Honestly, if you haven’t seen Catherine Cohen on your screen lately, you might just be looking at the wrong screen. She is the personification of "doing the most" in the best way possible. From a breakout Netflix special that redefined what musical comedy looks like for millennials to a sneaky-good turn in a Joachim Trier film that had people crying at Cannes last year, her career is a wild, glittering ride.
You’ve probably seen her. Maybe you recognize her as a chaotic energy source in Girls5eva or spotted her in the latest season of Only Murders in the Building. She’s not just a comedian who sings; she’s a legitimate actress who happens to be hilarious.
The Standout Catherine Cohen Movies and TV Shows You Need to See
If we’re talking about Catherine Cohen movies and tv shows, we have to start with the "Twist." In 2022, she dropped The Twist...? She’s Gorgeous on Netflix. It wasn't just a stand-up set. It was a cabaret-style fever dream featuring a rhinestone romper and some of the most relatable songs about being a woman in your 30s ever written.
People think she just appeared out of nowhere. Not true. She spent years grinding in the NYC alt-comedy scene, specifically at Club Cumming. That "overnight success" took about a decade of singing for drinks in the East Village.
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The Big Screen Transition
Lately, the film world has finally realized she has range. Most people know her from At Midnight (2023) or that Home Alone reboot, Home Sweet Home Alone, where she played Mrs. Claus. But the real shift happened recently.
- Sentimental Value (2025): This is the one that changed the conversation. Directed by Joachim Trier (who did The Worst Person in the World), this movie saw Cohen playing opposite Elle Fanning. It’s a drama. Like, a real, heavy drama. Seeing her move from "joking about marathons" to a role that earned a 19-minute standing ovation at Cannes was a massive pivot.
- The French Italian (2024): She starred as Valerie in this one, which hit the festival circuit and reminded everyone she’s a leading lady, not just the funny best friend.
- The Running Man (2025/2026): Yeah, she’s even in the Edgar Wright remake with Glen Powell. It’s a small role, but it shows she’s playing in the big leagues now.
Small Screen Dominance
On TV, Catherine is basically the queen of the guest spot that steals the entire episode. If you watched What We Do in the Shadows, you saw her as Sheila. If you’re a fan of Broad City or Search Party, you’ve seen her face.
But her series regular work is where things get interesting. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding (Freeform/Hulu) saw her in the lead role of Sasha. It’s based on Kristin Newman’s memoir, and Cohen brings a specific, messy vulnerability to it that most actors would be too "polished" to try.
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Then there's Sirens. Working alongside Julianne Moore for a Netflix/LuckyChap project is a huge deal. It’s dark, it’s funny, and it’s very Cohen.
Why She Actually Matters (Beyond the Jokes)
What most people get wrong about Catherine is thinking she’s just playing herself. She’s crafted a persona—the "Insta-addled, personality-is-performance" millennial—so well that people forget it’s a character.
In her second special, Come For Me, which hit Veeps in late 2024, she started digging into deeper stuff. Freezing eggs, the "aching void" of getting what you want and still feeling empty, and the reality of being a woman in the 2020s.
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- E-E-A-T Perspective: Critics like Ruth Moore have noted that her ability to blend "neurotic self-regard" with genuine vocal talent is rare. She’s a classically trained-ish voice (she studied at Princeton, after all) used for high-level satire.
Where to Start if You're New
If you’re just diving into the world of Catherine Cohen movies and tv shows, don't just jump into the deep end of her indie films. Start with the "Twist" on Netflix. It gives you the DNA of her humor. From there, go find her episodes of Girls5eva (she plays Taffy England) or Only Murders in the Building.
She has a way of making you feel like you’re in on the joke, even when the joke is technically about her own narcissism. It’s a tricky balance.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye out for the wider release of Sentimental Value in early 2026. It’s expected to be a major player during award season, and Cohen’s performance is the one everyone will be talking about.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out her podcast Seek Treatment with Pat Regan if you want the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes version of her brain.
- Pick up her book of poetry, God I Feel Modern Tonight, to see how she translates her stage energy into writing.
- Follow her tour dates for 2026; she’s reportedly working on a new hour that moves away from the cabaret style and into more traditional (but still weird) stand-up.