Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Eva Victor

Eva Victor (born February 11, 1994) is an actress, writer, and director. Born in , , to parents, Victor relocated as a child to the , where they grew up as an only child in a middle-class family. Victor first gained prominence through viral sketches on , including humorous videos that amassed significant online followings, and contributions to platforms like . They appeared as a in the Showtime series Billions from 2020 to 2023. In 2025, Victor wrote, directed, and starred in their feature film debut Sorry, Baby, a depicting a young woman's nonlinear recovery from , which premiered to critical attention.

Early life

Birth and family background

Eva Victor was born on February 11, 1994, in , , to parents. Victor's mother worked for the travel imprint Access Guides at the time of her birth, which was part of a deliberate strategy to secure French citizenship for the family. The family, including Victor as their only child, relocated to , , when she was two years old, where her father pursued a career as a while maintaining a middle-class amid the region's tech-driven . Victor was raised in a Jewish family.

Upbringing and influences

Eva Victor relocated with her American parents from to the in early childhood, where she was raised as an only child in a middle-class household amid the region's tech-driven economy. Her family emphasized artistic pursuits as valuable endeavors, even if secondary to professional occupations like her father's work as a . This environment, including a legacy of creativity from her mother, nurtured Victor's early creative inclinations. Victor's passion for acting emerged during high school in , ignited by her participation in a production of the musical Spring Awakening, in which she portrayed Wendla despite her height of 5 feet 11 inches. This experience marked a pivotal moment, drawing her toward performance and storytelling. Intellectually, Victor drew from French existentialist literature encountered in her youth, particularly , whose inquiries into life's absurdity in the face of mortality resonated deeply and shaped her worldview. These readings, combined with familial artistic encouragement, informed her later comedic and dramatic sensibilities, emphasizing humor amid existential and personal challenges.

Career

Online comedy and writing beginnings

Eva Victor's entry into comedy writing occurred after graduating from Northwestern University, where they studied acting and playwriting and first engaged with comedic performance. Relocating to with peers, Victor interned at the satirical women's magazine around 2016, progressing to a staff writer and eventually an editor role by 2019, during which they contributed pieces parodying gender dynamics and cultural tropes. Parallel to their print work, built an online presence through short, absurdist video sketches shared on platforms including and , amassing a dedicated following for content that blended humor with social observation. Notable examples include a viral clip titled "me explaining to my boyfriend why we're going to ," which highlighted Victor's style of ironic commentary on relationships and , contributing to their recognition as an emerging digital comedian by the late . These online efforts, often riffing on everyday absurdities in rants under a minute long, positioned Victor within the broader landscape of millennial satire, predating their transitions into scripted television writing and acting. The videos' success, driven by shareability and relatable edge, provided early validation but also underscored the challenges of monetizing unstaffed digital content, prompting Victor's pursuit of traditional industry roles.

Acting roles

Eva Victor's acting career includes recurring television roles and appearances in independent films. Her earliest credited role was in the Showtime series Billions, where she portrayed Rian, a trader, across multiple episodes in seasons 5 through 7 from 2020 to 2023. This role marked her entry into serialized television drama, contributing to the amid the series' focus on high and power dynamics. In film, Victor appeared as Jenna "The Rebounds" Brookes in the 2021 romantic comedy Dating & New York, directed by Jonah Feingold, which explores modern relationships in New York City. She provided the voice for the character Gail 5000 in the 2024 animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter. Victor starred as Agnes in the 2025 independent film Sorry, Baby, which she also wrote and directed; the project premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2025. Additional credits include a supporting role as Susan in the first season of the anthology series Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber (2022) and minor appearances in shorts like As of Yet (2021) and music videos such as Lucy Dacus's "Night Shift" (2023), where she played a flying monkey.

Directing and production work

Eva Victor made their directorial debut with the independent feature film Sorry, Baby (2025), a dark comedy-drama exploring trauma recovery, which they also wrote and starred in as . The film premiered at the in January 2025, receiving acclaim for its dialogue-driven structure unfolding across five non-linear vignettes. To prepare for directing, Victor participated in an intensive training process equivalent to a graduate-level film class, supervised by Barry Jenkins, who produced the film through his Pastel company alongside Adele Romanski and others. This collaboration enabled Victor to direct themselves in key scenes, allowing precise control over physical performance amid the film's themes of bodily autonomy post-trauma. No prior feature directing credits are documented for Victor, marking Sorry, Baby as their entry into production oversight roles, though primary producing duties were handled by Jenkins' team.

Notable works

Sorry, Baby (2025)

Sorry, Baby is a 2025 American independent black comedy-drama film written and directed by Eva Victor in their feature-length directorial debut. The story centers on Agnes, portrayed by Victor, a college student navigating the aftermath of a traumatic incident involving her professor, Preston Decker (Louis Cancelmi). As Agnes attempts to heal, the narrative examines her interactions with friends, family, and support systems, blending humor with the processing of real-life pain. The film features a supporting cast including , , , and . drew from personal experiences of recovery to craft the , focusing on the often-overlooked stages of post-trauma rather than the event itself. Production emphasized authentic emotional tones, with handling writing, directing, and starring roles to maintain a raw, introspective quality. Sorry, Baby premiered at the in January 2025, where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. handled distribution, with a beginning June 27, 2025, followed by availability on platforms in August 2025. Critics acclaimed the film for its deft handling of tonal shifts between comedy and drama, earning a 97% approval rating on from 173 reviews. Reviewers highlighted Victor's earnest depiction of and the film's avoidance of conventional narrative reflection in favor of immediate, . On , it holds a 7.1/10 rating from over 9,000 users.

Other television and film appearances

Victor portrayed the recurring role of Rian, a junior analyst, in the final three seasons of the Showtime drama series Billions, appearing in episodes from 2020 to 2023. They also had a supporting role in the first season of Showtime's anthology series (2022). In film, Victor played Jenna "The Rebounds" Brookes, a brief romantic interest, in the romantic comedy Dating & New York (2021), directed by Jonah Feingold. They provided the voice for Gail 5000, a minor character, in the animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter (2024). On October 16, 2025, Deadline reported that Victor had joined the cast of Behemoth!, an upcoming Searchlight Pictures drama written and directed by Tony Gilroy, co-starring Pedro Pascal and David Harbour, with production commencing shortly thereafter; specific role details remain undisclosed.

Reception and impact

Critical assessments

Eva Victor's debut Sorry, Baby (2025), in which they served as , , and , garnered significant critical praise for its innovative handling of sexual , focusing on the mundane aftermath rather than the event itself. Reviewers highlighted the film's blend of tenderness, sardonic humor, and irreverence, with awarding it four out of four stars and describing it as "a somewhat irreverent tribute to everyday survival after a Bad Thing." commended its "smart, offbeat" approach to pain and healing, noting Victor's success in portraying a protagonist navigating life's absurdities post-assault without resorting to conventional narratives. The film aggregated a 97% approval rating on from 173 reviews, reflecting broad consensus on its emotional authenticity and restraint in avoiding graphic depictions of violence. Critics appreciated Victor's multifaceted role, praising their performance as Agnes—a university professor grappling with psychic fallout—for its raw vulnerability and comedic timing, which elevated the film's exploration of friendship, career ambitions, and personal betrayal. The Guardian noted the film's acclaim for "reimagining the 'trauma plot'" through non-linear storytelling and emphasis on healing's messiness, crediting Victor's background in viral comedy for infusing awkward, anxiety-driven humor into heavier themes. Publications like Pitchfork lauded it as "funnier and more deservedly harrowing" than typical scripts in the genre, arguing it convincingly demonstrates how mundane details underscore trauma's persistence. Some assessments pointed to minor shortcomings, such as a perceived meandering pace that occasionally dilutes impact, with one review characterizing the film as "imperfect, but reassured" in its directorial debut ambitions, prioritizing nuance over resolution. Victor's earlier online sketches, including videos satirizing events like , drew mixed online reactions for their sharp, discomforting edge but earned professional opportunities through their ability to channel personal awkwardness into relatable absurdity, though formal critiques of this phase remain sparse compared to the film's reception. Overall, Victor's transition from humor to filmmaking has been viewed as a maturation, with Sorry, Baby positioned as a standout 2025 release for defying sentimental or nihilistic extremes in representation.

Achievements and awards

Eva Victor's directorial debut Sorry, Baby (2025) earned the Screenwriting Award at the in January 2025, recognizing the film's script amid critical acclaim and a at its . The award highlighted Victor's transition from writing and to feature , with the script praised for its dialogue-driven dark -drama structure exploring personal trauma. In October 2025, Victor received the Mind the Gap Award at the , shared with , for advancing women directors' representation and artistry; the honor underscored Victor's role in bridging gaps in independent cinema. The festival spotlighted Sorry, Baby as a key work in Victor's emerging oeuvre. Victor was honored as an up-and-coming star at the 33rd in 2025, alongside and Tonatiuh, with the event also inaugurating an Achievement in Casting award. At the Astra Midseason Movie Awards, Sorry, Baby secured second place for in , with nominations for Best Picture and Best Screenplay, reflecting early industry recognition post-Sundance. also received the Critics Choice Seal of Female Cinema in July 2025 for its impressive debut qualities. Eva Victor received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Sorry, Baby at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. Eva Victor received a nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Sorry, Baby at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. Eva Victor has been nominated for Screenwriter of the Year and Actress of the Year for Sorry, Baby at the 2026 London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. Eva Victor has been nominated for Best Actress (Comedy or Musical) for Sorry, Baby at the 2025 Satellite Awards.

Personal identity and views

Gender identity

Eva Victor identifies as non-binary and employs they/she pronouns in public communications. This self-identification has been reported in profiles tied to their professional work, including the 2025 release of their directorial debut Sorry, Baby, where Victor portrays a character sharing similar traits. In a September 2025 interview, Victor described recently adopting she/they pronouns interchangeably, framing it as an acknowledgment of evolving personal identity amid life experiences. Previously, media and professional listings, such as IMDb entries from earlier in their career, referred to Victor using she/her pronouns exclusively, reflecting a shift announced around mid-2025. Victor's non-binary identification aligns with broader cultural discussions in queer media outlets, though primary evidence stems from self-disclosed statements in promotional contexts rather than clinical or empirical documentation. No public records indicate medical interventions or transitions; the identity appears rooted in subjective experience, as articulated in interviews where Victor references influences from trans individuals without claiming transgender status themselves.

Political leanings

Eva Victor has publicly aligned with the . On March 2, 2020, Victor endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign via a post on . In another post on October 2, 2020, Victor expressed support for Democratic leadership, stating "a democrat in office right now." These statements reflect a preference for Democratic candidates during the 2020 U.S. cycle. No subsequent public endorsements or positions on specific political issues, such as the 2024 election, have been documented in available sources. Victor's comedic work, including contributions to satirical outlets like , has occasionally touched on social topics, but lacks explicit partisan framing beyond the 2020 expressions.

References

  1. [1]
    Eva Victor - Biography - IMDb
    Eva Victor was born on February 11, 1994 in Paris, France. She is an actress and director, known for Sorry, Baby (2025), Boys Go to Jupiter (2024) and Billions ...
  2. [2]
    18 Things to Know About Jewish Comedian and Writer Eva Victor
    Jun 26, 2025 · Here are 18 things to know about Eva Victor. 1. Eva was born on February 11, 1994 in Paris. 2. She's an Aquarius! 3. They identify as ...
  3. [3]
    How Eva Victor's 'Sorry, Baby' Became One of the Most Hire-Wire ...
    May 27, 2025 · Sorry, Baby—deadpan and heartbreaking—is about a young woman (played by its writer-director Eva Victor) recovering from trauma ...
  4. [4]
    'Sorry, Baby' Star Eva Victor on Her Comedy Career and Debut Film
    Jun 6, 2025 · BORN IN PARIS IN 1994, Victor and their parents (who are American) later moved to the Bay Area, where Victor grew up attending an “intensely ...
  5. [5]
    EVA VICTOR - PI
    Eva Victor is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, and director. Maybe you recognize them from Showtime's Billions, or from their many viral Twitter videos (Eva ...
  6. [6]
    Eva Victor - IMDb
    Eva Victor was born on 11 February 1994 in Paris, France. She is an actress and director, known for Sorry, Baby (2025), Boys Go to Jupiter (2024) and Billions ...
  7. [7]
    Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Eva Victor, the Writer-Director ...
    Jun 27, 2025 · In her first feature, Sorry, Baby, writer-director Eva Victor explores this stage of recovery, which can occur after experiencing trauma.
  8. [8]
    How Eva Victor Reimagined the Trauma Plot | The New Yorker
    Jun 29, 2025 · Katy Waldman profiles Eva Victor and writes about her new film, “Sorry, Baby,” which charts the course of a young woman's recovery from ...
  9. [9]
    Eva Victor – Biography, Net Worth, Age, Weight, Height, Relationships
    Jul 4, 2024 · Where was Eva Victor born? Ethnicity, Nationality, Family, Education. Eva was born in Paris on February 11, 1994 , but moved to San Francisco ...<|separator|>
  10. [10]
    How San Francisco-raised Eva Victor used 'Sorry, Baby' to heal
    Jul 3, 2025 · Victor was born in Paris, but their family moved to San Francisco when they were 2. They went to the International School from kindergarten ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  11. [11]
    How 'Sorry, Baby' writer-director-star Eva Victor made the year's ...
    Jun 27, 2025 · Victor grew up in San Francisco in a family that cherished and pursued artistic endeavors, even if it wasn't their primary careers. At ...Missing: upbringing background
  12. [12]
    Eva Victor, director of 'Sorry, Baby': Cinema as a path to healing
    Jul 27, 2025 · The artistic inclination of this single child, born in Paris and raised in San Francisco, is a family legacy they feel grateful for. Her mother, ...
  13. [13]
    Eva Victor opens up about 'very personal' movie 'Sorry, Baby'
    Jul 25, 2025 · “I was the tallest Wendla in the history of the world,” deadpans Victor, 31, whose lanky 5-foot-11 frame is a frequent punchline in her comedy.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  14. [14]
    25-Year-Old Eva Victor Is Now Writing For Herself - Forbes
    Jun 19, 2019 · Victor didn't really understand comedy when she was young but liked performing. She went to college with the intention of being an actress in ...
  15. [15]
    winning filmmaker for her latest project Sorry, Baby. Eva ... - Facebook
    Jun 27, 2025 · Eva began her creative path in satire, writing for Reductress and building a devoted following through her razor-sharp comedy videos.
  16. [16]
    How Eva Victor Tackles Trauma With Humor in Sorry, Baby - ELLE
    Jul 18, 2025 · Eva Victor began their career in the comedy scene, going viral on TikTok and writing for satirical sites like Reductress. Subjects would range ...
  17. [17]
    How Social Media Maven Eva Victor Became a Bona Fide ... - Yahoo
    Jan 24, 2025 · '” At the time, the Bay Area native was living in Brooklyn and looking to break into comedy, ideally with a staffed writing job “at a late night ...
  18. [18]
    'Sorry, Baby' is a story about pain and healing you haven't heard ...
    short, absurdist riffs and rants, with titles like "when my husband ...
  19. [19]
    'It's like a stone gets shoved into the river of your life': Eva Victor on ...
    Aug 18, 2025 · Covid had shut down production on Billions, Showtime's soapy finance drama on which Victor scored their first regular acting gig. Moonlight ...<|separator|>
  20. [20]
    Dating & New York (2021) - IMDb
    Rating 4.8/10 (949) Dating & New York: Directed by Jonah Feingold. With Francesca Reale ... Eva Victor · Jenna 'The Rebounds' Brookes · Jeremy Mittleman · Screenplay Guy.
  21. [21]
  22. [22]
    Eva Victor - TV Guide
    Actress ; Sorry, Baby as Agnes. Sorry, Baby ; Boys Go to Jupiter as Gail 5000. Boys Go to Jupiter ; Billions as Rian. Billions ; Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber ...
  23. [23]
    Sorry, Baby (2025) - IMDb
    Rating 7.1/10 (9,349) Sorry, Baby: Directed by Eva Victor. With Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Louis Cancelmi, Kelly McCormack. Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on - for ...Eva Victor · Eva Victor as Agnes · Parents guide · User reviews
  24. [24]
    Eva Victor Wrestles With Trauma in her Feature Debut, 'Sorry Baby'
    May 16, 2025 · No new filmmaker has a more fitting name than Eva Victor, writer-director-star of the seriocomic Sundance hit “Sorry, Baby.”.
  25. [25]
    How Eva Victor Learned to Direct 'Sorry, Baby' - IndieWire
    Jul 1, 2025 · Comedian and actor Eva Victor had previously been hired to write screenplays, but sitting down to write “Sorry, Baby” during COVID lockdown was ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  26. [26]
    eva victor (@evavictor) • Instagram photos and videos
    Watch the trailer for the achingly funny and heartfelt debut from writer, director and star, Eva Victor. In Select Theaters June 27.
  27. [27]
    A Profound Experience of Rewriting: Eva Victor on “Sorry, Baby”
    Jun 24, 2025 · Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival, “Sorry, Baby” serves as an extraordinary showcase for its ...
  28. [28]
    Sorry, Baby (2025) - Eva Victor - Letterboxd
    Rating 4.1 (129,558) Director Director. Eva Victor. Producers Producers. Adele Romanski Barry Jenkins Mark Ceryak Myriam Schroeter Kiva Reardon Frank Ariza Yohann Comte Pierre ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    'Sorry, Baby' review: A smart, offbeat film about pain and healing - NPR
    Jul 16, 2025 · Eva Victor plays an English lit professor in Sorry, Baby. Agnes (Eva Victor) struggles to make sense of life after experiencing a sexual ...
  30. [30]
    Sorry, Baby - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 97% (173) Carrying off difficult subject matter with a light touch and wry sense of humor, Sorry, Baby triumphantly announces writer-director and star Eva Victor as a ...Eva Victor · 173 Reviews · Naomi Ackie · All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
  31. [31]
    Sorry, Baby - A24
    Sorry, Baby. 2025. Sorry, Baby. 2025. Watch Now. A24 App · Apple TV · Amazon · Google Play · YouTube · Fandango at Home. Directed by. Eva Victor. Year. 2025 ...
  32. [32]
    Sorry, Baby: How Eva Victor Made a Personal First Movie About ...
    Jun 28, 2025 · Eva Victor is the writer, director and star of Sorry, Baby, in theaters June 27. The 2025 Sundance Film Festival breakout follows Agnes, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  33. [33]
    Eva Victor - Provincetown Film Society
    Eva Victor (they/she) is a writer-director and actor whose fearless, character-forward comedic sensibility has cemented them as an undeniable triple threat to ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  34. [34]
    Eva Victor on Making Their Filmmaking Debut with <em>Sorry, Baby ...
    Jul 4, 2025 · As an actor, Victor appeared as Rian beginning in the fifth season of Billions and the first season of Super Pumped, both for Showtime. They ...
  35. [35]
    Eva Victor Joins 'Behemoth!' Opposite Pedro Pascal & David Harbour
    Oct 16, 2025 · EXCLUSIVE: Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby) has closed a deal to join Pedro Pascal and David Harbour in Behemoth!, the Searchlight film from Andor's ...<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    Sorry, Baby movie review & film summary (2025) - Roger Ebert
    Rating 4/4 · Review by Monica CastilloJun 27, 2025 · Eva Victor's “Sorry, Baby” is not a lighthearted comedy nor a dour drama, but a somewhat irreverent tribute to everyday survival after a Bad ...
  37. [37]
    Sorry, Baby Review: A New and Improved Sundance Darling
    Jun 27, 2025 · At once funnier and more deservedly harrowing than nearly any script of its type, Sorry, Baby makes a convincing argument that the most mundane, ...
  38. [38]
    'Sorry, Baby' Review: An Imperfect, But Reassured Directorial Debut
    Jul 13, 2025 · While I wouldn't necessarily call Sorry, Baby a perfect debut feature, it sure is a solid one, with plenty of nuance and comfort. I don't know ...
  39. [39]
    Eva Victor: 'I used the title as a way to reward myself once I wrote…
    Aug 20, 2025 · Eva Victor's first brush with celebrity came through viral comedy videos, most famously one on Straight Pride, which earned them a writing gig ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  40. [40]
    REVIEW: Sorry, Baby (2025) - FictionMachine.
    Aug 31, 2025 · I can only impress upon you that Sorry, Baby is the best feature film I have seen so far from 2025. I went in without knowing anything about it, ...
  41. [41]
    Mill Valley Film Festival Spotlight on Eva Victor ('Sorry, Baby')
    Oct 15, 2025 · Victor is one of two recipients of the 2025 Mind the Gap Award, alongside Rose Byrne. Following their graduation from Northwestern University, ...
  42. [42]
    And the HIFF Award goes to... - Hamptons International Film Festival
    At HIFF33, we will honor up-and-coming stars Sydney Sweeney, Tonatiuh, and Eva Victor, and bestow our inaugural Achievement in Casting award on longtime casting ...
  43. [43]
    Awards - Sorry, Baby (2025) - IMDb
    Astra Midseason Movie Awards ; Eva Victor · Best Actress. Eva Victor. 2nd place ; Eva Victor in Sorry, Baby (2025) · Best Picture ; Eva Victor · Best Screenplay. Eva ...
  44. [44]
    Critics Choice Awards - Facebook
    Jul 10, 2025 · SORRY, BABY is the wildly impressive feature debut for writer, director and star Eva Victor. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival ...
  45. [45]
    Why Eva Victor Chose To Not Show "The Bad Thing" In 'Sorry, Baby'
    Sep 26, 2025 · As the writer, director and lead actor in their debut film, 'Sorry, Baby', Eva Victor has proven to be a triple-threat-to-watch.
  46. [46]
    Eva Victor Didn't Tell a Woman's Story - Autostraddle
    Jun 26, 2025 · Writer/comedian Eva Victor is now a filmmaker. After years of creating humorous Twitter sketches and original content for Comedy Central, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  47. [47]
    Eva Victor's Secret Is Out - Bustle
    Sep 15, 2025 · When I started [acting on] the show Billions, I immediately met Asia Kate Dillon, and they were totally instrumental in me learning about ...Missing: Super Pumped Jupiter
  48. [48]
    Eva Victor - why I (me) am also endorsing Joe Biden
    Mar 2, 2020 · why I (me) am also endorsing Joe Biden.Missing: political views
  49. [49]
  50. [50]
    NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 31ST ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
    Official announcement listing Eva Victor's nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Sorry, Baby (A24).
  51. [51]
    The 2026 Nominations
    Official Golden Globes nominations listing Eva Victor for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Sorry, Baby.
  52. [52]
    London Critics' Circle Film Awards 2026 Nominations Announced
    Variety article detailing the nominations for the 2026 London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, including Eva Victor's nods for Sorry, Baby.
  53. [53]
    The 2025 Satellite Award (IPA) Nominations
    Announcement of nominations including Eva Victor for Best Actress (Comedy or Musical) for Sorry, Baby.