Zoey Deutch has been around the film industry for longer than fans might realize. She is the daughter of director Howard Deutch and actress-director Lea Thompson. Fans will recognize Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines-McFly in Back to the Future and as the motherly Kathryn Kennish in the television show Switched at Birth. Zoey Duetch actually got to join her mother in Switched at Birth for two episodes in 2013. She played Elisa Sawyer.
Deutch has made quite the name of herself outside of her parents’ successes. She began acting at a young age with some guest roles, including a 7-episode run on The Suite Life on Deck. Over the years, Deutch has transformed into a well-respected actress. Here’s how Zoey Deutch made her dream of being a movie star come true.
8 Zoey Deutch’s First Starring Role In Vampire Academy
Though she had previously had a recurring role in the show Ringer and had a role in the film Beautiful Creatures, Zoey Deutch did not have a leading role in a film until Vampire Academy in 2014. The story follows vampires and their protectors as they fight a great evil. Deutch played Rose Hathaway, the lead of the film and protector of vampire royalty.
Vampire Academy is based on the young adult book series of the same name. The film was meant to have follow-up movies, but the franchise was scrapped due to low viewership and poor reviews.
7 Zoey Deutch In Good Kids
Following Vampire Academy, Zoey Deutch found herself receiving roles geared towards the young adult audience. She fit the age bracket casting directors look for, and her skills in comedy aided her in landing many coming-of-age stories. The first film of this genre she starred in was Good Kids.
The film follows four high school students as they attempt to redefine themselves after graduation. Zoey Deutch plays Nora, a Harvard-bound teenager trying to enjoy a crazy summer with her friends. The cast includes Nicholas Braun, Mateo Arias, and Star Trek: The Next Generation star Ashley Judd.
6 Zoey Deutch Hated Kissing James Franco In Why Him?
The coming-of-age superstar took a break from teen roles to star in Why Him? alongside James Franco and Bryan Cranston. Zoey Deutch plays Stephanie Fleming, Cranston’s daughter in the film who is dating the extravagant character of Franco. The comedy is a bit raunchy and much more adult than Deutch’s previous roles.
Since the movie’s release, Deutch has spoken about her on-screen kisses with Franco. She divulged Franco’s breath was “actually not good” and that the experience was “meh” and “very not memorable.”
5 Deutch’s Coming Of Age Film Before I Fall
Zoey Deutch returned to coming-of-age films with Before I Fall. The story follows Deutch’s character, Samantha Kingston, as she is stuck in a time loop. Kingston must repeat the same day over and over, which consists of her going to school and then attending a party.
Before I Fall works to teach young adults about sacrifice and how to understand others. Popularity is not everything, especially not in high school.
4 Zoey Deutch’s Flowers Failed At The Box Office
Deutch took a risk with leading the cast of Flowers. The indie film is a quirky and weird young adult film. Though still a coming-of-age film, fitting in with the rest of Deutch’s repertoire, Flowers has some pretty dark plotlines and twists. Deutch’s Erica Vandross is quick-witted and rebellious, and while she was fantastic in the role, the film was not received well.
Critics thought the film went too far. Variety called Flowers a “vile comedy.” Sales at the box office barely passed a third of the film’s budget. Overall, the film was considered a flop.
3 Zoey Deutch Tackles Rom-Coms With Set It Up
After her long run in coming-of-age films, Zoey Deutch is starting to break out of the type casting in order to take on more adult roles. She is 27 after all! One of her first roles in this venture was in the Netflix film Set It Up. She played Harper, a personal assistant to a horrible boss. She and Glen Powell’s character Charlie attempt to set up their individual bosses to make their lives easier.
Though fans are devastated that there are no plans for a Set It Up sequel, Deutch shared last year that there is another script in the works from writer Katie Silberman. Deutch and Powell are set to star together in another Netflix rom-com.
2 Zoey Deutch Joined The Cast Of Zombieland: Double Tap
The first Zombieland film, which was released back in 2009, was a weirdly big success. The zombie comedy film starred Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. However, it almost had a completely different cast. The stars reunited in 2019 for the sequel Zombieland: Double Tap, with the new addition of Zoey Deutch.
The sequel stuck with the theatrical format of Zombieland, and fans loves Deutch’s hysterical character Madison. The movie as a whole had mixed reviews, some loving the meta comedy while others finding it over the top.
1 Zoey Deutch Takes On A Serious Role In The Outfit
The film The Outfit tells the story of a tailor, played by Mark Rylance, as he attempts to outsmart criminals. The old-school thriller was released in early 2022 and received relatively good reviews from fans and critics. Zoey Deutch plays Mable, marking another transition in her career.
The Outset is unlike anything Deutch has ever been a part of. The crime-drama nature of the film allows Deutch to step further away from her coming-of-age film days. Deutch plans to continue tackling harder roles. Hulu, which has begun releasing great original content like Pam & Tommy, is working on Deutch’s new film Not Okay. This is only the beginning for Zoey Deutch, as she has solidified herself as a movie star.
