Maika Monroe has become a defining face of modern horror cinema, captivating audiences with her performances in films like It Follows and the 2024 breakout hit Longlegs. But beyond the screen, her path to Hollywood is an unlikely one, beginning not on a film set but on the open water as a competitive athlete. Here is a comprehensive look at the actress, her career, and the details that fans are searching for.
Born Dillon Monroe Buckley in Santa Barbara, California, she grew up in a household far removed from the entertainment industry. Her father worked in construction, and her mother was a sign language interpreter. It was her father who first introduced her to the sport that would define her adolescence: kiteboarding.
Monroe began professional freestyle kiteboarding at just 13 years old, a path that took her to the Dominican Republic for full-time training. She even launched a clothing line called Airbound Apparel during this period. But an injury eventually forced her off the water and onto a different kind of stage—acting. She took her first role in the 2012 film At Any Price, setting the stage for a remarkable career pivot.
Who Is Maika Monroe? Biography, Real Name, and Early Life
Real Name
Dillon Monroe Buckley
Age
31 (born May 29, 1993)
Height
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Known For
The Guest, It Follows, Longlegs (2024)
- Maika Monroe is best known for her roles in horror/thriller films, particularly The Guest and It Follows.
- She began as a competitive kiteboarder before transitioning to acting.
- Her 2024 film Longlegs has significantly boosted her public profile.
- She has been romantically linked to actor Joe Keery and later to Dalton Gomez (no official confirmation).
- Maika Monroe maintains an active Instagram presence (@maikamonroe) with over 400k followers.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Dillon Monroe Buckley |
| Born | May 29, 1993, Santa Barbara, California, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Profession | Actress, former competitive kiteboarder |
| Debut Film | At Any Price (2012) |
| Breakthrough Role | The Guest (2014), It Follows (2014) |
| Instagram Handle | @maikamonroe |
| Relationship Status | Rumored: Joe Keery (past), Dalton Gomez (current) — not confirmed |
What Movies Has Maika Monroe Been In? Full Filmography & New Releases
Monroe’s filmography is heavily weighted toward the horror and thriller genres, a distinction she earned early in her career. Her breakout year was 2014, when she starred in two defining films. In The Guest, she played Anna, a young woman who becomes suspicious of a soldier claiming to be her brother’s friend. Later that same year, she took the lead role in It Follows, playing Jay Height, a teenager pursued by a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. According to Wikipedia, the performance cemented her status as a modern scream queen.
Her role as Agent Lee Harker in the 2024 horror film Longlegs, alongside Nicolas Cage, became the highest-grossing independent feature of 2024, according to IMDb.
Beyond her horror hits, Monroe has shown range in other genres. She appeared in the 2016 blockbuster Independence Day: Resurgence and took on dramatic roles in films like Labor Day alongside Kate Winslet. In recent years, she has led indie thrillers such as Watcher (2022) and Significant Other (2022). Her upcoming slate remains active, with several projects in post-production. Fans can look forward to her starring as Kenna Rowan in Reminders of Him (2026) and a return to her most famous role in the sequel They Follow.
Who
Additional sources
Henry William Morgan HarrisonStaff WriterHenry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.