Fans and pundits were stunned by Bryce Dallas Howard in Argylle. Having starred in sentimental films like Jurassic World and The Help, Bryce took a significant step out of her comfort zone and into the spy comedy, and she made it her own.
In Argylle, Bryce stars as Elly Conway, a reclusive author who finds herself in a twisty plot when her successful spy novellas become a reality. This is not a typical spy action flick. And, oh, Bryce is also not a typical action star!
If you take a quiet writer and put her in an unexpected life-or-death situation involving real spies, secrets, and head-spinning pacing, I think Argylle was able to unpack some of that journey – and frankly, it was a whole new Bryce Dallas Howard that we shall never again forget.
If you ever questioned if a person like you could be the hero in a spy movie, well, this just might be it. Let’s take a look at how Bryce evolved in Argylle, what made her impactful, and why this will all matter in 2025.
Quick Facts: Bryce Dallas Howard in Argylle
| Topic | Details |
| Role | Elly Conway, a spy novelist, is dragged into a real mission |
| Genre | Action comedy / Spy thriller |
| Director | Matthew Vaughn (known for Kingsman) |
| Co-stars | Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston |
| Streaming | Available on Apple TV+ |
| Release Year | 2024 |
| Film Budget | Over $200 million |
| Box Office | Underperformed, but gained attention for its cast and unique style |
| Bryce’s Approach | No extreme dieting or body changes, she stayed true to herself |
| Critical Praise | Bryce’s performance was praised, even if the movie had mixed reviews |
A Completely Different Role for Bryce
This is not how most audiences see Bryce Dallas Howard. Most people know her as a smart, soft-spoken character, not someone throwing punches at bad guys or running from explosions. But Argylle gave her the opportunity to be the hero of a full-on spy adventure.
Director Matthew Vaughn, famous for action films like Kingsman, wanted someone “unexpected” and “real.” He wanted someone who wasn’t just a typical “action girl,” and that is why he chose Bryce Dallas Howard for Argylle.
In an interview with TIME Magazine, Bryce shared that she was proud to play a lead role without having to change her body or appearance to fit Hollywood’s usual idea of a female action star. She didn’t lose weight or go through an extreme makeover. She stayed herself, and that mattered a lot to her.
What Is Argylle?
Okay, so let’s talk about the film itself. Argylle is a spy comedy that rides the line between fiction and real-life adventure. Bryce’s character, Elly Conway, writes spy novels. One day, the things she writes about start happening in real-time in her life. Sounds great until it becomes a nightmare.
Suddenly, she’s being chased by spies, throwing punches, and being thrown into a world she thought only existed in her novels. And yes, there’s a cat sidekick. (If you are a cat lover, you will definitely enjoy this part).
The movie also stars big names like Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, and Dua Lipa. It’s fast, colorful, and full of wild plot twists. Think Kingsman meets Spy Kids, with a grown-up twist.
The Internet Couldn’t Wait to Talk About It
When the first trailer dropped, the internet went wild. A lot of people were excited, most because they didn’t expect Bryce Dallas Howard in Argylle to look as bold and different as she did. She had a new hairstyle, a new vibe, and a completely different role.
Some fans loved the fun, campy vibe of the movie. Others were a bit confused by the mix of action and comedy. But one thing was clear: Bryce Dallas Howard stole the spotlight. Even people who didn’t know much about her before started paying attention.
Sites like Variety pointed out how this role was a big step for her, especially after other movies like Lady in the Water, which didn’t do well at the box office. With Argylle, Bryce got to flip the script and try something totally fresh.
Not Everything Went As Planned…
Now here’s the twist to this story: Argylle did not exactly go on to crush it at the box office. Although it had a big cast and a huge budget (over 200 million), it did not earn very much. Some critics hated the story, and some critics and audience members hated that it tried to do too much.
But no matter what you think about Argylle, Bryce’s performance shone. She held her head high even when the movie didn’t reach the top charts, and many people said she was one of the best things about the film. She added charm, heart, and quirky humor to her character so that Elly Conway was relatable.
Bryce Dallas Howard’s Major Shift
While Argylle may not have turned out to be a huge commercial success, it changed more than just the course of the actor’s career: it provided Howard the opportunity to showcase a different part of herself that had not been publicly demonstrated before.
Instead of doing things “by the book”, she went rogue and embodied a profound character that transcended Superheroism: a bizarre, funny, impervious, and very human woman who did not have things figured out. Elly Conway was flawed, and that is what audiences connected with.
Off-screen, she worked tirelessly to prepare for all of the action. She trained with stunt coordinators, learned choreography for highly technical movements, and bruised teammates in simulated battle. She developed Elly Conway while remaining true to who she is. She did not try to become a “perfect” Hollywood version of a spy; she was just…Elly. It is what made her such a breath of fresh air in Argyle.
What Made Elly Conway Unique
Through the eyes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Elly Conway was not a classic spy hero. She was not overly strong, nor cool, and lacked confidence just as much as she possessed it, and often found herself in very awkward situations. She preferred to stay home with her cat and write novels, as opposed to fighting.
But when violent and dangerous circumstances arose, she continued pushing forward. Sure, she made mistakes. But she was always trying to find a solution. She just figured it out step by step. This made her believable, like someone you know.
It is a big part of why the character resonated with audiences. She was never going to be a “tough girl with a gun.” She was smart, funny, scared, and brave – at the exact same time. Bryce embodied all of those traits in a way that felt honest and refreshing.
What’s next for Bryce Dallas Howard?
After Argylle, viewers are left wondering what Bryce Dallas Howard will decide to do next. Will she move on to another action film? Will she go back to drama? Or, perhaps, direct more films? (Fun fact: She’s already directed episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.)
Whatever she chooses, it’s clear that she’s not afraid to try something new. She’s shown that she can be more than just a supporting actress. She can lead a big, wild, expensive action movie and still feel relatable and real.
Even if Argylle wasn’t a box office hit, it gave her the chance to shine. It also reminded people that success doesn’t always mean making the most money. Sometimes, it just means doing something bold, different, and honest, and that’s exactly what she did.
Why this role still matters
So, why are people still discussing Bryce Dallas Howard in Argylle in 2025? It’s simple. Argylle was a pivotal moment – not only in her career, but in the narrative surrounding women’s roles in action films.
Usually, spy movies show the same kind of female character, slim, strong, serious, and always looking perfect. But Bryce’s version of Elly broke that pattern. She was soft, silly, unsure, and still totally capable.
She showed that action stars don’t need to fit one mold. They can look different. They can feel different. And they can still save the day.
As more films push for real and diverse characters, Bryce Dallas Howard’s Argylle role might be remembered as one of the first big steps in that direction.
Final Thoughts
Argylle might not have set box office records, but it gave us something more valuable– a different type of action hero. Bryce Dallas Howard in Argylle showed us that a hero does not have to be perfect, skinny, or overly polished. They can be real. They can be awkward. And they can still save the day.
In 2025, when so many movies are still just the same recipe, Bryce’s performance felt refreshing. She was different because she didn’t try to be typical. She transformed Elly Conway into someone we loved, laughed with, and could see ourselves in.
This may not define her career as a whole — but it is always going to be the brave, bold choice she took outside of normal to do something completely different.
FAQs
Who does Bryce Dallas Howard play in Argylle?
She plays Elly Conway, a shy writer who finds herself in the middle of a real spy mission — just like the ones in her books.
Is Argylle based on a true story?
No, it’s a fictional story. But the film plays with the idea of “what if a writer’s fiction became real?”
Did Bryce do her own stunts in Argylle?
She trained for many action scenes and did several stunts herself, though stunt doubles helped with the more dangerous parts.
Was Argylle a hit or a flop?
Sadly, the movie didn’t do great at the box office, even with a big cast and a high budget. But Bryce’s performance was still praised.
Where can I watch Argylle now?
It’s currently available on Apple TV+, since it’s an Apple Original Film.
