Everly Carganilla is everywhere right now. Honestly, if you’ve turned on a streaming service in the last three or four years, you have probably seen her face, even if you didn't quite catch the name at the time. She’s that kid with the high energy and the perfect comedic timing who somehow manages to hold her own against heavy hitters like Jennifer Garner and Sandra Oh.
It’s kinda wild how fast her career moved. Most child actors spend years doing uncredited background work or obscure commercials, but Everly basically stepped onto the scene and started booking major Netflix and Apple TV+ projects almost immediately. We're talking about a filmography that already includes a massive franchise reboot and a critically acclaimed murder mystery.
Why Everly Carganilla movies and tv shows are suddenly everywhere
You probably first noticed her in Yes Day (2021). She played Ellie Torres, the youngest of the three kids who force their parents into twenty-four hours of "yes." It was a huge hit for Netflix, and while Jenna Ortega was the "big sister" in that movie, Everly was the one provide the chaotic, adorable energy that made the family dynamic actually work.
But it’s not just about being the "cute kid."
If you look at the range of Everly Carganilla movies and tv shows, she’s bouncing between genres like a pro. She did the dark academic comedy thing in The Chair on Netflix, playing Ju-Hee "Ju Ju" Kim. That show was smart, biting, and a little cynical—definitely not your standard Disney Channel vibe. Then she pivoted to The Afterparty on Apple TV+.
In The Afterparty, she plays Maggie. What’s cool about that role is how the show uses her character’s perspective. Since the series is a "genre-bender" where every episode is told in a different cinematic style (animation, film noir, musical), Everly had to adapt to those different tones too. Not many eight or nine-year-olds can say they’ve been part of a prestige murder mystery ensemble.
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Breaking down the Spy Kids era
The biggest jump in her career so far has to be Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023).
Robert Rodriguez basically hand-picked her to lead the reboot of his most famous franchise. Playing Patty Tango-Torrez was a massive deal. She wasn't just a supporting character anymore; she was the lead. She had to do stunts, work with heavy CGI, and carry the emotional weight of a "saving the world" plot.
A lot of fans of the original early-2000s movies were skeptical about a reboot. It's a tough crowd. But Everly brought a certain "smart-aleck but sincere" vibe that felt like a nod to the original Carmen Cortez without being a total copy. She’s also got this weirdly impressive ability to deliver technobabble—all that spy-tech talk—without sounding like she’s just reading a script.
The voice acting and indie side of things
You might not know that she’s also moved into voice work. She’s part of the cast for WondLa, the animated series based on Tony DiTerlizzi’s books. It’s a gorgeous, high-concept sci-fi show on Apple TV+. Voice acting is a totally different beast than live-action because you can’t rely on your facial expressions to sell a joke or a sad moment.
And then there's her connection to Jane the Virgin.
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This is a fun piece of trivia: Everly actually played "Baby Jane" in an episode. If that sounds familiar, it’s because her Yes Day co-star Jenna Ortega also played a younger version of Jane Villanueva (Young Jane). It’s like a weird rite of passage for rising stars to play a version of Gina Rodriguez.
Speaking of upcoming stuff, she’s recently been tied to a project called The Accompanist. This is a big departure from the kid-spy stuff. It’s a drama directed by Zach Woods—you know him from The Office and Silicon Valley. She’s starring alongside Susan Sarandon and Aubrey Plaza. That is a massive level-up. It’s a "magical-realist" drama, which sounds way more intense and indie than anything she’s done before.
A quick look at the resume
Here is the "non-perfect" breakdown of what she’s been in so far, just so you can keep track:
- Yes Day (2021): The breakout role as Ellie.
- The Chair (2021): Playing Ju-Hee "Ju Ju" Kim alongside Sandra Oh.
- The Afterparty (2022-2023): As Maggie (the kid who probably knows too much).
- Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023): Patty Tango-Torrez, the new generation of spy.
- WondLa (2024-2025): Voice work in a massive sci-fi world.
- The Accompanist (2025/2026): The upcoming indie drama with Susan Sarandon.
She also popped up in That Girl Lay Lay and a short film called Bud, which was also directed by Zach Woods. It seems like Woods really likes working with her, which is usually a good sign that an actor is easy to direct and professional on set.
What makes her different from other child stars?
Honestly? She feels like a real kid.
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Sometimes child actors are a little too "polished." They have that stage-parent energy where every line is delivered with a pageant smile. Everly feels a bit more grounded. In interviews, she talks about playing "The Floor is Lava" and being afraid of broken toilets. She’s relatable.
That relatability is why she’s so successful in "family" movies. When she’s arguing with her siblings in Spy Kids or Yes Day, it doesn't feel like a scripted TV argument. It feels like she’s actually annoyed, which is way more entertaining to watch.
What is next for Everly?
As of early 2026, the buzz is all about her transition into more mature, dramatic roles. While she will probably always be a "Netflix kid" to some, The Accompanist is likely going to change that. Working with Aubrey Plaza and Susan Sarandon isn't just a paycheck; it's an acting masterclass.
If you want to keep up with her, the best way is to keep an eye on Apple TV+ and Netflix. Those two streamers seem to have a lock on her talent for now.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch The Afterparty (Season 1): Specifically look for the "High School" and "Animated" episodes to see how her character Maggie fits into the different "mind movies."
- Check out The Accompanist: Keep an eye on festival circuits (like Cannes or Sundance) for reviews of this film, as it’s her first major pivot into serious drama.
- Follow her career arc: If you liked her in Spy Kids, watch The Chair next. It’s a total 180 in terms of tone and will show you why directors are so high on her right now.