Carving out a distinct identity in Hollywood is a daunting task, especially when you come from an established creative lineage. As the daughter of multi-talented filmmaker and actress Pamela Adlon, Odessa A’zion (born Odessa Zion Segall Adlon) could have easily leaned into conventional, polished Hollywood archetypes.
Instead, she chose the gritty path.
Since breaking into the mainstream, A’zion has deliberately gravitated toward complex, emotionally demanding characters defined by their edge, raw vulnerability, and messy humanity. Armed with an intense screen presence and a rare ability to anchor heavy thematic material, she has quickly transitioned from a breakout television star into a critically acclaimed cinematic powerhouse.
We look past the red carpets to break down the 5 definitive roles that have come to define her soaring career.
1. Joey Del Marco in Grand Army (2020)
Netflix’s gritty, short-lived high school drama gave A’zion the ultimate platform to showcase her immense dramatic weight. Playing Joey Del Marco, a fiercely confident, progressive Brooklyn high school student whose life is completely upended following a traumatic assault by her closest friends, A’zion delivered an absolute tour de force.
Her performance was staggering in its emotional realism. Rather than playing Joey as a one-dimensional victim, she captured the exhausting, non-linear nature of trauma—navigating explosive anger, crushing isolation, and fierce defiance. It remains a masterclass in youth-oriented dramatic acting that instantly put the industry on notice.
2. Riley in Hellraiser (2022)
Stepping into an iconic, decades-old horror IP carries an immense amount of pressure, but David Bruckner’s 2022 reimagining of Hellraiser succeeded largely because of A’zion’s grounded leadership. Playing Riley, a recovering addict who accidentally uncovers the franchise’s legendary, puzzle box, A’zion gave the supernatural thriller its vital human anchor.
Instead of relying on standard scream-queen tropes, she portrayed Riley’s battle with the Cenobites as a physical manifestation of guilt and withdrawal. Her performance was sweaty, frantic, and deeply exhausting to watch in the best way possible, proving she could carry a multi-million-dollar studio genre film on her shoulders.
3. Corinne in Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023)
Showing off her remarkable tonal range, this emotional tragicomedic feature allowed A’zion to step away from horror and systemic dread to deliver a profoundly moving exploration of female friendship. Based on a true story, the film follows two best friends navigating life in Los Angeles until Corinne receives a sudden, severe medical diagnosis.
A’zion brought an infectious, vibrant, life-of-the-party energy to the first half of the film, making her eventual physical decline all the more devastating. Her chemistry with co-star Yara Shahidi served as the emotional heartbeat of the movie, earning widespread praise from critics for its lack of sentimentality and genuine warmth.
“I don’t want to always be, like, the train wreck. I’d like to play Little Miss Sunshine.” — Odessa A’zion on mapping out her future industry choices.
4. Shannon in Fam (2019)
Before she was dominating prestige streaming dramas and indie cinema, A’zion proved she possessed the sharp, fast-paced comedic timing required for network television. In the CBS multi-cam sitcom Fam, she starred as Shannon, a rebellious, intensely sarcastic teenager who unexpectedly moves in with her older, straight-laced half-sister (played by Nina Dobrev).
Going toe-to-toe with seasoned comedic veterans, A’zion was a clear breakout. She infused the standard rebellious-teen archetype with an underlying charm and sharp deadpan delivery that kept the sitcom feeling modern, energized, and grounded.
5. Rachel Mizler in Marty Supreme (2025)
Her transition into the upper echelons of prestige cinema culminated in Josh Safdie’s acclaimed 2025 feature Marty Supreme. Playing Rachel Mizler, A’zion delivered what many film historians are calling her official coronation performance.
Stripping away any modern television sensibilities, she adapted beautifully to Safdie’s chaotic, fast-paced cinematic world-building. Her work was so deeply layered and universally lauded that it earned her nominations for both a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award and a BAFTA Award, cementing her status as an elite leading lady of her generation.
