Actress Danielle Macdonald has made a remarkable journey from relative obscurity to becoming a standout name in the film industry. With her compelling performances in independent films such as Every Secret Thing (2014) and Patti Cake$ (2017), she quickly captured the attention of both critics and audiences. Hailing from Australia, Danielle moved to the United States in 2010, where she made her screen acting debut alongside fellow Australian Joel Edgerton in the short film The Thief (2010), directed by Rachel Weisz for Glamour magazine.
Following that early appearance, she began to land guest and supporting roles on popular series like Glee (Fox, 2009–2015). These opportunities eventually led to her being cast in the ABC Family comedy Huge (2010). Unfortunately, visa issues prevented her from taking the role, but she bounced back swiftly, securing parts in several notable independent films. One of her earliest major roles was in Amy Berg’s Every Secret Thing, an adaptation of Laura Lippman’s novel. In the film, Danielle portrayed a bitter young woman with a devastating past, alongside Dakota Fanning, and her performance was met with widespread acclaim.
That role helped open doors for Danielle in both Australian and American television, including a memorable appearance in season six of American Horror Story (FX, 2011–). However, her true breakthrough came the following year with Patti Cake$ (2017), where she played a New Jersey teenager dreaming of hip-hop stardom. The film, an independent drama, earned a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Critics and audiences alike praised Danielle’s performance, marking her as a rising star in the industry.
Throughout her career, Danielle Macdonald has demonstrated a rare combination of talent and resilience, steadily building a name for herself in Hollywood. Her journey reflects the power of perseverance and the impact of a truly magnetic screen presence.
When it comes to Danielle Macdonald’s filmography, fans and critics alike have noticed a clear standout in her career. Danielle Macdonald truly shines in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025), which has emerged as her highest-rated movie to date. The performance showcased by Danielle Macdonald in that film received widespread acclaim, earning it top marks across several review platforms. On the other end of the spectrum, Danielle Macdonald appeared in Every Secret Thing (2014), a project that unfortunately didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or critics—making it her lowest rated movie so far. While Danielle Macdonald has taken on a variety of roles over the years, these two films mark notable points in her journey, highlighting both her strengths and the challenges she’s navigated. Still, Danielle Macdonald continues to build an impressive body of work that keeps viewers engaged.