Natalia Dyer has grown quietly, almost imperceptibly, from a familiar face in a supernatural world to one of the most intriguing young performers of her generation. Stranger Things may have introduced her to millions, but it’s in the spaces beyond Hawkins where her artistry truly begins to unfold.
Over the years, she has crafted a screen presence built on subtle tension and quiet power. These performances, spanning indies and unexpected gems, reveal not just her range, but a creative restlessness that keeps her work unpredictable and alive.
I Believe in Unicorns (2014)
(Source: IMDb)
Before Stranger Things made her a household name, Natalia Dyer delivered a quietly powerful performance in I Believe in Unicorns. As Davina, a dreamy teenager navigating first love and emotional escape, she captured the fragility of adolescence with remarkable nuance. The film’s grainy, almost handmade texture complements her performance — tender, restless, and aching with the need to grow up too fast. It’s an early glimpse of the depth that would come to define her later roles.
Mountain Rest (2018)
(Source: IMDb)
In Mountain Rest, Dyer takes on the role of Clara, a young woman reuniting with her estranged family for a tense weekend in the countryside. Surrounded by secrets and unspoken resentments, Dyer’s restrained presence holds the story together, grounding the emotional chaos in quiet sincerity. Her performance is all about subtle gestures — a shifting gaze, a half-swallowed word — that reveal volumes about love, distance, and forgiveness.
Yes, God, Yes (2019)
(Source: IMDb)
With Yes, God, Yes, Dyer found her breakout film role outside Hawkins. As Alice, a Catholic schoolgirl torn between guilt and curiosity, she delivers a performance that’s both hilarious and deeply empathetic. Dyer navigates the awkwardness of teenage self-discovery with impeccable timing, giving the character warmth and honesty instead of caricature. It’s a film that proves how powerfully she can anchor a story through restraint rather than exaggeration.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
(Source: IMDb)
In this art-world satire from Dan Gilroy, Dyer’s character Coco finds herself trapped amid greed, ghosts, and avant-garde absurdity. Though part of an ensemble stacked with A-listers, Dyer stands out through her understated wit and sharp instincts. Her reactions — sometimes fearful, sometimes darkly amused — lend a human heartbeat to a world consumed by its own pretensions. It’s a small but memorable turn that shows her comfort within genre-blending storytelling.
After Darkness (2014)
(Source: IMDb)
Stepping into the realm of dystopian sci-fi, Dyer’s performance in After Darkness reveals her willingness to experiment with mood and tone. As Clara Beaty, she plays a daughter struggling to maintain hope as her family faces the literal end of the world. The role allows Dyer to explore themes of isolation and resilience, balancing the film’s bleak atmosphere with a quiet emotional pulse that keeps the story grounded in humanity.
Tuscaloosa (2019)
(Source: IMDb)
Set in the racially charged American South of the 1970s, Tuscaloosa casts Dyer as Virginia, a young woman whose mental illness and sheltered existence make her both mysterious and magnetic. Dyer’s performance resists stereotypes — she gives Virginia complexity, grace, and moments of startling lucidity. It’s a role that demands delicacy, and Dyer handles it with sensitivity that makes the character unforgettable.
Things Heard and Seen (2021)
(Source: IMDb)
In this eerie Netflix drama, Dyer plays Willis Howell, a college student whose presence adds both warmth and tension to a story steeped in spectral mystery. Though the film centers on marital collapse and the supernatural, Dyer’s scenes bring a spark of humanity that cuts through the gloom. She manages to make an impression even in limited screen time, showing how her command of tone can elevate any ensemble.
All Fun and Games (2023)
(Source: IMDb)
Leaning into horror once again, All Fun and Games sees Dyer as Billie, a young woman caught in a deadly supernatural challenge that turns innocent play into terror. It’s a more visceral performance than her previous work — physical, reactive, and sharp-edged. Dyer grounds the chaos with emotional realism, proving she can navigate high-stakes genre storytelling without losing her natural authenticity.
Chestnut (2023)
(Source: IMDb)
A quiet yet emotionally charged drama, Chestnut gives Dyer room to explore vulnerability in its purest form. As Annie, she plays a recent college graduate adrift in a humid Philadelphia summer, caught between longing and inertia. Dyer’s performance is deeply internal — every hesitation, every sidelong glance feels lived-in. It’s one of her most mature turns yet, carried by an understated melancholy that lingers long after the credits roll.
Based on a True Story (2023)
(Source: IMDb)
While best known as a film actress, Dyer’s turn as Chloe Lake in the dark-comedy thriller series Based on a True Story marks another striking chapter in her evolution. The show’s blend of satire and suspense gives her space to play with tone — shifting from charming to unsettling in a heartbeat. Her portrayal captures the performative nature of fame and obsession, themes that resonate deeply in the post-Stranger Things phase of her career.
