Melissa Barrera is one of the most talented rising stars in Hollywood. The Mexican actress began her career in her country with telenovelas like Siempre tuya Acapulco and Tanto Amor, and she debuted in Hollywood with the 2018 coming-of-age drama series Vida and later went on to play one of the leads in a big-budget musical film In the Heights. She is most known for playing the role of Sam Carpenter in the Scream films. So, if you love Melissa Barrera’s performances we have picked out the 7 best films and TV shows starring Barrera, that you should check out.
7. Carmen (Rent on Prime Video)
Carmen is a musical drama film directed by Benjamin Millepied from a screenplay co-written by Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Loïc Barrère, and Millepied. The 2022 film follows the story of Carmen, a young woman who is forced to flee her home in the Mexican Desert after her mother is murdered. She survives a deadly border crossing and meets Aidan, then both of them try to flee to Los Angeles while trying to get away from the authorities. Carmen stars Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal in the lead roles with Rossy de Palma, Tracy “The DOC” Curry, Nicole de Silva, Benedict Hardie, Elsa Pataky, Tara Morice, and Marina Tamayo II starring in supporting roles.
6. All the World is Sleeping (Starz & Rent on Prime Video)
All the World is Sleeping is a drama film written and directed by Ryan Lacen. Inspired by a true story, the 2021 film follows the story of a young mother in New Mexico as she struggles with addiction but tries to get better for her daughter. All the World is Sleeping stars Melissa Barrera in the lead role with Jackie Cruz, Kristen Gutoskie, Luis Bordonada, Lisandra Tena, Alma Sisneros, Cory Scott Allen, Dave Edwards, and Jorge Garcia.
5. Your Monster (In Theaters)
Your Monster is an anti-romantic horror comedy film written and directed by Caroline Lindy. Based on Lindy’s 2019 short film of the same name, the 2024 film follows Laura Franco, a young woman struggling with a cancer diagnosis and a heartbreaking breakup who finds a horrifying yet weirdly charming monster living in her house. Your Monster stars Melissa Barrera in the lead role with Kayla Foster, Lindy, Shannon Reilly, Kira Carstensen, and Melanie Donkers.
4. In the Heights (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
In the Heights is a musical drama film directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes. Based on the musical of the same name by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the 2021 film is set in Washington Heights and it follows the story of Usnavi, a store owner, and his neighbors as each of them tries to achieve their dreams while still trying to be connected with their homeland’s culture. In the Heights stars Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Stephanie Beatriz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Greenblatt, Corey Hawkins, Christopher Jackson, Marc Anthony, Dean Scott Vazquez, Jimmy Smits, and Daphne Rubin-Vega starring in supporting roles.
3. Abigail (Rent on Prime Video)
Abigail is a monster horror comedy-drama film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from a screenplay co-written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick. The 2024 film follows the story of a group of small-time criminals as they are tasked with kidnapping the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful figure and keeping her in an isolated mansion. Their plans quickly go awry when they realize that the young girl is a blood-sucking vampire. Abigail stars Melissa Barrera, Angus Cloud, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, Matthew Goode, Giancarlo Esposito, and Will Catlett.
2. Vida (Prime Video, Hulu & Starz)
Vida is a coming-of-age drama series created by Tanya Saracho. Based on the short story titled Pour Vida by author Richard Villegas Jr., the Starz series follows the story of two Mexican American sisters from the Eastside of Los Angeles who are different from each other in every aspect of their lives. When some tragic circumstances force them to reunite in their old neighborhood they must contend with their troubled past and face some truths about their mother that they had no idea about. Vida stars Melissa Barrera and Mishel Prada in the lead roles with Ser Anzoátegui, Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda, Maria-Elena Laas, and Roberta Colindrez starring in supporting roles.
1. Scream & Scream VI (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Melissa Barrera was the lead in two films of the long-running horror slasher franchise. Barrera played the role of Sam Carpenter in Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), in both of them her character tries to survive the serial killer Ghostface. She starred in the Scream films alongside Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Skeet Ulrich, Mason Gooding, David Arquette, and Marley Shelton.