Margaret Qualley (born 1994) is an American actress best known for her breakout performance in Maid (2021), her haunting role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and her daring turn in Sanctuary (2023). A former ballet dancer turned screen star, she has carved a niche in indie drama cinema and psychological storytelling, earning critical acclaim for her raw, emotionally grounded portrayals. From festival favorites to prestige dramas, Qualley continues to prove she’s one of the fearless young performers.
From indie films starring Margaret Qualley to her critically acclaimed performances that earned award nominations and film critics’ praise, here are five must-watch movies that showcase the full range of her acting career.
5 Performances That Define a Rising Hollywood Actress
1. Maid (2021) – Her Breakout Role in Emotional Storytelling
Director: Molly Smith Metzler | Platform: Netflix
Genre: Drama, Social Realism
IMDb: 8.3/10 | RT: 94%
Role: Alex Russell, a young mother fighting to build a better life for herself and her daughter after escaping an abusive relationship.
Synopsis: While technically a limited series, Maid is where Margaret Qualley broke out as one of the most promising rising Hollywood actresses. Adapted from Stephanie Land’s memoir, the show follows Alex, a young mother escaping an abusive relationship while navigating homelessness and low-wage work.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: This Margaret Qualley performance reveals her unmatched ability to convey exhaustion, dignity, and determination. Every emotion feels lived-in. The performance earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and catapulted her into Hollywood’s A-list radar for emotional performance and psychological storytelling.
2. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) – A Brief But Unforgettable Turn
Director: Quentin Tarantino | Platform: Apple TV+
Genre: Drama, Crime
IMDb: 8.6/10 | RT: 86%
Role: Pussycat, a free-spirited and dangerously alluring Manson Family member who lures Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) toward the infamous Spahn Ranch.
Synopsis: In a film filled with megawatt stars, Qualley’s short but magnetic role as “Pussycat,” a flirtatious Manson family member, stands out. Her scenes with Brad Pitt are now iconic and show how a rising Hollywood actress can command attention even in a few minutes of screen time.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: This role showcased her range and versatility, embodying an eerie ‘innocent persona’ that masked her menace. It’s a testament to how indie-trained actors like Qualley can, in fact, hold their own in Hollywood blockbusters.
3. Sanctuary (2023) – The Art of Psychological Power Play
Director: Zachary Wigon | Platform: Apple TV+
Genre: Thriller, Drama
IMDb: 6.2/10 | RT: 88%
Role: Rebecca, a razor-sharp dominatrix who forces her wealthy client, Hal (Christopher Abbott), into a night of confessions, negotiations, and power reversals.
Synopsis: Sanctuary is a two-hander—a battle of wits, manipulation, and sexuality between a dominatrix and her wealthy client. Filmed almost entirely in one location, it’s a masterclass in tension and psychological storytelling.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because Sanctuary is basically a 90-minute acting duel, and Margaret Qualley absolutely owns it. Just two people, one room, and her completely unhinged brilliance. It’s sexy, strange, and wildly tense. She flips from charming to terrifying in seconds, keeping you guessing who’s really in control, and if you want to see Qualley at her most fearless and fun, this is the one.
4. Drive-Away Dolls (2024) – Comedy Meets Chaos
Director: Ethan Coen | Platform: Apple TV+
Genre: Crime Comedy
IMDb: 5.4/10 | RT: 64%
Role: Jamie, a wild, impulsive woman on a spontaneous road trip with her best friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) that quickly turns into a hilarious mix of crime, chaos, and unexpected self-discovery.
Synopsis: Drive-Away Dolls (2024) is a fast-paced crime comedy from Ethan Coen that follows Jamie (Margaret Qualley), a carefree, impulsive woman fresh off a breakup, and her uptight best friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan). The two decide to hit the road for a spontaneous getaway to Tallahassee, hoping for freedom and fun — but things go off the rails fast when they accidentally pick up the wrong rental car.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: A refreshing turn from her dramatic roots, Drive-Away Dolls sees Qualley flex her comedic timing as Jamie, a free-spirited woman on a chaotic road trip that spirals into crime, friendship, and sexual freedom. After years of emotional performances in heavy dramas, this film shows her lighter, funnier side. The movie balances indie-film energy with Coen Brothers’ absurd humor, making it one of the most critically acclaimed movies featuring Margaret Qualley in recent years.
5. Stars at Noon (2022) – Desire, Disillusionment, and Raw Realism
Director: Claire Denis | Platform: Apple TV+
Genre: Romantic Thriller
IMDb: 5.5/10 | RT: 63%
Role: Trish Johnson, a stranded American journalist using her charm, wit, and recklessness to survive amid political unrest in Nicaragua.
Synopsis: In Stars at Noon (2022), American journalist Trish (Margaret Qualley) finds herself stranded in Nicaragua during the COVID-era lockdown and political chaos. With her passport seized and hope fading, she drifts between hotel bars and dangerous liaisons just to survive. When she meets an enigmatic Englishman, Daniel (Joe Alwyn), she believes he might be her ticket out—only to discover the escape might come at a much higher cost.
Why It’s a Must-Watch:
This film highlights Margaret Qualley’s acting career at its most daring. Working under visionary director Claire Denis, she delivers a complex character portrayal of a woman caught between survival and seduction. While the film divided audiences, Qualley’s performance was universally praised for its “naked vulnerability and fierce intelligence.” It also won the Grand Prix at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, earning her yet another wave of film critics’ praise.
Other Notable Roles
- The Leftovers (2014–2017) – As Jill Garvey, she brought sharp teenage angst to one of TV’s most ambitious dramas.
- My Salinger Year (2020) – Played Joanna, a young assistant to J.D. Salinger’s literary agent, capturing ambition and naivety in 1990s New York.
- The Nice Guys (2016) – A brief but memorable turn as Amelia, the missing girl at the heart of Shane Black’s noir-comedy mystery.
- Fosse/Verdon (2019) – As dancer Ann Reinking, she earned an Emmy nomination for her nuanced portrayal in this acclaimed biopic series.
- The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2017) – Played Melody, grounding the film’s mystery.
- Strange But True (2019) – A dark family thriller where she played Melissa, a young woman claiming to be pregnant with her late boyfriend’s child.
- Poor Things (2023) (voice cameo) – A subtle yet fitting inclusion that aligns her with auteurs like Yorgos Lanthimos.
The Range That Defines Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley doesn’t play it safe. Every role she takes feels like a dare: emotionally messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright uncomfortable (in the best way). From her early dance background to portraying fractured psyches and morally tangled characters, she’s built a career that thrives on chaos and craft.
Her award nominations for Maid and critical acclaim for Sanctuary and Stars at Noon position her among the most promising rising Hollywood actresses. Her choices feel guided by artistic curiosity.
Her Signature Traits:
- Method in the Madness: Qualley thrives in messy, high-wire characters.
- Raw Over Perfect: She never polishes her performances to look pretty; she lets them sting, sweat, and breathe. Authenticity always wins.
- Mind-Body Storytelling: Her dancer roots show — she acts with her whole body.
- Genre Gymnast: One project she’s in an arthouse fever dream (Stars at Noon), the next she’s flirting with absurd comedy (Drive-Away Dolls). And somehow, it all feels like her.
- Fearless Curiosity: Qualley doesn’t chase safe scripts. If it scares her, she’s probably saying yes.
- Magnetic Duality: She can be fragile and feral in the same scene.
Margaret Qualley’s Future in Hollywood
With upcoming collaborations alongside directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Ethan Coen, it’s clear that Hollywood’s auteurs recognize her. The next decade could very well see her transition from rising Hollywood actress to full-fledged leading powerhouse.
As film critics praise her continued evolution, Margaret Qualley stands as a symbol of modern acting: introspective, unpredictable, and profoundly human.
In Summary: 5 Must-Watch Margaret Qualley Films
Title |
Year |
Director |
Platform |
Genre |
Role |
IMDb / RT |
Maid |
2021 |
Molly Smith Metzler |
Netflix |
Drama, Social Realism |
Alex Russell, a young mother rebuilding her life after escaping abuse |
IMDb: 8.3 / RT: 94% |
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood |
2019 |
Quentin Tarantino |
fuboTV, YouTube TV |
Drama, Crime |
Pussycat, a free-spirited Manson Family member who tempts Cliff Booth into danger |
IMDb: 8.6 / RT: 86% |
Sanctuary |
2023 |
Zachary Wigon |
Hulu |
Thriller, Drama |
Rebecca, a sharp-tongued dominatrix, is testing the limits of power and control |
IMDb: 6.2 / RT: 88% |
Drive-Away Dolls |
2024 |
Ethan Coen |
Netflix |
Crime Comedy |
Jamie, a wild, impulsive woman on a chaotic road trip with her best friend |
IMDb: 5.4 / RT: 64% |
Stars at Noon |
2022 |
Claire Denis |
Amazon Prime Video |
Romantic Thriller |
Trish Johnson, a stranded journalist using charm and recklessness to survive in Nicaragua |
IMDb: 5.5 / RT: 63% |
Final Word:
If you’re looking to explore indie drama cinema through the lens of a Hollywood breakout actress, these critically acclaimed movies featuring Margaret Qualley are the perfect starting point. Each one reveals a different facet of her artistry—from restraint to recklessness, from heartbreak to humor.
In a landscape full of spectacle, Margaret Qualley reminds us that the most powerful moments in film still come from the quiet corners of the human heart.
