Madison Iseman has quietly built one of the most diverse resumes in modern Hollywood, transitioning from indie projects and guest spots into blockbuster franchises and psychological thrillers. While many viewers first recognize her from massive studio hits like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle or horror staples like Annabelle Comes Home, her career spans everything from grounded coming-of-age dramas to serialized television. Examining her filmography reveals an actress who deliberately avoids being typecast, moving fluidly between comedy, horror, and prestige television.
Understanding her trajectory requires looking past surface-level box office numbers to see how strategic role choices shaped her career. Whether she's playing a teenager trapped in a video game, a beleaguered babysitter battling demonic forces, or taking on complex dual roles in streaming series, Iseman's work offers plenty of depth for film fans to unpack.
The Breakthrough Blockbusters
Iseman's entry into mainstream global awareness arrived via major studio franchise filmmaking, where she proved she could hold her own alongside comedy heavyweights and established ensemble casts.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level
As Bethany Walker in Sony's modern Jumanji reboot franchise, Iseman played a popular high schooler whose avatar inside the game is portrayed by Jack Black. This dynamic required Iseman to establish the baseline persona of Bethany early on while capturing the comedic nuances of a teenage influencer trapped in an older man's body. Released via Sony Pictures, the films became massive global successes, grossing over a billion dollars each and cementing Iseman's status as a bankable young talent. Additional details on this are explored by Entertainment Weekly.
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
Stepping into the lead role of Sarah Quinn in 2018, Iseman anchored this family-friendly horror sequel based on R.L. Stine's beloved book universe. Unlike her supporting ensemble work in Jumanji, Goosebumps 2 demanded that she shoulder the emotional core of the narrative, protecting her younger brother and balancing supernatural chaos with relatable sibling dynamics.
Horror and Psychological Thriller Staples
Beyond family adventures, Iseman carved out a distinct niche in the horror genre. Rather than sticking to standard jump-scare vehicles, she gravitated toward projects featuring psychological tension and complex character arcs.
Annabelle Comes Home
In the third installment of the Annabelle sub-franchise within the Conjuring Universe, Iseman played Mary Ellen, the earnest and responsible babysitter. The film confines much of its terror to a single house, putting intense pressure on the central trio of young actresses. Iseman's grounded performance helps anchor the supernatural hysteria, making the stakes feel genuinely dangerous.
Fear of Rain and Nocturne
In the psychological thriller Fear of Rain, Iseman delivered one of her most mature performances to date as a young woman living with schizophrenia who suspects her neighbor has kidnapped a child. That same year, she appeared in Blumhouse's Nocturne, exploring the dark, competitive underbelly of a prestigious classical music academy. Both roles proved she could handle intense dramatic material far removed from studio popcorn flicks.
Television Breakthroughs and Streaming Leads
While feature films brought her widespread recognition, television gave Iseman the space to stretch out across multi-episode arcs and complex character studies.
Still the King and Television Roots
Early in her career, Iseman landed a recurring role as Charlotte in the CMT comedy series Still the King, starring alongside Billy Ray Cyrus. The multi-camera production required rigorous auditioning over several months, helping her transition from minor guest spots on shows like Modern Family and Henry Danger into consistent television work.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Taking on the ambitious challenge of playing estranged twin sisters Lennon and Alison Grant in Amazon Prime Video's Prime Video television adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer, Iseman carried a high-profile streaming series. The role required distinct physical and behavioral choices to keep the twins visually and emotionally distinct for the audience throughout a twist-heavy mystery narrative.
Hidden Gems and Underrated Indie Projects
For fans looking beyond her biggest box office hits, several smaller independent and streaming titles showcase her range in quieter, more intimate settings.
- Feast of the Seven Fishes (2018): A charming, low-budget holiday indie centered around an Italian-American family Christmas Eve in 1983, where Iseman plays Beth.
- Clouds (2020): A Disney+ biographical drama where she played Amy Adamle, offering a heartfelt supporting turn in an emotional tearjerker.
- Knights of the Zodiac (2023): A live-action anime/manga adaptation where she took on the fantasy role of Sienna / Athena.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Madison Iseman's first major movie role?
Her first major global breakthrough came in 2017 when she was cast as Bethany Walker in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Prior to that, she appeared in various indie films and television guest spots.
Did Madison Iseman play twins in a TV show?
Yes, she played twin sisters Lennon and Alison Grant in the 2021 Amazon Prime Video horror series adaptation of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Is Madison Iseman involved in horror films?
She is well-known within the horror genre, having starred in Annabelle Comes Home, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, Fear of Rain, and Blumhouse's Nocturne.
Where did Madison Iseman grow up?
She was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she eventually completed much of her education via virtual schooling before moving to pursue acting full-time.
