Top 5 Reasons Why You Recognize Mackenzie Davis In Blade Runner 2049

Rebellious and raw, Cameron Howe is a central figure on one of AMC’s most popular series, the period drama “Halt and Catch Fire.” Since 2014, Mackenzie has portrayed computer whiz Cameron Howe, a character with a unique style and lots of intelligence. “Halt and Catch Fire” is set in the ‘80s, so a strong tech-loving female character in that era most definitely stands out. And Davis’ portrayal certainly helps matters: she’s earned herself a loyal and devoted following of tech-head fans. And to think, Mackenzie nabbed the coveted role after only a few years in the industry.

With a cast featuring Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller, there’s a lot of male mojo fueling Tom Gormican’s 2014 romantic comedy. And to be fair, the guys DO have their moments. But Mackenzie Davis steals each and every scene she’s in as Miles Teller’s love interest Chelsea, who offers something different than the usual “manic pixie dream girl” clichés. Critics didn’t love “That Awkward Moment,” but it’s hard to deny Mackenzie’s charisma, star power and authenticity – especially when compared to the guys’ more over-the-top performances.

In 2012, Davis made her feature film debut in James Ponsoldt’s “Smashed.” Produced for only $500,000, the film was well received by critics – especially thanks to its solid performances. She followed up that work with breakout roles in 2013’s “Breathe In” and “Bad Turn Worse,” solidifying herself as a prominent indie actress. After yet another jaw-dropping performance in Sophia Takal’s 2016 film “Always Shine,” Davis made her official crossover into the mainstream, paving the way for her role as Mariette in “Blade Runner 2049.”

Mackenzie Davis’ indie performances certainly caught the eyes of mainstream directors and one of them was Ridley Scott. For the 2015 Oscar-nominated film “The Martian,” Scott cast Davis in a minor, yet notable, role as Mindy Park. Like her character on “Halt and Catch Fire,” this communications engineer has a sense of humor to match her extraordinary intelligence, helping her to stand out from the rest of the ensemble cast. In fact, Davis’ role in “The Martian” was significant because it demonstrated what she could do alongside A-listers in the science fiction genre. Clearly, “Blade Runner 2049” director Denis Villeneuve was paying attention.

When “Black Mirror” Season 3 was released on Netflix, one particular episode had people buzzing – and eventually won two Emmys. Set in the 1980s, “San Junipero” is an atypically uplifting story of virtual reality technology and same-sex romance. It stars Mackenzie Davis and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as lovers freed from damaged and aging bodies in a simulated world. – and let us tell you, the performances these women turned in were career-making. In particular, Mackenzie’s versatility, timelessness and star quality jump off the screen, proving to audiences that she’s got what it takes to go far in Hollywood. Paging Denis Villeneuve!