Sasha Lane got her start in acting through Andrea Arnold’s American Honey, in which she made a big splash. This role earned her several nominations for different independent film awards — including a win at the British Independent Film Awards — and set her up for a promising career. Since then, Lane has continued to work mostly on small, independent movies and has dabbled in a few TV shows. She has also starred in music videos for Alicia Keys, Lewis Capaldi, LA Poolside, and Halsey’s long-form visual album If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power.
The projects she stars in are evidently chosen with care as they all stand distinct from one another — she is no one-trick pony. Outside of movies and TV, Lane worked in the costume department for a music video for the band Neon Indian and on one of Marvel’s podcast series, Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye. She also features in Marvel’s Loki series as Hunter C-20, which is a role she landed after auditioning for a Spider-Man movie.
For anyone looking to get into Sasha Lane’s filmography, or for others who are already fans but want to do a deeper dive, here are her 10 best movies and TV shows, ranked.
10 Hellboy (2019)
In 2019, Neil Marshall (the director behind The Descent) released his version of Hellboy. The original two movies, from 2004 and 2009, were directed by Guillermo del Toro and were very well received. This time around, David Harbour stars in the main role, with Lane and Daniel Dae-Kim playing his sidekicks. But, with a lot to live up to, Marshall’s version might have been doomed from the start, and it certainly can’t compete with the originals. It was a wholly unnecessary remake that unfortunately wasn’t well-made. As a talented actress, Lane does her best here, but the material simply isn’t there. With a disjointed script, Lane and her costars struggle to find any real or interesting chemistry and the action never finds its feet.
9 Conversations with Friends (2022)
Following 2020’s unexpected hit, Normal People, the first TV adaptation of a Sally Rooney novel, Conversations with Friends is another project with a towering predecessor. Here, Lane plays Bobbi, along with Alison Oliver as Frances, Jemima Kirke as Melissa, and Joe Alwyn as Nick. With Rooney’s novel being so focused on Frances’ interiority, the cast and crew were facing an uphill battle.
There are many elements of the show that work well, Oliver and Lane are both excellent actors, and their friendship, which is central to the story, is well realized. Frances and Bobbi’s relationship is a complex one and relies on a lot going unspoken, so the fact that this is the most interesting part of the adaptations speaks volumes to the pair’s acting capabilities. However, overall, the show lacks energy and struggles to hold onto the romantic tension that permeates its source material.
8 Amazing Stories (2020)
Amazing Stories is a reimagining of an anthology series made by Steven Spielberg in the 1980s. This time around, it features directors such as Mark Mylod (Succession) and Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant) and actors including Victoria Pedretti, Dylan O’Brien, and Robert Forster. Sasha Lane’s episode, Signs of Life, is directed by Michael Dinner and written by Adam Horowitz.
Lane stars as Alia, whose mother has just awoken from a six-year-long coma and doesn’t remember her old life. Among some lackluster episodes, Lane’s performance here is a standout. She brings real emotional heft to the episode, grounding the plot which, at times, is close to losing its way. Like Hellboy, this remake seems unnecessary, but at the same time, it gave Lane a chance to display impressive acting choices.
7 Utopia (2020)
From Gillian Flynn, the writer of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects, comes the TV show Utopia. It follows a group of friends who met online that uncover a copy of a graphic novel with a cult following. As a consequence, they must save the world with the pursuit of a sinister organization on their heels. Lane plays Jessica, with John Cusack, Ashleigh LaThrop, and Rainn Wilson also starring in the show.
The plot’s twists and turns in combination with the violence of the show have proven to be divisive among audiences. Those who were able to go with it had much more fun than others who found the show to be off-putting and over the top. So, depending on your preferences you might love or hate this show, but either way, there’s no denying Lane’s contribution is a great one.
6 After Everything (2018)
After Everything is written and directed by the duo Hanna Marks and Joey Power. It stars Jeremy Allen White as a young man who is diagnosed with cancer, disrupting the expected trajectory of his life. His relationship ends, but he soon meets Maika Monroe’s character, who is unafraid of his recent diagnosis. The movie isn’t perfect, there are clear faults, but this doesn’t get in the way of its impactful charm. There is a poignancy to the depiction of people having to go through heart-wrenching events earlier than expected in life. In the role of a friend, Sasha Lane fleshes out After Everything’s world, providing comedic relief and believable support.
5 Daniel Isn't Real (2019)
In Daniel Isn’t Real, we find Luke, played by Miles Robbins, who has experienced serious trauma and resurrects an imaginary childhood friend to deal with it. This friend, Daniel, is played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, the cast also features Lane as Cassie and coincidentally, Hannah Marks — co-director of After Everything — as Sophie. Quickly, Luke realizes that Daniel is less of a help to his situation and more of a dangerous presence in his life.
The movie is a well-executed psychological horror that isn’t held back by a low budget but rather makes the most of its limitations. It’s great fun, with an interesting plot that might go off the rails toward the end, but not in a way that ruins the rest of the movie.
4 Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
In a complete 180 from Daniel Isn’t Real, we have Hearts Beat Loud. It’s the story of a father and daughter who form a songwriting duo before she heads off to college. The father is played by Nick Offerman and the daughter by Kiersey Clemons. Lane’s role is Rose, the girlfriend of Clemons’ Sam.
The movie is quiet, sweet, and touching, leaving you feeling warm. With an abundance of talent and charm in the cast, the narrative sincerity doesn’t come across as grating as it could have in other hands. Everything feels natural in this low-key story. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Lane talks about how Hearts Beat Loud was the first time she felt that she connected with a character “on every single level,” which speaks to the authenticity of this lovely story.
3 The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
The Miseducation of Cameron Post is adapted from the novel by Emily M. Danforth and directed by Desiree Akhavan. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz as Cameron, a high schooler who is caught with her girlfriend and sent to a conversion therapy camp. While there, she meets Lane’s character Jane, and Adam, played by Forrest Goodluck.
With Akhavan’s writing and direction, the movie is able to carefully balance complex subject matter with a good dose of dark humor. The camaraderie that Cameron finds with Jane and Adam is heartening and brings an important note of optimism to this upsetting story. These lighter moments are also essential in rounding out the realism of this world because even in deeply upsetting situations like this, people will still find a way to laugh.
2 How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022)
The environmentally-themed thriller, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, features a group of activists planning a risky mission to destroy an oil pipeline. Lane reunites with her Cameron Post co-star, Forrest Goodluck, here, and they share the screen with Ariela Barer, Kristen Froseth, and Lukas Gage. This ensemble works together excellently to build crackling chemistry and tension.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline is one of the most exciting and fresh thrillers we’ve received in a long while, and it feels timely. It delivers on all counts: thrills, suspense, and twists, and doesn’t shy away from diving deep into its climate discussions.
1 American Honey (2016)
Lane’s first movie, American Honey, remains her best to date. She plays the role of Star, alongside Shia LaBeouf as Jake and Riley Keough as Krystal. They make up a traveling sales team on a cross-country trip filled with partying, romance, and criminal activity. Lane tells IndieWire that she landed the role by complete chance. On a trip to Miami, the movie’s director, Andrea Arnold approached her and asked if she’d be interested in the role.
The result is a magical movie, with an intense and beautiful atmosphere that is in no small part down to Lane’s performance as the lead. The fact that Lane is yet to top this performance is not an indictment of the rest of her work, it merely goes to show that American Honey is simply on another level.