---
name: "Mary Elizabeth Winstead"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mary-elizabeth-winstead"
fi1m_id: "mary-elizabeth-winstead"
imdb_id: "nm0935541"
tmdb_id: 17628
wikidata_id: "Q207873"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 November 1984"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-24T05:50:49.955668+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Mary Elizabeth Winstead

## Identity

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mary-elizabeth-winstead
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mary-elizabeth-winstead
- **IMDb ID:** nm0935541
- **TMDB ID:** 17628
- **Wikidata ID:** Q207873
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207873, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935541/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17628

Actor. Born 28 November 1984 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 November 1984, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA
- **Active:** 2007–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Bruce Willis](https://film.one/person/bruce-willis.md)
- **SAG Awards:** 1 SAG Award nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 64 (2), 2010s 68 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 60 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Thriller 3, Comedy 2, Drama 2, Romance 2, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $777m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207873, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935541/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17628

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Swiss Army Man*](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md) (75)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Death Proof*](https://film.one/film/death-proof.md) (64)
- **HBO Max:** [*A Good Day to Die Hard*](https://film.one/film/a-good-day-to-die-hard.md) (32)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Mary Elizabeth Winstead

> Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes a character's reserve worth our attention, even when the screenplay is busy elsewhere. We rate her quiet suggestion of a life beyond the leading man's concerns, and wish more films would pursue it.

In *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010), Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes Ramona Flowers seem occupied with thoughts Scott has not bothered to ask about. Her reserve gives us a reason to look beyond his romantic difficulties. We wanted more time with her, and felt short-changed when the screenplay would not make it. Edgar Wright's film is fast and funny enough to earn our recommendation, but Michael Bacall and Wright leave their central relationship too little space. Winstead does useful work in that space without making Ramona easier to read.

The horror films *Final Destination 3* (2006) and *Black Christmas* (2006) brought her attention before Quentin Tarantino's *Death Proof* (2007) gave her the small part of Lee. Tarantino leaves her almost nothing to play, so there is no fair test of her abilities here. We found the film padded, with stretches of bar talk that do little to justify their length. It has pleasures elsewhere, but it is a poor place to start if the reason for watching is Winstead.

The subsequent move into independent drama with a lead in *Smashed* (2012) gave her more substantial work than the part of Lee had allowed. *10 Cloverfield Lane* (2016) then put her at the centre of a confined thriller, carrying much of the film. She continued with action as Huntress in *Birds of Prey* (2020), and her work in that field has included fight training and many of her own stunts. There is more to seek out here than variations on Ramona.

Even in *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World*, however, we would not confuse an intriguing performance with a fully written character. Ellen Wong's Knives Chau makes the stronger emotional impression, helped by a directness that the film's knowing humour needs. Winstead keeps our attention with less help, but reserve cannot supply every conversation the screenplay leaves out. Start with Wright's film for its quick comedy; for a fuller Winstead part, we would follow it with *Smashed*.

## Biography

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an American actress and singer. She was born on 28 November 1984 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She trained in ballet at the Joffrey Ballet School and began her career with a role in the soap opera *Passions* (1999–2000).

Winstead gained attention for horror roles in *Final Destination 3* (2006) and *Death Proof* (2007). She later appeared in *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010) as Ramona Flowers, *10 Cloverfield Lane* (2016), *Birds of Prey* (2020) as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress, and the *Die Hard* films (2007, 2013) as Lucy McClane. She has also worked in television, including *Fargo*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Swiss Army Man* (2016), Fi1m 75, as Sarah — [page](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Nikki Swango — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *A Good Day to Die Hard* (2013), Fi1m 32, as Lucy McClane — [page](https://film.one/film/a-good-day-to-die-hard.md)
- *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010), Fi1m 81, as Ramona Flowers — [page](https://film.one/film/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world.md)
- *Death Proof* (2007), Fi1m 64, as Lee — [page](https://film.one/film/death-proof.md)
- *Live Free or Die Hard* (2007), Fi1m 65, as Lucy McClane — [page](https://film.one/film/live-free-or-die-hard.md)

## Complete filmography (56)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Hand That Rocks the Cradle* (2025), as Caitlin Morales
- *Rich Flu* (2024), as Laura Palmer
- *A Gentleman in Moscow* (2024), series, as Anna Urbanova
- *Scott Pilgrim Takes Off* (2023), series, as Ramona Flowers (voice)
- *Ahsoka* (2023), series, as Hera Syndulla
- *Kate* (2021), as Kate
- *Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)* (2020), as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress
- *Gemini Man* (2019), as Danny Zakarweski
- *Love, Death & Robots* (2019), series, as Gail
- *The Parts You Lose* (2019), as Gail
- *All About Nina* (2018), as Nina Geld
- *AAA - Worldwide From Monterrey* (2018), Actor
- *Danger & Eggs* (2017), series, as Trix Blixon (voice)
- *So It Goes* (2017), as Samantha
- *The Hollars* (2016), as Gwen
- *Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio Peepio* (2016), series, as (voice)
- *Swiss Army Man* (2016), as Sarah — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md)
- *BrainDead* (2016), series, as Laurel Healy
- *10 Cloverfield Lane* (2016), as Michelle
- *Mercy Street* (2016), series, as Mary Phinney
- *Alex of Venice* (2015), as Alex
- *The Returned* (2015), series, as Rowan Blackshaw
- *Kill the Messenger* (2014), as Anna Simons
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Nikki Swango — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Faults* (2014), as Claire · Producer
- *A.C.O.D.* (2013), as Lauren Stinger
- *The Spectacular Now* (2013), as Holly Keely
- *A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III* (2013), as Kate
- *A Good Day to Die Hard* (2013), as Lucy McClane — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/a-good-day-to-die-hard.md)
- *The Cub* (2013), Executive Producer
- *The Beauty Inside* (2012), series, as Leah
- *Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter* (2012), as Mary Todd Lincoln
- *Casque* (2012), as Girl
- *Smashed* (2012), as Kate Hannah
- *Magnificat* (2011), as Lynn · Executive Producer
- *The Thing* (2011), as Kate Lloyd
- *Cost of Living* (2011), as The Computer (voice)
- *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010), as Ramona Flowers — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world.md)
- *Make It Happen* (2008), as Lauryn Kirk
- *Live Free or Die Hard* (2007), as Lucy McClane — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/live-free-or-die-hard.md)
- *Death Proof* (2007), as Lee — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/death-proof.md)
- *Grindhouse* (2007), as Lee Montgomery (segment "Death Proof")
- *Factory Girl* (2006), as Ingrid Superstar
- *Black Christmas* (2006), as Heather Fitzgerald
- *Checking Out* (2006), as Lisa Apple
- *Bobby* (2006), as Susan Taylor
- *Final Destination 3* (2006), as Wendy Christensen
- *Sky High* (2005), as Gwen Grayson / Royal Pain
- *The Ring Two* (2005), as Young Evelyn
- *Monster Island* (2004), as Maddy
- *Tru Calling* (2003), series, as Bridget Elkins
- *Wolf Lake* (2001), series, as Sophia Donner
- *Passions* (1999), series, as Jessica Bennett
- *The Long Road Home* (1999), as Annie Jacobs
- *Promised Land* (1996), series, as Chloe
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Kristy Cordis (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-475db731aca4.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-c871b339a9e5.jpg) Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010) — Ronald Woan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines.jpg/1280px-Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-27bb532eaff8.jpg) Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010) — Ronald Woan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854897642.jpg/1280px-Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854897642.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-e211186b37c2.jpg) Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010) — Ronald Woan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854898968.jpg/1280px-Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854898968.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-8d6e387f03a8.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-e397507d9620.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-498cc538b1b6.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB
- ![Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-951742b41516.jpg) Jena Malone, Anna Torv, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (2010) — Ronald Woan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854899824.jpg/1280px-Entertainment_Weekly_presents...Women_Who_Kick_Ass-_A_New_Generation_of_Heroines_-_4854899824.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Velvet Einstein chats with Got A Girl (Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Mary Elizabeth Winstead) (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-c402b62a1d3f.jpg) Velvet Einstein chats with Got A Girl (Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Mary Elizabeth Winstead) (2015) — Heidi De Vries from Berkeley, CA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Got_a_Girl.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-8b80dd09a2a7.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-c0ee838a6a17.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB
- ![Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://film.one/media/person/9070/gallery-ce5b196e61c7.jpg) Mary Elizabeth Winstead — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2006: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Bobby*

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast 2006: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (nominated), for *Bobby*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/mary-elizabeth-winstead