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Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Actor, also producer · Born November 28, 1984 (41) · Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (born November 28, 1984) is an American actress and singer. She's best known for her movie roles as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress in Birds of Prey (2020), John McClane's daughter Lucy Gennero-McClane in Live Free or Die Hard (2007) and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), Holly Keely in The Spectacular Now (2013), Mary Todd Lincoln in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), and Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). Her best known TV roles are as Anna Urbanova on the Paramount+ series A Gentleman in Moscow, Laurel Healy on CBS's BrainDead, Mary Phinney on PBS's Mercy Street, and Nikki Swango on the FX series Fargo. In 2010, she married filmmaker Riley Stearns, whom she had met at age eighteen on an ocean cruise. She starred in and produced Stearns's debut feature film, Faults, in 2014. She announced their separation in May 2017 and their divorce was finalized later that year. In May 2017, she began a relationship with actor Ewan McGregor, whom she had met on the set of the third season of the Fargo television series. Their son, Laurie, was born on June 27, 2021, and they married in April 2022. ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 28, 1984 (41)
From
Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 8% in 30 days

What are Mary Elizabeth Winstead's films like?

Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 88th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
32%
Bonds
21%
Survival
17%
Morality
12%
Ideas
6%
Power
6%
Society
6%
Self-worth11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 17 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 10 · Intense 17

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 8

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 9

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 13 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 11

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 22 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

25 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 11 of 25 analyzed roles.

Hero
11 of 25
Ally
9 of 25
Shapeshifter
2 of 25
Threshold guardian
1 of 25
Mentor
1 of 25
Herald
1 of 25
Show the 25 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Melancholic
13
Thrilling
9
Absurd
9
Dread
7
Other
49

How their films linger

Hopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous11
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mary Elizabeth Winstead's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 36 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mary Elizabeth Winstead's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 18 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Hand That Rocks the Cradle(2025)

    as Caitlin Morales

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Rich Flu(2024)

    as Laura Palmer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • A Gentleman in Moscow(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · as Anna Urbanova

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Scott Pilgrim Takes Off(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ramona Flowers (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Ahsoka(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · as Hera Syndulla

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Kate(2021)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn(2020)

    as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Gemini Man(2019)

    as Danny Zakarweski

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Love, Death & Robots(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Gail

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Parts You Lose(2019)

    as Gail

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • All About Nina(2018)

    as Nina Geld

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • AAA - Worldwide From Monterrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Danger & Eggs(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Trix Blixon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • So It Goes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Samantha

  • The Hollars(2016)

    as Gwen

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio Peepio(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Swiss Army Man(2016)

    as Sarah

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • BrainDead(2016)

    Show 13 episodes · as Laurel Healy

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • 10 Cloverfield Lane(2016)

    as Michelle

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Mercy Street(2016)

    Show 12 episodes · as Mary Phinney

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Alex of Venice(2014)

    as Alex

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Returned(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as Rowan Blackshaw

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Kill the Messenger(2014)

    as Anna Simons

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Fargo(2014)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nikki Swango

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Faults(2014)

    Producer · as Claire

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • A.C.O.D.(2013)

    as Lauren Stinger

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Spectacular Now(2013)

    as Holly Keely

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III(2012)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • A Good Day to Die Hard(2013)

    as Lucy McClane

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Cub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Executive Producer

  • The Beauty Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Leah

  • Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter(2012)

    as Mary Todd Lincoln

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Casque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Girl

  • Smashed(2012)

    as Kate Hannah

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Magnificat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Executive Producer · as Lynn

  • The Thing(2011)

    as Kate Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Cost of Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as The Computer (voice)

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World(2010)

    as Ramona Flowers

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Make It Happen(2008)

    as Lauryn Kirk

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Live Free or Die Hard(2007)

    as Lucy McClane

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Death Proof(2007)

    as Lee

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Grindhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Lee Montgomery (segment "Death Proof")

  • Factory Girl(2006)

    as Ingrid Superstar

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Black Christmas(2006)

    as Heather Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Checking Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Lisa Apple

  • Bobby(2006)

    as Susan Taylor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Final Destination 3(2006)

    as Wendy Christensen

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Sky High(2005)

    as Gwen Grayson / Royal Pain

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Ring Two(2005)

    as Young Evelyn

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Monster Island(2004)

    as Maddy

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Tru Calling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Bridget Elkins

  • Wolf Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 9 episodes · as Sophia Donner

  • Passions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Jessica Bennett

  • The Long Road Home(1999)

    as Annie Jacobs

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Promised Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chloe

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Kristy Cordis (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1994 to 2025; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

$388M worldwide

Highest rated

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Ahsoka (2023)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutNomination
19942025

Peak 2007 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 26 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2001Screen debut· Wolf Lake
  • 2004First film· Monster Island
  • 2006First top-billed film· Final Destination 3
  • 2006Breakout· Final Destination 3
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Award nomination· Bobby
  • 2016Career best· BrainDead

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting55 of 56: 53 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdProducing3 of 56: 1 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1990s4 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s31 · 30 acting · 3 crew2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 25% of 32 roles
04091419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

4 major nominations and no wins, 2007–2018.

  1. 2018
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series
  2. 2013
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Female Lead
  3. 2007
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Acting Ensemble

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Mary Elizabeth Winstead's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Rich Flu (2024)

84th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Fargo (2014)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mary Elizabeth Winstead's work okay for kids?

Across up to 27 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore21 titles31–94 · median 69 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity27 titles18–59 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity23 titles17–86 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs22 titles12–63 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense21 titles26–86 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Mary Elizabeth Winstead work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mary Elizabeth Winstead's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ewan McGregor shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers