In films like ‘Longlegs’, a chilling Neon production that sees a satanic serial killer running rampant, a somewhat comical moment is displayed when Maika Monroe, aka Lee Harker, encounters her colleague’s young child for the first time. Harker’s profession as a somewhat brooding, analytical FBI agent doesn’t often involve interactions with children, and this out-of-the-box meeting amusingly emphasizes her stiff, yet oddly endearing nature. Obliged to entertain the child’s requests, which vary from visiting her room to attending her birthday party, Harker is thrown into a world far from her comfort zone.
At the age of 31, Monroe, the actress behind Harker, showcases her talent in ‘Longlegs’ which was highlighted by critics, particularly when sharing the screen with the actor of repute, Nicolas Cage. However, what makes Monroe’s portrayal more remarkable is the apparent contrast between her reserved, quirky character and her own personable, enchanting demeanor in real life. As Cage himself noted, there is an appealing, playful aspect to Monroe that shines through in her acting, characterized by grace and charisma.
Monroe has managed to stand out in Hollywood while also keeping the glitz and glamor at bay. Her parents, who have no involvement in the film industry, were initially hesitant about her passion for acting and only on occasion, drove her from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles for auditions. All the while, she successfully juggled her academic responsibilities and a deep intrigue for kiteboarding.
While Monroe had yearned for her grand debut in the Hollywood scene, she chose to momentarily step away from acting. At 17, she ventured into professional kiteboarding in the Dominican Republic. Her experience was rooted in frustration, as she felt despite putting in immense effort into her acting classes and auditions, she was unable to make a significant breakthrough in her acting career.
Recalling her journey, Monroe shared, ‘I was losing hope in acting, it seemed like it wasn’t meant to be. Despite my dedication to classes and rehearsals, something seemed missing.’ Her continuous efforts yielding no apparent results led her towards a standstill. Determined not to give up entirely, she maintained a relation with her manager post-severing ties with her agent, and would intermittently send audition tapes when suggested.
Within the span of a year, she could only manage to send around four or five tapes. She received no calls back until suddenly, she did. Her experience as a professional athlete was rewarding and provided her with a well-rounded outlook on her career. When she secured a role in ‘At Any Price’, sharing the screen with actors like Zac Efron and Dennis Quaid, she readily made her way back home.
Her big break came shortly after her return with a role in David Robert Mitchell’s cult indie horror film from 2014, ‘It Follows’. Monroe reflected on the unpredictability of her career’s trajectory, confessing that the challenging nature of the industry had led her to contemplate quitting multiple times. Yet, something kept pulling her back, emphasizing her innate talent and purpose in acting.
Monroe doesn’t view her experience as a professional kiteboarder as a divergence from her acting career, instead, it was a cornerstone that shaped her. Competing in a male-dominated sport lent her a feeling of empowerment and vigor. ‘This sport gave me strength like never before. It was an incredibly momentous experience in my life,’ she asserted.
Although in denial due to her superstitious side, Monroe admitted that she feels this is the onset of a new chapter in her career. She is due to reappear as Jay Height in Mitchell’s sequel, ‘They Follow’, with production set to commence next year. At the same time, she expressed concern that the sequel might rely heavily on the success of the original or even risk tarnishing it.
Initially, she was anxious about the idea of a sequel hitting the screens a decade after the original movie, for fear it would be more of a financial strategy than a natural progression of the earlier film story. Monroe confessed, ‘It was nerve-wracking. After all, the original film had set a distinctive mark during the time of its release.’ But she had faith in Mitchell, her unquestionable belief in his precise approach reassured her about the sequel’s potential.
Despite her active involvement in horror projects like ‘It Follows’ and ‘Longlegs’, Monroe dreams of a change of pace in her career trajectory. ‘I am in dire need of a good romantic-comedy role. These horror films seem to be a constant nowadays, but I remain content as long as it benefits my creative growth,’ she joked, pointing out her reputation as a horror film actress.
Certainly, Monroe has built a robust list of credentials within the genre of horror, but she shared her wish to shift genres and take up a romantic-comedy for a change. She’s known for her capacity to make the audience tremble with fear, but she hopes to engage them with lighter tones and a dash of humor, ‘What am I in this for?’ she jokingly asked about her prolific horror roles…
However, she acknowledges the fact that the most intriguing roles and scripts that have come her way have consistently belonged to the horror genre. She maintains that these are the films that have certainly brought her immense pride not only as collective works but in her individual performances as well. Monroe is heavily invested in growing as an actress, and these roles have certainly facilitated that.
While Monroe’s reputation as a ‘scream queen’ garners laughs, she is not opposed to sticking to the horror genre as long as it continues to provide creative satisfaction. She stated that the genre had always provided her with thought-provoking roles that helped her push her boundaries, resulting in performances she could be proud of. The actress feels a sense of growth notably through these films.
In retrospect, Monroe’s journey in the industry has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Yet, she continues to find her way back to the world she believes she is destined for. As she steps into new roles and lives out the characters in her scripts, she is discovering what she’s truly good at – and perhaps, where she was meant to be all along.