As Natalia Dyer celebrates her 31st birthday, her artistic identity extends far beyond the small Indiana town where she first captured global attention as Nancy Wheeler. Acting professionally since her early teens, her trajectory has woven through a tapestry of independent films and supporting roles that reveal a performer eager to explore emotional terrain outside the supernatural thrills of Stranger Things.
Her choices reflect an artist committed to discovering new facets of human experience. In the coming-of-age dramedy “Yes, God, Yes“, she inhabits the internal struggles of teenage self-discovery with remarkable sensitivity, while films like “Velvet Buzzsaw” and “Things Heard & Seen” showcase her ability to ground genre work in emotional truth.
I Believe in Unicorns (2014)
(Source: IMDb)
One of Dyer’s earliest leading roles, I Believe in Unicorns set the tone for much of her later work. She plays Davina, a restless teenager navigating first love and emotional vulnerability during a summer road trip. The film leans heavily on mood and introspection, allowing Dyer to convey fragility and intensity with minimal dialogue. Even at a young age, her performance hinted at an actor drawn to interior conflict rather than overt drama.
Yes, God, Yes (2019)
(Source: IMDb)
In this sharp coming-of-age dramedy, Dyer stars as Alice, a Catholic teenager grappling with sexual awakening and religious guilt in early-2000s America. The role places her firmly at the center of the narrative, balancing humor with quiet discomfort. Her performance is restrained yet emotionally precise, anchoring the film’s critique of shame and repression while marking one of her most critically praised turns to date.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
(Source: IMDb)
Stepping into the world of satirical horror, Dyer appears as Coco, an ambitious gallery assistant caught between art, commerce, and supernatural chaos. Though part of an ensemble cast, her character reflects the film’s commentary on exploitation within the art industry. Dyer brings a grounded presence to an otherwise heightened, surreal story, proving her adaptability within genre-driven projects.
Things Heard & Seen (2021)
(Source: IMDb)
In this psychological horror film, Dyer plays Willis Howell, the daughter of a troubled academic couple unraveling in a haunted house. Her role serves as an emotional counterpoint to the adult drama, offering a quieter perspective on fear, displacement, and inherited trauma. Dyer’s subtle performance reinforces her ability to add depth even in supporting roles.
Mountain Rest (2018)
(Source: IMDb)
This intimate indie drama follows a fractured family retreating to a remote mountain home, with Dyer portraying Clara, one of three daughters confronting grief and unresolved tensions. The film relies heavily on atmosphere and character interaction, allowing Dyer to explore silence, distance, and emotional restraint. It’s a clear example of her continued commitment to small-scale, character-first storytelling.
Chestnut (2023)
(Source: IMDb)
In Chestnut, Dyer takes on a more mature, introspective role as Annie, a woman drifting through relationships and emotional uncertainty in her twenties. The film explores loneliness, desire, and the search for connection with an almost observational calm. Dyer’s performance is understated and raw, signaling a natural evolution into adult roles that mirror her own generation’s anxieties.
All Fun and Games (2023)
(Source: IMDb)
Venturing fully into horror, Dyer stars as Billie, a young woman confronting a sinister childhood game that resurfaces with deadly consequences. The role demands both vulnerability and resolve, positioning her as a modern genre lead. Her performance blends emotional grounding with tension, reinforcing her growing presence in elevated horror and thrillers.
