If you’ve watched a horror movie or a prestige drama in the last two years, you’ve probably seen Sophie Wilde. She has this way of looking at a camera that feels both incredibly vulnerable and slightly terrifying. Honestly, it’s no wonder Hollywood is obsessed. The Australian actress has gone from local indie projects to starring alongside Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in what feels like a heartbeat.
Born in 1997 in Sydney, Wilde didn't just stumble into this. She was a self-described "drama kid" who started at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) when she was only five. You can see that training in how she handles her body on screen. She doesn't just deliver lines; she inhabits the space.
The Breakout: Talk to Me and the A24 Effect
Most people first really noticed Sophie Wilde in the 2023 horror hit Talk to Me. It was a massive deal. Directed by the Philippou brothers (RackaRacka), the film turned a $4.5 million budget into a $92 million global box office haul.
Wilde played Mia, a grieving teenager who gets hooked on the rush of spirit possession. It’s a messy, visceral performance. You’ve got to be a specific kind of talented to make a scene involving a ceramic hand and a basement full of teenagers feel like a Shakespearean tragedy. She actually won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress for this role, beating out some very seasoned competition.
Critics didn't just like her; they were floored. The New York Times specifically called out her "continually evolving lead performance." It wasn't just a jump-scare movie; it was a character study on grief, and Wilde carried the whole thing on her shoulders.
The Television Grind: From Eden to Everything Now
Before she was the "Scream Queen" of 2023, Wilde was putting in the work on the small screen.
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- Eden (2021): This was her first big TV gig. She played Scout, a young woman returning to her coastal hometown to find her best friend missing. It was moody, atmospheric, and very Australian.
- You Don’t Know Me (2021): A BBC miniseries where she played Kyra. This one really showed her range. It’s a legal drama told through flashbacks, and she had to be enigmatic enough to keep the mystery alive for four episodes.
- Tom Jones (2023): Basically the polar opposite of a horror movie. She played Sophia Western in this Masterpiece PBS adaptation. Seeing her in a corset and period gowns after seeing her possessed by demons in Talk to Me was a total trip. It proved she could do the "classic heroine" thing just as well as the "gritty indie" thing.
- Everything Now (2023): On Netflix, she led this teen drama as Mia Polanco, a girl recovering from an eating disorder. It was funny, heartbreaking, and felt very real.
Sophie Wilde Movies and TV Shows: The 2024-2026 Power Move
If you think her 2023 was big, her recent and upcoming slate is actually ridiculous. She’s moving into the "A-list" tier fast.
In 2024, she appeared in Babygirl, a high-stakes erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas. Playing Esme, Wilde held her own against some of the biggest names in the business. Then there was Boy Swallows Universe, the Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton’s iconic novel. Wilde played Caitlyn Spies, and yet again, she walked away with a Logie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
What’s Coming Next?
Right now, in 2026, the momentum hasn't slowed down.
- Digger (2026): This is the big one. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu (the guy behind The Revenant and Birdman), this is a $125 million black comedy. Wilde is part of an insane ensemble cast that includes Tom Cruise, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, and Riz Ahmed.
- Watch Dogs: She’s also set to star in the live-action adaptation of the Ubisoft video game. It’s a massive pivot into action-heavy sci-fi.
- October: A project with director Jeremy Saulnier. If you know Saulnier's work (Green Room, Blue Ruin), you know this is going to be intense and probably very violent.
The "It" Factor
Why does she work so well? Kinda simple: she feels human. In an era where a lot of young actors feel "polished" or like they’re playing to a TikTok audience, Wilde feels like a throwback to the 70s-style character actors. She’s not afraid to look ugly or messy on screen.
She’s also been very open about her "imposter syndrome." Despite being nominated for a BAFTA Rising Star Award alongside people like Ayo Edebiri and Jacob Elordi, she still talks about how her parents have to coach her through her nerves. It’s that grounded nature that makes her performances feel so lived-in.
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Acting Styles and Inspirations
Wilde has mentioned in interviews that Audrey Hepburn is her hero. She grew up watching a VHS box set of Hepburn's films. You can see that influence in her poise, even when she's playing characters who are falling apart. She also looks up to Viola Davis, which explains the raw intensity she brings to her more dramatic scenes.
Where to Start Watching
If you’re new to her work, don't just jump into the most recent thing. You’ve got to see the progression.
Start with Talk to Me. It’s the definitive Sophie Wilde performance. After that, check out You Don't Know Me to see how she handles a slower, more deliberate mystery. If you want something lighter, The Portable Door (where she stars with Christoph Waltz and Sam Neill) is a fun fantasy romp that shows her comedic timing.
Honestly, the best thing about her filmography is the variety. She isn't letting herself be typecast. One minute she’s a 1700s heiress, the next she’s a hacker in a dystopian future or a grieving girl in a horror flick.
Professional Milestones
- 2020: Graduated NIDA and played Ophelia in Hamlet at the Sydney Opera House.
- 2022: Filmed Talk to Me, which would change her life.
- 2024: Won the AACTA for Best Actress and signed with WME in Hollywood.
- 2026: Starring in a $125 million Iñárritu film.
That’s a hell of a five-year run.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Wilde's career to see where the industry is heading, or if you're an actor yourself, there are a few things to take away from her trajectory.
First, the "indie-to-blockbuster" pipeline is still the most effective way to build a real reputation. She didn't start with a Marvel movie; she started with a low-budget Australian horror film that allowed her to actually act.
Second, versatility is her armor. By jumping between BBC dramas, Netflix teen shows, and A24 horror, she made it impossible for the industry to put her in a box.
To keep up with her latest, keep an eye on the festival circuits. She’s become a staple at Sundance, Venice, and Cannes. Her next few projects, specifically Digger and the untitled A24 project with Emma Corrin, are likely to be the ones that cement her as a household name globally.
If you haven't seen Talk to Me yet, go watch it on a big screen if you can—or at least with the lights off. It's the best entry point into why everyone is talking about Sophie Wilde right now.