It is kinda wild how we still look at Alicia Silverstone and immediately think of yellow plaid and "As if!" Honestly, it has been decades since Clueless defined an entire generation, but 2026 is proving that she’s done playing the nostalgic hits. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the trades, you know Alicia Silverstone new movie isn't just one project—it's a full-blown career pivot that has her moving from cozy Netflix rom-coms into some of the weirdest, darkest sci-fi we've seen in years.
Most people are still catching up on her late 2025 holiday hit A Merry Little Ex-Mas, which, let’s be real, was peak comfort food. But the real talk right now is about her role in Yorgos Lanthimos's Bugonia.
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If you haven't heard of Bugonia, basically imagine a fever dream where Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are convinced a CEO is an alien. Alicia plays Sandy Gatz, and it is a massive departure. We're talking about a character who spent much of her narrative existence in a vegetative state due to experimental drugs. It’s dark. It’s gritty. It’s a total 180 from the bubbly persona that made her a household name.
Working with Lanthimos is a "you've made it" badge for actors who want to be taken seriously as chameleons. Look at what he did for Emma Stone's career. By joining this weird, experimental world, Silverstone is signaling that she’s over the "mom" roles and ready for the "prestige" roles.
Why the Holiday Rom-Com Still Matters
Even with the high-brow sci-fi stuff, we can't ignore A Merry Little Ex-Mas. It hit Netflix in November 2025 and stayed in the Top 10 for weeks.
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The plot is sort of a classic setup: Kate (Silverstone) is a divorcee trying to have one last perfect Christmas before selling the family home. Then her ex, played by Oliver Hudson, shows up with a much younger girlfriend (Jameela Jamil). Chaos ensues.
What makes it work isn't the script—it's Silverstone. She has this specific brand of vulnerability that makes you root for her even when the character is being a little bit much.
- The Cast Chemistry: Oliver Hudson and Silverstone actually feel like a couple that’s been through the wringer.
- The Humor: Jameela Jamil plays the "perfect" new girlfriend with just enough edge to keep it from being a caricature.
- The Relatability: It deals with "conscious uncoupling" in a way that feels way more real than a Goop newsletter.
Irish Blood: The TV Jump
While we're obsessing over Alicia Silverstone new movie options, we have to talk about her move into international TV. Irish Blood on Acorn TV (and AMC) has her playing Fiona Fox, a high-powered LA lawyer who goes to Ireland to find her long-lost father.
It’s a six-part murder mystery. Think Mare of Easttown but with better scenery and Irish accents. It premiered late in 2025, but the buzz is carrying well into 2026. It proves she can carry a series as a lead, not just a supporting player or a cameo.
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What’s Actually Next?
Looking ahead, there’s a project titled Tunnels that has been floating around the "TBA" list. Not much is known yet, which is typical for the industry right now, but the whispers suggest another dramatic turn.
Silverstone is also leaning heavily into her activism, which often influences her project choices. She’s been vocal about only taking roles that fit her lifestyle—she's a famously dedicated vegan—and that sometimes limits the big studio blockbusters she’ll touch. But honestly? That’s probably why her filmography looks so interesting lately. She’s picky.
How to Keep Up With Alicia’s New Era
If you want to actually see the range we're talking about, you have to look beyond the trailers.
- Watch Bugonia for the shock factor. It’s uncomfortable and brilliant.
- Stream A Merry Little Ex-Mas for the vibes. It’s the perfect Sunday afternoon movie.
- Binge Irish Blood for the plot. The mystery is actually pretty tight and the cinematography of the Causeway Coast is stunning.
The takeaway here is pretty simple. Alicia Silverstone is no longer just the girl from the Aerosmith videos or the princess of Beverly Hills. She’s becoming a character actor who happens to have the face of a movie star. Whether she's fighting off sharks (remember The Requin? Kinda messy, but she gave it her all) or navigating the complexities of a mid-life divorce on Netflix, she's staying relevant by being unpredictable.
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To stay updated, keep an eye on official Netflix release calendars and the Acorn TV schedule. The industry is moving fast, but it looks like the "Silverstone Renaissance" is just getting started.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your Netflix "New & Hot" tab for A Merry Little Ex-Mas if you missed the initial holiday rush. If you're looking for something more intense, search for Bugonia showtimes at local indie theaters, as Lanthimos films usually have a longer tail in boutique cinemas than in major chains.