Sadie Sink is a Texas-born actress who broke into the public consciousness with her role of Max Mayfield on the hit Netflix original series Stranger Things. While some may only know her as Max, she’s taken on a lot of critically acclaimed roles over the last 11 years, or longer if you include her early community theater appearances. It’s already a considerable career despite Sink only being 20 years old. She was even a main character in a series prior to the Netflix classic with American Odyssey. Generally considered a show-stealer, Sink has appeared in several well regarded movies, series, and plays with respected co-stars, including the likes of actors Winona Ryder, Brendan Fraser, and Brie Larson. She has worked with directors like Destin Daniel Cretton, Taylor Swift, and Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers.
Initially doing community theater near Houston, Texas, she gained a lead role in The Secret Garden, which then led to more high-scale productions in virtually no time. She phased from theater productions to tv shows, and then to movies, often distributed by Netflix. With two films of hers in post-production — The Whale opposite Brendan Fraser, which will premiere at Venice Film Festival,and Dear Zoe, releasing this fall, per Collider — it is a fine time to count down her top performances so far.
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5 The Glass Castle
Gil Netter Productions
Only making a brief appearance in the 2017 drama, Sink plays Sarah Snook’s character Lori Walls at the age of 13 in flashback. The Glass Castle follows Jeannette Walls’ (Brie Larson) coming of age in her dysfunctional family, based on the book and true story of Jeannette Walls. Lori is the older sister of Jeannette and is predominantly played by Snook. The film received generally mixed reviews.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 Dominion
Farm Transparency Project
Dominion is a 2018 documentary about the treatment of animals in agricultural practices. The film has six main topics: animals for farming, wild animals, animals for human companionship, animals for entertainment, fur animals, and experimentation, often unethical, performed on animals. Of the four narrators for the film, three were between their mid-30s and mid-40s, save for Sink, who was still a teenager at the time, thus emphasizing her growing prominence. The film received positive reviews.
3 Eli
Paramount Pictures
Eli is a horror film from 2019. It is the first film to feature Sink in a significant role, as the character Haley. The film is about a boy with a rare autoimmune disease who experiences paranormal problems. Sink plays a friend of Eli, who is more understanding than many other characters. Sink’s creepy and dark performance left her a highlight of the film, even though she wasn’t in it very long.
2 Fear Street Part Two: 1978
Netflix
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 is the second in a trilogy of films that cover a variety of horror sub-genres, mainly slasher. Part Two is Sink’s first appearance in the trilogy and first-ever film with her in top-billing. This installment follows a group of teenagers under siege by a killer, in an allusion to the horror trope that was very prevalent in the late 70s and 80s. Sink plays Ziggy Berman, who was played by Gillian Jacobs in Fear Street Part One: 1994, here being depicted in her youth predominantly. Sink’s performance was acclaimed for selling the horror and drama of the story. She reappeared in the third part of the Netflix original series, Fear Street Part Three: 1666, once again sharing the role with Jacobs as her younger counterpart. The film, as well as its first and third installment, received positive reviews.
1 Stranger Things
Who could resist saving the number one spot for Maxine “Max” Mayfield of Stranger Things? The series that blends horror, science fiction, and an 80s aesthetic captured many eyeballs upon its premiere in 2016. Sink arrived in season 2 as Billy’s tomboy younger step-sister. Despite her late arrival, she’s made a well regarded addition to the cast for her intriguing storyline and complex performance. The series still goes strong in its fourth season, garnering positive critical reviews, adoration from its fans, and even multiple Emmy nominations. For the Duffer Brothers original’s promotion, Sink has appeared in various interviews and comedic videos, often on YouTube, such as on Jimmy Fallon. Max is currently Sink’s most iconic role and also the one that could be developed most, being played for three seasons instead of one movie. Perhaps she had practice with Stranger Things being the third of four roles here to be set in the 70s or 80s?
