Amber Midthunder: Rising Star Breaking Barriers in Hollywood

When March 14, 2025 arrived, most actresses would celebrate landing one major film release. Amber Midthunder had two hitting theaters the same weekend. The 28-year-old brought audiences both the action-packed Novocaine alongside Jack Quaid and A24’s psychological thriller Opus with Ayo Edebiri. This double-feature moment wasn’t luck—it was the payoff for years of dedication from an actress who almost chose mixed martial arts over Hollywood.

Who Is Amber Midthunder?

Amber Midthunder is an American actress who’s become one of Hollywood’s most exciting young talents. Born on April 26, 1997, in Shiprock, New Mexico, she carries a rich mixed heritage that shapes both her identity and career. Her father, David Midthunder, is a respected actor with Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota ancestry from the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe in Montana. Her mother, Angelique, brings Thai-Chinese roots to the family. This dual Indigenous and Asian background makes Amber’s story unique in an industry still learning about representation.

Growing up meant splitting time between Santa Fe and the Shiprock area. Her parents met on the set of East Meets West in 1995, so Hollywood wasn’t foreign territory. But unlike most actors’ kids, Amber didn’t rush toward the spotlight. She watched her dad work and thought the waiting around looked boring. The entertainment industry seemed more tedious than thrilling to her young eyes.

The Unconventional Path to Acting

Instead of drama classes, Amber spent her teenage years on gym mats learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She trained hard enough to teach classes at the childhood gym where she first learned the martial art. Fighting appealed to her competitive nature, and she seriously considered pursuing MMA as a career. The discipline and physical demands felt natural.

Her first speaking role came at age nine in Sunshine Cleaning (2008), where she worked with Alan Arkin. But acting remained a side interest, not a passion. She attended the Academy for Technology and the Classics for her education, keeping options open. At 17, she made the big move to Los Angeles, giving herself a real shot at building an acting career. That decision changed everything.

Breaking Through: Early Career and Television Work

The early years meant grinding through guest spots and small roles. She appeared in Longmire between 2012 and 2014, sometimes working alongside her father. The Western crime drama gave her experience with procedural television. A role in Banshee (2014) followed, then a memorable part in the acclaimed film Hell or High Water (2016). Each job taught her something new about the craft she’d once found boring.

The breakthrough many actors wait years for came when she landed a series regular spot on FX’s Legion (2017-2019). Creator Noah Hawley’s Marvel-adjacent show let Amber play Kerry Loudermilk, a character who wasn’t originally written as Native American. Working with talents like Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza on such a visually striking show proved she could handle complex material. The role showcased her range beyond stereotypical Indigenous characters that Hollywood typically offered.

Roswell, New Mexico and Rosa Ortecho

Another career step came with The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico reboot. Amber joined as a recurring character in 2019, playing Rosa Ortecho, the sister of protagonist Liz who mysteriously returns from the dead. The show promoted her to series regular, and filming in her home state of New Mexico added special meaning. Rosa’s storylines dealt with addiction and personal demons, giving Amber emotionally heavy material. The role ran through 2022, building her fanbase and proving her staying power on television.

Prey: The Role That Changed Everything

Everything shifted when director Dan Trachtenberg cast her as Naru in Prey (2022). The Predator franchise prequel set in 1719 made history by featuring the first Native American actress leading a major studio franchise film. Amber played a young Comanche warrior determined to prove herself as a hunter while facing the deadly alien creature. The entire production worked with Comanche consultants, and they even created a full Comanche language dub of the film.

Her Brazilian jiu-jitsu background suddenly became her secret weapon. The physical demands of fighting a Predator required serious action choreography, and Amber’s martial arts training meant she could handle the stunts convincingly. Critics praised her fierce, grounded performance. The film became Hulu’s biggest premiere ever and earned Amber the Saturn Award for Breakthrough Performance. A Critics’ Choice nomination followed, putting her on Hollywood’s radar as a genuine action star.

The Ice Road and Action Star Status

Before Prey made her a household name, she’d already worked with Liam Neeson in The Ice Road (2021). Playing Tantoo, an ice road expert, she held her own against one of action cinema’s biggest names. Netflix grabbed the film in a record-breaking acquisition deal. The role proved she could carry weight in ensemble action films, setting up her Prey success.

Amber Midthunder Height and Physical Presence

Standing at 5 feet 5¼ inches tall, Amber isn’t physically imposing by traditional action star standards. But her martial arts training translates into screen presence that makes her believable in fight scenes. She moves with confidence and precision, making audiences forget about height when she’s taking down opponents twice her size. Her physical skills give her an edge that many actresses without combat training simply can’t match.

2024: Avatar and Indigenous Representation

Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series brought Amber into another beloved franchise in 2024. She took on Princess Yue, the compassionate spiritual leader of the Northern Water Tribe. The role let her play a character defined by sacrifice and duty rather than just fighting skills. It showed her range and continued her commitment to projects featuring Indigenous and Asian representation.

Double Feature Weekend: Novocaine and Opus

That historic March 2025 weekend showcased her versatility. In Paramount’s Novocaine, she played Sherry, the vulnerable love interest of a dentist (Jack Quaid) who literally can’t feel pain. The action-comedy let her show softer sides while still delivering in tense sequences. Meanwhile, A24’s Opus cast her as Belle in a nearly silent role that relied on physical acting and subtle expressions. Her mother Angelique served as casting director on Opus, making it a family affair. Critics noted how different the performances were, proving Amber wasn’t just an action specialist.

Rez Ball and Native American Sports Drama

September 2024 brought Rez Ball to Netflix, a basketball drama produced by LeBron James. Amber played Dezbah Weaver in this story about a high school team on a Native American reservation. Working alongside Jessica Matten and Julia Jones, she contributed to a film rooted in authentic Native culture and the importance of community sports. The supporting role showed she doesn’t need to lead every project to make an impact.

Actress and Filmmaker

Most fans don’t know Amber also directs. Her short film Don’t (2013) won recognition at the Smithsonian’s Native Cinema Showcase. She co-directed #nightslikethese (2013) with Shay Eyre and produced The Wheel (2021) while starring in it. These behind-the-camera efforts suggest she’s thinking about her long-term career beyond just acting roles.

Is Amber Midthunder Married?

Amber keeps her personal life mostly private. Social media posts from 2021-2022 showed her with boyfriend River Thomas, a model and social media influencer. However, there’s no confirmed information about marriage, and recent posts don’t feature him. She focuses public attention on her work rather than relationship status, which seems intentional for someone navigating rising fame.

Awards and Recognition

Beyond her Saturn Award win for Prey, Amber earned nominations from multiple critics’ associations. Variety named her one of their 10 Actors to Watch. But her cultural significance reaches beyond traditional awards. Being the first Native American actress to lead a major franchise film matters more than any trophy. She’s creating space for future Indigenous performers in an industry that’s historically excluded them.

Upcoming Projects: What’s Next

The future looks busy. She’s filming Painter, an action thriller with Walton Goggins where she plays a daughter rescuing her kidnapped father. James Cameron serves as producer, adding serious credentials. Prime Video’s Carrie series will feature her as Miss Desjardin, a fresh take on Stephen King’s classic. Director Dan Trachtenberg has hinted at Prey 2, though nothing’s confirmed. Season 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will also bring her back.

Amber Midthunder Net Worth

Industry estimates place her net worth between $1.5 million and $5 million as of 2025. Reports suggested she earned around $700,000 for Prey, a solid payday for a breakout role. Her series regular positions on Legion and Roswell, New Mexico added steady income. With her rising trajectory and upcoming projects with major producers like James Cameron, those numbers will likely climb significantly.

Cultural Impact and Representation

Amber Midthunder’s importance extends beyond box office numbers. She’s breaking stereotypes about what Indigenous actors can do and who gets to lead major films. Her dual Native American and Asian heritage represents communities that Hollywood has historically misrepresented or ignored. She works with cultural consultants, uses her platform for animal rights and environmental causes, and chooses projects that matter.

The girl who preferred jiu-jitsu mats to movie sets became exactly the kind of performer Hollywood needs. She’s not waiting for permission or settling for limiting roles. Instead, she’s proving that talent, training, and determination can rewrite industry rules. Every time she steps on screen—whether fighting a Predator or playing a silent role in an A24 thriller—she’s showing what’s possible when authentic voices get real opportunities.