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Amber Benson

Amber Benson

Actor and writer, also producer · Born January 8, 1977 (49) · Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Amber Nicole Benson  (born January 8, 1977) is an American actress, writer, film director, and film producer. She is best known for her role as Tara Maclay on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but has also directed, produced and starred in her own films Chance (2002) and Lovers, Liars & Lunatics (2006).She is also co-director with Adam Busch of Drones (2010). Description above from the Wikipedia article Amber Benson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 8, 1977 (49)
From
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Works as
Actor and writer, also producer
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 64 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

What are Amber Benson's films like?

Across their 34 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Mystery2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Mystery movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
25%
Self
25%
Survival
21%
Morality
20%
Society
5%
Power
3%
Ideas
0%
Survival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 32 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 8 · Dark 12

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 24 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 17 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 17 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 18 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 14 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 10
Herald
3 of 10
Ally
1 of 10
Mentor
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
23
Melancholic
14
Dread
11
Warm
9
Contemplative
8
Other
24

How their films linger

Hopeful13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous9

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Amber Benson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Amber Benson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

64 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Vanishing Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Dominique

  • I Saw the TV Glow(2024)

    as Johnny Link's Mom

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Family History Mysteries: Buried Past(2023)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Ann Rule's A Murder to Remember(2020)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Apartment 407(2016)

    as Chloe

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Nightmare Gallery(2019)

    as Professor Samantha Rand

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Morning Show Mysteries: Death by Design(2019)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder in Mind(2019)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Terror in the Woods(2018)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Griddle House(2018)

    as Tiny

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Glossary of Broken Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Pfefferkarree McCormick

  • House of Demons(2018)

    Associate Producer · as Maya

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer(2017)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Crooked Man(2016)

    as Grace Hutchinson

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Desire Will Set You Free (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Jayne

  • Back to Backspace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Patti (voice)

  • Morganville: The Series(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Amelie

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Tom Holland's Twisted Tales(2014)

    as Dhianna (segment "Shockwave")

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Twisted Tales(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Dhianna

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Dust Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Ella

  • Ringer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary Curtis

  • Act Your Age (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Julia

  • Strictly Sexual: The Series(2011)

    Show as Donna

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Another Harvest Moon(2010)

    as Gretchen

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Killing Jar(2010)

    as Noreen

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Drones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Tripping Forward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Gwen

  • Strictly Sexual(2008)

    as Donna

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • One-Eyed Monster(2008)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Blue Tooth Virgin(2008)

    as Jennifer the Fan

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • 7 Things to Do Before I'm 30(2008)

    as Lori Madison

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Private Practice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Jill Avery

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Kiss the Bride(2007)

    as Elly Golski

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Girltrash! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Svetlana 'Lana' Dragovich

  • Girltrash! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Simple Things(2007)

    as Sally

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Attack of the Gryphon(2007)

    as Princess Amelia of Lockland

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Holiday Wishes(2006)

    as Danni Hartford

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Lovers, Liars and Lunatics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Justine

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lenore

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Allison Davis

  • Intermedio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Barbie

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Corrine Henley

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Race You to the Bottom(2005)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Latter Days(2003)

    as Traci Levine

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Hoffman

  • Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Chance

  • Don's Plum(2001)

    as Amy

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Taboo(2002)

    as Piper

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Theory of the Leisure Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Screenplay · Story

  • The Prime Gig(2000)

    as Batgirl

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special(2000)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Can't Hardly Wait(1998)

    as Stephanie (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Cracker: Mind Over Murder(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 47 episodes · as Tara Maclay

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Jack Reed: One of Our Own(1995)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Bye Bye Love(1995)

    as Meg Damico

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • S.F.W.(1994)

    as Babs Wyler

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Imaginary Crimes(1994)

    as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Jack Reed: A Search for Justice(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Jack Reed: Badge of Honor(1993)

    as Nicole Reed

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • King of the Hill(1993)

    as Ella McShane

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Crush(1993)

    as Cheyenne

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles from 1993 to 2026; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

The Crush (1993)

$14M worldwide

Highest rated

King of the Hill (1993)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

The Crush (1993)

Film career

19932026

Peak 2009 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1993Screen debut· The Crush
  • 2008First top-billed film· Strictly Sexual
  • 2008Career best· Strictly Sexual

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting55 of 63: 52 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score36thDirecting3 of 63: 1 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting9 of 63: 7 only writing, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score51stProducing3 of 63: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleEditing1 of 63: 0 only editing, 1 with another role

63 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1990s12 · acting2000s26 · 25 acting · 3 crew2010s21 · 16 acting · 6 crew2020s4 · 2 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 13% of 15 roles
9303

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Amber Benson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 37th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 32 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 31st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Reach · how many have seen their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 46 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic7
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

The Nightmare Gallery (2019)

95th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Midcredits 93rd · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 32 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Amber Benson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles45–66 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 75 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Amber Benson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Amber Benson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ozzy Doniz shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers