If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or watched a movie in the last three years, you’ve probably seen a girl with wild curly hair, a septum piercing, and an energy that feels less like a "Hollywood star" and more like the coolest person at a dive bar. That’s Odessa A’zion. Honestly, calling her a rising star feels like an understatement at this point—she’s already arrived.
While some actors feel like they’re being manufactured in a lab, A’zion (born Odessa Adlon) has this raw, almost frantic authenticity that makes it impossible to look away. Whether she’s playing a traumatized high schooler, a final girl in a horror reboot, or a chaotic influencer, she brings a specific "don't-give-a-damn" vibe that actually feels real. You probably know her from Grand Army, but her recent work in Marty Supreme and I Love LA has completely shifted the conversation.
The Roles That Defined the Odessa A’zion Movies and TV Shows Evolution
It’s easy to look at her and think "nepo baby"—her mom is the legendary Pamela Adlon (Better Things)—but Odessa’s career hasn't been a straight line of easy wins. She’s been open about getting rejected for basically everything she auditioned for early on. Remember Euphoria? She didn’t get it, but her audition was so good it literally landed her a role years later in an A24 movie.
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The Breakout: Grand Army (2020)
This was the "Oh, she can act act" moment. Playing Joey Del Marco in the Netflix series Grand Army was brutal. It wasn't just a teen drama; it dealt with sexual assault in a way that was almost too painful to watch. Odessa was fearless here. She played the "woke" cool girl whose world gets shattered, and the way she portrayed that downward spiral was haunting. Fun fact: she’s not actually a dancer, but she trained for six hours a day to do those dance scenes herself, even tearing a muscle in the process.
The Horror Pivot: Hellraiser (2022)
Taking on a franchise like Hellraiser is a massive risk. Fans are protective of Pinhead, and reboots usually suck. But Odessa as Riley—a recovering addict who finds the puzzle box—brought a grounded, gritty weight to the movie. It wasn't just about the gore (though the practical effects were insane); it was about her internal struggle. It’s one of the few horror reboots that people actually respected, largely because she didn't play the "damsel" trope.
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From Indie Darling to A24 Leading Lady
By 2025, things really started to go off the rails in the best way possible. If 2020 was her introduction, 2025 was her coronation.
- I Love LA (HBO): Created by Rachel Sennott, this show basically lets Odessa be her most chaotic self. She plays Tallulah, an influencer moving from NYC to LA. It’s biting, it’s funny, and she plays "tits-out femme" in a way that’s a total 180 from her previous grunge roles.
- Marty Supreme (2025/2026): This is the big one. Directed by Josh Safdie (the guy who did Uncut Gems), she stars opposite Timothée Chalamet. Playing Rachel Mizler, the "secret girl" in the world of professional ping-pong, she’s been getting legitimate Oscar buzz. Working with Safdie means high energy and high stress, and she fits that world perfectly.
- Until Dawn (2025): If you liked the video game, you probably saw her as Nina Riley. It’s another horror win for her, proving she’s the modern generation's "Scream Queen" without even trying to be.
Why People Are Obsessed with Her Style and Vibe
It’s not just the movies. People search for Odessa A’zion movies and tv shows because they want to know who the girl in the "Goonies" socks is. At the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, she wore vintage Alexander McQueen but flashed her socks to the paparazzi. She’s often seen in oversized, distressed jeans or topless blazers.
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She’s friends with Drew Starkey (they met filming Hellraiser in Serbia) and Madelyn Cline. She’s a Gemini. She’s a musician who loves Led Zeppelin and Lauryn Hill. Basically, she’s a real person who happens to be famous, which is a rare currency in 2026.
Complete List of Must-Watch Odessa A’zion Projects
If you’re trying to catch up, here’s the essential watch list:
- Marty Supreme (2025) – Watch it for the Safdie intensity and her chemistry with Chalamet.
- I Love LA (2025) – The best look at her comedic timing.
- Grand Army (2020) – Essential viewing for her dramatic range.
- Hellraiser (2022) – For the horror fans.
- Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) – A more heartwarming, tragic indie vibe opposite Yara Shahidi.
- Fam (2019) – A CBS sitcom that shows her early "younger sister" energy (it’s a bit more traditional, but she’s great in it).
What's Next?
Keep an eye out for Stranger Things: Tales From '85 (2026). The rumors are swirling, and given her trajectory, she’s the exact type of talent they need to keep that universe feeling fresh.
Actionable Insight: If you want to follow her career properly, don't just stick to the blockbusters. Her best work is often in the "messy" indies like Good Girl Jane or Fresh Kills. She thrives when the character is a bit broken. Check out I Love LA on Max if you want to see the performance that finally bridged the gap between "indie actress" and "household name."