Who is Mia Goth?

Mia Gypsy Mello da Silva Goth – known professionally as Mia Goth – is one of the most compelling, chameleonic actors working in contemporary cinema. Born on October 25, 1993, in Southwark, London, England, she has carved a singular path through the entertainment industry, first garnering attention for her unsettling early performances, then elevating herself to the status of a bona fide movie star by the mid‑2020s.

Early Life and Background

Mia Goth’s multicultural upbringing presaged the complexity of her later work. The daughter of a Brazilian mother and a Canadian father, she spent her earliest years partly in Rio de Janeiro before moving back to the United Kingdom with her mother. After several more relocations – including time in Nova Scotia, Canada – Goth returned to London at age 12. These frequent changes afforded her a fluid sense of identity; she later reflected that her childhood experiences of constantly adapting to new environments helped her naturally slip into various characters, a formative first lesson in performance.

A defining family influence was her maternal grandmother, the Brazilian actress Maria Gladys, whose film sets provided young Mia with early exposure to cinema and sparked her initial fascination with acting. After being scouted at 13 by a fashion photographer, Goth entered the world of modeling, which served as a stepping stone toward larger artistic ambitions and ultimately, film.

Breaking Into Film: Early Roles and Rising Recognition

Goth’s film career began in earnest at age 18 when she was cast by Danish auteur Lars von Trier in Nymphomaniac: Volume II (2013). Her portrayal of “P”—a vulnerable, bewildering teenager entangled with the film’s protagonists—was striking for its raw vulnerability and unsettling presence, establishing her as an actor willing to take on challenging, provocative material early in her career. Critics took notice, and Goth quickly developed a reputation as an artist drawn to complex, psychologically charged roles.

She expanded her range with a series of quietly impressive performances in diverse projects. In The Survivalist (2015), a dystopian thriller, Goth committed fully to the physical and emotional demands of the role, reportedly sleeping outdoors during filming and minimizing comforts to heighten authenticity. That same year she appeared in Everest, a dramatic recount of one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters in history. Further roles soon followed, including in the eerie Gore Verbinski psychological horror A Cure for Wellness (2016) and High Life (2018), a Claire Denis‑directed science fiction drama.

In 2020, Goth took an unexpected detour into period romance with Emma (2020), an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel. Her portrayal of Harriet Smith demonstrated her versatility beyond intense thrillers and horror fare. She further exhibited range in the genre‑bending fantasy Mayday (2021), showcasing an ability to inhabit wildly different emotional and narrative worlds.

The Scream Queen Era: Defining Horror and Iconic Performances

While Goth had been steadily building a varied filmography, the early 2020s saw her ascend to prominence through the horror genre—first with X (2022) and Pearl (2022), then culminating with MaXXXine (2024), all directed by Ti West for studio A24. In X, she played Maxine Minx, a hopeful adult film actress whose ambition leads her into bloody terror; simultaneously, with extensive prosthetic makeup, she portrayed the older Pearl, the titular character from the prequel. Goth co‑earned a screenplay credit on X, demonstrating not merely star quality but creative collaboration behind the scenes as well. Critics celebrated her performance, with major publications praising her “utterly earnest and wondrously bizarre” work and industry insiders naming her a “modern horror icon.”

MaXXXine, released in 2024, concluded the trilogy and closed a pivotal chapter in Goth’s career. The film follows Maxine’s pursuit of fame in 1980s Hollywood, turning the tropes of slasher cinema on their head while exploring ambition, survival, and transformation. This role anchored Goth as one of the most compelling genre actors of her generation and significantly broadened her public profile.

Transitioning to Mainstream and Prestige Cinema

By 2025, Goth had begun to transition beyond horror, taking on roles in more mainstream, high‑profile productions that challenged traditional typecasting.

Frankenstein (2025)

Perhaps the most notable of these was Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein, released in 2025 on Netflix. In this ambitious reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic, Goth portrays dual roles—Lady Elizabeth Harlander, the fiancée of Victor Frankenstein’s younger brother, and Claire, Frankenstein’s mother. Her layered performance garnered significant attention, with press tours highlighting not just her acting but her fashion and presence as a leading figure in one of the year’s biggest cinematic events.

On the awards circuit, Frankenstein became a critical darling, earning multiple nominations including for Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director, and acting nods for co‑stars Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Goth’s own contributions were widely noted for bringing emotional depth and resonance to characters that might otherwise have been overshadowed by spectacle. At the 2026 Golden Globes, she appeared on the red carpet in a striking black halter gown that became a fashion moment in its own right, underscoring her growing cultural visibility beyond pure cinema.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026)

In a striking departure from both horror and gothic fantasy, Goth also secured a role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey—an epic adaptation of Homer’s literary masterpiece. Scheduled for release in July 2026, the film boasts an ensemble cast, including Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. Goth plays Melantho, a handmaid within Penelope’s household, bringing her presence into one of the year’s most anticipated cinematic ventures. In interviews, she described the experience of working with Nolan as “profound” and deeply formative, praising the director’s meticulous, immersive approach to filmmaking.

Future Projects: Star Wars and Beyond

Looking beyond 2026, Goth is also attached to Star Wars: Starfighter (scheduled for May 2027), where she reportedly plays a new villain. She has described the role as one of the most demanding challenges of her career, emphasizing how it has pushed her craft in unexpected ways. Directors and co‑stars alike have praised her intensity and unique presence, with filmmakers stating there is no archetype like Goth—only Goth.

Goth has also confirmed continued attachment to Blade, the long‑anticipated Marvel reboot, although its production timeline remains fluid. As of late 2025, she emphasized that the project is still in progress and that its creative delays serve its best interests.

The Art of Balancing Career and Personal Life

Behind the spotlight, Goth’s personal life has been a source of fascination and tabloids over the years—particularly her relationship with actor Shia LaBeouf, whom she met on the set of Nymphomaniac: Volume II. The couple’s relationship has been complex and cyclical, involving an impromptu commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2016, a split and reconciliation, and the birth of their daughter, Isabel, in 2022. According to reports, the pair quietly separated in 2025 after a “rollercoaster” romance that spanned more than a decade, though neither has publicly confirmed the precise legal status of their relationship.

In interviews, Goth has spoken candidly about motherhood as both a life‑altering experience and a transformative influence on her approach to acting. She describes parenting as “a really psychedelic experience” that has reshaped her sense of empathy, emotional range, and personal priorities. She has also shared that becoming a mother has made her more selective about the roles she chooses, often prioritizing projects that justify time away from her family.

This intentional balancing of professional ambition and personal integrity has given Goth a grounded perspective amid the chaotic demands of Hollywood stardom. She limits her presence on social media and focuses on maintaining emotional stability and a healthy family life, often emphasizing that she has “a good life” outside of public commentary and online discourse.

Style and Public Persona

As Goth’s career ascended, so too did her visibility as a cultural and fashion figure. Her press tours – particularly around Frankenstein – have been marked by bold wardrobe choices that echo the gothic romanticism of her film roles. From sheer lace masterpieces by Dior at premieres to elegant, romantic gowns at awards ceremonies, Goth’s style has been talked about as much as her performances. She was even named a Dior ambassador, an indication of her growing influence at the intersection of cinema and fashion.

Her sartorial evolution mirrors that of her career: from the eerily enchanting scream queen to a sophisticated and commanding presence whose aesthetic choices feel as intentional and evocative as the characters she portrays. Whether clad in dramatic couture or casual off‑duty attire, Goth’s public image conveys confidence, mystery, and a surreal charm that aligns with her artistic sensibilities.

Artistic Identity and Legacy

At the heart of Goth’s success lies her refusal to be easily categorized. She has embraced roles across genres – psychological horror, period romance, epic mythology, gothic fantasy, and even science fiction – but each time brings an enigmatic authenticity that transforms material into something unforgettable. Directors who have worked with her often emphasize her ability to inhabit emotional depths without artifice; peers praise her dedication, work ethic, and willingness to take risks.

In this way, Goth embodies a new archetype in contemporary acting: the actor unbound by genre limitations, driven by curiosity, depth, and a creative zest that blends vulnerability with brave theatricality. She is not merely a scream queen; she is an artist whose trajectory suggests a lasting legacy across mainstream and auteur cinema alike.