Actor and singerEmily Alyn Lindstarted her career young, racking up over 40 acting credits before hitting her early 20s. Born into a family active in the movie industry, Lind is the daughter of producer John Lind and actress Barbara Alyn Woods. Additionally, both her sisters, Natalie Alyn Lind and Alyvia Alyn Lind, are actors.
The family connections make it unsurprising that Emily Alyn Lind excelled in the industry at such a young age, going on to land roles in hit TV showslikeGossip GirlandRevenge, along with notable film credits likeDoctor SleepandThe Babysitter.
Considering that Lind’s career is just starting, despite the over 40 acting credits, we look at the best Emily Alyn Lind performances, including notable appearances from her childhood.
10Enter the Void
Emily Alyn Lind’s second film appearance is quite a sensational one. Playing the role “Little Linda,” Lind’s name will be cemented in the annals of extreme and disturbing cinema with her small part in thepsychedelic, drug-fueled, out-of-body nightmarethat is Gaspar Noe’sEnter the Void.
Her role in the film appears only in flashbacks as Oscar (Nathaniel Brown) revisits the younger days spent with his sister Linda (Paz de la Huerta). Lind was kept separate from the adult content and (hopefully) did not see her performance still much later in life. While it is uncertain what she thinks of being involved in a controversial film, it is an interesting nugget in the child actor’s broad filmography worth mentioning.
9Dear Dumb Diary
Much of Lind’s young career would be involved in more wholesome content, and one of her first leading roles came as the role of Jamie Kelly in the Hallmark children’s movieDear Dumb Diary. Kelly is a seventh grader who keeps track of her day-to-day life in school in her diary, which she uses to express her imagination and desires to be unique in the eyes of others. The movie isbased on a bookseries of the same name by Jim Benton.
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The film has seen mixed reviews, primarily due to some parents having concerns with how the film portrays the desire for perfection. However, the movie is generally well-received for its surreal and humorous approach. Even at a young age, it was evident that Lind would move on to greater things. If you want to see more from Lind, this could be an excellent watch for those with kids or nieces/nephews.
8Jackie & Ryan
Jackie & Ryanis anuplifting film about two musicianswho find solace in each other during difficult times. Jackie struggles to get by after leaving an abusive marriage to stay with her mom. Ryan is a musician unable to make a name for himself and uncertain of his ability. Together they build each other up for Jackie to finally stand up to her husband and for Ryan to finally start writing and performing his own music.
Emily Alyn Lind plays the role of Lia, Jackie’s daughter, who is dragged into the conflict between Jackie and her father as the two fight over her. The part is essential in the film, and Lind plays the role with great skill for such a young actor, already having over 20 credits to her name on the film’s release.
Getting a chance to act across from fan-favorite actor Keauna Reeves makesReplicasa notable credit. However, this came before the actor’s resurgence, making the movie of thoseso-bad-its-good filmsthat only attract those explicitly looking for turkeys.
Playing the part of Sophie Foster, the eldest daughter of Reeve’s character, Lind shows her skill as an actor, already having 30 acting credits under her belt at 15. For those who like flawed films,Replicasis undoubtedly worth a watch.
Revengewas a hit show for ABC, lasting four seasons from 2011 to 2015. The series follows Emily Thorne (Emily Vancamp), who infiltrates a group of elites to seek revenge for her father. Billed as a campy nighttime soap, the series would go on to gather a cult following and is oftenconsidered a guilty pleasureamong the fan base.
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Emily Alyn Lind played a young Amanda Clark across eight episodes. In the series, Amanda Clark changes her name to Emily Thorne. This role allowed the young actor to help fill in Clark’s backstory and garner wider name recognition by appearing in a fan-favorite TV series. Looking at performances such as this, it is no surprise that some of Lind’s most notable credits would come in the world of television.
5Sacred Lies
By a show of hands, who remembers the TV seriesSacred Lies? Follow-up question, how many people recall that Facebook tried to launch original programming through Facebook Watch? About the same amount, it appears. This is a shame, as it is an example of a strong show doomed from the start, as the Blumhouse producedSacred Lieswas an innovative and engaging series focused on exploring themes of abuse, cults, and dealing with trauma.
Emily Alyn Lind played Jolene Drygulski in Sacred Lies, a minor part compared to Elena Kampouris as Minnow Bly, but a vital one within the series. Moreover, Lind brought an intensity and self-assuredness to the role that ensured she was attention-catching in every scene she appeared in while still complimenting the other performers. Thankfully, you canstill watch the show on Facebookeven though Facebook Watch’s original programming is a long-dead experiment.
While Lind would make her first appear in the horror genre withThe Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia,followed shortly by a role in theclown horror filmMockingbird, the young actor would find her stride in the genre withHidden.Hiddenis a post-apocalyptic feature about a family of three, Ray, Claire, and their daughter Zoe, who take refuge in a bomb shelter to escape the outside world, spending a year and a half underground before deciding to re-emerge.
Emily Alyn Lind plays Zoe in Hidden, the daughter of Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) and Claire (Andrea Riseborough). The movie is a slow-burn horror, and Lind’s part wonderfully plays into the troubled family dynamic and their decisions about whether or not to emerge from the shelter. This also marks one of Lind’s first leading roles in a film, showcasing her skills in a well-received horror film that would push the actor to do more in the genre.
3Doctor Sleep
The sequel to Stephen King’sThe Shining,doctor sleep follows the character of Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) several years after the events at the Stanley Hotel. The movie introduces teenager Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran), who seeks out Andy for help against a group under the control of psychics known as the True Knot.
InDoctor Sleep, EmilyAlyn Lind plays the role of Snakebite Andi, one of the members of the True Knot that use her powers to control and manipulate others. This role allowed Lind to play a memorable antagonist and expand on her repertoire, having mainly stuck to support or lead roles as, or in support of, the protagonist.Doctor Sleepis excellent, and so is Lind’s role in the film, easily placing it among the actor’s best performances.
2The Babysitter
The Babysitteris a horror comedy about a teenager discovering that his babysitter is part of a satanic cult. This discovery leads to a fight for survival for one night as the boy, Cole (Judah Lewis), faces off against Bee (Samara Weaving) as Bee. Emily Alyn Lind plays the role of Melanie, Cole’s neighbor, the girl next door with a crush on Cole. Lind would also reprise her role in the follow-up filmThe Babysitter: Killer Queenwhere Lind’s character would take the lead.
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This violent and gory comedy series is a blast for horror fans and is one of the more entertaining,underrated Netflix originals. Lind’s career is sprinkled with horror movies, a genre the actor truly excels in, and we hope to see more of in the future.
1Gossip Girl
Emily Alyn Lind’s best performance to date is likely her most recognizable. Playing Audrey Hope in the HBO Max’sGossip Girlreboot, Lind is integral to one of the series' juiciest love triangles. The character is complex, struggling to find her place while working through family issues, intelligent with a love of literature, and very passionate about her friends.
Despite the series only lasting two seasons, with many claiming itdid not live up to the original, Lind’s presence and skill as Audrey Hope are undeniable. A defining role that makes us only excited to see how the actor will continue to evolve.
