Haley Bennett, born Haley Loraine Keeling in Florida, spent her formative years growing up in Ohio before eventually returning to Florida and later making the move to Los Angeles with her mother after high school. It was in L.A. that Haley Bennett’s journey into the spotlight truly began. At just 19 years old, life took a dramatic turn when Drew Barrymore discovered her—yes, the Drew Barrymore—and cast her in a major role in the romantic comedy “Music & Lyrics” (2007). The film, which starred Barrymore and Hugh Grant as an unlikely songwriting duo, featured Haley Bennett as the pop sensation who brought their music to life. And let’s be honest—when you’re suddenly sharing screen time with Hollywood heavyweights like that, it’s kind of a big deal.
But Haley Bennett didn’t just flash across the scene and disappear. No, she stuck around and made her presence known. From that point on, she consistently appeared in feature films, building a solid and impressive body of work. In 2008, for instance, Haley Bennett took on the lead role in “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” proving she could carry a film all on her own. That same year, she also showed her range with a supporting part in the heart-tugging family drama “Marley & Me”—you know, the one that made everyone cry over a dog?
The momentum kept going. In 2009, Haley Bennett co-starred in “Passage,” a short film directed by Shekar Kapur, and also appeared in Joe Dante’s 3-D horror flick “The Hole.” Then came 2010, which saw her fronting two very different projects: Gregg Araki’s bold and unconventional “Kaboom,” followed by Phedon Papamichel’s “Arcadia Lost”—a film that, while perhaps under the radar, gave Haley Bennett another chance to shine as a leading lady.
Fast forward a few years, and Haley Bennett landed a notable role in “The Equalizer” (2014), starring Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz. It was another strong entry in her growing filmography. But 2016? That was the year things really started heating up for Haley Bennett. She appeared in not one, but two major releases that year: Antoine Fuqua’s remake of “The Magnificent Seven,” alongside stars like Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke, and the film adaptation of the bestselling thriller “The Girl on the Train.” Both performances were widely praised, and critics couldn’t help but take notice. Suddenly, Haley Bennett was everywhere—and rightly so. Many began calling her one of the breakout stars of 2016, and honestly, it was about time. With each role, Haley Bennett continued to prove she wasn’t just a fleeting name in Hollywood—she was here to stay.
When it comes to Haley Bennett’s film career, there’s a clear standout in terms of critical reception. Haley Bennett’s highest rated movie is Till (2022), which garnered widespread acclaim and marked a strong point in her body of work. On the other end of the spectrum, Haley Bennett’s lowest rated film remains The Haunting of Molly Hartley (2008), a project that didn’t resonate as well with audiences or critics. Over the years, Haley Bennett has taken on diverse roles, but these two titles—Till and The Haunting of Molly Hartley—represent the peaks and valleys of her acting journey so far. Still, Haley Bennett continues to build a reputation as a versatile performer, with each new role adding depth to her evolving career.