You probably recognize that face. Those piercing blue eyes and that look of intense focus. If you spent any time on Netflix between 2017 and 2019, Malina Weissman was essentially the face of your weekend binge-watching. She played Violet Baudelaire, the girl who could invent a grappling hook out of a curtain rod and some chewing gum.
But honestly? Her career didn't start or end with a ribbon-tying montage.
Most people think child actors either burn out or disappear into the "where are they now" void of TikTok. Malina didn't do that. She basically took a masterclass in Hollywood by playing younger versions of the biggest icons in pop culture before she was even old enough to drive.
The Weirdly Specific Niche of Playing "Young" Icons
Before she was the lead in a massive Netflix production, Malina Weissman was the go-to choice for directors who needed a kid who looked exactly like a future movie star. It’s a specific skill. You have to mimic the mannerisms of an adult actor while still bringing your own soul to a five-minute flashback.
In 2014, she showed up in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She wasn't just some random kid; she was Young April O'Neil. She had to set the stage for Megan Fox. Think about the pressure of that for a second. You’re ten or eleven years old, and you’re the foundation for one of the most famous female characters in comic book history.
Then came the cape.
If you look at Malina Weissman movies and TV shows, her stint on Supergirl is often what fans bring up first. She played Young Kara Zor-El. She didn't get much screen time compared to Melissa Benoist, obviously, but she had to sell the trauma of a girl watching her entire planet explode. It wasn't just "cute kid" acting. It was heavy.
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When Violet Baudelaire Changed Everything
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: A Series of Unfortunate Events.
When Netflix announced they were re-adapting Lemony Snicket’s books, the internet was skeptical. The Jim Carrey movie was... fine? But people loved those books. They needed a Violet who felt like the girl from the illustrations—serious, brilliant, and perpetually exhausted by the stupidity of adults.
Malina was Violet.
She spent three seasons alongside Neil Patrick Harris, which has to be a trip. While Harris was chewing the scenery as Count Olaf, Malina and her co-star Louis Hynes (who played Klaus) had to be the "straight men" to the insanity.
Fun fact most people miss: Malina actually learned how to tie her hair back with that ribbon for real. It wasn't just a camera trick. She practiced it until it was muscle memory because she wanted that specific "inventor" vibe to feel authentic. That’s the kind of nerd-level dedication that makes a performance stick.
The show wrapped in 2019. It didn't get canceled; it just finished the story. That's a rarity in the streaming world. Most shows get axed on a cliffhanger, but Malina got to see Violet’s journey to the very end of the books.
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The "In-Between" Years and the 2024 Comeback
After 2019, things got a little quiet. Or at least, they seemed quiet if you weren't paying attention.
Malina is a New Yorker through and through. She didn't stay in the "Hollywood bubble." She modeled for brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein—which she’d been doing since she was eight, anyway. But she also took a step back from the constant grind of TV leads.
Then came 2024.
She landed a role in a movie called Ick. It’s a body-horror comedy directed by Joseph Kahn. If you know Kahn’s work (he did the Power/Rangers short and a million music videos), you know it’s high-energy and weird. Malina plays Grace, and it’s a total departure from the "proper" Victorian-ish vibe of Violet Baudelaire. It’s messy. It’s gross. It’s exactly the kind of project a former child star needs to prove they can handle "adult" genre films.
What’s Coming in 2025 and 2026?
If you’re tracking Malina Weissman movies and TV shows for the next couple of years, her schedule is getting crowded again.
- The Hermit (2025): This is a horror film where she’s starring alongside the legendary Lou Ferrigno. Yes, the original Hulk. It’s about two people who go on a fishing trip and end up in a cannibalistic nightmare. It’s a long way from Netflix's PG ratings.
- Coven Academy (2026): This is the one people are buzzing about. Malina is set to play Briar. It’s a Disney Branded Television project, which usually means a massive marketing push.
- Slay: This one is still in the "post-production" or TBA phase depending on who you ask, but it’s another entry in her growing list of genre-bending roles.
Why Her Career Matters Right Now
Honestly, we’re living in an era where everyone is obsessed with "IP" (Intellectual Property). Malina has been a part of TMNT, DC/Supergirl, and Lemony Snicket. She’s basically a veteran of fandom culture.
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But what’s interesting is her pivot.
She isn't just trying to be the next "It Girl" in a rom-com. She seems drawn to the strange. Horror, body-coms, and supernatural academies. By 2026, she'll likely be one of the most recognizable faces in the "Elevated Horror" and "Dark Fantasy" genres.
Common Misconceptions:
- "Is she British?" Nope. People always think this because of the Baudelaire accent and her work with Louis Hynes. She's a New York City native.
- "Is she related to Emily Browning?" No, though the resemblance is uncanny. Emily Browning played Violet in the 2004 movie, and Malina took over for the show. They even have similar facial structures, which helped with the continuity of the character in the public's mind.
- "She stopped acting." Far from it. She just grew up. The transition from "the kid version of Megan Fox" to "the lead in a Lou Ferrigno horror movie" is a specific choice to avoid being typecast.
How to Keep Up With Her Work
If you're looking to dive into her filmography, don't just stop at the big Netflix show.
Check out Nine Lives. It’s a weird movie where Kevin Spacey turns into a cat. It’s objectively bizarre, but Malina plays his daughter, Rebecca, and she’s arguably the heart of the whole film. It shows her ability to play a grounded, emotional character even when the plot involves a talking feline.
Also, keep an eye on her guest spots. She popped up in an episode of Evil as "Candice B." It was a small role, but Evil is one of the smartest horror shows on TV, and her appearing there was a signal of where her tastes are heading.
Actionable Next Step: If you want to see the range we’re talking about, watch the pilot of Supergirl and then immediately watch the trailer for Ick. The contrast between the hopeful, bright-eyed Kara Zor-El and the grit of her 2024 work is the best way to understand her evolution. You can find most of her early work on Max or Netflix, while her newer indie projects are hitting the festival circuits and VOD now.