Fresh off her breakout Oscar win, actress Mikey Madison is diving into her next major role.
The 26-year-old Anora star has signed on to star alongside Academy Award nominee Kirsten Dunst in Reptilia, a psychological thriller directed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría, according to reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The film marks a new direction for both actresses and is set to explore the strange and shadowy world of Florida’s exotic animal trade.
Written by Landes Echavarría in collaboration with Duke Merriman, Reptilia follows the eerie story of a dental hygienist who becomes entangled with a mysterious mermaid. Her journey into obsession eventually pulls her deep into an underground world of danger and desire. Described as a dark, surreal thriller with mythological undertones, the project blends elements of folklore and modern-day corruption, set against the sweltering backdrop of Florida’s wetlands.
For Madison, this role follows a career-defining moment at the 97th Academy Awards, where she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her bold and provocative performance in Anora. Her portrayal of a Brooklyn stripper who becomes entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch captivated audiences and critics alike. The unexpected win came as a surprise to many, with industry buzz previously favoring veteran actress Demi Moore for her performance in The Substance.
Madison’s victory sparked widespread discussion, particularly after Moore, 62, responded with grace and encouragement on social media the following day. In a video posted to Instagram, Moore shared highlights from the Oscars ceremony, including behind-the-scenes moments of her getting ready with her team—and her tiny dog, Pilaf.
“As this awards season comes to a close, I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey,” Moore wrote in the post’s caption. She went on to thank the “cast, crew, and fans” of The Substance, as well as her collaborators, director Coralie Fargeat and co-star Margaret Qualley. “So grateful for my team, my fellow nominees, and everyone who has made this experience so full of joy and light.”
She concluded with a heartfelt message to Madison: “A huge congratulations to #MikeyMadison — can’t wait to see what you do next ♥️.”
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Now, that next chapter is beginning with Reptilia, which adds to Madison’s growing list of diverse and ambitious roles. Prior to Anora, she was best known for her performances in Scream (2022) and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Joining Madison in Reptilia is Kirsten Dunst, 43, who most recently starred in Civil War, a political dystopian drama from A24 and filmmaker Alex Garland. In the film, Dunst portrayed a war photojournalist named Lee Smith, a role that required her to dive deep into the technical and emotional aspects of the profession.
“I just carried that camera around all the time,” Dunst said in a behind-the-scenes featurette shared with People. “As soon as I got the role, I was like, ‘Alex, give me the camera.’” The actress admitted to feeling “a little bit insecure” about portraying a photojournalist authentically, adding, “That was my biggest fear, actually—looking like I didn’t know what I was doing with the camera, or holding it in a way that it wasn’t like a part of my body.”
Dunst’s commitment to craft and her ability to ground genre material in emotional realism make her a natural fit for the surreal yet socially rooted premise of Reptilia. The project will also serve as a major return for Landes Echavarría, best known for directing the critically acclaimed 2019 film Monos, a dark survivalist drama that explored child soldiers in the South American jungle.
Landes Echavarría is known for his ability to blend dreamlike imagery with visceral tension, and Reptilia appears to be no exception. With Madison’s rising star power and Dunst’s seasoned gravitas, the film is already generating buzz as one of the most anticipated indie thrillers on the horizon.
A production start date has not yet been announced, but filming is expected to begin later this year, with a possible release slated for 2026. The film will likely appeal to fans of elevated horror, neo-noir, and surreal psychological drama.
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As Madison rides the momentum from her Oscar win and Dunst continues her long-standing relationship with prestige genre projects, Reptilia promises to be a haunting and compelling addition to both actresses’ careers.
For now, Madison remains one of Hollywood’s most closely watched talents—and with Reptilia on the horizon, audiences won’t have to wait long to see where her talent takes her next.
