You probably recognize him. Maybe it was the intense, pinball-obsessed kid in a mask. Or perhaps the prep school jerk with the perfect hair who made life miserable for the leads in an Oscar-nominated dramedy. Honestly, Brady Hepner has this weird, magnetic ability to steal scenes while barely saying a word. He’s not just another "Disney kid" or a TikToker trying to act; the guy is a legit performer who seems to gravitate toward the dark, the gritty, and the emotionally complex.
Born in 2005 in Wallburg, North Carolina, Hepner didn’t grow up in the Hollywood machine. He was actually a soccer player first. But then Stranger Things happened, he got inspired, and basically decided to trade the pitch for the soundstage. Since then, the trajectory of brady hepner movies and tv shows has been a masterclass in how to build a resume that critics actually respect.
The Breakthrough: Pinball and Supernatural Terror
If you’re looking for where it all really started, you have to talk about The Black Phone (2021). Hepner played Vance Hopper. He wasn't the main kid, but man, he left an impression. Vance was this terrifying, legendary "bad boy" of the neighborhood who spent his days dominating a pinball machine and his nights, well, we know how that ended.
His performance was pure aggression and tragedy. He played a kid who was a bully but also a victim, a nuance that most teenage actors usually miss. It’s the kind of role that makes casting directors take notes. And fans? They went wild for him. Even in a movie starring Ethan Hawke as a child-snatching magician, people walked away talking about the "pinball kid."
Beyond the Grabber's Basement
While the horror crowd knows him for Vance, Hepner didn't let himself get pigeonholed. He jumped into The Holdovers (2023) playing Teddy Kountze. It was a total 180. Directed by Alexander Payne, this movie was a massive critical darling. Hepner played the privileged, annoying student at a 1970s New England boarding school. To go from a gritty 70s street kid to a wealthy 70s prep school bully showed a range that most people his age just don't have yet.
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Current Hits and The Netflix Takeover
Fast forward to right now, and if you haven’t seen him on your Netflix home screen, you’re probably not looking. One of the biggest shifts in brady hepner movies and tv shows came with the 2025 release of The Waterfront.
Created by Kevin Williamson—the genius behind Scream and Dawson’s Creek—this show is basically a high-stakes family crime drama set in North Carolina. Hepner plays Diller Hopkins. It’s a meaty role. Diller is caught in the middle of his family’s crumbling fishing empire, dealing with secrets that would break most adults. Starring alongside heavy hitters like Maria Bello and Holt McCallany, Hepner more than holds his own. It’s gritty, it’s humid, and it feels like the kind of show that turns a "rising star" into a household name.
A New Breed of Van Helsing
Then there’s Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story. This isn't your typical vampire flick. Based on a short story by Joe Hill (who happens to be Stephen King’s son), it’s a psychological horror piece. Hepner plays Max Van Helsing.
Imagine growing up with Abraham Van Helsing as your dad, but he’s basically a paranoid, abusive survivalist who doesn't tell you why he's so scared of the dark. Hepner plays Max as a kid who is physically strong but mentally fraying at the edges. It’s a dark, atmospheric movie that premiered in mid-2025 and solidified his spot as a go-to actor for anything involving "unspoken horror."
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The Full Breakdown of Roles
Looking for a checklist? Here is how the filmography actually shakes out without the fluff.
- Killer Babes and the Frightening Film Fiasco (2020): His first real gig. A small slasher role that got his foot in the door.
- Chicago Fire (2021): He popped up as Dylan in a single episode. It’s that classic "first TV credit" that every working actor needs on their resume.
- The Black Phone (2021): The big one. Vance Hopper. The role that launched a thousand fan edits.
- The Holdovers (2023): Teddy Kountze. Proved he could handle high-brow, Oscar-caliber material.
- FBI: International (2024): A guest spot that kept him busy between major film projects.
- The Waterfront (2025): Diller Hopkins. A series regular role on a massive Netflix production.
- Abraham’s Boys (2025): Max Van Helsing. Leading man energy in a high-concept horror film.
Why Collectors and Fans Are Tracking Him
There is a weird phenomenon with brady hepner movies and tv shows where his minor roles seem to carry as much weight as his leads. Part of it is the "Vance Hopper effect." Fans of The Black Phone are incredibly loyal. They track every guest spot and every indie film.
But it's also about his choice in projects. He isn't doing mindless comedies. He’s choosing scripts that have some dirt under their fingernails. Even in his early role in Charlotte Moon Mysteries: Green on the Greens, you could see him trying to find the "thing" that made the character tick.
The Future: What’s Next for Brady?
There’s constant chatter about a sequel to The Black Phone. Given the supernatural nature of the first one, fans are dying to know if Vance—and Hepner—will return in some capacity. While nothing is ever certain in Hollywood until the cameras are rolling, his name is constantly tied to the project.
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Beyond the horror realm, his work in The Waterfront suggests he’s heading toward more dramatic, leading-man territory. He’s got the look of a classic movie star but the intensity of a character actor. That's a dangerous combination.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Hepner's career or trying to emulate his path, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Watch "The Holdovers" First: If you only know him from horror, see this movie. It shows his ability to play "unlikable" characters with a layer of humanity that makes them fascinating to watch.
- Follow the Creators: Hepner works with great directors and writers. If you like his vibe, check out other works by Kevin Williamson or Scott Derrickson. They clearly see something in him.
- The "Slow Burn" Strategy: Notice how he didn't rush into a massive franchise right away. He did small roles, then supporting roles in big movies, then lead roles in streaming series. It’s a sustainable way to build a career.
- Local Roots Matter: He still talks about his North Carolina upbringing. It keeps his performances grounded. For actors, it's a reminder that you don't have to be "from" LA to make it in LA.
Brady Hepner is currently at that sweet spot in a career where the "rising star" label is starting to peel off, replaced by "established talent." Whether he's hunting vampires or navigating family crime syndicates, he’s one of the few young actors who actually demands your full attention when he's on screen.
Check out The Waterfront on Netflix if you want to see his most mature work to date, or revisit The Black Phone to see the spark that started the whole fire. Either way, you're going to be seeing a lot more of him.