Maika Monroe, born Dillon Monroe Buckley on May 29, 1993, in Santa Barbara, California, is an American actress known for her roles in horror and thriller films. Raised near the beach, she developed a love for surfing and beach sports, which led her to become a competitive kiteboarder.

At the age of 17, she moved to Cabarete in the Dominican Republic to train full-time in kiteboarding while completing her high school education online. Her father, a fan of horror films, passed on his love for the genre to Monroe, which influenced her career choices.

Maika Monroe made her film debut in the drama At Any Price (2012), but her breakthrough came with the horror film It Follows (2014), where she played the role of Jay Height. This role established her as a modern scream queen and garnered critical acclaim.

She continued to build her career with notable performances in The Guest (2014), where she played Anna Peterson, and the science fiction film Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), where she portrayed Patricia Whitmore, the former First Daughter.

Her versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse filmography, which includes the drama Labor Day (2013), the neo-noir Hot Summer Nights (2017), and the comedy-drama After Everything (2018).

Her role in the psychological thriller Watcher (2022) as Julia further solidified her reputation in the thriller genre. Her performances have earned her several awards and nominations, including the Home Media Magazine Award for Best Scream Queen and the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress for her role in It Follows.

Her personal life is marked by her passion for kiteboarding, which she continues to pursue alongside her acting career. She once had her own clothing line, Airbound Apparel, with proceeds going to local charities in the Dominican Republic.