About

In fall 2025, actress Sarah Durn will be seen in a lead role as Riley Brennan in Shelby Oaks, an upcoming horror thriller to be distributed by NEON (Anora, Parasite, Triangle of Sadness). The film follows a group of friends investigating the mysterious disappearance of a paranormal investigative team led by Riley (Durn), blending psychological suspense with found-footage terror. Shelby Oaks premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20, 2024, and screened at FrightFest on August 23, 2024. It will be released theatrically in the United States by NEON on October 3, 2025. Durn’s performance anchors the film’s emotional core, balancing raw vulnerability with unnerving intensity.

Durn’s recent screen credits include performances in Where the Crawdads Sing, the Reese Witherspoon-produced adaptation of the bestselling novel, where she played Miss Ariel, Kya’s teacher. She appeared in Universal Pictures’ Renfield opposite Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, and Nicholas Hoult; Netflix’s We Have a Ghost, directed by Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day) opposite David Harbour; NBC’s Chicago PD in the episode “Blood Relation;” and Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed OWN series Queen Sugar. She also worked with visionary filmmaker Boots Riley on the surrealist satire I’m A Virgo for Amazon Studios, opposite Walton Goggins, and appears in Jaume Collet-Serra’s action-thriller Carry On, opposite Taron Egerton.

On stage, Durn has performed in over ten professional productions across the U.S., including regional premieres of Stupid F**ing Bird, A Doll’s House Part 2, and The Wolves. Her theater work highlights her versatility and deep commitment to character-driven storytelling, earning her praise for both her comedic timing and dramatic range.

In addition to her work as an actor, Durn is a bestselling author and journalist. Her first book, The Beginner’s Guide to Alchemy, was published in 2020 by Rockridge Press. As a writer, she has contributed to major outlets, including The New York Times, National Geographic, Smithsonian, WIRED, and Popular Science, often exploring intersections of history, belief, and science. Her dual career as an actor and journalist is fueled by a deep curiosity about the human experience in all its mystery and complexity.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Durn graduated summa cum laude from New York University, where she earned a BA in acting and medieval studies. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.