You probably know Julia Garner as the fireball Ruth Langmore from Ozark or the socialite-scammer Anna Delvey. Maybe you've seen her recent jump into the MCU as the Silver Surfer. But if you go back to 2012, long before the Emmys and the accent-heavy leading roles, she was just another face in a high school hallway. Specifically, she was in the cult classic coming-of-age flick The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Wait. Really?
Yeah, seriously. It’s one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" moments that makes you do a double-take during a rewatch. Most people remember Logan Lerman’s wide-eyed Charlie or Emma Watson trying to shake off the Hermione Granger image with a pixie cut. They don't usually remember Julia Garner.
The Small Role of Susan Explained
In the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s beloved novel, Julia Garner plays Susan. She isn't a member of the core "island of misfit toys" group. She’s not riding in the back of a pickup truck through a tunnel while David Bowie plays.
Susan is a former friend of Charlie’s from middle school. In the book, Susan is a much more defined character—she’s the girl who used to be "cool" and friendly but became popular and distant once high school hit. In the movie? She’s mostly a background presence that serves as a living reminder of Charlie's social isolation.
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Honestly, it’s a tiny part. We’re talking about a handful of scenes where she mostly just looks at Charlie with a mix of pity and awkwardness.
Why This Role Matters for Her Career
Even though she was basically an extra with lines, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a massive stepping stone. Garner was only about 18 when the movie came out. She had just come off the indie success of Martha Marcy May Marlene, but Perks was a "big" Hollywood production.
Working on a set with Paul Rudd and Joan Cusack—even if you're just playing a classmate—is a hell of a classroom.
A Different Kind of Julia Garner
If you're used to her screaming "I don't know shit about fuck" in a thick Missouri drawl, seeing her in Perks is jarring.
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- The Hair: Gone are the wild, tight blonde curls. In this movie, her hair is flatter, darker, and very "2012 high school student."
- The Vibe: She’s quiet. Subdued. There’s none of that fierce, intimidating energy she’s famous for now.
- The Context: She was part of a young ensemble that included future stars like Ezra Miller and Nina Dobrev.
It's sorta wild to think that while Charlie was writing letters to his "friend," a future three-time Emmy winner was standing ten feet away in the cafeteria.
Why Does No One Talk About This?
Mostly because the movie is packed. It’s a dense story. Between the Aunt Helen trauma, the Patrick/Brad secret relationship, and Charlie’s mental health spiral, there isn't much room for a secondary character like Susan.
Plus, Garner’s "look" in the film is so anonymous compared to her current iconic style. She looks like a different person. Back then, she was just another young actress in Pittsburgh trying to make a scene feel real.
Fact Check: Was She in the Book?
Yes. In the novel, Susan is more prominent. She's the one who was Charlie’s friend until she started dating a guy named Drew and "changed." The movie trims this down significantly. If you’re a die-hard fan of the book, you might have been looking for Susan, but for the average moviegoer, she’s just another student at Mill Grove High School.
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What to Watch Instead If You Want "Prime" Garner
If you found this article because you’re a Garner completist, Perks is a fun Easter egg, but it won't satisfy that craving for her powerhouse acting.
- Electrick Children (2012): Released the same year as Perks, this is where she actually shines. She plays a Mormon girl who believes she was impregnated by listening to a rock song. It's weird, it's indie, and it's 100% Garner.
- The Assistant (2019): This is a masterclass in subtlety. No yelling, no big hair. Just a soul-crushing look at toxic office culture.
- Ozark: Obviously. If you haven't seen it, stop reading this and go watch the first episode.
Final Verdict
Julia Garner’s presence in The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a testament to the "no small parts" mantra. She wasn't the star. She wasn't even the fifth lead. But she was there, building a resume that would eventually make her one of the most respected actors of her generation.
Next time you put on the soundtrack and feel nostalgic for the early 2010s, keep your eyes peeled during the school scenes. You’ll catch a glimpse of a superstar in the making, just blending into the background like a true wallflower.
How to find her in the movie: Look for the scenes early on in the hallways or the cafeteria. She’s usually wearing muted colors and looks significantly younger (and less likely to commit a felony) than her Ozark counterpart. It's a fun "I knew her when" moment for any cinephile.