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Most people know Sophie Thatcher as the face of young Natalie in Yellowjackets or the breakout star of Heretic. She’s got that specific, moody screen presence that makes you feel like she’s keeping a thousand secrets. But there is one thing she isn’t hiding: her mirror image. Ellie Thatcher isn’t just a "celebrity sibling" or a footnote in a Wikipedia bio. She is the other half of a creative engine that started in a Mormon household in suburban Chicago and eventually took over the indie art world.
If you’ve ever looked at Sophie and felt like her aesthetic—that sort of "goth-western" or "90s grunge" vibe—was too perfectly curated to be an accident, you’re right. It’s a shared language. They’re identical twins. But while Sophie went toward the lens, Ellie went behind the canvas and the clay.
Honestly, the way they talk about each other makes most sibling relationships look kinda distant. They don’t just hang out; they collaborate. They share a brain. And if you want to understand why Sophie’s acting feels so raw, you have to look at the art Ellie is making in the shadows.
Growing Up "Isolated" in Evanston
Evanston, Illinois isn't exactly a remote wilderness, but for the Thatcher twins, it felt like one. They grew up in a big family—four kids total. Sophie and Ellie have two older siblings, Alexander (a writer) and Emma (a filmmaker). You can see the pattern here. Creativity wasn't a hobby in the Thatcher house; it was basically the only way to communicate.
Their upbringing was... unique. They were raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a town where they didn't know many other Mormons, the twins became their own little island. Sophie has mentioned in interviews that this "isolation" is what forced them to get weird. They weren't out at parties; they were in their rooms drawing, making up stories, and creating their own worlds.
It’s that "twin telepathy" thing people joke about, but for Ellie and Sophie Thatcher, it was a survival mechanism. By the time Sophie was 4, she was acting. By the time they were teens, Ellie was diving deep into visual arts.
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The Artistic Split: Acting vs. Visual Art
While Sophie was busy landing roles in Chicago P.D. and eventually the lead in the sci-fi flick Prospect alongside Pedro Pascal, Ellie was carving out a space in the multimedia world.
Ellie Thatcher works under the moniker Junk DNA.
She isn't just "good at drawing." She’s a legitimate multimedia force. We’re talking:
- Claymation: Gritty, surreal stop-motion that looks like a fever dream.
- Photography: Raw, high-contrast shots that capture the same "gothic" energy Sophie carries on screen.
- Music Videos: Ellie actually directed and created the claymation for Avey Tare (from Animal Collective).
- Sound: In mid-2024, Ellie released Plains of Radiance, an 18-minute experimental album.
It’s interesting because they both seem to be obsessed with the same "ugly-beautiful" aesthetic. Sophie has described their shared taste as being inspired by "demonic-looking creatures" and "80s Japanese fashion." When you see Ellie’s art, it’s like seeing the interior of Sophie’s characters.
Why the Twin Connection Matters for Sophie’s Career
You’ve probably seen the photos of them at Paris Fashion Week or front-row at Jason Wu. They look like two versions of the same person from slightly different timelines. But it’s not just about the clothes.
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Sophie has been very vocal about the fact that Ellie is her "first person." When Sophie gets a script or finishes a scene, Ellie is the one she checks in with. Why? Because Ellie doesn't care about the Hollywood hype. She’ll tell her if it’s "weird enough" or if it feels fake.
"I can't imagine not having Ellie," Sophie told Story and Rain back in 2023. She even admitted that being a twin makes her naturally competitive, but in a way that pushes her to be better. It’s like having a permanent coach who knows exactly how your brain works because theirs works the same way.
The "Twin" Projects You Might Have Missed
Back in 2016, before the Yellowjackets fame, the sisters appeared together in a music video for "Brighter Days" by The Lincoln Squares. It’s a rare glimpse of them on screen at the same time. While Sophie is the "actor," Ellie has a presence that’s just as commanding. It makes you wonder if we’ll ever see them co-star in a psychological horror movie—honestly, someone should write that script immediately.
Leaving the Church and Finding Themselves
Both twins have moved away from their Mormon upbringing. Sophie has said she doesn't think the religion is "evil," but it just wasn't for her. For both of them, art became the new "church." It’s where they find their community and their sense of purpose.
They’ve both left Chicago behind too. Sophie is now based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, living with her partner Austin Feinstein (from the band Slow Hollows). Ellie is still heavily involved in the indie art and music scene, frequently popping up in Sophie’s Instagram stories or at fashion events where they look like twin queens of the underground.
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What This Means for You
If you're a fan of Sophie Thatcher, you’re only getting half the story if you aren't following Ellie's work. They are two sides of the same coin. Sophie brings the emotion to the screen; Ellie builds the visual world that inspires it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creatives:
- Follow Junk DNA: Check out Ellie’s work on Instagram or Bandcamp. If you like the "weird" side of indie art, her claymations are a must-watch.
- Watch for Collaborations: Sophie recently started releasing her own music (the Pivot & Scrape EP). Keep an eye out for Ellie's name in the credits for future music videos—they almost always help each other on these projects.
- The "Thatcher Aesthetic": If you want to nail that specific look, go beyond the makeup tutorials. Look at the 80s horror and surrealist art the sisters cite as their main influences.
The Thatcher sisters are proof that having a creative partner—especially one who shares your DNA—can be the ultimate "cheat code" in a tough industry like entertainment. They aren't just twins; they're a two-person vanguard of the new "weird" Hollywood.
Next Steps for Deep Diving:
You should go watch Ellie's music video for Avey Tare's "The Musical" to see the claymation Sophie raves about. Then, listen to Sophie's track "Black and Blue" to see how that same haunting energy translates into sound. You'll start to see the threads that connect their work instantly.