So, you're looking for info on Riley Keough movies and TV shows? Yeah, she's been popping up everywhere lately, hasn't she? She's not just Elvis's granddaughter anymore – she's carved out a seriously interesting path all her own. I remember first noticing her in *Mad Max: Fury Road* and thinking, "Who *is* that?" Turns out, she's been quietly building this eclectic, sometimes downright weird, filmography full of indie darlings and big swings. Let's dive deep into everything she's done, where you can watch it, and why some roles just stick with you longer than others. Whether you're a longtime fan or just Riley Keough-curious, this should cover it all.
Riley Keough: From Model to Must-Watch Actress
Riley Keough’s career didn't just happen overnight. She started modeling young (I mean, look at her, right?), walking runways for big names. But acting? That felt like a different beast. Her early roles were small, kinda forgettable even. Think *The Runaways* (2010) where she played Marie Currie – blink and you miss it. Honestly, back then, most chatter was about her famous family. But man, did she flip that script. She started picking projects that were... let's say, not your typical Hollywood fare. She gravitated towards complex characters, often in dark or offbeat stories. Directors like Steven Soderbergh (*Magic Mike*, *Logan Lucky*) and indie voices like Andrea Arnold (*American Honey*) saw something raw and real in her. It wasn't about being the leading lady in a rom-com; it was about finding truth in messed-up situations. That shift, that willingness to get gritty, is really what defined her journey in Riley Keough movies and TV shows. She became someone you *expected* to deliver something interesting.
The Essential Riley Keough Filmography
Let's get down to the actual movies. Trying to list every single one feels pointless, right? You want the good stuff, the important stuff, the stuff worth your time when you're digging into Riley Keough's film career. I've broken it down into sections to make sense of it all. You'll find her big studio moments alongside the tiny indies that probably flew under your radar but are totally worth seeking out. Where possible, I've included where you can stream them *right now* (because ain't nobody got time for endless searching).
Major Films & Breakout Roles
| Movie Title | Year | Role | Key Notes & Performance Highlight | Where to Stream (US) | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Max: Fury Road | 2015 | Capable | Breakout blockbuster role as one of the "Five Wives." Minimal dialogue, maximum presence. That scene where she silently signals Furiosa? Chills. Pure physical acting. | Max, Hulu | 97% / 86% |
| American Honey | 2016 | Krystal | Unforgettable as the tough, manipulative crew leader. Completely magnetic and terrifying. Her chemistry (mostly antagonistic) with Sasha Lane’s Star drove the film. A masterclass in subtle menace. | Showtime, Paramount+ | 80% / 71% |
| Logan Lucky | 2017 | Mellie Logan | Quirky, charming role as Channing Tatum's ex and getaway driver. Showed fantastic comedic timing and warmth. That scene with the bleach bottle haircut? Pure gold. Proved she wasn't just intense. | Netflix | 92% / 77% |
| Zola | 2020 | Stefani | Based on the wild Twitter thread. Controversial role demanding a specific accent/mannerisms. Divisive but undeniably committed. You couldn't take your eyes off her, even when you wanted to. Really pushed boundaries. | Paramount+ | 88% / 74% |
| The Lodge | 2019 | Grace | Psychological horror lead. Tremendous portrayal of unraveling sanity under pressure and grief. Genuinely unsettling. That final act descent? Haunting. | Hulu | 75% / 53% |
Standout Independent Films
| Movie Title | Year | Role | Key Notes & Performance Highlight | Where to Stream/Find (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It Comes at Night | 2017 | Kim | Atmospheric horror/thriller. Plays a mother protecting her family in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Raw, vulnerable, and incredibly tense performance. Her fear felt palpable. | Netflix |
| We Are What We Are | 2013 | Rose Parker | Early significant role in a cannibal family horror remake. Played against type as a sheltered, sickly daughter. Showed her range beyond the "cool girl" image emerging elsewhere. Disturbing and effective. | AMC+, Shudder, Pluto TV |
| Hold the Dark | 2018 | Medora Slone | Netflix thriller. Strange, bleak film. Keough plays a grieving mother whose son is killed by wolves. Mysterious, detached, ultimately unsettling role. Not an easy watch, but she commits fully to the weirdness. | Netflix |
| Under the Silver Lake | 2018 | Sarah | Kafkaesque LA noir. As the enigmatic disappearing woman. It's a surreal, messy film (I kinda love-hate it), but Keough is the magnetic center whenever she appears. | Showtime, Paramount+ |
| Earthquake Bird | 2019 | Lucy Fly | Netflix psychological thriller set in 1980s Japan. Plays an expat translator haunted by her past. Quietly intense portrayal of paranoia and unreliable memory. Solid, if the film itself felt a bit slow. | Netflix |
Riley Keough on the Small Screen: TV Shows You Need to See
While her movies get a lot of attention, Riley Keough's TV work is where she's truly delivered some of her most nuanced and award-worthy performances. Television gives her the space to really dig into complex characters over multiple hours. It’s fascinating to see how she chooses these roles – often deeply flawed women navigating messy lives. Forget cookie-cutter characters; Keough thrives in the morally grey areas. Here's the lowdown on her key TV appearances:
| TV Show Title | Year(s) | Role | Key Notes & Performance Highlight | Platform | Awards Buzz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Girlfriend Experience | 2016 | Christine Reade | Lead role. Inspired by Soderbergh's film. Plays a law intern who becomes a high-end escort. Absolutely captivating performance – cool, controlled, intelligent, exploring power dynamics and compartmentalization. Career-defining TV work. | Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV | Golden Globe Nomination (Best Actress - Drama) |
| Riverdale | 2017 | Laura Lee (Cult Leader) | Guest spot. Played the chilling leader of the "Farm" cult. Small role but incredibly memorable and creepy. Showed she could make a big impact with limited screen time. | Netflix, CW App | - |
| Paterno | 2018 | Sara Ganim | HBO TV Movie. Played the real-life journalist who broke the Penn State scandal story. Understated, focused performance capturing the determination and pressure of investigative journalism. | Max | - |
| The Terminal List | 2022 | Lauren Reece | Supporting role in Chris Pratt action-thriller. Competent war correspondent. Solid work within a specific genre, though the show itself was divisive. | Prime Video | - |
| Daisy Jones & The Six | 2023 | Daisy Jones | Lead Role. Based on the bestseller. Plays the iconic, self-destructive rock star. Vocally demanding (she sang!) and emotionally raw. Captured the chaotic brilliance and deep vulnerability of Daisy. Watercooler TV. | Prime Video | Primetime Emmy Nomination (Lead Actress - Limited Series), Golden Globe Nomination |
| Under the Bridge | 2024 | Rebecca Godfrey | Lead Role. True crime miniseries about the murder of Reena Virk. Plays the complex author investigating the case. Nuanced portrayal of obsession, grief, and journalistic ethics. Some found her character frustratingly detached, which was kind of the point. | Hulu | - |
Where Riley Keough Truly Shines: Standout Performances Examined
Okay, looking at all these Riley Keough movies and TV shows, which roles really stick the landing? Where does she deliver something special? Here are a few performances that, for me, define her strengths:
- Christine Reade in *The Girlfriend Experience*: This is the one. It's a masterclass in minimalism and internal life. She conveys Christine's intelligence, ambition, and emotional detachment with tiny shifts in expression. You understand her motivations even when she barely speaks. It’s hypnotic and cemented her as a serious actress.
- Daisy Jones in *Daisy Jones & The Six*: Pure star power. She embodied the chaotic energy, raw talent, and deep-seated pain of the fictional rock icon. Doing her own singing was a huge risk that paid off. You believed every moment of her self-destruction and eventual resilience. Rewatch the "Look At Us Now (Honeycomb)" performance – chills.
- Krystal in *American Honey*: Utterly magnetic and terrifying. She dominated every scene as the fierce, manipulative queen bee of the magazine crew. It’s a performance full of sharp edges and unpredictable energy. You hate her and can’t look away. That’s hard to pull off.
- Grace in *The Lodge*: A harrowing descent into psychological hell. Keough portrays trauma, gaslighting, and sheer terror with devastating authenticity. Her vulnerability makes the horror genuinely affecting, not just cheap scares. That final shot stays with you.
- Capable in *Mad Max: Fury Road*: Proof that presence speaks volumes. With limited dialogue, she created a character full of strength, resilience, and quiet determination. Her expressive eyes did half the work. She held her own in a non-stop action spectacle.
Awards & Recognition: The Hardware
While talent speaks for itself, awards recognition is part of the conversation when talking about an actor's impact. Here's a snapshot of the major nominations Riley Keough has garnered for her work in film and TV:
- Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama (*The Girlfriend Experience*, 2017) and Best Actress in a Limited Series (*Daisy Jones & The Six*, 2024).
- Primetime Emmy Awards: Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (*Daisy Jones & The Six*, 2023).
- Critics' Choice Television Awards: Nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series (*The Girlfriend Experience*, 2017) and Best Actress in a Limited Series (*Daisy Jones & The Six*, 2024).
- Independent Spirit Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Female (*American Honey*, 2017).
It’s worth noting that awards aren't everything (some incredible performances get overlooked!), but this level of consistent recognition from major bodies underscores how seriously critics and peers take her work.
Finding Riley Keough's Work: Your Streaming & Viewing Guide
Alright, you're convinced. You want to watch some Riley Keough movies and TV shows. But where do you actually find them? Streaming services change constantly, so this is a snapshot of where things land *right now* in the US. Always double-check before you settle in!
Streaming Availability Snapshot (Major Platforms - US)
| Title | Netflix | Hulu | Max | Prime Video | Paramount+ | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Max: Fury Road | ✓ | ✓ | (Rent) | |||
| American Honey | (Rent) | ✓ (Showtime) | DirectTV | |||
| Logan Lucky | ✓ | |||||
| Zola | (Rent) | ✓ | ||||
| The Lodge | ✓ | (Rent) | ||||
| It Comes at Night | ✓ | (Rent) | ||||
| The Girlfriend Experience (S1) | ✓ | Roku Channel, Pluto TV | ||||
| Daisy Jones & The Six | ✓ | |||||
| Under the Bridge | ✓ |
Note: Availability changes frequently! For rentals/purchases, check Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu. For harder-to-find indies (*We Are What We Are*, *Hold the Dark* is on Netflix currently, *Under the Silver Lake*), services like Kanopy (free with library card) or digital rental are often the best bet.
What's Next for Riley Keough? Upcoming Projects
Keough isn't slowing down. She’s actively developing projects, often taking on producing roles too (she co-founded the production company Felix Culpa with Gina Gammell). Here’s what we know is cooking:
- Producer Role: She's increasingly active behind the camera. She co-directed the critically acclaimed feature *War Pony* (2022), which won the Camera d'Or at Cannes!
- Upcoming Acting:
- *The Instigators* (2024): Action comedy starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, directed by Doug Liman. Keough plays a key supporting role.
- *Carry-On* (TBA): Action-thriller also starring Jason Bateman and Taron Egerton. Plot details under wraps.
- Rumors persist about her involvement in potential sequels or projects related to her existing hits, but nothing concrete.
She seems drawn to complex characters and interesting directors, so expect her future Riley Keough movies and TV shows to continue down that compelling, often challenging path.
Answering Your Riley Keough Questions (FAQs)
Based on what people are actually searching for, here are answers to some common questions about Riley Keough's career:
What was Riley Keough's first major movie role?
While she had tiny parts earlier, her first *significant* role was probably in *The Runaways* (2010), playing Marie Currie. But her real breakout to wider recognition was definitely *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015) as Capable.
Is Riley Keough related to Elvis Presley?
Yes, directly. She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, who was Elvis's only child. That makes Riley Keough Elvis Presley's eldest granddaughter.
Did Riley Keough actually sing in Daisy Jones & The Six?
Yes! That was a major part of the role and the casting. While the studio recordings use a blend of her voice with professional musicians, the *live performance* scenes in the show predominantly feature Riley Keough's own singing voice. She trained extensively for it.
What is considered Riley Keough's best performance?
This is super subjective! Critics and awards often point to:
- *The Girlfriend Experience* (TV) for its minimalist intensity.
- *American Honey* for its raw, magnetic power.
- *Daisy Jones & The Six* for its star-making combination of charisma and vulnerability.
- Many fans also adore her in *Logan Lucky* for the charm and humor.
Why didn't Riley Keough return for later seasons of The Girlfriend Experience?
The show was conceived as an anthology series. Each season tells a new, self-contained story with different characters. Season 1 focused entirely on Christine Reade's story. Keough wasn't "replaced"; the show simply moved on to a new narrative and cast for Season 2.
What awards has Riley Keough won?
While she has numerous nominations (Golden Globes, Emmys, etc.), major competitive wins for acting have been elusive so far. She did win the Cannes Camera d'Or as a co-director for *War Pony*. It often takes time, and the nominations themselves signal high regard. I wouldn't bet against her winning one soon.
How old was Riley Keough in Mad Max: Fury Road?
Riley Keough was born on May 29, 1989. *Mad Max: Fury Road* was filmed primarily in 2012 and released in 2015. So, she was approximately 22-23 years old during filming and 26 when it was released.
Is Riley Keough in any horror movies?
Absolutely! She has a notable streak in quality horror/thrillers:
- The Lodge (2019 - Lead Role): Psychological horror masterpiece.
- It Comes at Night (2017): Post-apocalyptic horror/thriller.
- We Are What We Are (2013): Cannibal family horror.
- Jack & Diane (2012): Early role in a werewolf/lesbian romance horror drama (a very odd film).
What TV shows is Riley Keough famous for?
Her two most famous and acclaimed TV lead roles are:
- The Girlfriend Experience (Season 1, 2016)
- Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)
Wrapping Up the Riley Keough Journey (So Far)
Looking back at Riley Keough's movies and TV shows, the pattern is clear: she consistently chooses challenging roles that defy easy categorization. She moves effortlessly from big-budget action like Mad Max to tiny indies like American Honey, from icy control in The Girlfriend Experience to volcanic chaos in Daisy Jones. There's an authenticity and lack of vanity in her choices – she's not afraid to play unlikeable, complex, or broken women. She possesses a rare stillness on screen that draws you in, coupled with explosive emotional power when needed.
Her career trajectory is fascinating. She avoided the pitfalls of just being "the famous granddaughter," instead building a reputation for daring choices and undeniable talent. Her Emmy nomination for *Daisy Jones & The Six* felt like a long-overdue mainstream acknowledgment of what indie film fans knew for years. And now, branching into directing with *War Pony*, she's proving her creative vision extends beyond acting.
Finding the best Riley Keough performances means diving into movies like *The Lodge* or *Zola*, and absolutely making time for TV triumphs *The Girlfriend Experience* and *Daisy Jones*. Whether you connect with her intensity in thrillers, her vulnerability in drama, or her rockstar swagger, there's a Riley Keough role out there that will resonate. She's an actor who keeps you guessing, and that's what makes exploring her filmography so rewarding. Keep an eye out for *The Instigators* and *Carry-On* next – knowing her track record, they won't be boring.
Comment