success, it showcased Monroe’s ability to completely transform for a role. Critics noted she was “thoroughly unrecognizable” in the part, highlighting her commitment to character work even in smaller supporting roles.
These mainstream experiences taught Monroe valuable lessons about Hollywood’s unpredictable nature. “There have also been hardships and deep lows and so many nos,” she reflected. “It keeps you humble.” The contrast between massive studio budgets and scrappy independent productions gave her a unique perspective on the industry’s different levels.
Acclaimed Independent Dramas and Thrillers
Monroe’s heart has always remained with independent filmmaking, where she’s found her most fulfilling and critically acclaimed work. In Honey Boy (2019), she appeared alongside Shia LaBeouf and Lucas Hedges in Shia’s deeply personal story about childhood trauma and healing. The film allowed Monroe to explore complex emotional territory outside the horror genre, proving her dramatic range.
The Scent of Rain & Lightning (2017) became one of Monroe’s highest-rated films, earning a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Her performance in this drama demonstrated that her appeal extended far beyond horror audiences. The film’s success reinforced her ability to carry dramatic weight in non-genre material.
More recent projects like Watcher (2022) and Villains (2019) have allowed Monroe to explore different facets of thriller and dark comedy. In Watcher, she played a woman who becomes convinced she’s being stalked by her neighbor. The film relies on subtle psychological tension rather than jump scares, showcasing Monroe’s mastery of understated performance.
Monroe has also worked with notable directors throughout her career, including collaborations that have pushed her into new creative territories. Her work in God Is a Bullet demonstrated her willingness to take on challenging material, while Villains showed her comedic timing and ability to find humor in dark situations.
A Look at Maika Monroe’s Notable Roles
Maika Monroe’s filmography spans an impressive range of genres, each showcasing different aspects of her talent. Her breakthrough horror role in It Follows established her as a modern scream queen, while The Guest proved her ability to balance vulnerability with inner strength. Her dramatic work in Honey Boy demonstrated serious acting chops beyond genre material.
The blockbuster Independence Day: Resurgence gave her mainstream exposure as Patricia Whitmore, while Watcher represented a masterclass in psychological thriller performance. Her latest role in Longlegs (2024) as FBI agent Lee Harker has earned critical acclaim and proves she continues to evolve as a performer.
This diverse range has allowed Monroe to avoid the typecasting that often traps genre actors. Instead of being limited to horror roles, she’s established herself as a serious performer capable of handling any material – from big-budget sci-fi to intimate character studies.
The Craft, the Industry, and Personal Life
Preparing for Intensity: The ‘Longlegs’ Approach
When Maika Monroe read the script for Longlegs (2024), she knew she had to have the role. “I didn’t want anyone else to play this role,” she said of FBI agent Lee Harker. “That doesn’t often happen for me.” Working with director Osgood Perkins, Monroe found herself drawing inspiration from an unexpected source – Rooney Mara’s transformative performance in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Monroe’s preparation process reflects her athletic background – she’s not afraid to dive into the deep end. On the first day of filming Longlegs, she was immediately thrown into shooting one of the most intense scenes. Rather than ease into the role, she acceptd the challenge with the same fearlessness she once brought to professional kiteboarding.
Her method involves finding the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength in her characters. When discussing her approach to playing McKayla Strawberry in Hot Summer Nights, Monroe explained her process: “If I lost my mom at the age of 12 or 13, it would really change who I am right now… there’s a certain toughness, and a sense of just growing up too fast.”
This immersive approach to character development has become Monroe’s signature, allowing her to bring authentic emotional depth to even the most fantastical scenarios.
Navigating Hollywood with a ‘Healthy Distance’
Maika Monroe has developed what she calls a “healthy distance” from Hollywood’s more toxic aspects – a perspective that’s served her well throughout her career. “There was a time where I had a need to keep working and get in front of everyone but as I get older, I realize that doesn’t feel good,” she reflects with the wisdom of someone who’s learned to prioritize craft over celebrity.
The entertainment industry’s notorious ups and downs haven’t escaped Monroe’s notice. “With all the success I’ve had, there have also been hardships and deep lows and so many nos. It keeps you humble,” she explains. “I have very good people around me.” This support system has been crucial in helping her maintain both her sanity and her career longevity.
Monroe is particularly aware of Hollywood’s double standards, especially regarding age and gender. She’s spoken candidly about the pressure on women to “make it by the time you’re 25, while for men it kind of doesn’t really matter.” This awareness has informed both her career choices and her advocacy for better representation in the industry.
Her grounded approach to fame has allowed her to focus on what truly matters – the work itself – rather than getting caught up in the Hollywood machine’s demands for constant visibility and self-promotion.
Personal Life and Relationships of Maika Monroe
From 2017 to 2023, Maika Monroe was in a relationship with Joe Keery, the Stranger Things actor beloved for his role as Steve Harrington. The couple maintained their privacy while supporting each other’s careers, occasionally appearing together at premieres and industry events. Their relationship timeline showed two young actors navigating fame together while keeping their personal lives largely out of the spotlight.
When Monroe isn’t on set, her interests reveal someone with wonderfully eclectic tastes. She’s an admitted board game nerd, particularly when it comes to Settlers of Catan. “It’s a perfect board game because yes luck is involved but it’s also very strategic,” she explains with genuine enthusiasm. It’s easy to imagine her competitive kiteboarding spirit translating perfectly to strategic gameplay.
Monroe’s taste in nightlife is refreshingly down-to-earth. She frequents The Gaslite, which she describes as “one of my favorite bars in LA” – a “dive dive dive with very low stakes karaoke” where she enjoys ordering cosmopolitans. This preference for authentic, unpretentious venues over Hollywood hotspots speaks to her grounded personality.
Her aesthetic sensibilities extend to luxury perfumes (she’s particularly fond of Frederic Malle, saying “Every smell is delicious”) and contemporary art. Alex J Cutler ranks among her favorite artists, with Monroe particularly drawn to his painting “The neighborhood is changing.” She describes his work as “incredible current and fresh,” showing an appreciation for art that reflects modern life’s complexities.
These personal interests paint a picture of someone who values authenticity and artistic expression both professionally and personally – qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to her success as both an athlete and an actress.
What’s Next for Maika Monroe?
The Highly Anticipated Sequel: ‘They Follow’
For horror fans who have been waiting nearly a decade, the news couldn’t be better – Maika Monroe is returning to the role that made her a household name. They Follow, the highly anticipated sequel to It Follows, will see Monroe reprise her iconic role as Jay Height, bringing her full circle to the character that launched her career.
Monroe’s excitement about the project is infectious. When she first read the script, she was “blown away” by where the story goes. “It’s so interesting where you find Jay in the It Follows sequel,” she explained. “It’s gonna be surprising, cool, sad, scary.” Her enthusiasm suggests that director David Robert Mitchell has crafted something special that honors the original while pushing the story into new territory.
The original It Follows became a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase that has kept the film alive in horror discussions for years. Monroe’s return ensures that the sequel will maintain the emotional core that made the first film so compelling. It’s not just about bringing back a character – it’s about exploring how someone would actually live with the experiences Jay went through.
According to Empire, Monroe’s involvement was crucial to getting the sequel made. Her commitment to the project shows how much the character and story mean to her personally, making this more than just another horror sequel.
Upcoming Film Projects and New Ventures
Beyond returning to her breakout role, Maika Monroe is expanding her creative horizons in exciting ways. In Cold Light represents another opportunity for her to explore different storytelling approaches, continuing her pattern of choosing projects that challenge both her and audiences.
What’s particularly interesting about Monroe’s recent career moves is her shift toward greater creative control. She’s taken on producer credits for films like Significant Other (2022), showing her desire to shape projects from the ground up rather than simply showing up to act. This evolution makes sense for someone who has spent years learning the industry from the inside.
Monroe has also earned her first director credit, suggesting that she may follow the path of other successful actor-directors who have transitioned behind the camera. Her athletic background and deep understanding of performance could translate beautifully to directing, especially in the genre films where she’s found her greatest success.
The actress has expressed interest in working with visionary directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Julia Ducournau – filmmakers known for pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable cinematic experiences. These potential collaborations hint that Monroe’s most adventurous work may still be ahead of her.
Her approach to choosing projects remains thoughtful and deliberate. Rather than taking every opportunity that comes her way, Monroe continues to select roles that challenge her while staying true to her artistic vision. This careful curation of her filmography has kept her career fresh and unpredictable, ensuring that audiences never know exactly what to expect from her next.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maika Monroe
What is Maika Monroe’s real name?
Maika Monroe’s birth name is actually Dillon Monroe Buckley – quite different from the name we know her by today! She was born on May 29, 1993, in Santa Barbara, California, to parents Jack and Dixie Monroe.
The interesting thing is that “Maika” wasn’t just a stage name she picked randomly. She had been called Maika for most of her life by friends and family, so when she began her acting career, it made sense to legally change her name to match what people already knew her as.
This name change also marked an important transition in her life – moving from her identity as professional athlete Dillon Monroe Buckley to Hollywood actress Maika Monroe. It’s a perfect example of how she reinvented herself while staying true to who she’d always been.
Is Maika Monroe a professional athlete?
Yes, and this is one of the most fascinating parts of Maika Monroe’s story! Before she ever stepped foot on a movie set, she was making waves as a professional freestyle kiteboarder.
Her athletic journey began at age 13 when she convinced her father to teach her kiteboarding. But he wasn’t going to make it easy – he made her spend a full year flying a trainer kite on the beach before letting her hit the water. Talk about building character!
At 17, Monroe made the bold decision to leave Santa Barbara during her senior year of high school to move to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, for full-time professional training. Her friends thought she was crazy, but the move paid off spectacularly. She completed her high school education online while training in some of the world’s best kiteboarding conditions.
Her dedication led to an incredible achievement – she ranked second in the world in the International Red Bull Big Air competition in 2013. That’s not just “pretty good” – that’s world-class elite athlete territory.
What’s remarkable is how her athletic background shaped her acting career. The mental toughness, physical awareness, and discipline she developed as a professional kiteboarder directly influenced her approach to performing. It’s why her characters often display such strength and composure, even in terrifying situations.
What are Maika Monroe’s most famous movies?
Maika Monroe burst onto the Hollywood scene with two films that completely changed her life – both released in the same breakthrough year of 2014. It Follows and The Guest established her as horror’s newest “scream queen,” but her career has grown far beyond those early successes.
It Follows, where she played Jay Height, became an instant classic of modern horror. The film earned a stunning 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $23.3 million worldwide on just a $1.3 million budget. It’s the kind of movie that proves you don’t need massive budgets to create something truly memorable.
The Guest, directed by Adam Wingard, showcased her ability to balance vulnerability with strength as Anna Peterson. The film’s success, combined with It Follows, gave Monroe the rare distinction of having two critically acclaimed horror films in the same year.
From there, she expanded into blockbuster territory with Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), where she played Patricia Whitmore. The film grossed nearly $390 million worldwide, giving Monroe mainstream exposure and proving she could handle big-budget productions.
Her most recent success, Longlegs (2024), has reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the best performers in modern horror. Playing FBI agent Lee Harker, Monroe delivered what many consider her most compelling performance yet.
Other notable films include Honey Boy (2019), where she worked alongside Shia LaBeouf in a deeply personal drama, and Watcher (2022), a psychological thriller that showcased her mastery of subtle, tension-building performances.
With 39 credits spanning horror, drama, sci-fi, and thrillers, Maika Monroe has proven she’s much more than just a scream queen – she’s a versatile performer who brings authenticity and depth to every role she takes on.
Conclusion
Maika Monroe’s journey from the windswept beaches of Santa Barbara to the heights of Hollywood represents one of the most unique career trajectories in modern cinema. Her story isn’t just about talent – it’s about having the courage to chase dreams across continents and the wisdom to stay true to yourself along the way.
What makes Monroe’s path so fascinating is how her athletic background shaped everything that came after. The discipline she learned flying trainer kites for a year before touching the water, the mental toughness developed competing at international levels, and the physical awareness from professional kiteboarding – all of these qualities shine through in her performances. You can see it in the way she carries herself on screen, bringing authenticity to roles that could easily feel manufactured.
Her impact on modern horror cinema goes far beyond just being another “scream queen.” Maika Monroe helped redefine what that title could mean. Instead of characters who simply react to terror, she created protagonists who think, fight back, and maintain their humanity even in the darkest moments. Films like It Follows and The Guest proved that audiences were hungry for smarter, more sophisticated horror – and Monroe was the perfect actress to deliver it.
Perhaps most admirable is how she’s steerd Hollywood’s notorious ups and downs. Her approach of maintaining a “healthy distance” from the industry’s more toxic aspects while continuing to challenge herself artistically offers a blueprint for sustainable success. Whether she’s discussing her love of Settlers of Catan or her appreciation for dive bar karaoke, Monroe comes across as refreshingly grounded – someone who remembers where she came from.
Looking ahead, with They Follow bringing her back to the role that launched her career and new producing ventures expanding her creative control, it’s clear that Maika Monroe’s most exciting chapters are still being written. Her unique combination of athletic discipline, artistic integrity, and genre mastery positions her as one of the most compelling performers of her generation.
From the shores of the Dominican Republic to the silver screen, Maika Monroe’s story is one of talent and tenacity, promising many more captivating performances to come. At The Dining Destination, we celebrate these unique journeys that remind us that the most interesting paths are often the most unexpected ones. Explore more inspiring stories and destinations for your next trip.
