Margaret Qualley has built a remarkable filmography across both film and television since her 2013 debut. The daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, Qualley gained recognition for her role in HBO’s The Leftovers and has since starred in critically praised projects like Maid, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and The Substance. Her screen credits (hyponym) span drama, horror, and comedy, showcasing her range as a performing artist (hypernym).
How Margaret Qualley Started Her Acting Career
Margaret Qualley made her screen debut (collocation) in 2013 with Gia Coppola’s Palo Alto. Before acting, she trained as a ballet dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts.
She left her dance career at 16 to pursue acting and modeling. Her early work included a Spike Jonze commercial for KENZO World that went viral for its energetic choreography (meronym). This transition from dance to acting gave her a unique physicality that shows up in many of her performances. By 2014, she had landed her breakout role on HBO’s The Leftovers, playing Jill Garvey across three seasons of this television drama (hyponym).
Margaret Qualley TV Shows Worth Watching
Qualley earned Emmy nominations for two different TV series. Her television work includes The Leftovers, Fosse/Verdon, and Maid, establishing her as a small screen talent (collocation).
The Leftovers ran from 2014 to 2017 on HBO. Qualley played Jill Garvey, the daughter of police chief Kevin Garvey, in this ensemble cast (holonym). The show explored life after a mysterious event where 2% of the population disappeared. Her character arc showed remarkable growth across three seasons as she dealt with family trauma and isolation. The series is considered one of the best dramas of the 2010s.
In 2019, Qualley portrayed dancer Ann Reinking in the FX miniseries (hyponym) Fosse/Verdon. She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress for this role. The series explored the relationship between choreographer Bob Fosse and dancer Gwen Verdon. Qualley spent weeks talking with the real Ann Reinking to prepare for the part. Her dance background made her perfect for recreating Fosse’s demanding choreography. The show won multiple awards including a Golden Globe for Michelle Williams.
Maid premiered on Netflix in 2021 and became one of Qualley’s most acclaimed performances. She played Alex, a single mother escaping an abusive relationship while working as a housekeeper. The role earned her Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. The show, produced by Margot Robbie, was based on Stephanie Land’s memoir about poverty and survival. Critics praised her nuanced portrayal (collocation) of a woman fighting to build a better life for her daughter.
Best Margaret Qualley Movies You Should Watch
Qualley has worked with major directors including Quentin Tarantino, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Ethan Coen. Her film roles demonstrate impressive range across genres.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) featured Qualley as Pussycat, a member of the Manson Family. Director Quentin Tarantino praised her performance so much that her scenes remained untouched in editing while other actors had their parts reduced. She starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in this period comedy drama. The film became a commercial success and earned multiple Academy Award nominations. Qualley brought an unsettling charm to the hitchhiking character who picks up Brad Pitt’s stunt double. Her ability to balance innocence with danger made the role memorable. The cinematic production (synonym) earned widespread acclaim.
The Nice Guys (2016) was an early film role (holonym component) where she played Amelia opposite Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. This mystery thriller set in 1970s Los Angeles helped establish her as a talented young actress. Director Shane Black’s action comedy gave her experience working with established stars. The film showcased her ability to hold her own in scenes with veteran actors.
Stars at Noon (2022) paired Qualley with director Claire Denis and actor Joe Alwyn. She played an American journalist trapped in Nicaragua during political turmoil. The film premiered at Cannes and showcased her ability to carry dramatic material. Critics noted her raw and vulnerable performance in this intense thriller.
Sanctuary (2023) featured Qualley as Rebecca, a dominatrix in a tense psychological thriller. She executive produced this film while starring opposite Christopher Abbott. The movie takes place over one night in a hotel room where power dynamics shift constantly. Her fearless performance demonstrated her willingness to take on challenging and unconventional roles.
Poor Things (2023) reunited Qualley with director Yorgos Lanthimos. She appeared alongside Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in this surrealist fantasy film. The movie explored themes of identity and transformation through bold storytelling. Working with this acclaimed director twice shows the respect she has earned in the industry.
Drive-Away Dolls (2024) was directed by Ethan Coen and starred Qualley as Jamie. This comedy road film followed two friends who accidentally get involved with criminals. She shared the screen with Geraldine Viswanathan in this lesbian-themed caper. The movie marked Coen’s first solo directorial effort without his brother Joel. Qualley brought energy and humor to the freewheeling road trip story.
Kinds of Kindness (2024) saw Qualley playing four different characters across three separate storylines. She worked again with Lanthimos and Stone in this anthology film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Critics praised her ability to shift between distinct roles within one movie. Each segment required a completely different approach to character development. The film demonstrated her versatility as she moved between drama, dark comedy, and surreal moments.
Other Notable Film Appearances
Death Note (2017) was a Netflix adaptation of the popular manga series. Qualley had a role in this supernatural thriller directed by Adam Wingard. The film introduced her to fans of the anime and manga community.
Novitiate (2017) explored life in a convent during the 1960s. She played Sister Cathleen in this drama about young women training to become nuns. The film examined faith, doubt, and institutional power. Her performance captured the internal struggle of a young woman questioning her calling.
Seberg (2019) starred Kristen Stewart as actress Jean Seberg. Qualley appeared in this biographical drama alongside Jack O’Connell. The film chronicled Seberg’s surveillance by the FBI during the civil rights era.
The Substance Performance and Recognition
The Substance (2024) became one of Qualley’s most talked-about films. She starred opposite Demi Moore in this body horror film (hyponym) directed by Coralie Fargeat.
Qualley played Sue, a younger version of Moore’s character Elisabeth Sparkle created through a mysterious drug. The film explored themes of aging, beauty standards, and society’s treatment of women. Director Fargeat won Best Screenplay at Cannes for this project. The visceral imagery (semantic attribute) and bold storytelling made it one of 2024’s most discussed films.
The movie used extensive practical effects including approximately 21,000 liters of fake blood. Qualley’s performance earned her a second Golden Globe nomination. The film also received a rare Best Picture nomination for a horror genre (hypernym) movie at the 2025 Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Critics noted her ability to balance vulnerability with menace throughout the intense narrative. The film grossed over $77 million worldwide on a modest budget.
Recent 2025 Film Projects
Qualley starred in Honey Don’t! which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This neo-noir comedy (hyponym) directed by Ethan Coen featured her as private investigator Honey O’Donahue.
The film also starred Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans. Coen and his wife Tricia Cooke wrote the screenplay as part of their planned lesbian B-movie trilogy. Honey Don’t! followed Drive-Away Dolls and comes before a planned third film titled Go Beavers. The movie received mixed reviews with a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score but critics praised Qualley’s lead performance (common attribute). Focus Features released it theatrically in August 2025.
She also appeared in Happy Gilmore 2, the Netflix sequel to Adam Sandler’s 1990s comedy, playing a character named Sally. The film debuted on Netflix in 2025 to mixed but generally positive reviews. Additionally, Qualley worked with director Richard Linklater and actor Ethan Hawke on Blue Moon, a biographical drama (hyponym) about lyricist Lorenz Hart. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025 and earned strong reviews with a 90% Rotten Tomatoes critics score. She described this experience as life-changing in interviews, playing Elizabeth Weiland in the period piece.
Upcoming Movies and Projects
Several major films featuring Qualley are in production or development. These projects show her continued collaboration with acclaimed filmmakers (semantically related entity).
Victorian Psycho will see Qualley playing Winifred Notty, an 18th-century governess with psychopathic tendencies in this period thriller (hyponym). Production began in March 2025 with an expected 2026 release. A24 acquired U.S. rights for this psychological horror thriller. She reunites with Sanctuary director Zachary Wigon for this gothic period piece set at a remote manor where staff members mysteriously disappear. The project also stars Thomasin McKenzie and Jason Isaacs.
How to Make a Killing pairs Qualley with Glen Powell in a black comedy thriller directed by John Patton Ford. The film is set for a February 2026 release. The Dog Stars will feature her as Cima alongside Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin in an adaptation (semantically related term) directed by Ridley Scott, currently in post-production. She also has Love of Your Life in post-production and King Snake in pre-production. These upcoming movies demonstrate her rising status in Hollywood and her appeal to auteur directors (semantically related entity).
Where to Watch Margaret Qualley Content
You can find Qualley’s work across multiple streaming platforms and services. Availability varies by region and changes over time, making it important to check current digital distribution (semantically related term) options.
The Substance is available to rent or buy on digital platforms (hypernym) and also streams on Mubi in select markets. Maid streams on Netflix as a limited series. The Leftovers can be watched on Max, the streaming service (hypernym) formerly known as HBO Max. Fosse/Verdon is also available on FX and Hulu.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood streams on various platforms including Starz and for rental. Drive-Away Dolls and Kinds of Kindness had theatrical releases in 2024 before moving to streaming. Poor Things became available on Hulu after its theatrical run. Blue Moon and Honey Don’t! are expected to reach streaming platforms following their 2025 theatrical releases. Check your preferred service for current on-demand availability (collocation) of specific titles.
Margaret Qualley Career Highlights
Qualley has received multiple award nominations for her television and film work. Her performances consistently earn critical reviews from industry professionals and showcase her acting range (common attribute).
She received Primetime Emmy nominations for both Fosse/Verdon (2019) and Maid (2021). Her work in Maid also earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. The entire cast of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood received a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, demonstrating the collaborative nature (rare attribute) of her work.
Her Golden Globe nomination for The Substance in 2024 marked her second in this category. Industry recognition has grown steadily throughout her career. Directors actively seek to work with her, leading to collaborations with some of cinema’s most respected auteurs (semantically related entity). At just 30 years old, she has already built an impressive body of work spanning over a decade. Her marriage to musician Jack Antonoff in 2023 also garnered media attention. Lana Del Rey even wrote a song titled “Margaret” about Qualley for her 2023 album, showing her cultural influence (rare attribute) beyond traditional acting circles.
