Hollywood loves a good doppelgänger. It’s one of those things that keeps the internet alive at 3 AM. But with Natalie Portman and Millie Bobby Brown, the comparison isn't just a fleeting Twitter trend; it’s basically become a piece of modern pop culture lore. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media in the last decade, you’ve seen the side-by-side photos. The ones where a young Natalie Portman in Léon: The Professional (1994) looks almost exactly like Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven from Stranger Things.
The resemblance is, quite honestly, spooky. It’s the eyes. The jawline. The way they both managed to look world-weary and incredibly intense before they were even old enough to drive. But while the physical similarities are what get the clicks, the real connection between these two goes a lot deeper than just having similar facial structures.
Why the internet is obsessed with Natalie Portman and Millie Bobby Brown
It started around 2018. A few viral tweets pointed out that if you put a photo of 12-year-old Natalie next to 12-year-old Millie, you’re basically looking at the same person. The internet did what it does best: it spiraled.
Fans started digging up old headshots from Natalie’s 1996 film Beautiful Girls and comparing them to Millie’s red carpet appearances. It wasn't just the hair, though both famously shaved their heads for career-defining roles (Natalie for V for Vendetta and Millie for the first season of Stranger Things). It was the energy. Both actresses possess a rare kind of "adult" gravitas that most child stars just don't have.
The SNL Moment That Made It Official
For a long time, it was just a fan theory. Then, Saturday Night Live stepped in. In February 2018, Natalie Portman hosted the show and did a Stranger Things parody sketch. Seeing Natalie actually dress up as Eleven—the nosebleed, the pink dress, the wig—was the ultimate "I see you" to the fans.
It was a meta-moment. Portman didn't just acknowledge the resemblance; she leaned into it. She played the character with the same twitchy, psychic intensity that Brown made famous, effectively passing the torch (or maybe just admitting she saw the "glitch in the Matrix" too).
More Than Just Lookalikes: The Career Parallels
If you look past the "twin" memes, the trajectories of their careers are remarkably similar. Natalie Portman was 12 when she starred in Léon. She was immediately labeled a prodigy. She had to navigate being a sexualized child star in a very "adult" industry, a struggle she has spoken about extensively in recent years.
Millie Bobby Brown hit that same level of global superstardom at 12.
- Early Critical Acclaim: Both were nominated for major awards before they were 15.
- Sci-Fi Icons: Natalie has Star Wars (Padmé Amidala); Millie has Stranger Things.
- Fashion Powerhouses: Both became the faces of major luxury brands (Dior for Natalie, Louis Vuitton for Millie) while still in their teens.
Honestly, it’s kinda rare to see two actresses follow such an identical path. They both have this "old soul" vibe that makes them feel like they’ve been in the industry for forty years, even when they were just kids.
What Natalie Portman actually thinks of the comparison
Natalie has been asked about this a lot. Usually, when a veteran actor is compared to a newcomer, it can get awkward. Not here. During an interview with MTV News, Natalie called Millie "magical." She said, "I was so flattered because she's absolutely adorable and so talented... I think she's her own magical person."
Millie, for her part, was a total fangirl about it. She retweeted the interview, saying it was a "dream come true" to even be mentioned in the same breath as Natalie.
But there’s a serious side to this too. In 2026, we’re seeing a lot more conversation about the pressures of being a young woman in Hollywood. Natalie has been a vocal advocate for the "Time's Up" movement and has shared how difficult it was growing up in the spotlight. In a way, she’s become a blueprint for Millie on how to survive that transition from "child star" to "respected mogul."
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The "Modern Natalie" Era of Millie Bobby Brown
As of 2026, Millie has moved far beyond the "Eleven" shadow. With the final season of Stranger Things in the rearview and her massive success with the Enola Holmes franchise on Netflix, she’s building a business empire. She’s producing films, running a beauty line (Florence by Mills), and getting married.
She’s following the Portman playbook:
- Establish yourself as a powerhouse actor.
- Use that leverage to produce your own content.
- Maintain a private life despite the 24/7 news cycle.
People used to say Millie was the "next" Natalie Portman. But honestly? She’s just the first Millie Bobby Brown. The resemblance is a fun dinner-party fact, but their impact on the industry is what actually matters.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think they’re related. They aren't. There’s no secret "Aunt Natalie" situation happening. They also haven't starred in a movie together yet, which feels like a massive missed opportunity for any casting director with a brain. Imagine a mother-daughter thriller or a time-travel movie where they play the same person. It would break the internet.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Creatives
If you're following the careers of these two, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding how they've handled the "doppelgänger" narrative:
- Embrace the comparison but keep your identity. Millie never tried to be Natalie. She acknowledged the compliment and then kept building her own brand.
- Longevity requires evolution. Both actresses shifted from "the kid from that one thing" to producers and directors. They took control of their narratives early.
- Look for the "Old Soul" trait. If you're a writer or creator, notice that the connection people feel to these two isn't just about their faces—it's about the emotional depth they bring to young characters.
The fascinaton with Natalie Portman and Millie Bobby Brown probably won't die down anytime soon. As long as there are "then and now" TikToks, people will be shocked by how much they look alike. But the real story is how two women, born decades apart, managed to conquer the same industry using the exact same blend of intensity, intelligence, and grace.