Violet McGraw has rapidly established herself as one of the most talented and recognizable young actresses in Hollywood. Born on April 22, 2011, she began her professional acting career at the age of five and has since built an impressive filmography that spans psychological horror, superhero blockbusters, and heartfelt dramas. She is widely recognized for her breakout performance as young Nell Crain in the Netflix hit The Haunting of Hill House and her leading role as Cady in the viral horror sensation M3GAN.

For those looking for a quick reference, here are Violet McGraw's most notable roles:

  • Cady in M3GAN (2022) and M3GAN 2.0 (2025)
  • Young Yelena Belova in Black Widow (2021) and Thunderbolts* (2025)
  • Young Eleanor "Nell" Crain in The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
  • Alice in Jett (2019)

The Rise of a Horror Icon

While many young actors start in lighthearted commercials, Violet McGraw found her niche in the complex and demanding genre of horror. Her performance in The Haunting of Hill House was a masterclass in child acting, requiring her to convey deep-seated trauma and supernatural fear. As the younger version of Victoria Pedretti's character, McGraw provided the emotional foundation for one of the most acclaimed limited series in recent history.

In 2022, McGraw took center stage in M3GAN, playing an orphaned girl who forms a dangerous bond with an AI-powered doll. The film was a massive commercial success, and critics praised McGraw’s ability to hold her own against a high-tech animatronic co-star. Her chemistry with the titular doll was essential in making the film’s blend of satire and horror effective.

Entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe

In 2021, Violet McGraw joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Black Widow. She portrayed the young Yelena Belova during the film's intense opening prologue, setting the stage for Florence Pugh’s adult version of the character. Her performance helped establish the sisterly bond and the tragic backstory of the Red Room. Fans of the MCU can look forward to her reprising this role in the upcoming 2025 film Thunderbolts*, where she is expected to appear in flashback sequences.

Complete Filmography: Movies

Violet McGraw’s film career includes a mix of major studio releases and independent projects. Notably, she has recently expanded her role in the industry by serving as an executive producer on some of her projects.

Year Title Role Notes
2025 M3GAN 2.0 Cady Upcoming Release
2025 Thunderbolts* Young Yelena Belova Upcoming Release
2025 The Life of Chuck Lily / Iris Post-production
2025 A Wonderful Way with Dragons Bee Post-production
2024 The Curse of the Necklace Ellen Davis Also Executive Producer
2022 M3GAN Cady Leading Role
2022 A Christmas Mystery Violet Pierce Leading Role
2022 I Believe in Santa Ella Supporting Role
2021 Black Widow Young Yelena Belova MCU Debut
2021 Separation Jenny Vahn Horror Feature
2019 Doctor Sleep Violet Mike Flanagan Collaboration
2019 Our Friend Evie Teague Drama
2019 Bennett's War Rebecca Supporting Role
2018 Ready Player One Shopping Cart Kid First Feature Film (Uncredited)
2017 Reckless Juliets Aria Morgan Film Debut

Complete Filmography: Television Shows

On the small screen, McGraw has appeared in prestige dramas and long-running procedurals. Her work in Jett and The Haunting of Hill House showcases her range beyond the horror genre.

  • The Haunting of Hill House (2018): McGraw played the main role of Young Nell Crain in this 10-episode Netflix series. This remains her most critically acclaimed television performance.
  • Jett (2019): She played Alice, the daughter of the title character, appearing in 9 episodes of this stylish crime drama.
  • Love (2016–2018): In her television debut, she played Nina in two episodes of this Netflix romantic comedy.
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2019): She made a guest appearance as Bailey Sawyer in the episode "At Midnight in Manhattan."

Future Projects and 2025 Outlook

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Violet McGraw. Aside from the highly anticipated M3GAN 2.0, which looks to expand on the technological horror themes of the first film, she is also involved in The Life of Chuck. This project reunites her with Mike Flanagan, the director of The Haunting of Hill House, in an adaptation of a Stephen King short story. Furthermore, her role as an executive producer on The Curse of the Necklace suggests she is interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking, a rare move for an actor of her age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How old was Violet McGraw when she started acting? She began her career at age five, appearing in the television series Love.

Is Violet McGraw related to Madeleine McGraw? Yes, she is the younger sister of Madeleine McGraw, who is also a well-known actress famous for her role in The Black Phone.

What was Violet McGraw's first movie? Her first feature film credit was an uncredited appearance as a child in a shopping cart in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One (2018).

What upcoming movies does Violet McGraw have in 2025? She is slated to appear in M3GAN 2.0, Thunderbolts*, The Life of Chuck, and A Wonderful Way with Dragons.

Summary

From her early start in 2016 to her current status as a scream queen and MCU contributor, Violet McGraw has demonstrated remarkable versatility. Whether she is facing off against a killer doll or portraying the childhood trauma of a Marvel hero, her performances bring a grounded and emotional depth to every project. With several high-profile releases scheduled for 2025, her influence in Hollywood is only set to grow.