You probably know her as the girl who just had to touch everything in the Warrens' occult museum. Honestly, watching Katie Sarife play Daniela Rios in Annabelle Comes Home was a masterclass in making an "irresponsible" character actually feel human and empathetic. She wasn't just a plot device to get the demons moving; she was a grieving daughter looking for a sign from her father. That’s the thing about Katie Sarife movies and tv shows—she always brings this weirdly grounded, soulful energy to genres that usually just care about the jump scares or the high school drama.
Born in McKinney, Texas, Sarife didn't just stumble into Hollywood. She’s been at this since 2011, starting with that ABC Family vibe in Teen Spirit. If you look back at her filmography, it’s a total trip through 2010s pop culture. She’s done the "Supernatural" thing, the Disney Channel-adjacent thing, and the heavy-hitting indie horror thing.
The Breakthrough: Supernatural and Beyond
Before she was dealing with possessed dolls, Katie Sarife was a legend in the Supernatural fandom. She played Marie in "Fan Fiction," the show's 200th episode. If you’re a fan, you know this wasn't just another guest spot. She was the one directing the high school musical version of Sam and Dean’s lives. It was meta, it was funny, and it showed she could hold her own against TV veterans without breaking a sweat.
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Basically, that role put her on the map for a specific kind of dedicated audience. It wasn't long after that she landed Youth & Consequences. That show was way ahead of its time, honestly. It was a YouTube Red (remember that?) original where she played Sara Hurley. It was gritty and smart, nothing like the sanitized teen dramas on network TV back then.
Key Filmography Highlights
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019): Her big theatrical breakout. She played Daniela, the catalyst for the entire night of terror.
- So Cold the River (2022): A weird, atmospheric supernatural thriller where she plays Kellyn Cage. It's based on the Michael Koryta novel and is definitely worth a watch if you like slow-burn horror.
- Cleveland Abduction (2015): This one is heavy. She played Gina DeJesus in the true story of the Ariel Castro kidnappings. It showed she could handle intensely dark, dramatic material.
- Girl Meets World (2016): She had a two-episode arc as Marly Evans. It’s a complete 180 from her horror work, proving she’s got that range.
Why Annabelle Comes Home Was a Turning Point
Let's talk about the Daniela Rios of it all. In the Conjuring Universe, characters usually fall into two camps: the experts (the Warrens) or the victims. Daniela was different. Katie Sarife played her with this desperate, frantic hope that made you forget you were supposed to be mad at her for opening the door.
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Working alongside Mckenna Grace and Madison Iseman, Sarife was the emotional engine of that movie. It’s not easy to make a "final girl" trio work when one of them is technically the "antagonist" of the first act. But she pulled it off. She made Daniela’s guilt feel heavier than the literal ghosts chasing her.
What’s Happening With Katie Sarife Now?
As of 2026, Katie hasn't just stayed in front of the camera. She’s actually heavily involved in the "business" of acting now. She co-owns Just Be Acting Studio with Tyler Steelman. It’s kinda cool to see an actress who has been through the Hollywood machine—from billboards on Sunset Blvd to indie sets in Indiana—actually teaching the next generation.
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She also has The Nana Project in the works, where she plays a character named Linda Jenkins. It's a mockumentary style comedy about a competitive Wii bowling tournament in a retirement home. Yeah, you read 그 right. It’s a massive departure from her horror roots, and honestly, we need more of her in comedy.
What You Should Watch First
If you're just diving into Katie Sarife movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the big hits.
- For the scares: Annabelle Comes Home. It’s the obvious choice for a reason.
- For the feels: Cleveland Abduction. Just bring tissues. It’s brutal but her performance is incredible.
- For the laughs/meta-humor: Supernatural Season 10, Episode 5 ("Fan Fiction").
- For the mystery: So Cold the River. It’s got a very specific, eerie "shining" vibe.
Katie Sarife is one of those actors who feels like they're on the verge of a massive second act. Whether she’s teaching at her studio or taking on more indie projects, she’s avoided the typical "scream queen" pigeonhole. Keep an eye on her upcoming credits—she’s clearly picking projects that have more to say than just "boo."
To get the most out of her filmography, start with her episode of Supernatural to see her comedic timing, then jump into Annabelle Comes Home to see how she handles a big-budget franchise. If you're an aspiring actor yourself, looking into her Just Be Acting Studio might give you a better perspective on her approach to the craft than any interview could.