Mikey Madison just won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the titular character “Anora”
Mikey Madison just made history: She’s the first Gen Z acting winner in the Academy Awards for her impressive performance as the titular sex worker in the film “Anora.”
While many might see the Oscar win as a surprise, Madison has already been in the acting circuit for around a decade, acting in films, short films, and television series. It was in these roles that she started to build a name for herself, notably playing the main character Maxine Fox in “Better Things,” and earning recognition for her role in the Quentin Tarantino film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) and the 2022 “Scream” film by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet.
In fact, it was her performances in these films that inspired “Anora” creator Sean Baker to write the character and cast Madison herself, which eventually resulted in Madison bagging the Academy Award for Best Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Anora.”
If, like us, you’re now obsessed with this standout star, here’s a look at her past filmography.
“Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey” (2017)
Madison’s film debut is a 1966 summer drama centered on a teenage couple on their search for independence and personal freedom. The couple embarks on a motorcycle trip along the coast of California, during which they encounter characters and situations that challenge their views.
“Nostalgia” (2018)
The film explores themes of love, loss, and grief, and our attachments to objects and memories. It features an ensemble of characters, flowing from one story to the next.
“Monster” (2018)
This legal drama follows the story of 17-year-old honor student Steve Harmon, whose life takes a turn when he is charged with felony murder. The story is based on a young adult novel.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)
This comedy-drama by Quentin Tarantino is led by big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie. As the title suggests, the film follows an actor and his stunt double as they navigate the changing film industry as well as the Tate murders. The film was named one of the top films of the year.
“The Addams Family” (2019)
While this is an animated movie, we do get to hear Madison here as Candi, a barista who works in a community called Assimilation. In this film, the titular family prepares for Pugsley’s Sabre Mazurka while also facing attempts of being displaced from town by a scheming reality TV show host.
“It Takes Three” (2021)
This rom-com is pretty much a modern version of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” following the school’s cool guy (Chris) as he enlists the help of the class nerd (Cy) to take over his social media accounts and make him appear like he’s more than just his good looks. All this so he could win over the affections of the smart new girl, Roxy.
“Scream” (2022)
The fifth installment of the series, it takes place 25 years after the original Woodsboro murders. Here, another Ghostface appears, targeting a group of teenagers who turn out to be linked to the original killings.
“All Souls” (2023)
This film follows a young foot soldier in the war on drugs, as she is sent on a dangerous undercover operation. It takes a deep look into the collateral damage innocent people have to bear as they are caught in the crossfire of this war.
