Millie Bobby Brown Takes on Her First Biographical Role
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown is stepping into new territory with Netflix’s upcoming film Perfect, directed by Gia Coppola. For the first time in her career, the young actress will portray a real-life figure—Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Kerri Strug.
Strug made history during the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, when she performed a vault on an injured ankle, securing the first-ever team gold medal for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, famously nicknamed the Magnificent Seven.
The Legendary Olympic Moment
Audiences worldwide still remember the iconic moment when Strug, just 18 years old, executed her final vault despite her injury, before being carried to the podium by her coach Béla Károlyi. This unforgettable performance not only sealed victory for Team USA but also became a defining moment in Olympic history.
The Perfect film will focus on this dramatic event, as well as the untold stories of the legendary Magnificent Seven team, which also included Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, and team captain Amanda Borden.
A Coppola Family Legacy in Cinema
Perfect will be helmed by director Gia Coppola, granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola and niece of Sofia Coppola. With films like Palo Alto (2013), Mainstream (2020), and The Last Showgirl (2024) under her belt, Coppola continues her family’s filmmaking tradition by bringing this inspiring sports story to life.
The screenplay is written by Ronnie Sandahl, known for his work on sports dramas such as Borg vs McEnroe.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Expanding Career
Beyond starring, Brown is also expected to join Perfect as a producer, reinforcing her growing influence in Hollywood. Production is set to begin in 2026.
The actress maintains a strong partnership with Netflix, having led projects like Enola Holmes, Damsel, and the upcoming sci-fi epic The Electric State. Of course, she will also return as Eleven in the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things, which will be released later this year in three parts.
Why Perfect Matters
This project marks a significant milestone for Millie Bobby Brown as she transitions from fantasy-driven roles into real-world storytelling. By embodying an Olympic hero like Kerri Strug, Brown has the chance to showcase her acting range and connect with a new audience through a story of perseverance, resilience, and triumph against the odds.
