Maika Monroe has become one of the most recognizable faces in modern horror cinema. Known for her haunting performance in It Follows and her role in the psychological thriller The Guest, the 32-year-old American actress has carved out a distinct niche as a contemporary scream queen. But her path to Hollywood was far from conventional—she began as a professional kiteboarder before ever stepping in front of a camera.
Born in Santa Barbara, California, Monroe transitioned from competitive sports to acting in her late teens. With a slate of upcoming films including Reminders of Him (2026) and projects slated for 2025, her career continues to evolve. This article covers her biography, filmography, personal life, and social media presence, drawing on verified sources to separate established fact from lingering rumor.
Who Is Maika Monroe? Biography and Background
- Full Name: Dillon Monroe Buckley
- Born: May 29, 1993 (age 31)
- Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Profession: Actress, former professional kiteboarder
- Known For: It Follows, The Guest, Watcher
- Instagram: @maikamonroe (327K followers)
- Relationship: Previously linked to Joe Keery; rumored with Dalton Gomez
- Upcoming: Reminders of Him (2026)
Key Insights About Maika Monroe
- Maika Monroe is best known for her leading roles in horror and indie films, particularly It Follows (2014) and The Guest (2014).
- She began her career as a professional kiteboarder before transitioning to acting.
- Her relationship with Stranger Things actor Joe Keery was highly publicized; they reportedly split in 2023.
- In 2024, rumors linked her to real estate agent Dalton Gomez (Ariana Grande’s ex-husband).
- She has no confirmed children and limited public information about her sister.
- Her upcoming film Reminders of Him is set for 2026 release.
Key Facts About Maika Monroe
| Descriptor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real name | Dillon Monroe Buckley |
| Born | May 29, 1993 in Santa Barbara, California |
| Height | 5’5″ (1.65 m) |
| First film | At Any Price (2012) |
| Breakthrough role | It Follows (2014) |
| Former profession | Professional kiteboarder |
| Instagram followers | 327K |
| Notable co-stars | Nicolas Cage, Dan Stevens, Lili Sepe |
Monroe was born Dillon Monroe Buckley and later changed her first name to Maika, a name she had been known by for most of her life, according to Wikipedia. Her mother worked as a sign language interpreter, and her father was a construction worker who also happened to be a film buff. He introduced her to directors like Stanley Kubrick early on, planting seeds for her later career.
Monroe started kiteboarding at age 13 and pursued it seriously. During her senior year of high school, she moved to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, to train full-time. She went on to win second place in the International Red Bull Air Competition, as recorded on her IMDb profile. She is fluent in Spanish.
Her shift to acting came while she was still balancing kiteboarding. She landed the role of Mandy in Labor Day (2013) alongside Kate Winslet, which prompted her to choose Hollywood over professional sports. Monroe has since performed her own stunts in films like Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) and The Tribe (2015).
What Movies Is Maika Monroe Known For?
Monroe’s career breakthrough arrived in 2014 with two defining films. In It Follows, she headlined as Jamie “Jay” Height, a role that established her as a modern scream queen. That same year, she played Anna Peterson in the psychological thriller The Guest. Both films remain touchstones of the 2010s horror revival.
Her film debut came earlier, in 2012, when she played Cadence Farrow in At Any Price, directed by Ramin Bahrani. She later appeared in The 5th Wave (2016) and Independence Day: Resurgence (2016). In 2019, she starred in Villains and Honey Boy.
More recently, Monroe starred in the horror films Watcher (2022) and Significant Other (2022), both of which earned critical acclaim. In 2024, she played FBI Agent Lee Harker in Longlegs alongside Nicolas Cage. According to Wikipedia, that film became the highest-grossing independent feature of 2024, marking a major milestone in her career.
Upcoming Movies
Monroe has three films scheduled for release in 2025: In Cold Light (playing Ava Bly), 100 Nights of Hero (playing Cherry, with an executive producer credit), and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (playing Polly Murphy / Rebecca). In 2026, she is set to star as Kenna Rowan in Reminders of Him and appears in the short film Resident Evil Requiem: Evil Has Always Had a Name as “Mother.”
Despite frequent online searches linking her to the Netflix series, Maika Monroe has never appeared in Stranger Things. The confusion likely stems from her long-term relationship with Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on the show.
Her 2025 roles—In Cold Light, 100 Nights of Hero, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle—are the projects she will be promoting on social media that year, according to her filmography on Wikipedia.
Who Is Maika Monroe Dating? Relationship Status
Monroe’s personal life has drawn substantial media attention. She was first linked to actor Liam Hemsworth in 2015 after they co-starred in Independence Day: Resurgence, and she dated Boyd Holbrook in 2016, according to Famous Birthdays.
Her most prominent relationship was with Stranger Things star Joe Keery. The couple were together for several years before reportedly breaking up in 2022. As of late 2024, it remains unconfirmed whether they are still together, though no public appearances or statements have suggested a reunion.
Reports linking Monroe to Dalton Gomez—the real estate agent and former husband of Ariana Grande—remain unconfirmed by Monroe or her representatives. No official statements have been made, so this should be treated as speculation.
Sources indicate she began dating Dalton Gomez in 2023, but this information has not been verified through official channels. The lack of confirmation from Monroe herself means that her current relationship status remains unclear.
Does Maika Monroe Have Kids or a Sister? Family Life
There is no public information or evidence that Maika Monroe has children. Regarding siblings, her sister’s name has not been publicly confirmed. Monroe has spoken about her parents in interviews—her mother a sign language interpreter, her father a construction worker and film enthusiast—but has kept details about any siblings private.
Her family background has limited public documentation beyond the early life details shared by her mother’s profession and her father’s influence on her taste in film. This area of her personal life remains largely out of the public eye.
Where to Follow Maika Monroe: Instagram and Social Media
Maika Monroe maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @maikamonroe, where she shares updates on her acting projects and athletic pursuits. As of late 2024, her account has approximately 327,000 followers. Her official profile is linked through her IMDb page.
While she does not operate a dedicated “Instagram filmography,” her 2025 roles—In Cold Light, 100 Nights of Hero, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle—are the projects she will likely promote on the platform throughout the year.
Maika Monroe Career Timeline
- 1993: Born Dillon Monroe Buckley in Santa Barbara, California.
- 2012: Film debut in At Any Price directed by Ramin Bahrani.
- 2014: Breakthrough year with It Follows and The Guest; critical acclaim.
- 2016: Starred in The 5th Wave and Independence Day: Resurgence.
- 2019: Appeared in Honey Boy and Villains.
- 2022: Starred in horror film Watcher.
- 2023: Reported split from Joe Keery; rumored relationship with Dalton Gomez.
- 2026: Upcoming film Reminders of Him.
What We Know vs. What’s Unconfirmed
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Maika Monroe is an American actress born May 29, 1993. | Whether she is currently dating Dalton Gomez (rumored, not confirmed). |
| She starred in It Follows, The Guest, and Watcher. | Whether she has a sister (no public confirmation or name). |
| She was in a relationship with Joe Keery (2017–2023). | Whether she has children (no evidence of kids). |
| She has an Instagram account @maikamonroe with 327K followers. | Whether she will appear in Stranger Things (no confirmed role). |
Background and Context
Maika Monroe’s career trajectory reflects a strategic focus on the horror and indie film genres, which have garnered her a cult following. Her personal life has attracted media attention due to high-profile relationships, but she maintains a relatively private social media presence. The lack of official confirmation regarding her relationship with Dalton Gomez highlights the challenge of separating rumor from fact in celebrity news. Her upcoming project Reminders of Him (2026) suggests a continued presence in the film industry, though details remain scarce.
Sources and Quotes
“Maika Monroe (born Dillon Monroe Buckley; May 29, 1993) is an American actress. She is most notable for her leading roles in Reminders of Him (2026), The Guest…”
— Wikipedia
“A horror writer, drowning in debt and on the verge of collapse, career in professional freestyle kiteboarding (kite surfer).”
— IMDb
“Born on May 29, 1993 in Santa Barbara, California, Maika Monroe kiteboarded competitively prior to launching her acting career.”
— Rotten Tomatoes
Summary: The Full Picture on Maika Monroe
Maika Monroe has established herself as a leading figure in modern horror cinema, with standout roles in It Follows, The Guest, and Longlegs. She began her professional life as a kiteboarder and shifted to acting in her late teens. Her relationship history includes a high-profile romance with Joe Keery, while recent rumors about Dalton Gomez remain unconfirmed. With several films scheduled for 2025 and 2026, her career continues to gain momentum. For readers interested in similar profiles, see Madelaine Petsch – Age, Height, Riverdale, and Instagram in 2025 and Amber Midthunder – Biography, Age, Height and Career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maika Monroe
What is Maika Monroe’s real name?
Her real name is Dillon Monroe Buckley.
How old is Maika Monroe?
She was born on May 29, 1993, making her 31 years old as of 2024.
Where is Maika Monroe from?
She was born in Santa Barbara, California, USA.
Did Maika Monroe do professional kiteboarding?
Yes, she competed professionally in freestyle kiteboarding before becoming an actress.
What was Maika Monroe’s first movie?
Her film debut was in At Any Price (2012).
Is Maika Monroe in Stranger Things?
No, she has not appeared in Stranger Things as of 2024.
Does Maika Monroe have kids?
There is no public information or evidence that she has children.
Who is Maika Monroe’s sister?
Her sister’s name has not been publicly confirmed.
What is Maika Monroe’s height?
She is 5’5″ (1.65 m) tall.
Henry Carter is Senior Reporter at MarketUK.uk, covering breaking business and market stories across the UK.