Discover Mikey Madison’s Hidden Gem Performance in This Must-Watch FX Series!

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Since her Academy Award win for the role of Ani in ‘Anora’, Mikey Madison has been a captivating actor to behold. The film, which garnered five awards at the 2025 Academy Awards including Best Picture, was a critical sensation and also became Neon’s third-highest grossing movie ever (as reported by ‘The Numbers’), adding to its fairy tale success story.

Despite Anora being recognized as one of Mikey Madison’s top movies, most of her projects since she debuted in the mid-2010s have been critically acclaimed. She has shown exceptional taste in selecting robust projects right from the start, and her extensive filmography is a testament to this. However, there’s one role that doesn’t get as much recognition compared to her other works, and that’s her underrated performance on the FX series, Better Things.

Mikey Madison Delivered A Powerhouse Performance As An Angry Teen In Better Things

Better Things Was One Of The Earliest Roles In Her Career

I first stepped into the spotlight on FX with “Better Things” back in 2016, a role that spanned across five seasons until its conclusion in 2022. Although I had dabbled in smaller projects beforehand, this show marked one of my most significant performances to date, according to many critics. As Maxine “Max” Fox, an angsty teenager sharing a roof with my mom and two younger sisters, I was able to bring this character to life across all 52 episodes of the series.

In Better Things, the writers could have simply portrayed Max as a typical angsty teenager. However, the show’s compelling writing combined with Mikey Madison’s exceptional acting gave Max a remarkable layer of complexity and depth. Over the span of five seasons, Max undergoes significant character development, and Madison skillfully guides Max through this journey with both talent and compassion.

Better Things Creator Pamela Adlon Got “Emotional” Rewatching Madison In The Show

Pamela Adlon Stars As Mikey Madison’s Mom In Better Things

As a fan, I can’t help but admire Pamela Adlon, who portrays Sam Fox, Max’s mom, on “Better Things.” Her acting chemistry with Mikey Madison is truly remarkable throughout the series. Not only does she grace our screens as a talented actress, but behind the scenes, she also plays a significant role as one of the executive producers and creators of the show. In an interview with Variety, she shared her feelings about watching Mikey Madison on the show, revealing that it stirred some deep emotions within her.

I find it emotionally moving to see people laugh as a result of my work, and then I bring the focus back to its core. When I was selecting the girls for the show, they were all very young. Each one had something unique about them. Mikey, she looks just like she could be my child. She resembles everyone on my father’s side of the family.

In a straightforward manner, similar to her character on Better Things, Pamela Adlon’s pride for Mikey Madison and her achievements is heartwarming. The show, while often humorous and occasionally bizarre, resonates deeply due to its raw authenticity. Given this, it’s no surprise that Adlon made the astute decision to give Madison a significant role in the series.

What’s Next For Mikey Madison

She Has Another Impressive Film Lined Up

At a relatively young stage in her acting career, Mikey Madison has already won Best Actress, positioning herself for further success in Hollywood. Reports suggest that she was offered a part in Shawn Levy’s upcoming “Star Wars” film, “Star Wars: Star Fighter,” but declined the offer, suggesting she may not be keen on joining another well-known franchise after her role in 2022’s “Scream.

Instead, it’s Mikey Madison who is set to appear in the forthcoming thriller titled “Reptilia,” directed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría (known for “Monos”). The film “Reptilia” promises to be another impressive performance from Mikey Madison following her role in “Anora.” She will work alongside Kirsten Dunst in this upcoming project. Since her early days on “Better Things,” Mikey’s career has progressed significantly, and it seems that this role could well become one of the highlights of her entire acting journey.

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2025-05-28 03:08